Hiking on Oregon's Wild and Scenic Rogue River Trail

Rogue River Trip Description

Nestled deep in the coastal Siskiyou mountains of southwest Oregon, the Rogue river features unmatched natural beauty, quiet seclusion, abundant wildlife, and a rich history. It is this rare combination of characteristics that inspired Congress in 1967 to include the Rogue as part of the original Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Over forty years later the river retains the same charm. It still flows through one of the most poetic canyons on earth and the canyon offers forty miles of excellent raft supported hiking through a pristine landscape where a variety of wildlife and native vegetation thrive.

The Rogue River National Recreation Trail is the heart of the canyon and is approximately forty miles in length. The Rogue River Trail features easy to moderate hiking and typically takes four to five days, hiking anywhere from eight to fifteen miles per day. The trail is well constructed and maintained every season after winter storms have passed. The trail is designated for hiking only and you can truly experience the serenity and solitude of this beautiful wilderness. The Rogue River is also a popular whitewater rafting destination and you may see rafts floating by on the river or hear the occasional whoops of joy as a boat goes through a rapid.

The wilderness of this river and canyon is special. Pine and oak blanket the canyon walls, rendering a tapestry of green. Smooth boulders and cliffs line the river and one can often see a variety of wildlife-including black bear, river otters deer, raccoons and turtles-near the rivers edge. Blue heron, bald eagles and osprey soar through the sky.

Our Rogue trips feature all of this plus guides who love the canyon and the river and who want to share its special character with you. You have the option of overnighting in lodges or camping on the banks of the river enjoying a beverage and savory cuisine under the brilliant Oregon night stars. The lodges are nestled above the river and offer cozy beds and warm showers and good family -style meals. If you wish to continue your wilderness experience outdoors each night rather than overnight in the lodges, our guides will set up comfortable river-side camps each evening and prepare amazing meals. Our camps are sited on perfectly placed sand beaches or in forest meadow camping areas and all personal camping gear such as sleeping bags, pads, and tents are provided. With a raft-supported hiking trip you are able to carry only a light day-pack while you hike as all food and gear is transported by guides who meet you at predetermined places along the river at lunchtime and at the days' end. Please note: you will not be accompanied by a guide while hiking on the trail.

More About Rogue River Hiking Trips

- Location: Oregon River Rafting Near Grant's Pass

The Rogue River is northwest of Medford, Oregon in the Siskiyou Mountains. Medford Airport is served by a variety of airlines that arrive from throughout the U.S. and the world. The Rogue River is close in proximity to other vacation destinations like Crater Lake and Grants Pass and easily accessible to Northern California and Oregon's major cities. It is less than a day's drive from the Bay Area, Seattle, and Boise.

- Hiking Difficulty

Destination Wilderness trips are created with fun, curious, and nature-loving adventurers in mind. Our Rogue River Hiking is ideal for those with a zest for the outdoors, moderate adventures, and self-determined activity levels. While you should be fit and in good health for this trip, you need not be a honed athlete. The hiking on this trip is moderate with the possibility of more challenging sections of trail, depending on conditions.

- River Difficulty: Class III - III+

If you opt to raft, the Rogue River is Class III-III+. Each day on a Destination Wilderness trip you’ll experience playful and moderately challenging rapids that are ideal for first time rafters, families with children and experienced river runners alike. Some sections of the Rogue River have more rapids than others and there are many long, peaceful calms with scenery that has been described as the most beautiful on earth.

- Season: May through early June

The Rogue is a coastal river with mild weather and runnable flows almost year-round. Temperatures from late May through June, and then in September, are usually in the high 70's to high 80's during the day and 50's to 60's at night. July and August temperatures often reach the 90's and nights are in the 50's and 60's. Due to the coastal location, rain can occur any time and weather in the canyon can be unpredictable... always bring rain gear. Wetsuits are required for all spring and fall trips and will be provided by Destination Wilderness.

