Watch the steelhead in their struggle to swim upstream and jump the falls at Rainie, or thrill to tame blacktail deer that come right into camp and practically eat from your hands! While we drift, keep an eye out for bald eagles soaring overhead, or perhaps a black bear along the river bank. Playful otters often swim alongside our boats. Watch for endangered Western pond turtles basking on rocks or great blue herons stalking their prey in the shallows of slower waters.

Immerse yourself in the pioneer history of the wild Rogue River canyon, where only a rough cabin remains from the deadly shootout at Battle Bar. The Rogue Museum tells stories from earlier days, when drunk cowboys were dumped into a coffin to sleep it off. You can see evidence of the great gold rush, and even try a little goldpanning yourself. We'll stop for a short hike to Whiskey Creek cabin, home to a succession of miners, where you will see the 19th-century solar shower, plus the well-tended grave of a lonely miner's pet kitty. At Winkle Bar, we examine the wilderness home of western novelist Zane Grey, where he penned "Rogue River Feud" and other classic stories.

The Rogue is famous for its rapids, which are fun and splashy, yet not dangerous when expertly navigated by our professional guides. Thrill to ride the Devil's Staircase, Tyee and Wildcat, bounce through the long boulder garden of Class IV Blossom Bar, squeeze through the heart-pounding narrows of the "Jaws" of Mule Creek Canyon, dare to thread the slot at Slim Pickens, loop the loops around Horseshoe Bend. If you want to experience really big whitewater, try our unique combination trips, adding an excursion to the exciting upper Klamath River (located about two hours' drive away) to your Rogue trip.

Photographers love the details: water-sculpted rocks, spring wildflowers, delicate waterfalls adorned with green mosses and ferns, the famous "Dinosaur Tree" at Clayhill, a stubborn oak tree with roots straddling bare rock. Active people enjoy hiking, fishing for steelhead or salmon, swimming in the calm pools (temperatures range around 65-70 degrees), or paddling an easy-to-learn inflatable kayak. We also do whitewater schools for serious guide candidates, and row-your-own instruction so you can learn how to pilot your own raft or cataraft. Lounging is also popular! Let us row you, or grab a paddle and tackle the rapids head- on.

WHERE: Our overnight trips depart from Almeda Campground (or Grave Creek) near Galice, a short drive (30-45 minutes from Interstate 5 near Grants Pass). Take the MERLIN exit just north of Grants Pass, Oregon on the I-5 corridor (just over the California border). Shorter trips (2-3 days) begin at Grave Creek. Airport pickup/delivery is available. We can also pick you up at the Galice Resort (they also do airport shuttle if we're tied up) or in Grants Pass. Nearby attractions include Oregon Caves National Monument, Wildlife Safari, Crater Lake National Park, Ashland Shakespeare Festival, Cow Creek (Seven Feathers Resort) Indian Gaming Center.

WHEN: Boat access to the wilderness stretch of the Rogue River (Grave Creek to Paradise) is controlled by a limited permit system from May 15 to Oct. 15. We have a limited number of launches available during this restricted season (and we must launch only on the assigned day). In addition, we can "draw" launch dates any time during May and June, but with only 9 days' advance notice. We can schedule a trip for you anytime during the non-permit season, for a group of 3 or more; during the permit season, we must launch on assigned dates, or on a date we draw May 15-June 30. The Rogue is always runnable all year long, in high water or low. Come in the off-season for a great adventure (wetsuits and paddle jackets ward off splashes, and we stay warm at night in Paradise Lodge!).

If you need a date we don't have, we may be able to arrange a date through another outfitter. Or consider a lower/upper Klamath River combination; the scenery and wildlife are very similar to the Rogue (though there is more road access), but we can launch there anytime. We can also offer a great group rate for a 2 or 3 day trip on the lower Klamath.

From Grave Creek to Foster Bar, the Rogue is over 30 miles, essentially roadless, and takes a minimum of 2 days to float. Most people prefer to float this stretch in 3-5 days, because there is so much to see and do. Some people, though, need a 2-day trip, so we offer one (we are probably the only outfitter offering a 2-day trip through the wilderness run of the Rogue); we recommend the 2-day trip before June whenever possible, because higher water levels make a more enjoyable trip. (In summer, the pools between rapids are slow enough to make the 2-day trip more of a struggle than an enjoyable trip.) Some rapids are much more exciting in May and June when the water's higher, while others become more entertaining as the water level drops (overall, the trip is more exciting before July 4, but the water temperature is warmer in Aug.-Sept.) Another option for a short trip in the wilderness section might be floating from Grave Creek to Paradise Lodge, and then taking a jetboat or plane out.

