Wild and Scenic Rivers
Oregon Wild and Scenic Rivers
Rogue Country's seven Federally Designated Wild and Scenic Rivers
amount to over 633 miles of free flowing streams, nationally recognized for beauty
and quality of habitat. Congress sets aside these rivers to protect their uncommon recreational values.
"It is here by declared to be the policy of the United Sates that certain
selected rivers of the nation which, with their immediate environments, possess
outstanding remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife,
historic, cultural or other similar values, shall be preserved in free-flowing
condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for
benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations."
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
October 2, 1968
- WILD - this river is accessible only by trail, is undeveloped and generally is unpolluted.
- SCENIC - this river can be accessed by some roads but is mainly still a trail access river.
- RECREATIONAL - this river has been developed along the shoreline and is easily accessible by roads, trails not necessary.
The Rogue Above Prospect, OR.
 From the Crater Lake National Park boundary downstream to Prospect, this section follows a major highway and tourist route to the park. Its diverse landscape includes pumice flats, deep gorges and chutes, and unique ecological systems.
For more information
Total Miles: 40.3, Wild: 6.1, Scenic 34.2
National Forest / Prospect Ranger District
The scenery in the Upper Rogue region is spectacular! From its headwaters
at Boundary Springs, just inside Crater Lake National Park, to its exit from the
District near the Prospect Ranger Station. Sculpting its path through the volcanic
landscape created by the Cascade Range and the eruption of Mt. Mazama, the
landscape offers examples of nearly vertical incised pumice canyons, remnant
cores of an ancient volcano now known as Rabbit Ears, and a lava tube arching
across the entire Rogue at Natural Bridge. Waterfalls are abundant on the
District, with easy access from the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway to trailheads
leading to National Creek Falls and Muir Creek Falls. The 48 mile long Upper
Rogue National Recreation Trail generally follows the river along its course
through the District, and can be accessed at several locations. This trail is
particularly wondrous in the fall as the brilliant reds and gold of vine maple,
dogwood and alder contrast with the green of the conifers.
Wild Rogue Wilderness
 (Applegate
River to Lobster Creek) Grants Pass to Gold Beach,
Or.
Emerging from the western slope of Oregon's Cascade Mountains, the stream winds
across farmlands and orchards before passing through the
Wild Rogue Canyon
Wilderness to the Pacific Ocean. The stream is renowned for whitewater rafting
and famous for Salmon and Steelhead fishing.
Over Millions of years, lifting of the western part of Oregon formed the
mountains of the Pacific Coast. As the land slowly rose, and the rivers channel
eroded deeper and deeper into rock and soil creating an average Canyon depth,
from rivers level to mountain top, of over 3,000 feet.
The Wild and Scenic area designation begins west of the city of Grants Pass,
Oregon where the tributary Applegate Rivers flows join into the Rogue. Then
turning north, flowing through the scenic Hellgate Canyon, and then bends
sharply west at Grave Creek, where the Wild Section of the Rogue begins. Here
the rivers power cuts through the rugged terrain of the northern edge of the
Klamath Mountains. The rivers churning waters cut through the steep rock walls
of Mule Creek Canyon and the boulder-strewn Blossom Bar Rapids before slowing in
Huggins Canyon and Clay-Hill Stillwater. Below the town of Agness, Oregon, the
Rogue's largest tributary the Illinois joins the Mainstem to flow through
picturesque Copper Canyon. Below Copper Canyon, the waters widens and slows,
with the Wild and Scenic Designation ending where Lobster Creek enters at about
8 miles upstream from the Pacific Ocean and the town of Gold Beach.
Flowing through time, the Rogue has nurtured those who have come to its lush
banks. The earliest inhabitants were Indians who lived a life of hunting,
fishing and gathering. Various Indian tribes made their homes and found
sustenance along the Rogues shores for over 9000 years before Euro-Americans
arrived. In the 1850's miners poured into the river's valleys and Indians awoke
to the coarse cry of "Gold" which, with startling immediacy, signaled an end to
a way of life Indians had known for thousands of years.
The boatmen of the early-to-mid-1900's whose daring and perseverance
established dominance over the wild waters, were responsible for opening these
waters to the guided fishing industry and whitewater boating that has become so
economically vital to southwest Oregon today.
The Rogue was one of the original eight rivers included in the Wild and
Scenic Rivers Act. With its famous Steelhead and Salmon angling, challenging
whitewater and extraordinary wildlife-viewing opportunities. The Rogue continues
to be one of the world's most popular recreation destinations. The 43-mile Wild
section features predominantly Class III (or less) rapids, and includes
thundering Rainie Falls (Class V) and breathtaking rapids at Mule Creek Canyon
(Class III) and Blossom Bar (Class IV).
Total Miles: 84.5, Wild: 34, Scenic 7.5, Recreational: 43
Siskiyou National Forest
Guides & Outfitters
Whitewater Rafting Guides & Outfitters
Chetco River
The outstanding value of this southwestern Oregon stream is its anadromous fisheries. The Chetco provides high quality spawning beds and rearing pools for salmon and steelhead.
October 1st will begin the Chetco run of Fall Kings, the Chetco returns 20,000
Fall Kings averaging 25 to 50 pounds. Chetco Fall Kings begin their run by
milling in and out of tidewater or holding in upper tidewater pools like Morris
Hole and Tide-rock. Hundreds of Fall Kings will stack up awaiting fall rains to
raise this river which is only 50 miles long. While stacked in these Lower
Chetco pools Fall Kings are available for Flyfishing opportunities. Trolling for
Fall Kings is also good in the Chetco estuary in October. The Chetco is a
Federally Designated Wild and Scenic River and fishing for Fall Kings can be
spectacular when the fall rains raise the Chetco and the Kings move upriver.
