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Rogue River, OR
Rogue River 2-Day Intro to River Running
2 days / 1 night
Your first river night
Camping Trips
Class I
Class II
OVERVIEW
Your first river night
Your first river night, a mellow two-day introduction to camping and rafting on the Rogue.
2 days / 1 night
Duration
5
+
Min Age
Camping Trips
Trip Style
DATES
Upcoming Dates
Mon
23
Rogue River Lodge
8:00 AM
Wed
25
Rogue River Lodge
8:00 AM
Fri
27
Rogue River Lodge
8:00 AM
Highlights
Best Parts of The Trip
- Mellow Class I and II Learn the eddies and current on Day 1, then use it on fun Class IIs on Day 2.
- Hellgate Canyon on Day 1 A 13-mile float through Jump Off Joe Riffle, Hellgate Canyon, Dun Riffle, Rooster Tail and Rainbow.
- One night under the stars Camp near Galice is open with plenty of room to roam, so evenings are for hanging out and swimming.
- Great for first-timers Kids as young as 5 come along, and the route stays close to the road the whole way.
INSIDER TIP
From Our Guides
Bugs are the number one question we get on this trip, so pack mosquito repellent and a pair of long pants for camp. You will be glad you did.
Your boat
Boats on This Trip
ITINERARY
Day by day
Day 1
Meet at the shop at 10:00 AM and shuttle to the Ferry Hole put-in. The day runs about 13 miles through Jump Off Joe Riffle, Hellgate Canyon, Dun Riffle, Rooster Tail and Rainbow, with a deli lunch about midway. Camp is near Galice, and the exact beach varies.
Miles covered
13
miles
rogue-river-2-day-intro-to-river-running
1
Day 2
Breakfast at camp and on the water around 10:00 AM. Today brings a handful of fun Class IIs with the Almeda Argo rapid as the highlight, lunch midway, and canyon scenery the rest of the way. We are off the river at Grave Creek between 3:30 and 4:00 PM.
Miles covered
9.5
miles
rogue-river-2-day-intro-to-river-running
2
Inclusions
What's Included
Guides and gear
- Guides and all gear
- Dry bag, day bag, helmet and PFD
- Wetsuits and splash tops
Where you sleep
- Two-person tents, cots and pads
Meals
- Lunch, dinner, breakfast, lunch
- Beer or wine, 3 drinks per person per night, and you are welcome to bring more
Getting there
- Shuttle to the put-in
Bring or rent
- Two or three swimsuits, or shorts and a top (no cotton)
- Sports sandals or hard-soled booties
- A 1-liter water bottle with a carabiner
- A fleece and a light rain jacket
- Synthetic sleeping bag rated to 45F (or rent our sleep kit)
- Mosquito repellent and long pants for camp
From $549
BOOK NOWACCOMMODATIONS
Camping Trips
Nights are a mix of historic lodge rooms and guided riverside camps, depending on the launch.
Rogue River
Lucas Lodge
Sadie Lucas built this lodge around 1912 on a ranch where the Illinois River meets the Rogue, and her family has welcomed guests for seven generations since. Your last night on the river ends here with a prime rib dinner served family style.
See the full stay
Owyhee River
Owyhee Camps
Desert canyon camps on the Owyhee, set below rimrock and red rock spires that light up at sunset.
See the full stay
Lower Salmon River
Lower Salmon Camps
Every camp is a big white sand beach with a good swimming hole, and your tent is up before you arrive.
See the full stayMain Salmon, River of No Return
Main Salmon Camps
Big sandy beach camps under the pines. When you pull in, your tent is already set up, your sleeping pad is in it and your dry bags are stacked and waiting.
See the full stay
Snake River in Hells Canyon
Hells Canyon Camps
Riverside camps below the walls of Hells Canyon. Your tent is up before you arrive, and evenings start with a cold drink under the shade tarps.
See the full stay
Rogue River
Rogue River Camps
Riverside beach camps on the Rogue. Your gear boater runs ahead so camp is ready when you pull in, with tents up and dinner served family style.
See the full stay
Rogue River
Paradise Lodge
Paradise has the big deck where we do movie night, with lodge cooking and a real bed. Every room has its own hot shower and private bathroom.
See the full stay
Rogue River
Black Bar Lodge
Black Bar sits right on the water. You pull in at the end of Day 1 to a home-cooked dinner and a real bed, and every room has its own hot shower and private bathroom.
See the full stay
Food & Drink
What To Expect During Meal Time
Day 1 is a deli lunch on the river and dinner at camp. Day 2 starts with breakfast at camp, and lunch comes about midway down the river.
Meeting Logistics
Where & When To Meet
No pre-trip meeting on this one. Just meet us at the OTT shop at 10:00 AM PT, 210 Merlin Road in Merlin, and leave your luggage in your vehicle at the shop. It is about a 15-minute shuttle to the Ferry Hole put-in, and we take out at Grave Creek between 3:30 and 4:00 PM PT on Day 2.
TRAVEL
Getting there
Most guests fly into Medford or drive to Grants Pass the day before. There is no night-before meeting.
Meeting point
Orange Torpedo shop
210 Merlin Rd, Merlin, OR. I-5 exit 61, 3.2 miles west. Gated parking. Check-in from 10:00 AM.
How to get there
Fly into Medford (MFR)
About 40 minutes by car. Rentals are at the airport.
Drive I-5 to exit 61
Overnight parking is available in the shop lot, including RVs.
