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KS Wild and Scenic

Hike the Rogue River trail with KS Wild

Length

5 days

Meeting Point

Grants Pass OR

Difficulty

Class III (beginner)

Minimum Age

12+ years

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Overview

Hike the Rogue River Trail with a naturalist from KS Wild!

The Rogue was one of the first rivers in the nation to be recognized as a National Wild and Scenic River and hiking the 40 mile Rogue River National Trail is a great way to enjoy this remarkable place. Making that experience even better will be not having to carry anything on your back! We’ll ferry all of the camping gear and food by boat, allowing you to enjoy a steady pace (about 8 miles per day) with a light daypack and then enjoy riverside camping with fresh, hearty meals, thick, heavy sleeping pads and glorious chairs! Plus, we’ll gladly haul your beer and wine for you.

 

The canyon is rich in flora, fauna, and human history and hiking the Rogue River Trail is a wonderful way to experience it. We’ll be joined by a volunteer from KSWild who will help us get a better understanding of the area. We’ll see spectacular wildflowers like shooting star, scarlet fritillary, and seepspring monkeyflower; we’ll watch soaring raptors like Osprey and Bald Eagle and we’ll hear the silent stories of bygone miners and homesteaders. And we’ll learn about the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, modern forestry and mining practices, anadromous fish, and all of the other hidden connections in wild nature. Bring your camera, binoculars, sketch book, and best friend! Looking to explore the area but not into hiking? Our Rogue River rafting trips are 3, 4, or 5 day adventures through Class II-IV whitewater rapids, great for families and beginners.

Known For
Wildflowers

What to Bring Hiking boots & a small day pack - See Packing List
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Natural leader

Meet Haleigh Martin

Haleigh grew up in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains and swimming in the Maury River. Once she graduated from Virginia Tech, Haleigh moved west to serve two seasons on a crew working to reopen wilderness trails across southern Oregon and northern California, where she fell deeply in love with the region. Through her experiences in the area’s seldom-traveled backwoods, Haleigh has developed a deep passion for the region and puts her passion into action through her work with KS Wild. She’s excited to share her love of the Rogue River with you on this trip.

Trip Details

A downloadable pdf of these trip details (along with more information about what to expect on your trip) can be found below. Along with the GPS track of the 5-day hike with lunch stops and campsites marked. Download the Gaia app to your phone to have this map available to you during the trip!

If you still have questions, please feel free to call us (209-962-7873) or email us (arta@arta.org)). We love to talk about our trips!

Getting There

This Trip Will Begin and end at:

Morrison's Lodge

8500 Galice Rd. Merlin, OR 97532

Meeting Time: 8:00 am the morning your trip begins

Return Time: Between 4:00 & 5:00 pm on the final day of the trip

Get Directions
Before Your Arrival

Morrison’s Lodge and Galice Resort are isolated, self-contained establishments and once you are there, you won’t want to leave. Both places carry a limited assortment of everything you might need for your trip, but you may prefer to purchase last minute items (snacks, drinks, batteries, etc.) or even eat in Grants Pass before you arrive, (The Haul in Grants Pass and Baldini’s in Merlin are staff favorites). If your pre-trip accommodations have kitchen facilities, you can get groceries at Ray’s Market near the freeway on Galice Road.

Morrison's Lodge

Itinerary

Subject to change due to flows

Day 1

We will meet you at 8:00 am the morning of the trip at Morrison’s lodge, near the front desk. We’ll pack our waterproof bags, go over final trip logistics, and answer any last minute questions. Cars will be left at Morrison’s during the trip. We will bring you back when the trip is over.

 

Once everyone is ready we will hop into a van for a short ride to the trailhead. We will load the boats with our overnight gear and bags and then start hiking. After a few miles with will rendezvous with the boats for a hearty lunch and then again in the evening for dinner and camping.

 

Visit this link to see the GPS track of the 5-day hike with lunch stops and campsites marked. Download the Gaia app to your phone to have this map available to you during the trip!

Days 2 - 4

We’ll start each day with a hearty breakfast and a preview of the schedule and mileage, then grab some snacks and head off on the trail. We’ll have a lead hiker, a sweep hiker and a general idea about the necessary speed and stopping points, but for the most part you’ll be free to find your own pace. The KS Wild representative will offer insights into the history of the canyon as well as information about the flora and fauna that we’ll encounter and there will be numerous interpretive stops for those interested in learning more about the area.

