Home / River Trips / Rogue River Rafting Wild and Scenic Rogue River Rafting Oregon Length 3, 4 or 5 days Meeting Point Grants Pass, OR Difficulty Class III (beginner) Minimum Age 6+ years Starting at $1,099 per person. Book Now Rogue River Rafting Oregon Trip Details Packing Guide Schedule & Pricing Starting at $1,099 per person. Book Now Overview Rogue River Rafting: Oregon's Premier Wilderness River Trip Flowing through the heart of the Rogue River Wilderness, this legendary river offers an unforgettable mix of exciting Class II-IV whitewater rapids, pristine wildlife, in a lush forested landscape. The rapids on the Rogue River are friendly and exciting, mile after mile of fun, splashy, drops and chutes; frequent, but not frenzied, fun but not overwhelming; with a few notable features such as Mule Creek Canyon where the whole river channels down into a narrow, walled-in gorge and rushes through a mile-long stretch of boiling whitewater. The water on the Rogue River is that perfect-for-swimming temperature; we take lots of different kinds of boats, from ridiculously relaxing oar rafts to dial-your-own-thrill-level inflatable kayaks; there are good campsites with great swimming opportunities; a few short hikes, and so much wildlife that you may get tired of watching osprey dive for fish. For kids it’s like a playground; for parents, well, it’s like taking your kids to the playground. The Rogue River is a total world-class iconic trip, a great blend of excitement and relaxation, great for families, groups of friends, first time boaters, and seasoned river runners; it’s easy to get to, yet far away from it all; it’s a trip one could repeat year after year, the Rogue River is just that good. Known For Fun Rapids, Swimming, Wildlife Group Size 10-22 In a Word Family Included Transportation to the launch site and return, camping gear including thick comfortable sleeping pads, and tents; all taxes and hidden fees What to Bring See packing guide Scroll to View Map Download Map "ARTA never disappoints. Excellent and fun guides. The food is amazing. You will never be disappointed on the Rogue." Wendy Nathan Rogue River Rafting "Absolute perfection from start to finish! The river has its own magic, but Arta makes it effortless—you just get to soak it all in. The guides are truly legends: endlessly positive, incredibly skilled, and full of heart. They keep you safe without being overbearing, cook phenomenal meals, set up and break down camp, keep everything pristine (deal with ALL sanitation needs), and somehow do it all with huge smiles and constant encouragement." Jackie Dobrinska Rogue River Rafting "No complaints, had a great time from the first day to the last. Great people who care about their job, the guests, the environment - thanks!" Mark Casebeer Rogue River Rafting "Wonderful 5 day trip down the Rogue River! Professional, prepared guides who made our adventure SO memorable and FUN for our whole family. Delicious food and incredible day trips from the camps. They were personable, safe and attentive. They did all the heavy lifting so we could focus on having a blast! Which we did and then some. Incredible experience for our family and kids. Thank you ARTA!" Victoria George Rogue River Rafting "Our rafting trip with ARTA on the Rogue River was ah-mazing! The guides knew the river like the back of their hand and took great care of us. The food was worthy of a Michelin star and we didn’t have to lift a finger. And the scenery…breathtaking. This was our group’s second trip with ARTA and we look forward to many more." Steve Hughes Rogue River Rafting "My wife and two kids (12 and 6 y.o.) had a fantastic time on a 4-day 3-night trip on the Rogue river. It was wonderful to be in Nature away from phones and computers. And it was wonderful to not have worry about cooking or cleaning for 4-days! The food was delicious. The river rapids were exciting. We jumped off rocks and swam and paddled. It you are comfortable sleeping in a tent and eating outside, then I can't recommend this trip more highly!" Aaron Andalman Rogue River Rafting "I can’t say enough about your guides. They all really helped make the trip one of the greatest vacations my kids and I have ever been on." Susan McKinney Rogue River Rafting "If I could give an 11 I would. Impeccable customer service, ideal product, and well executed. It’s something I will keep with me forever." Maribeth Thekkedom Rogue River Rafting " I can’t say enough about your guides. They all really helped make the trip one of the greatest vacations my kids and I have ever been on. " Susan McKinney Rogue River Rafting Trip Details A downloadable pdf of these trip details (along with more information about what to expect on your trip) can be found below. 