Group sizes are limited to small (12 people total) or large (24 people); this includes guides. We are occasionally able to "flex" the group size a little larger. Please note that only authorized Rogue River outfitters may conduct trips through the wilderness section. Anyone charging money for a trip who is not an authorized outfitter is running an illegal trip and their clients are not protected by insurance. If you want to check up on a outfitter, contact the Rand Information Center (541-479-3735) or the BLM (541-770-2200). They will send you a list of authorized outfitters. We operate under MRP #12.

We also run support boats for groups of hikers, canoeists, and kayakers, but bear in mind that we can launch only on our allotted dates. April and May are good for kayakers (the river is less technical) and hikers; September is especially nice for hikers (summer can be very hot on the trail). On support trips, we usually plan and cook meals, buy groceries, load boats, offer advice on running rapids, etc. We also offer whitewater schools on the Rogue (see below) and learn-to-row adventures.

For a unique Rogue experience, hike the famous Rogue River Trail (on the river's north bank) on your own, or with one of our hike/raft guide leaders. We carry all the heavy stuff for you (go ahead and bring a guitar, if you like, or hardcover books, etc.; rafts carry up to a ton of gear safely). Yes, we like to get a group together for these trips, if you're by yourself or with a small group, consider joining our Lane Community College Rogue hike in April, 2000!

WHAT TO EXPECT: The Rogue River offers a pleasant environment for camping out and enjoying the wilderness. There are outhouses strategically located through the canyon; these are reasonably clean and accessible (we carry a porta potty for the other places). Water temperatures are moderate (except in winter, of course, then you'll want a wetsuit). Camps are clean, often on sandy beaches. Your guides are always available to help with putting up tents and do the camp chores for you, so even first-time campers can enjoy our Rogue trips. The weather is usually moderate, as well, with summer and early fall temperatures around 70-90 degrees. Other than an occasional rain shower, expect dry, sunny days and cool evenings.

Note on lodges: these are fairly luxurious, but extremely popular with very limited capacity, so if you're interested in a lodge trip, make your reservations well in advance. Most people enjoy camping out in the Rogue's comfortable canyon. A combination of camping and lodging is also favored, so you can have that hot shower the last night out. Lodges located in the wilderness section are Black Bar, Marial (Mule Creek Canyon), Paradise, and Half Moon Bar. Clayhill Lodge is on the float out, as is Wild River Lodge. Morrison's is along the road as you approach the town of Galice. The Galice Resort is a good, affordable place to stay before your trip (they have cabins with hot tubs). Our Rogue River meeting instructions have the phone numbers of recommended places.

All of our Rogue River trips include all meals on the river; permits; shuttle back to meeting area; round-trip transportation from Grants Pass area on combination, deluxe and ultimate trips; all river equipment/group camping gear. Rental sleeping bag/tent/pad packages available. 10% discount for children 6-12 (not recommended for younger kids).

DAY TRIPS: Short on time? The Rogue has several nice stretches for day trips. We can float the very easy and scenic Hell's Gate Canyon from Hog Creek to Grave Creek (where much of the recent movie, "The River Wild," was filmed -- the flat, scenic stretches, not the crashing waterfalls!). This is a good trip for learning to paddle a kayak or row a raft, young children (4+), or just relaxing. The rapids are rated Class II and easier. Jetboats provide another option for day trips, but are not allowed in the wilderness section; for more information on jetboat trips, contact the Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce (541-476-7717) or Gold Beach chamber. We do NOT offer jetboat trips except in conjunction with our Ultimate Rogue River trip (download Ultimate Rogue River Trip page), but we can book them for you. You can jet inland from Gold Beach as far upstream as Paradise Lodge, then have lunch and return.

Another trip runs on the Hellgate section between the Riverside Inn (Grants Pass) and Grave Creek (the start of the no-motors- allowed wilderness section). The upper Rogue (Gold Hill area, "Powerhouse" run) offers another short trip option. Here we float only a few miles, but there are two large drops and a couple of smaller rapids to enjoy. For a full day, we run this stretch twice. For a very full day with lots of big rapids, we heartily recommend the upper Klamath River, known as "Hell's Corner Gorge," located east of Ashland. The North Umpqua, on the way to Crater Lake National Park, offers excellent Class II-IV rapids in a beautiful forested setting.

Trip dates: (Please refer to our Trip Schedule for more details). We can put together a special trip for 2 people anytime, see our schedule.

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