 

If possible, we’ll rendezvous with the rafts for lunch and a chance to off-load extra clothes, pick up new ones or even opt out of hiking for a chance to float downstream a bit. We should be able to get to camp early enough in the day to relax and enjoy some river time. Our guides will prepare sumptuous appetizers and you’ll be able to enjoy your well-earned dinner and dessert sitting in a chair watching the river flow by.

Day 5

On the final day of the trip we will finish up what river miles we have left as well as one final riverside lunch. After lunch we will meetup with our ride back to Morrison’s (about 1.5 hours) aiming to return there between 4:00 and 5:00 pm.

What's Provided

We Will Provide
  • Transportation from Morrison's to the river trail and back.
  • Friendly, entertaining and professional guide service.
  • All meals from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day.
  • All taxes and government access fees.
  • Waterproof bags, lifejackets, and other specialized river touring equipment for the trip.
What you are responsible for
  • Transportation to Morrison's before your trip.
  • Meals and lodging before and after your trip.
  • Personal clothing and toiletries (see Equipment page).
  • Camping gear (see Equipment page for information on renting equipment from ARTA).
  • Soda, wine, alcoholic beverages (see Details page).
  • Guide gratuities (see Details page).
  • A trail ready pair of hiking boots
https://www.arta.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Haleigh-in-flowers-2.jpg

On The River

Riding in the rafts

  • Accompanying our trip and carrying all of our gear will be two or three 18-foot oar rafts, each rowed by a guide. We’ll try to have the rafts available should you get tired, but because the river is not always accessible from the trail, this isn’t always possible. Also, because we have limited space in the oar rafts, not everyone can opt out of hiking at the same time. Generally, we’ll be together in the morning, at lunch, and once we get to camp and we’ll try to facilitate anyone who wants to take a break accordingly.

Giving back - KS WILD

  • By joining us, you’ll be helping to protect the Rogue River Canyon. We will be donating $100 per participant to KS Wild in support of their work to protect and restore the extraordinary biological diversity of the Klamath-Siskiyou region of Southwest Oregon and Northern California. KS Wild values healthy forests and rivers and advocates for wildlife and wildlands (and loves the Rogue River). You can learn more about their valuable work on their website.

Weather

  • Southwestern Oregon’s springtime weather is variable and you should come prepared for a variety of conditions. It can be rainy and cold, misty and cool, or sunny and warm; sometimes all in the same day. Dressing in layers is the most practical solution and a good rain jacket and rain pants are valuable.

Meals & Drinks

  • ARTA meals are AMAZING! Guests are often shocked at how wonderful our meals are in a back-country setting. We bring the highest quality ice chests to keep meats, fruits and veggies fresh for the duration of the trip. Meals are designed for foodies (adults) and the occasional picky eater (kids!) alike. Guests can expect to start each day with fresh coffee and well-balanced breakfast, snacks are available throughout the day in the rafts, lunch is prepared riverside with many options, and appetizers are served to kick off the dinner hour early-evening with our main courses and desert to wrap up each day.

    We are happy to accommodate special dietary request/requirements. Please let us know in your pre-trip registration.

    We provide water, sports drink powder during the day, and hot coffee, tea, and cocoa in the morning. If you would like soda, beer, wine, or liquor at camp, please bring your own and we will have coolers/ice for you! Please bring beer/soda in cans, we can accommodate wine and liquor in glass bottles. Please bring what you plan to consume.

Camping

  • Overnight camping will be done at riverside beaches with spectacular views of the river and canyon. Guides will set up a full kitchen, dining area, drink and appetizer zone, and our ‘living room’ with chairs set up for each guest, a library of books and camp games. Guests will have the freedom to explore and pick out their own unique spot to set up their tents away from the central area, and guides are available to help.

    Our toilet facilities, and a hand-wash station will be set up in an isolated (and usually beautiful) location; going to the bathroom in the wilderness is surprisingly pleasant, keep in mind we set up the toilet facilities away from camp, a short walk to the toilet, often on uneven ground is part of the deal.

Wildlife

  • The Rogue is famous for its abundant wildlife and we often witness spectacular events: osprey diving for fish, otter playing on the bank, salmon jumping, or bear fishing along the shore. It is possible to see rattlesnakes, bald eagles and maybe even a bear as well. Of all our trips, the Rogue is one of the best for seeing wildlife.

Suggested Reading

  • Haleigh,  our guide on this adventure. Has written a blog post about the trip. Breaking it down by day, and is great reading if you would like to know a little more about the trip.  You can read all about it HERE

    Don’t forget to download the handy hiking map!  Additionally, western writer Zane Grey spent time fishing along and writing about the Rogue and his stories make for fun reading during the trip. Riders of the Purple Sage is his best-known novel, Rogue River Feud is the most relevant. Maps (Rogue River Guide Book) and interpretive guides are also available at Galice Resort as well as on-line.

