Back in 1968, Congress protected the famous Rogue River as one of the original eight “Wild and Scenic Rivers.” It’s easy to see why. Winding through a canyon full of dense forests, wildlife, fish, and volcanic geology, the Rogue serves up some jaw-dropping scenery. We are proud to outfit Rogue River rafting trips that are perfect for first-timers and veteran river runners. Everyone loves the Rogue!
Each summer, families return to share their favorite spots and river traditions with their kids and grandkids. By switching between oar rafts, paddle rafts, and inflatable kayaks, you get to enjoy a choice of activity and challenge levels. What’s more, the Rogue’s warm water, great summer weather, and reliable flows make these trips comfortable and fun.
Starting in the Cascades of Oregon near Crater Lake, the Rogue River travels west through the gentle, green wilds of the Klamath Mountains. First, it weaves through lush slopes of pine, cedar, and fir, before spilling over boulders and into narrow canyon gorges. Then it passes through the town of Grants Pass and into Hellgate Canyon, and finally enters the wild area at Grave Creek.
Our multi-day rafting trips travel through the rugged Siskiyou Mountains, away from roads and civilization. As well as many Class II and Class III Rapids, the river boasts one Class IV rapid, Blossom Bar (that you have the option to walk around). This popular overnight camping trip usually takes 4 days and ends at Foster Bar, about 30 miles from the Pacific Ocean.
Along the way, you can often spy osprey, bald eagles, and great blue herons overhead. Even better, we typically see river otters, deer, and bear along the riverbanks. But it’s not just the wildlife that gets visitors inspired! The rugged landscape, with its beautiful rocky gorges, makes a great backdrop to your rafting adventure. Moreover, the iconic Rogue River Ranch, Mule Creek Canyon, and Whiskey Creek Cabin are some of the scenic stops en route.
One of the highlights of a Rogue River rafting trip is the ability to choose your own adventure each day. Because we bring a variety of watercraft, you aren’t limited to just one seat for the entire trip. Most of our guests love to switch boats throughout the trip to find their perfect mix of splashy excitement and scenic relaxation.
If you want to be part of the engine room, the paddle boat is where it’s at. You’ll join a crew of four to seven paddlers, working together to power through the Rogue’s classic drops like Tyee and Wildcat. It’s high-energy, social, and active.
These are the most stable and relaxing way to travel. Your guide handles a pair of long oars to navigate the current leaving you free to lounge in the front, snap photos of bald eagles, or scan the banks for black bears. It’s the perfect choice for a mellow morning or for chatting with friends while the scenery of the Wild and Scenic canyon drifts by.
For the ultimate DIY experience, hop into a ducky. These solo kayaks put you right at water level, giving you the thrill of captaining your own craft through the rapids under your own steam. You’ll get a thorough briefing from your “ducky momma” (the guide overseeing the kayaks) before heading out, and they’ll be right there on the river to direct you through the best lines. Note: Helmets are required at all times while in the duckies.
When you register for your trip, we’ll ask how much time you see yourself spending in each boat type. Whether you want to spend four days in a ducky or rotate through every seat in the fleet, your answers help us ensure we bring the perfect number of boats for your group.
In the mornings, our guides make coffee and breakfast before launching around 10 a.m. We typically cover 8–10 miles per day with a stop for lunch and a short hike. Around 3 or 4 p.m., we arrive in camp with plenty of time to enjoy life on land. Next, it’s time for a hearty meal cooked by our guides.
Each day of the trip has excitement built in, with the most difficult rapids tackled on day 3. After that, day 4 is a mellow drift down the river to close out your time in the wild.
Life at camp on the Rogue is the perfect blend of Wild and Scenic beauty and classic river fun. Once the rafts are pulled up onto the expansive sand bars, our guides get to work setting up the river kitchen while you find your ideal campsite.
Historic Exploration and Hikes: The Rogue is steeped in pioneer and gold mining history. Many of our campsites are located near historic homesteads like Zane Grey’s cabin or the Rogue River Ranch. Well-maintained trails often lead from camp to scenic overlooks or cool, shaded side canyons with hidden waterfalls like those found at Mule Creek.
Wildlife Viewing: Our riverside camps are prime spots for wildlife photography. It is common to see black bears foraging on the far bank, bald eagles perched in the high snags, or deer wandering through the trees near camp. The Rogue is a vibrant ecosystem, and camp gives you the front-row seat to watch it all unfold at a slower pace.
Beach Games and Socializing: The Rogue’s wide, sandy beaches are practically made for camp life. From a friendly game of frisbee or horseshoes to skipping stones in the eddies, there is always an opportunity for some lighthearted competition. It is the best time of day to grab a cold drink, relax in a camp chair, and trade stories about the day’s run through Rainey Falls or Blossom Bar.
Where to start? River Otters, Sturgeon, Salmon, Deer, Mergansers, Rattlesnakes, and Great Blue Herons. Ponderosa Pines, Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, Madrone, Manzanita, Alder, and many wildflowers. Lots of Bald Eagles and Osprey and, of course, Bear! Bear encounters here are extra cool because the local bears rarely see people. That makes them truly curious.
The Rogue River canyon is within driving distance of Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Airports in Portland, Oregon and Medford, Oregon serve the region.
Many of our guests fit their rafting into a week-long road trip to Southern Oregon. Attractions including Crater Lake, Oregon Caves National Monument, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, California’s Redwoods, and the Oregon Coast are nearby.
Class III Rowing School Learn how to maneuver oar rafts and catarafts on the Rogue River, where the class II and III rapids are ideal for beginner and intermediate boaters. Along with supervised practice, the safety training in this course gives you the skills you’ll need to read water.
American Whitewater on the Rogue River Join us and American Whitewater for a four-day journey celebrating river conservation. This annual trip offers a unique chance to raft the Wild and Scenic Rogue alongside AW staff, gaining exclusive insights into the advocacy work protecting our nation’s free-flowing waters. It’s the perfect blend of legendary whitewater and a shared mission to keep rivers accessible for all.
Bluegrass on Whitewater Join us for a 5-day Rogue River rafting trip with bluegrass musician Laurie Lewis. We have yet to find a better blend than rafting by day and kicking back to Laurie’s music by night.
Buena Luz Bakery On The Rogue River Embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure with our exclusive four-day rafting trip, where the thrill of the river meets the warmth of freshly baked pastries. Hosted by Northwest Rafting Company and Emily Little of Buena Luz Bakery.
Many first-time guests feel a little nervous about this at first, but it quickly becomes a non-issue. We bring a clean, private, portable toilet system that is set up at camp in a discreet location, along with a handwash station (and plenty of toilet paper). For more details on camp hygiene and how the river toilet works, check out our article Meet the Groover.
No, you don’t. The Rogue is an excellent choice for a first multiday river trip, and we take first-time guests down it all the time. It is an active wilderness trip, so there are a few Essential Eligibility Requirements that all guests need to meet.
Our meeting location in Galice is approximately a one-hour drive from the Medford Airport (MFR). While many guests choose to rent a car, you can also arrange a taxi or use rideshare services like Uber and Lyft.
Have more questions? Find everything you need to know on our Rogue River FAQ page.