rafting the Rogue

Trip Logistics

The Rogue River begins high in the Cascade Mountains behind Crater Lake and flows 215 miles west to Gold Beach on the Pacific Ocean. The Rogue River, behind the Willamette and Columbia, is Oregon’s third longest river. In 1968, the Rogue River was one of the first eight rivers in the United States to be designated as a Wild and Scenic River. Today there are 226 in the US. From above Shady Cove to Gold Beach, the Rogue River contains roughly 174 miles of floatable waters. The Wild and Scenic Highway runs from Grants Pass to Gold Beach, and it starts seven miles west of Grants Pass and finishes 11 miles east of Gold Beach. Graves Creek is the start of the 34-mile Jewel of the Wild and Scenic.

Trip Description

About Your Rogue Rafting Trip

We start our journey 28 miles west of Grants Pass. We go 42 miles via the Jewel of the Rogue River Wild and Scenic region. Our 3-day tours ends 40 miles from Gold Beach at Foster Bar. While rafting down the river, you’ll be treated to breathtaking scenery, exhilarating whitewater, numerous birds and other wildlife, and stories of native Americans, gold miners, and early settlers. You’ll spend the night in one of our deluxe camps on the river or in one of the rustic river lodges.

Please read the following information carefully. This is designed to provide all the information you need to make your trip run as smoothly as possible. However, don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.

THE PACKET

Prior to your trip, RRO will send you a copy of our trip release waiver in our trip packet. Please read it carefully, sign it, date it, and return it to us by mail or email. Prior to the start of the excursion, all guests must sign the waiver.

We strongly recommend that you consider purchasing travel insurance from one of the listed companies. THERE ARE NO REFUNDS. See our Cancellation and Refund Policy.

On launch day, Tina will only be available by phone before 6:00 a.m. and after 11:30 a.m.

CAR SHUTTLE SERVICE

Your vehicle will need to be shuttled to our takeout location. There is no cell phone coverage at the launch site or the takeout location, and there is no TAXI or UBER service; you must have your vehicle shuttled.

Be sure that you have a full tank of gas and a spare key.

Rogue River Outfitters will have shuttle forms available for you at the launch site.

We subcontract with BLT Shuttles. On the morning of the launch, BLT will pick up your vehicle, transport it to a secure location, and deliver it to the takeout point on the last day of the trip. BLT Shuttle Service ($135.00 per vehicle). Call 541-659-2212

If you wish to hire a van service, we recommend Town & Country Shuttles. You will need to make these reservations yourself. Town & Country Shuttles (van service). Call 541-476-7773

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Takeout time is 2:00 p.m. At the end of your trip, you will have the option of driving over the mountain (Bear Camp) back to the Grants Pass area (1 hour, 50 minutes) or continuing to Oregon’s Treasure of the South Coast, beautiful Gold Beach (45 minutes). Here you can enjoy hiking, beach combing, or fishing. See maps.

Once again if you have any questions or need help please call Tina, she is more than happy to help.

"THINGS TO BRING" LIST

Pack your clothing as directed on the “Things to Bring List.” Clothing and other downriver gear will be repacked into waterproof bags at the launch site. If possible, we like to deliver the bags to your hotel the night before the trip (call Tina if you have questions).

Campers – Larger waterproof bags for your sleeping bags and pillows will be at the launch location.

PLEASE ARRIVE AT THE RIVER READY TO GO!!! You will want to arrive in river attire and ready to go. It maybe a little chilly in the morning, so it would be a good idea also to have nylon pants and jacket on hand, as they can be easily stuffed into your day bag later.

You will get wet on your raft trip. For your comfort, we have made a list of clothing that works best. Stay away from wearing clothing that will soak up water and takes a long time to dry like cotton sweatshirts and jeans; they are good for evening but not daytime attire.

Change of clothing for each night at camp or at the lodges.
Pair of river sandals for day use (I suggest Tevas or Chaos).
A second pair of shoes (tennies?) for evening time. Trust me after being in wet sandals all day and having wet feet, dry shoes are the best feeling.
Warm jacket, sweatshirt, or a set of nylon jacket and pants (great for the mornings). We cannot predict the weather—although July and August are usually nice and warm, light rain gear is advised.
Swimming attire.
Good sun hat, baseball cap, straw hat, etc.
Inexpensive sunglasses and chums to keep sunglasses from falling off.
Greaseless sunscreen (un-scented). Bugs love smelly/greasy stuff.
Bug repellant (un-scented).
Small flashlight (for evening).
Personal toiletries. (bio-degradable soap for camp trips).
Towel and washcloth (camp/lodge trips and camp/camp trips).
Camera and/or binoculars – we will provide you with a waterproof day bag but if you have a camera bag you may bring that along, we will have seat box room for these.
Personal water bottle
Liquor and wine (plastic containers preferred) NO GLASS BEER BOTTLES. Please limit your beverages to what you think you will consume. Bring your beverages pre-chilled if possible. NOTE: Any left-over beverages will be left behind at the end of the trip.

