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Oregon’s Wild and Scenic

Illinois River

A one-of-a-kind adventure for the truly adventurous

4 Day Illinois River Rafting Trips

  • Length: 32 miles / 4 days
  • Season: April and May
  • Activities: Class IV/V Rafting
  • Minimum Age: 16
  • Includes: Professional guides, exceptional food,
    and camping gear
  • Meeting Place: Grants Pass, Oregon
  • Trip Cost: $2095/person

Awesome and Genuine

★★★★★
The guides on this trip went way above and beyond. Everything was so wonderful from the food, gear and attentiveness at the right times. On top of that the river was absolutely beautiful and I loved that we got to got to explore one of the days. I also loved that it was a small intimate group allowing us all to really get to know each other. You all are the best!!!
- Sharon Klein

BinocularsEvery river is unique and no single day on a single river is ever the same. Yet the Illinois stands apart as a river unparalleled in its pristine, wild course through the remote Kalmiopsis Wilderness.

The difference between an Illinois River rafting trip and other river trips is apparent right from the start. Instead of the jostle of crowded put-ins strewn with gear and people and the frenetic energy of a busy boat launch, the unimproved and mostly-deserted river bench put-in at Miami Bar sets the tone for a more introspective sort of journey. And you’ll need the calm and quiet you’ll find here to marshall your resources for the days ahead because just around the bend of what looks like a gentle undulation downstream, lies some of the biggest wildwater in the region.

Raft Paddle | Illinois RiverFor most of your time on the Illinois, you’ll see few if any other river runners. The intensity of Illinois River rafting trips keeps all but the most fierce away. The surrounding wilderness does as well. Deep canyons and rough rock ridges make for challenging terrain on foot and especially in the water. But as with other wild and remote locations on our earth, those who are ready to embrace all the Illinois has to offer will be rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will shift your soul.

Illinois River Rafting Trip Rhythm

Expect a steady build-up over the course of the first couple of days to some of the most difficult rapids on any river we run (awesome Class IV/IV+ whitewater) by Day 3. The last day is generally pretty easy—whew!—so you can bliss out in that happy-exhausted feeling that comes after doing something hard and truly worthwhile.

Off the Rafts

Groover | Illinois River RaftingOnce we hit camp for the day, we might go for hikes. But after such epic days, we’re usually happy to relax in camp, talk about the day, and steep ourselves in the solitude and immense beauty surrounding us.

Flora & Fauna

NewtBears, Osprey, Bald Eagles, Mergansers, Rattle Snakes, Great Blue Herons, river otters, newts, sturgeon, salmon, deer. Ponderosa Pines, Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, Madrone, Manzanita, Alder, Willows and many types of wildflowers. Lots of Bald Eagles and Osprey and of course Bear.

Land Acknowledgement

Our trips on the Illinois River travel through the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Shasta Costa and Takelma peoples. In particular, we we visit land ceded in the Treaty of 1853. We recognize current indigenous peoples and those who were removed from their homelands.

We operate under special use permit with the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Additionally, we are an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Trip Highlights

  • The unforgettable blue-green color of the Illinois’ waters
  • Wonderfully isolated, wonderfully beautiful and rugged country
  • Run the Green Wall, one of the most famous rapids in the world

Quick Facts

  • The Illinois River flows through the rugged Kalmiopsis Wilderness
  • Declared a Wild and Scenic River in 1984
  • Challenging Class IV and IV+ rapids
  • Trips offered in April and May
  • Located near Crater Lake National Park, Ashland’s Shakespeare Festival, and Jacksonville’s Britt Festival

Trip Reviews

illinois Overall rating: ★★★★★ 5 based on 15 reviews.
5 1

Awesome and Genuine

★★★★★
The guides on this trip went way above and beyond. Everything was so wonderful from the food, gear and attentiveness at the right times. On top of that the river was absolutely beautiful and I loved that we got to got to explore one of the days. I also loved that it was a small intimate group allowing us all to really get to know each other. You all are the best!!!
- Sharon Klein

The best guide crew ever!

★★★★★
You can tell NWRC makes safety their number one priority. But they are able to balance safety along with having a lot of fun which leads to a fantastic trip!
- Patty Fletcher

The industry’s best guides on the best water!

★★★★★
Would do this trip again and again; class v is only made better by the surrounding beauty of the Kalmiopsis wilderness. This outfitter made it safe, comfortable and enjoyable though out the entire expedition. The industry’s best guides on the best water!
- Tim Rath

Awesome Trip

★★★★★
This was my first guided trip and it was awesome. I had a lot of fun and no complaints. It made me want to come back and use the company again in the future. Everyone of the team added to the trip and the experience. Truly would not have changed a thing about it.
- Seth Kotelnicki

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