Additional Information:
About the River:
The Rogue River is born on the slopes of the Klamath Mountains surrounding Crater Lake. It flows west past the towns of Medford and Grants Pass before carving a wild and remote canyon through the coastal range of the Siskiyou Mountains. It is here, in the beautiful, heavily forested, “Wild Rogue” canyon, that our trips take place.
The canyon slopes are blanketed with stands of douglas fir, ponderosa pine, madrone, and numerous varieties of oak. Ferns, wildflowers, and blackberries flourish up the numerous side streams. Abundant wildlife inhabits the canyon and we commonly see deer, otter, osprey, bald eagles, and an occasional black bear.
The river itself follows a diverse course, alternately crashing over abrupt ledges, flattening into shallow expanses, and squeezing between house-sized boulders or through narrow gorges. There are rapids every day with highlights at Mule Creek Canyon and Blossom Bar on day 3 or 4.
There are also numerous sites of historical interest along the way. While the original inhabitants, the Siletz Indians, left little behind, a decaying legacy of the miners, homesteaders, and hermits who followed still remains. Old miner’s shacks, historical ranches and even Zane Grey’s fishing cabin provide a glimpse into the region’s past.
In 1968, the Rogue was one of the first rivers to be declared a National Wild and Scenic River, protecting its wild beauty for future generations, such as ours, to enjoy.
Types of boats:
On the Rogue River we offer three types of boats in which to ride:
Paddle rafts are 14 feet long and carry 6 paddlers who actively paddle through the rapids and down the river. Everyone has a paddle, sits on the outer tube of the raft and follows the commands of the paddle guide who sits in the rear.
Oar rafts are 18 feet long, carry all of the overnight gear and up to 5 guests. They are rowed by a guide using oars attached to a metal frame. Guests ride in the front, hang on through the rapids and relax in the calm stretches.
Inflatable kayaks are 10 - 12 feet long and are paddled by 1 or 2 people using double-bladed paddles. They are fairly stable, require no previous experience and allow you to feel the thrill of independently paddling the river.
Please note that we do not guarantee space in paddle rafts or inflatable kayaks. If there are more people who wish to ride in these boats than there are spaces, we will rotate so that everyone gets a chance to participate. A full Rogue trip of 20 guests usually has 1 or 2 paddle rafts and 3 or 4 inflatable kayaks.
Meals:
ARTA meals are well-balanced and consist of quality foods with fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables. The guides double as camp chefs and the menu includes a wide variety of dishes. Lunches usually consist of hand-foods and are served picnic-style at riverside stops. Dinners and breakfasts are cooked over an open fire and often include tasty Dutch Oven baked treats. If you have special dietary requirements or are celebrating a special event during the trip, please let us know in advance.
Drinks:
ARTA provides fruit drinks at meals. If you would like soda, beer, wine, or liquor with your dinner, please bring your own in unbreakable containers, (beer and soda in cans, wine and liquor in plastic bottles). Due to weight and space restrictions, we ask that you limit the amount of canned drinks to a moderate amount.
Camping:
During the course of the trip, everyone is encouraged to participate as much as they desire, whether that be on the river, collecting firewood, or helping out in the kitchen. We have found that the more involved you become with your trip, the more rewarding your trip becomes. Overnight camping will be at riverside beaches or flat benches above the river. All sites afford spectacular views of the river and canyon. Some campsites have Forest Service pit toilets; at others ARTA will set up portable toilets. There is usually a central kitchen and campfire area, and trip members pick out spots in the surrounding area to pitch their tents or lay out their sleeping bags.
Local Attractions:
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival in nearby Ashland is renowned for its Elizabethan Stagehouse and repertoire of Shakespearean drama. Call the Box Office, 541-482-2111 for ticket information. Also in the area is scenic Crater Lake National Park and the headwaters of the Rogue River. For those trip members who are driving, the southern Oregon coastline is spectacular and worth a visit, (see Independent Shuttle below).
Independent Shuttle:
If you are planning to tour the Oregon coastline after the trip, consider having your vehicle shuttled to our take-out point which is 35 miles up the Rogue from the Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach. The cost is about $95 per vehicle and arrangements can be made at the Galice Resort the morning your trip launches.
Fishing:
Although the Rogue is famous for its salmon and steelhead runs, fishing usually isn't very good until the fall. There are always a few fish in the river though, so fishing can be productive. A valid Oregon State Fishing License is required and can be purchased in Grants Pass prior to the trip. A good resource for fishing information is McKenzie Outfitters in Grants Pass, 541-474-0211.
Weather:
Southwestern Oregon's summer weather is usually excellent with highs ranging from the 80's to the 90's and dropping into the 60's at night. Although Oregon is well known for its rain, very little falls on the Rogue during the summer months. However, overcast and cool days do occur and you should be prepared with fleece tops and good rainshells. The water temperature warms up to about 70 degrees during the summer, ideal for swimming
Suggested Reading:
The Rogue River Float Guide, a mile-by-mile guide to the river, is available from the B.L.M. Medford District office, 541-770-2200. Zane Grey spent time fishing along and writing about the Rogue and his stories make for fun reading during the trip. His and additional books about the Rogue River may be ordered from Riverworld at Cascade Outfitters, 800-223-7238, or online through amazon.com or riverworld.com.
Travel Insurance:
We recommend that you purchase short-term travel insurance that provides trip cancellation and medical coverage for you and your family. Please request a Travel Insurance packet from ARTA if you have not already received one.
Gratuities:
We want you to feel like a guest in our home and tipping is never expected. It is certainly appreciated, however, and is accepted as recognition of an outstanding trip or exemplary service. Normal tips range from 5% to 10% of the trip cost and are usually given to the Lead Guide who splits them equally among the entire crew.
Whether and how much you tip should depend on your satisfaction with the guide service, your financial means, and your feelings about tipping in general.
More Information
If there are any questions we haven't answered, please feel free to contact us. Our office staff enjoys telling folks about our trips, so don't hesitate to call 800-323-2782.
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