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! Download PDF Getting There Itinerary What's Provided On The River Getting There This Trip Will Begin and end at: Morrison's Lodge 8500 Galice Rd. Merlin, OR 97532 We will meet you at 6:00 pm the evening before the trip begins on the lawn overlooking the Rogue River at Morrison’s Lodge in Merlin, Oregon (800/826-1963). At the pre-trip meeting we will give you your waterproof bags, go over final trip logistics and answer any last minute questions. Cars will be left at Morrison’s during the trip. Get Directions Where to Stay: Morrison's Lodge Galice Resort Holiday Inn Express Best Western Inn 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. Itinerary Subject to change due to flows 4 Days 5 Days Day Before Your Trip Begins We will meet you at 6:00 pm the evening before the trip begins on the lawn overlooking the Rogue River at Morrison’s Lodge in Merlin, Oregon (800/826-1963). At the pre-trip meeting we will give you your waterproof bags, go over final trip logistics and answer any last minute questions. Cars will be left at Morrison’s during the trip. Day 1 We will meet early in the morning at Morrison’s and take a short van ride to the actual launching point on the river. After a thorough safety briefing and trip orientation, we will launch in the morning and head downstream. The first day on the Rogue has some fun warm-up rapids as well as the legendary Rainie Falls (see below). Camping will be at a remote, wilderness site along the river. Day 2-3 A typical day on the Rogue starts with coffee and a hearty breakfast before we pack our bags and load on to the rafts. We will float an average of 8 – 12 miles, (5 hours), each day, stopping for a picnic lunch and perhaps to take a short hike or explore an historical site. There are rapids every day; the biggest, Blossom Bar, usually comes on the morning of day 3, (see below). Camp each day will be made in the late afternoon with early evening available for hiking, swimming or relaxing. Day 4 We usually arrive at Foster Bar (the take-out) around 2:00 on the last day and then take a van ride (2 hours) back to Morrison’s; arrival time back at Morrison’s should be between 4:00 and 5:00 on the last day. Day Before Your Trip Begins We will meet you at 6:00 pm the evening before the trip begins on the lawn overlooking the Rogue River at Morrison’s Lodge in Merlin, Oregon (800/826-1963). At the pre-trip meeting we will give you your waterproof bags, go over final trip logistics and answer any last minute questions. Cars will be left at Morrison’s during the trip. Day 1 We will meet early in the morning at Morrison’s and take a short van ride to the actual launching point on the river. After a thorough safety briefing and trip orientation, we will launch in the morning and head downstream. The first day on the Rogue has some fun warm-up rapids as well as the legendary Rainie Falls (see below). Camping will be at a remote, wilderness site along the river. Days 2-4 A typical day on the Rogue starts with coffee and a hearty breakfast before we pack our bags and load on to the rafts. We will float an average of 8 – 12 miles, (5 hours), each day, stopping for a picnic lunch and perhaps to take a short hike or explore an historical site. There are rapids every day; the biggest, Blossom Bar, usually comes on the morning of day 3, (see below). Camp each day will be made in the late afternoon with early evening available for hiking, swimming or relaxing. Day 5 We usually arrive at Foster Bar (the take-out) around 2:00 on the last day and then take a van ride (2 hours) back to Morrison’s; arrival time back at Morrison’s should be between 4:00 and 5:00 on the last day. What's Provided We Will Provide Round trip transportation from Morrison’s to the river and return to Morrison’s at the end of the trip All meals from lunch on the first day through lunch on the last day Waterproof bags, lifejackets, and other specialized equipment for the trip. 3" thick, comfortable "paco pad style" sleeping pads for each guest. 2 person tents. Camp chair, plate, eating utensils and mug. Friendly, entertaining and professional guide service. All taxes and government access fees. What you are responsible for Meals and lodging before and after your trip Personal clothing and other miscellaneous items (see equipment list) Sleeping bags (these items can be rented from ARTA – see equipment list) Soda, wine, alcoholic beverages (see below) Guides gratuities (see below) On The River Boat Types Meals & Drinks Camping Weather Local Attractions Alternate Endings Suggested Reading Travel Insurance Gratuities Boat Types Oar Rafts 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. You ride in the front, hang on through the rapids and relax in the calm stretches. Paddle Rafts Paddle rafts are 14 feet long and carry between 4 and 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. Inflatable Kayaks 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 inflatable kayaks. We will bring a lot, but 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. 