Home / Specialty Trips / Natural History on the Rogue Weaving Mother Natures Web Natural History on the Rogue Meeting Point Grants Pass OR Difficulty Class III (beginner) Natural History on the Rogue Trip Details Packing Guide Schedule & Pricing Starting at $1,549 per person. Overview Learn about ecology and natural history, with the Rogue River as your classroom. This trip launches on August 18, 2026 for 4 days – through Friday, August 21, 2026 Relax, sit back, and learn a thing or two. This trip will be about experiencing the interconnectedness of the organisms that live in the Rogue River watershed, from birds to lampreys, flowers to fish. This naturally will lead us into conversations about conservation, resilience, and sustainability. The river slows us down, allowing us to observe and reflect. The structure will be casual, but our brains will remain inquisitive. This trip would be perfect for the first-time Rogue adventurer to the most seasoned Rogue explorer. From discussions in the evening to casual chats along the shore.  Nothing is mandatory, but I doubt you won’t want to learn. Known For Nature Group Size 20 Included All meals from lunch on the first day to lunch on the final day, camping gear including thick comfortable sleeping pads, and tents, wetsuits and splash tops if needed; and ALL TAXES AND HIDDEN FEES What to Bring See packing guide Scroll to View Map Download Map Meet Dr. Steven Foldi Be ready: he just might change the way you see the world Growing up on a small farm in Texas, Steven followed that passion into a career rooted in understanding how living things connect. He earned his PhD in community ecology from the University of Arizona and now serves as full‑time biology faculty at Central Oregon Community College, where he brings more than twenty years of teaching experience to students. He has led 19 international student trips focused on community‑based conservation projects, from invasive species removal in the Galápagos to biodiversity surveys in Indonesia. On the Rogue River, Steven will be your trip naturalist and ecologist, framing each day as an opportunity to see how this remarkable watershed functions as an intact, living system, far from the heavily modified landscapes most of us inhabit. Let’s see how many species he can point out for you and discuss their place along the river! 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 Best Western Inn Holiday Inn Express 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 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. 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 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). 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). 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.