WE PROVIDE:

Drinking water and lemonade
Plenty of cold storage for drinks
Campers: Sleeping pads and tents will be provided for your use (we will provide waterproof bags for your sleeping bags and pillow).
Campers: If you do not have a sleeping bag, we currently rent them for a cleaning fee of $30.00 per bag. Call Tina to reserve your sleeping bags, we need at least 2-week notice to make sure we can accommodate you.
2 waterproof bags: A small bag for cameras, sunscreen, hats, etc. A larger bag for your clothing and toiletries. These bags will be given to you preferably the night before our trip or at the launch site.

DO NOT BRING:

Hair dryers (wrong electric current)
Suitcases

PACKING:

We recommend packing each day’s clothing in a Large Zip-Loc bag. This makes repacking into our waterproof bags fast and easy. The Zip-Loc bags provide one extra layer of waterproofing, keeping your clothing fresh and clean.

NIGHT PRIOR

The nearest airport is in Medford, Oregon, approximately 40 minutes south of Grants Pass, Oregon. You will want to spend the night prior to the trip in Grants Pass or Galice/Merlin (this night’s lodging is not included in the package). Grants Pass is approximately a 45-minute drive to the launch site. Please make reservations in advance for the months of July and August, as these are the busiest months in Southern Oregon.

Below are a handful of places our guests have stayed and given us positive feedback. When you do make your reservation, please contact us, so we can deliver your waterproof bags the night before your trip.

The Lodge at Riverside:
Located right on the Rogue River in downtown Grants Pass. Visit www.thelodgeatriverside.com or call 541-955-0600.

Hampton Inn:
Easy access to I-5. Visit www.hamptoninn.com or call 541-474-5690.

La Quinta Inn & Suites:
Easy access t0 I-5. Visit www.wyndhamhotles.com or call 541-472-0152.

Holiday Inn Express:
Easy access to I-5. Visit www.holidayinnexpess.com or call 541-471-6144.

Best Western:
Easy access to I-5. Visit www.bestwestern.com or call 877-237-8791.

Riverside Inn:
Also located on the Rogue River. Visit www.riverside-inn.com or call 541-476-6873.

Weasku Inn:
A little further away but what a great place. Visit www.weaskuhistoriclodge.com or call 855-797-6733. Great dining only 5 minutes away at Rivers Edge.

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT:

Wild River Brewery & Pizza Co.
Baldini’s (located in Merlin)
Tap Rock
Tacomania (located in Merlin)
El Paraiso
Twisted Cork
Circle J
Horney Goat
Laughing Clam
River’s Edge (5 minutes away from Weasku Inn)
Ma Mosa’s
Elmer’s
Shari’s
Black Bear Diner

LAUNCH DAY

Meeting time is 9:00 a.m. After breakfast at a restaurant of your choice, drive one hour from Grants Pass to Argo. See maps.

Once you get to Argo, you will be greeted by our guides, and you will receive your dry bags if you did not receive them the night before.

Next everyone will be fitted for a life jacket (class III-V), followed by a river safety speech, and then off we go!!!!

GOLD BEACH, OREGON

For those of you planning to stay in the area following your trip, we recommend taking a 45-minute drive from our takeout site (Foster Bar) to the small town of Gold Beach, Oregon. For more information on places to stay and eat, visit www.goldbeachoregon.gov.

LODGING:

Pacific Reef Hotel www.pacificreefhotel.com
541-247-6658

Best Western
www.bestwestern.com
541-2477066

Gold Beach Inn
www.goldbeachinn.com
541-247-7091

RESTAURANTS:

Dinner
Spinners
www.spinners.com
541-247-5160

Port Hole Café
www.portholecafe.com
541-247-7411

Barnacle Bistro
www.barnaclebistro.com
541-247-7799

Breakfast
Indian Creek Café
541-247-0680

Double D’s Café
541-247-6565

Book

Trip Description

Driving Instructions to and from your trip

It can be confusing to drive to the launch location and then back to I-5 after your trip. We’ve provided some maps that will help you find our launch location. To see a larger version of the map, click on it.

Here is a link to the Google Maps View

On the hand-drawn map, the green line shows how to get to the launch site. The black line shows Bear Camp Road and the route to get back to I-5. Follow the written instructions to get to Gold Beach.

To print out a full size image of the map on the right, click here.