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. Weather Southern 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. Very little rain 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 into the high 60’s during the summer. Local Attractions The Oregon Shakespeare Festival in nearby Ashland is renowned for its Elizabethan Stagehouse and repertoire of Shakespearean drama. Also in the area are scenic Crater Lake National Park and the headwaters of the Rogue River, Oregon Caves National Monument and the historic town of Jacksonville which is home to the Britt Music Festival. Another popular addition to a Rogue trip is a tour of the spectacular Oregon coastline after the trip (see Alternate Ending below). Alternate Endings 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. Suggested Reading Zane Grey spent time fishing along and writing about the Rogue River and his stories make for fun reading during the trip; Rogue River Feud is set on the stretch that we will float and is a classic example of Grey’s style. River guide Matt Leidecker also wrote a great mile-by-mile guide: The Rogue River – A Comprehensive Guide from Prospect to Gold Beach which is available through Northwest River Supplies. The BLM has a decent river map, The Rogue River Float Guide, which is available at Morrison’s prior to the trip. Travel Insurance Because life is full of surprises, we suggest you consider purchasing supplemental travel insurance for your trip. Trip cancellation, evacuation, baggage loss and other coverages are available for between 8% and 15% of your trip cost. You can get more information through ASI Travel Insurance Services (please select American River Touring Association from the drop down menu). Gratuities If you truly enjoy your trip, tipping is a great way to show your appreciation. Tipping is optional and personal, but since a lot of people ask, a customary amount is between 15 and 20 percent of the trip cost. Tips can be given to the Lead Guide who will share them with the entire crew. On The River Boat Types Boat Types Oar Rafts 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. You ride in the front, hang on through the rapids and relax in the calm stretches. Paddle Rafts Paddle rafts are 14 feet long and carry between 4 and 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. Inflatable Kayaks 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 inflatable kayaks. We will bring a lot, but 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. Meals & Drinks 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 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. Weather Weather Southern 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. Very little rain 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 into the high 60’s during the summer. Local Attractions Local Attractions The Oregon Shakespeare Festival in nearby Ashland is renowned for its Elizabethan Stagehouse and repertoire of Shakespearean drama. Also in the area are scenic Crater Lake National Park and the headwaters of the Rogue River, Oregon Caves National Monument and the historic town of Jacksonville which is home to the Britt Music Festival. Another popular addition to a Rogue trip is a tour of the spectacular Oregon coastline after the trip (see Alternate Ending below). Alternate Endings Alternate Endings 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. Suggested Reading Suggested Reading Zane Grey spent time fishing along and writing about the Rogue River and his stories make for fun reading during the trip; Rogue River Feud is set on the stretch that we will float and is a classic example of Grey’s style. River guide Matt Leidecker also wrote a great mile-by-mile guide: The Rogue River – A Comprehensive Guide from Prospect to Gold Beach which is available through Northwest River Supplies. The BLM has a decent river map, The Rogue River Float Guide, which is available at Morrison’s prior to the trip. Travel Insurance Travel Insurance Because life is full of surprises, we suggest you consider purchasing supplemental travel insurance for your trip. Trip cancellation, evacuation, baggage loss and other coverages are available for between 8% and 15% of your trip cost. You can get more information through ASI Travel Insurance Services (please select American River Touring Association from the drop down menu). Gratuities Gratuities If you truly enjoy your trip, tipping is a great way to show your appreciation. Tipping is optional and personal, but since