Alternative Ending

  • Our take-out point is 35 miles inland from where the Rogue meets the Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach. If you are heading to the coast after your trip, you can have your vehicle shuttled from Morrison’s Lodge to Foster Bar (the take-out point) for about $150 per vehicle. Arrangements should be made in advance.

Packing Guide

Ready, Set, Hike!
One of the treats of raft supported hiking is not having to worry about weight. You can be fairly liberal with the amount of gear that you bring. The basic rule of packing is: the right stuff, not more stuff. Bringing the proper gear will make your trip much more enjoyable.

Packing List

Camp Items

These will be packed in your dry bag and will generally not be accessible during the day.

  • Your favorite pillow
  • Sleeping Bag (Freshly laundered sleeping bags can be rented from ARTA)
  • Two changes of clothing (versatile pants and shirts, cotton is fine – something exciting for dinner is welcome!)
  • A swimsuit, and some shorts and T-shirts for in camp
  • Extra socks, (wool or fleece are best), and underwear
  • Extra socks, you probably want an extra pair
  • Camp shoes. Something to give your feet a break (flip-flops are nice)
  • Personal hygiene items, including medicine, insect repellent, dry-skin lotion, etc. Please bring twice the amount needed of any essential medicine.
  • Warm jacket, (thick fleece or down work well great)
  • Small flashlight with extra batteries, (headlamps are great)
  • Book, sketch pad, journal, etc.
RIVER AND TRAIL ITEMS:

These will be worn or packed in your personal day pack .

  • A day pack
  • Hiking shoes or boots (broken in!)
  • Large water bottle or hydration pack (Camelbak, Platypus, etc) – Looking for 3 to 4 liters of carrying capacity
  • Pants or shorts and T-shirt, (nylon, quick-drying shorts and synthetic “tech-dry” type shirts are best )
  • A synthetic fleece top (essential)
  • A pair of synthetic fleece pants (encouraged)
  • Waterproof rainshell (essential) and rainpants
  • Brimmed hat
  • Lightweight cotton clothing, (synthetic long-sleeved or old cotton dress shirts) for sun protection
  • Waterproof sunscreen/block (SPF 30+), lip balm
  • Sunglasses with strap
  • Download the Digital map app (Gaia T rack) to use before and while on the trail
OPTIONAL ITEMS:

These are not absolutely necessary, but you are welcome to bring them.

  • Poison oak wipes
  • Electrolyte packets
  • Bandana to wet at creek crossings to cool off
  • Beer, wine, liquor, or soda (We will try to keep it cold)
  • Trekking poles
We Will Provide
  • 3" thick "Paco Pad" style sleeping pad
  • Two-person tent **Must be requested**
  • A chair
  • A cup, plate, and eating utensils for each guest.
  • Drybags
  • Personal Flotation Device (PFD) if you decide to float
Rental Items

We have good sleeping bags available to rent. Reserve and pay for it in advance, pick it up at the pre-trip meeting, leave it behind when you’re done; simple. Please indicate on your registration.

Drinks

If you would like soda, beer, wine, or liquor at camp, please bring your own and we will have coolers & ice for you! Please bring beer/soda in cans. We can accommodate wine and liquor in glass bottles. Please bring what you plan to consume.

How to Dress

On the trail
Most people start the day in long pants, synthetic long-sleeved top, comfortable hiking shirt and a cap (fleece beanie if it is cool, brimmed hat if it is sunny), with extra socks and a pair of shorts in their day pack. If it is rainy, they’ll be wearing their rain shell; if it is sunny, it will be packed in their day pack. At the end of the day, most people have shed their insulation and are hiking in shorts and a lightweight shirt with their insulation layer, rain shell and dirty socks in their day pack.
On your feet
you want comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots. Make sure they are broken in! There are a few places where you will be hiking on uneven bedrock, but for the most part, the trail is pretty smooth. Wear something you can walk in all day. Clean socks and comfortable shoes or even flip-flops are great for around camp.
In camp
It can be chilly in the mornings and evenings, so a cozy down jacket or cotton hoodie are really nice for lounging by the river or sitting by the fire. A fleece beanie and gloves are nice, too. If it is raining, we’ll have a big tarp set up, but you will need a good rain shell and pants to keep dry. It can also be sunny and warm in the afternoons, in which case a swimsuit is great.

Where to buy

Schedule & Pricing

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Two people do yoga overlooking a river A group of rafts float down a scenic river A group of people site in camp chairs and play instruments