Stay in Grants Pass
We can pick up and drop off at Grants Pass hotels.
Airport transfer
Hotel pickup in Grants Pass is free when arranged.
Skip the rental car: Whitewater Cowboys runs a van between the Medford airport and Grants Pass hotels or the Merlin shop, $149 for up to 12 people.
CONDITIONS
What to expect
Weather
May and June bring 50s in the morning and 80s in the afternoon. July and August run high 60s in the morning and 90s in the afternoon. Late August and September cool back down to 50s and 80s.
Whitewater Levels
Day 1 is mostly a mellow float where you learn the eddies and the current, watch for wildlife and get comfortable in your boat. Day 2 is a bit of a step up. You take what you learned on Day 1 and apply it to a handful of fun Class IIs, with the Almeda Argo rapid as the highlight. In low water a lot of people get wrapped on a rock there, so listen for your guide's line.
The scenery steps up too. Day 1 is flatter lowlands and rolling hills, and by Day 2 you are entering the Rogue River Canyon and it gets a lot more dramatic. Camp is open with plenty of room to roam, right next to the road, so evenings are for hanging out and swimming rather than hiking.
Seasonal Variability
The Rogue is dam-controlled, so it is pretty consistent. Flows run high at the start of the season, around 2,000 to 3,000 cfs, and drop through the summer. Lower water means more rocks and a slightly more technical river, which makes Day 2 a little more exciting late in the year.
PACKING
What to Bring
We give you an 18 by 36 inch dry bag, about the size of a medium duffle, and everything goes in it, sleeping bag included. Pack conservatively, seal it the way your guide shows you, and leave valuables at home. We also bring a day bag for the things you want handy.
On the river
- Two or three swimsuits, or shorts and a top, no cotton
- Sports sandals or hard-soled booties
- Synthetic paddling gloves
- A wide-brimmed hat or ball cap
- A polypro or synthetic shirt
- A 1-liter water bottle with a carabiner
- Waterproof sunscreen
- Two pairs of sunglasses with a strap
In camp
- Two pairs of pants and shorts
- Three shirts
- A fleece or sweatshirt
- A light rain jacket
- A synthetic sleeping bag rated to 45F, or rent our sleep kit
- A packable pillow
- A small towel
- A headlamp and a beanie
- A camera and a good book
- Hygiene items and a sleep mask
- Mosquito repellent
We supply wetsuits and splash tops for chilly mornings. Our sleep kit rental comes with a sleeping bag and a pack pillow.
REVIEWS
What guests say
POLICIES
Cancellation timeline
90+ days out
Full refund of the trip payment
Minus any non-refundable permit fees.
30–89 days out
50% refund
Date changes may be available if space remains.
Under 30 days
No refund
Weather holds are reviewed case by case.
Refunds depend on how far out you cancel. Weather holds are handled case by case.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Will we see wildlife in Oregon?
On the Rogue, bears, often with cubs near Paradise, bald eagles, osprey, otter, mink, turtles, mergansers and deer. Bring binoculars if you have them.
What about bugs, ticks and poison oak?
Bugs are the number one question on the Rogue 2-Day, so pack mosquito repellent and long pants for camp. On the hiking trip bring moleskin and Tecnu and check for ticks. Camp trips carry poison oak soap.
Do I need my own camping gear?
On our guided camp trips, just your sleeping bag, or rent a sleep kit from us. We bring the tent, the pad and everything else, and the tents are up before you get to camp.
On a Row Your Own, yes. On the Rogue, bring your boat (or rent one from Whitewater Cowboys), tent, sleeping bag, pad and chairs, and we bring the kitchen, the toilet and the permit. In Idaho, bring your boat setup, tent, pad, cot and chair, and we bring the kitchen and toilet, plus the permit on the Main Salmon. The Lower Salmon does not need one.
What do I do with my car keys?
Hand them to your guide and they ride in a dry bag, or leave them at the shop if you met there. On the Golden Hour float the shop is locked by 8:30, so keep your keys or give them to your guide. On the North Umpqua they stay with the guide or in the van.
Do I have to paddle an IK if I get scared?
No. There is a guide right there who will come get you no matter what, and you can hop into a raft any time. We would love for you to try the torpedo, but it is never required.
How hard is paddling an inflatable kayak?
It can be difficult at first, but the guides are there to help you, and they will make sure you are in the right position to succeed. Paddle hard. Paddling hard is going to be your best friend.
How are dietary restrictions handled?
The answer is yes. Tell us at the pre-trip meeting or when you book. The lodges are very accommodating, our camp menus adjust for allergies and gluten-free, and on the North Umpqua we pack plant-based options and gluten-free chips and cookies.
Are the guides trained in first aid?
Yes. Every guide holds a Wilderness First Aid certification, and there is at least one Wilderness First Responder on every trip.
What do I do with my medications?
If you take something during the day, keep it out and hand it to your guide. It rides in the communal day bag on the big raft so nothing gets lost. Evening medications just go in your dry bag and you will have them at the lodge or at camp.
If you have an allergy that can cause anaphylaxis, bring at least one EpiPen and let your guide know before we launch.
MORE TRIPS
Our Most Booked Trips
|
4 days
|
Class
Hike the Rogue River Trail with a daypack, sleep in the lodges, and let the raft carry everything else.
|
3 days
|
Class
Run the Rogue River Trail lodge to lodge with a light vest while the raft carries your bags.