a lot of people ask, a customary amount is between 15 and 20 percent of the trip cost. Tips can be given to the Lead Guide who will share them with the entire crew. Packing Guide Our trips are designed to be all-inclusive and comfortable. Upon your arrival we will provide you and your group members with your waterproof dry-bags and instruction on how to pack. You won't have to worry about traveling with big bulky items: high quality tents, big thick cozy sleeping pads, are all included. There are, however, a handful of recommended personal items that will make your trip more enjoyable, the underlying list is our recommendations. Packing List How to Dress Where to buy Packing List This list has everything we can think of for trips from May through September; you can adjust it to fit your departure date (more cold weather clothing early in the season). Camp Items These will be packed in your camp dry bag and will be available at camp. 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!) Extra swimsuits, shorts and T-shirts for in camp Extra socks, (wool or fleece are best), and underwear Camp shoes. Something you can walk and hike in comfortably (ultra-lite boots or trail-running shoes; our guides wear flip-flops in camp) Sarong or small towel Personal hygiene items, including medicine, insect repellent, soap/shampoo, dry-skin lotion, etc. Please bring double the amount needed of any essential medicine. Warm jacket, (thick fleece is great – will work on-river as well – or compact/down coat). Rain gear, (can double as on-river gear); top is essential, bottoms are advised if you get cold easily. Small flashlight with extra batteries, (headlamps are great). Book, sketch pad, journal, etc. Equipment We Provide These items will be provided for you so you don’t have to travel with them. 3" thick "Paco Pad" style sleeping pad Two-person tent **Must be requested** Camp chair Plate and eating utensils Mug Waterproof splash jacket Neoprene wetsuit (if necessary) Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Drybags River Items These will be worn, or packed in your personal dry-bag and will be accessible during the day. Sandals with heel strap (Chaco, Teva, Astral, etc.) or old running shoes. Swimsuit or shorts. Nylon quick-drying shorts are best – women often prefer to wear shorts over their swimsuits. Lightweight cotton or dry-tech style synthetic shirt or T-shirt. Long-sleeved if you want extra sun protection, sun hoodies are great. If you get cold easily, a lightweight fleece top is handy. Brimmed hat (baseball style or visor work best under helmet for inflatable kayakers – and a spare is a good idea). Sunglasses with strap. Waterproof sunscreen/block (SPF 30), lip balm. Polypropylene or fleece top (essential). Waterproof rainshell (essential) and rain pants (optional). Rental Items Freshly laundered sleeping bags are available to rent from ARTA. Reserve and pay for it in advance using your pre-trip online registration. Pro Tip Layering various weights of polypro is a great way to regulate your temperature even when wet; consider two different weights of polypro. Synthetic sun hoodies paired with a baseball-hat are great for keeping the sun off. 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 Hot Days On hot days you will want clothing that dries quickly (nylon shorts and bathing suits) and something to shield you from the sun, (a high-tech SPF long-sleeved shirt or sun hoodie). Also, a brimmed hat and a bandana are helpful for staying cool. On Cool Days On cool days you will want a thick, synthetic fleece top, and a sturdy, fully waterproof rainshell. You may also want fleece pants or polypropylene long underwear bottoms and rainpants, particularly before mid-June. Don’t bring a cotton sweatshirt; cotton is worthless when wet and won’t work for on-river insulation. On Your Feet On your feet you will want shoes that stay on if you go for a swim and are comfortable for hiking. Sport sandals with heel straps (Tevas, Chacos etc.) work well. Running shoes are also fine, Astrals (athletic shoes with grippy rubber for walking on wet rocks) are a guide favorite. In Camp In camp you will want comfortable walking/hiking shoes, (flip flops, lightweight tennis shoes), and versatile clothing, (T-shirts, warm shirts, cotton shorts, jeans or sweats, extra fleece, etc). Cotton is fine for camp when dry. Where to buy Free Fly Apparel Astral Footwear NRS Patagonia Schedule & Pricing A deposit of $300 per person is due within seven days of making the reservation and the final balance is due 120 days before the trip departure date. Don't forget to click on "Click here to see additional trips" to see more dates! Deposit and Cancellation Policies Fourteen Rivers, Infinite Possibilities! Explore all of our destinations. Explore