Chetco Fall Kings run remains good from October to January.
Siskiyou National Forest
Total Miles: 44.5, Wild: 25.5, Scenic 8, Recreational: 11
Chetco Guides & Outfitters
Elk River
The Elk River, is an important
Fall King Salmon and
Winter Steelhead
fishing in southwestern Oregon. Scenery on the Elk River is an added attraction.
October through January. The Elk is 50 miles long with 10 miles of the best
Fall King / Chinook Salmon fishing water for late season Fall Kings / Chinook to
be found anywhere. The Elk is a wonderful stream to fish for Fall Kings. A small
costal stream with more Fall King / Chinook Salmon holding holes per mile than I
have ever encountered. These Fall Kings / Chinook will average close to 30
pounds with attitude, great fighters in small water makes these kings top sport.
Mostly we will use back-bounced roe or big back-trolled plugs from drift boats.
Total Miles: 19, Wild: 2, Recreational: 17
Siskiyou National Forest
Guides & Outfitters
Illinois River
Whitewater provides plenty of excitement for small rafts and kayaks, while clear, still, blue-green pools offer contrast and opportunities for catching large Wild Winter Steelhead.
Total Miles: 50.4, Wild: 28.7, Scenic 17.9, Recreational: 3.8
Siskiyou National Forest
Whitewater Rafting Guides
Guides & Outfitters
North Umpqua
Fly-fishing, whitewater boating, and scenic driving are premier recreation activities along the
North Umpqua. The clear water, virgin Douglas fir stands, and geologic formations add to the spectacular
scenery.
It is said that the North Umpqua is a Summer Steelhead graduate school. The
North Umpqua is a tough place to get good grades. The North Umpqua has the most
beautiful scenery and waters for Summer Steelhead Flyfishing. Steeped in Summer
Steelhead Flyfishing history, if only the pools and riffles could talk. The
North Umpqua Highway follows the North Umpqua up into the Cascades from Roseburg
to Glide, then on to Steamboat, the heart of North Umpqua Summer Steelhead
Flyfishing. Across the on the south side the old Col. Mott trail will give
access to the south side of the stream for about 5 miles. Guides are nor
required but highly recommended if you are not an experienced North Umpqua
Steelhead fisherman. Much of the best waters are Flyfishing only. Wading can be
treacherous and casting is demanding but rewards and beauty are beyond words
here.
Total Miles: 33.8, Recreational: 33.8
Umpqua National Forest
Whitewater Rafting Guides
Guides & Outfitters
 Upper Klamath
Feisty fish and fierce rapids are the calling cards for the
Upper Klamath,
California's second-longest river. Kayaks, canoes, raft, and, at points, powerboats tackle the Klamath, which roughly translated from Chinook language means swiftness.
Fall King Salmon,
Winter Steelhead Steelhead and
Summer Steelhead Flyfishing attract anglers, while summer's made to
order for Summer Steelhead. Dam-controlled flows create electrifying ribbons of
whitewater through Satan's Gate and Hell's Corner rapids. And the river is a
popular wayside for migrating birds. The list of frequent flyers includes blue
and green herons, lots of eagles, cormorants, and even pelicans. It's a kinder,
gentler float from the Oregon border to Copco Lake through open country littered
with remains of mines, ranches, mills, and even a historic 19th century health
spa.
The white water of the Upper Klamath are rated at class IV+ to V (Caldera and
Hells Corner rapids are rated class IV+ to V, depending on water levels and who
is doing the rating). These classes are considered advanced to expert on a scale
of one to six. In the middle 5 miles of the Upper Klamath, there are 19 separate
rapids rated class III or higher. If you are not a seasoned raft rat, there are
a number of White Water Rafting Guides and Outfitters who offer safe,
professionally guided raft trips ranging from one to three days. These
outfitters all have many years of experience and their guides are all well
trained in running safe raft trips. Most Whitewater Guides offer shore lunches
and you might hear a good tale or two as well. Contact one of our
Guides and Outfitters for best
local information.
Lakeview BLM Offices
Total Miles Scenic 11.2
Whitewater Rafting Guides
 Smith River North Fork in Oregon
The North Fork Smith flows south out of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness in southwestern Oregon to the state border to tie with the Smith System in California.
Total Miles: 13, Wild: 8.5, Scenic 4.5
Siskiyou National Forest
Guides & Outfitters
 Smith River in California
The Smith River is one of the crown jewels of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, which recognizes and protects rivers across the country. More than three hundred miles of the Smith System are designated wild and scenic, more than any other river in the country. The emerald-green Smith flows freely and naturally, without a single dam, for its entire length -- the only major system in California to do so.
Recreational activities abound in the
Smith National Recreation Area.
The beautiful Smith offers fishing for steelhead, trout, and salmon.
During the summer months, the pure, clean waters of the Smith are perfect
for swimming, rafting, or fishing and the forested mountainsides present
occasions for hiking, bird watching, wildflower walks, or perhaps just lounging
in the sun.
Classification / Mileage: Wild -- 78.0 miles; Scenic -- 31.0 miles;
Recreational -- 216.4 miles; Total -- 325.4 miles
Six Rivers National Forest
E-mail: Contact Rogue River Country
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