- Gourmet Meals

We serve gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner meals prepared with fresh ingredients. We also provide a variety of beverages with each meal. Each afternoon we set up happy hour snacks and beverages. We are glad to prepare foods that you want or need (including birthday or anniversary cakes). Let us know if you have special dietary concerns and we’ll cook accordingly.

- Minimum Age Requirements

The usual minimum age for Rogue River hiking trips is 14 years old.

- Gratuities

It is common to tip river guides for their services while on adventure trips. Gratuities aren't expected, but always appreciated. If you’re happy with your trip, please let us and your guide(s) know.

- Fishing and Fishing License Information

The Rogue River is a great place for fishing. Depending on the season, anglers may land trout, salmon and steelhead. The gear rafts will gladly carry your personal fishing gear. Oregon requires a fishing license if you intend to fish during your visit. It may be necessary in many cases to release the catch, depending on the season. Your guide can help you obtain a license at the rendezvous. We also offer Rogue River Fishing Trips which allow for more time to fish.

Why Choose Destination Wilderness For Your Rogue River Trip?

Destination Wilderness offers the most complete Rogue River trips available. Consider and compare all that we provide on this great Oregon whitewater rafting river.

- Your Choice:

It's Your Trip. We have been guiding guests on the Rogue River for more than 15 years and believe that the best trip is the trip you desire. We provide a foundation of safety and seamless logistics along with guides who possess a wealth of knowledge about the Rogue River's characteristics and wilderness. From there, we create the trip you want, adjusting to your style and needs rather than asking you to fit our agenda. Some examples of our catering to your specific needs include providing for specific meal requests, stopping for extended side canyon hikes and camping near good fishing holes.

A Variety of Trip Options. With Destination Wilderness you can choose between camp trips, lodge trips, or a camp/lodge combination. We also offer opportunities to paddle in rafts and inflatable kayaks or you can enjoy the ride in an oar boat. Please note that the standard rafts used on our hiking trips are oar rafts. Paddle boats and inflatable kayaks are available by special request and an extra fee is required for these options. We're happy to customize trips to meet your wants and needs.

- Your Safety:

Minimum of Two Rafts and Two Guides per Trip. On all of our Oregon whitewater rafting trips we always have at least two licensed guides on the water. We believe that the safest possible trip starts with appropriate staffing and two or more guides are more effective than one. Therefore, we always have at least two rafts and two guides on each trip.

Full Safety Orientation and Gear. Before each Rogue River rafting trip we provide a thorough safety and instructional orientation. For example, as part of our full safety gear ensemble each client that paddles in the inflatable kayaks are provided with helmets. We also provide wetsuits and paddle jackets free of charge when needed.

Experienced Crews. Each and every year Destination Wilderness is a leader guiding multi-day trip guests on the Rogue River. We run trips every week resulting in a crew that knows the characteristics of the Rogue River and the surrounding wilderness.

- Your Comfort:

Smaller Group Size. Typically, our Rogue hiking trips are limited to 12 guests and four guides. We have the ability to take more at select times during the season but we generally prefer to keep group sizes reasonable in order to maximize your wilderness experience.

Personable Guest to Guide Ratio. We run Rogue River hiking trips with one guide for every four to five guests, a ratio we feel enhances each guest's experience in relation to safety, comfort and good company.

- Your Convenience:

Personal Camping Gear Included. All of our Rogue River hiking camp-based trips include sleeping bags, tents and sleeping pads. If you're limited on space or prefer not to lug your stuff around then let us make your preparation for the trip easier! Please note that you must provide your own backpack.

Additional Help with Pre and Post Trip Transportation and Lodging Available. We’ll gladly share our comprehensive knowledge of the Rogue River area and assist with transportation and lodging needs you have.

- Your Satisfaction:

We're confident you will find your experience with Destination Wilderness to be exceptionally exciting and rewarding!

Rogue Hiking Trip Prices

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Rogue River Rafting I Rogue River Rafting Trip Options I Rogue Rafting Rafting Trip Itinerary I Rogue River Rafting Trip Details
Rogue River Rafting Trip Dates & Prices | Rogue River Fishing Trips

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