The Rogue River
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The Rogue River is a three to five day trip best known for it's forested canyon, beautiful rock formations, and abundance of wildlife. It makes the perfect family vacation with fairly straightforward rapids (except Blossom Bar) and something for everyone.
Featured Rogue River Outfitters
ARTA
River Trips (800) 323-2782 is a non-profit organization
that runs 18 rivers in the West. They offer four and five day Rogue
River Rafting trips.
Destination
Wilderness (800) 423-8868 offers three to five
day camping and wilderness lodge Rogue
River rafting trips with departures every week.
ECHO
River Trips (800) 652-3246 runs legendary three
and four day Rogue River rafting trips
for friends and family.
Or, Request a Brochure from all three outfitters!
Perhaps the best part of the Rogue River canyon is the abundance and diversity
of wildlife. You will most likely see Bald Eagles and Osprey as well
as bear or two. Bears are more commonly seen in the lower part of
the canyon and are often seen by careful observers along the riverbank.
They are rarely a problem unless they find a way to get into your food
or trash.
There are several places to begin your trip and most people put-in somewhere between the town of Galice and the Grave Creek Bridge. Just below the Grave Creek Bridge are the Class III rapids Upper and Lower Grave Creek Falls. Below here, the river is peaceful until the Class V rapid, Rainey Falls.
Rainey Falls is a six foot drop into a meaty hole and is one of the most famous drops in the West. Luckily, the Class IV Mid Chute and the Class III Fish Ladder allow easier routes to navigate the river. You'll definitely want to scout this one no matter where you go.
Beyond Rainey Falls are many great camps and miles of fun Class
II and III rapids. The next place of note is Mule Creek and the Rogue
River Ranch. Most groups will camp or stop at the ranch for lunch, to
swim in Mule Creek, or to walk up to the ranch to learn more about the
history of the Rogue River. Regardless, you'll want to regroup here to
prepare for Mule Creek Canyon and Blossom
Bar.
Mule Creek Canyon is considered by many as the most beautiful place on the river with it's vertical rock walls and swirly water. It's important to watch your boat spacing and to pay close attention for swimmers in the canyon. You'll want to eddy out at Stair Creek on river left and look up as it cascades into the river.
Soon after Mule Creek Canyon is Blossom Bar, a formidable Class IV rapid. After you float around a bend and see rocks obstructing the river channel, you should pull over to river right in order to scout. There are various ways to run this rapid at different flows, but most people enter on the left side and make a hard pull to the center in order to avoid the "Picket Fence."
Most people will stay one night below Blossom Bar at one of the lodges or beautiful camps. The trip ends at Foster bar which is about an hour from the Oregon Coast and a couple hours from Galice.
Rogue River Resources
Rogue
River Map (free download from BLM)
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