Rogue River Canyon

National Wild and Scenic Rivers

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.

Beginning  near Crater Lake and flowing 215 miles through the mountains and valleys of southwest Oregon to empty into the Pacific Ocean at the town of Gold Beach, Oregon. Rushing from the Cascade Range, the rivers mighty waters slow to glide into the valley floor, drifting peacefully past cities and towns and agricultural lands.

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).

Canyon Whitewater Rafting

Rogue River Canyon rafting trips with
White Water Warehouse

High quality rafting company, White Water Warehouse, rafts the wild and scenic portion of the Rogue River Canyon, exclusively. The company provides guided, multi-day rafting trips in the Rogue River Canyon for families, groups and single rafters and kayakers. White Water Warehouse provides a memorable Pacific Northwest rafting getaway. The Rogue River Canyon is a gem, filled with wildlife and history. Guided trips include gourmet meals and beverages, inn to inn rafting & kayaking trips, and the opportunity to experience the Rogue River Canyon with a well-respected, family owned company. Call 1-800-214-0579 for more information or to just chat with our friendly staff.
 

Galice, Oregon to Foster Bar

The Canyon once home to Zane Gray as a retreat to write and go flyfishing for Summer Steelhead. On your Whitewater journey you will pass his old cabin along the way at Winkle Bar. Famous whitewater rapids like Graves Creek Falls, Coffee Pot and Blossom Bar will be etched in your mind forever.

This section of river is only recommended for the experienced whitewater runner with either Whitewater Rafting or Drift Boat, if you are not experienced hire a professional. Your experienced guide is proudly known as a Rogue Rivermen, a title earned not given, after your whitewater journey you will know why. These trips are safe comfortable and exciting. You can camp at the rivers edge or stay at one of several river side Wilderness Lodges and Resorts.

Great meals friendships and scenery make memories for a lifetime. Early season trips are primarily Whitewater Rafting, in the early fall Drift Boat fishing trips for King Salmon and Steelhead becomes predominate.

A Canyon Whitewater Rafting Vacation or Drift Boat fishing trip will be a memory of a lifetime.
 

Wildlife, Wild Lands and Wild Water will greet you on your journey to the sea.

These Canyon trips are limited access by draw only during the summer and fall seasons, administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the USFS Siskiyou National Forest. Historic Canyon Outfitters have permitted launch dates and can book your trip with a phone call.

Rogue River Canyon Permit Information

Bureau of Land Management Smullin Visitor Center at Rand
14335 Galice Road Merlin, Oregon 97532
(541) 479-3735 FAX (541) 479-0535
e-mail: or110rr@or.blm.gov
www.or.blm.gov/Rogueriver/ RecreationAreasAndMaps/Rand.htm

Jet Boats travel upstream from Gold Beach for 52 miles using historical permits with the U.S. Forest Service to travel into the Wild Section of the Canyon. Jet Boat trips will turn around at Blossom Bar and after lunch at a Canyon Lodge or Resort will return down river to Gold Beach. A great inexpensive way to see some of the Canyon Wild Section when time dose not allow a 3 to 4 day float trip.

E-mail: Contact Rogue River Country