Guest taking in the steep forested canyon from the bank of the Rogue River

Rogue River, OR

Rogue River Half-Day Hellgate Float

Half day (about 3 hours)

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From $79
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Splashy half-day float

TRIP TYPE

Day Trips

Whitewater class

Class I

Class II

See all

OVERVIEW

Splashy half-day float

A splashy half-day float on the Rogue with mellow Class I and IIs, swimming and stories on a morning float.

Half day (about 3 hours)

Duration

5

+

Min Age

Day 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 Really fun and splashy rapids, much more of a float than a rapids trip.
  • Swimming and stories Plenty of time to swim, spot wildlife and listen to your guide's stories.
  • Three hours on the water Float about 7 miles from Hog Creek to Galice, then we bring you back to the shop.
  • Morning float This trip runs in the morning, so you are off the water with the afternoon free.
  • Great for beginners Perfect for travelers on a time crunch, locals new to rivers and anyone nervous about whitewater.

INSIDER TIP

From Our Guides

Relax. A lot of people come in having heard the Rogue is all big, intense rapids. This stretch is fun, mellow Class I and IIs that are really fun and splashy. Come to swim and to listen to the stories, and if time allows your guide will let you switch between the raft and a kayak.

Your boat

Boats on This Trip

Inflatable Kayak

Inflatable Kayak

Minimum age varies by trip

You paddle

Your own boat and your own line

MORE INFO
Paddle Raft

Paddle Raft

Ages 8 and up on Oregon day trips

Your crew paddles

Everybody paddles and your guide calls the strokes

MORE INFO
Oared Raft

Oared Raft

Ages 5 and up on Oregon day trips

Your guide rows

Your guide rows, you ride and get splashed

MORE INFO

ITINERARY

Day by day

Day 1

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Meet at the shop at 8:30 AM or 1:00 PM, shuttle to Hog Creek, and float about 7 miles down to Galice. About three hours on the water, then we bring you back to the shop.

Miles covered

7

miles

rogue-river-half-day-hellgate-float

1

Inclusions

What's Included

Guides and gear

  • Guide and all gear
  • Kayak or raft
  • PFD and helmet
  • Dry bag and a water jug

Getting there

  • Shuttle from the shop

Bring or rent

  • A water bottle
  • Sunscreen
  • A hat

From $79

BOOK NOW

ACCOMMODATIONS

Day 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 stay

Main 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

There is no meal on this one. It is a three-hour float, so eat before you come and we will have you back in time for lunch or dinner. We bring a water jug so you can refill your bottle.

Meeting Logistics

Where & When To Meet

For the morning trip, meet at the shop at 8:30 AM PT and you are back between 12:00 and 1:00 PM PT. For the afternoon trip, meet at 1:00 PM PT and you are back by 5:00 PM PT. Either way it is about three hours on the water from Hog Creek to Galice.

TRAVEL

Getting there

Most guests fly into Medford or drive to Grants Pass the day before. Stay locally — launch mornings start early.

Meeting point

◉

Orange Torpedo shop

210 Merlin Rd, Merlin, OR. Morning trip 8:30 AM, back 12:00–1:00 PM. Afternoon trip 1:00 PM, back around 5:00 PM.

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.

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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.

PACKING

What to Bring

A water bottle, sunscreen and a hat. That is about it.

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 my group have a raft to ourselves?

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Rafts hold a maximum of 8. A group of 8 gets its own raft; smaller groups will likely share. We cannot guarantee you will be alone in the raft with just your family.

What do I do with my car keys?

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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 wear a PFD and helmet in Oregon?

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Your life jacket stays on any time you are on the water, and the only exception is sunscreen time. Helmets are required on Nugget Falls and for every guest on the North Umpqua.

Where do I park in Oregon?

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For single-day trips, use the dirt lot across the street from the shop, or the front lot if there is space. For multi-day trips, park inside the lot. On the North Umpqua, the Gravel Bin is the easiest spot since it is also the takeout.

Do I have to paddle an IK if I get scared?

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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.

MORE TRIPS

Our Most Booked Trips

Two hikers at an overlook above a rapid in the forested canyon of the Rogue River

|

4 days

|

Class

Hike the Rogue River Trail with a daypack, sleep in the lodges, and let the raft carry everything else.

Runner crosses a sunny bluff on the Rogue River Trail with blue water below

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3 days

|

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Run the Rogue River Trail lodge to lodge with a light vest while the raft carries your bags.

Selling Fast

Rogue River, OR

Rogue River Half-Day Hellgate Float

From $79

A splashy half-day float on the Rogue with mellow Class I and IIs, swimming and stories on a morning float.

Duration

Half day (about 3 hours)

Trip type

Day Trips

Whitewater class

Class I

Class II

Need assistance setting up an itinerary?
Book a call with a head guide, call (800) 635-2925 or send us a message.

Mountain ridge divider

Need assistance setting up an itinerary?

Book a call with one of our head guides. We'll help you pick the right trip and sort out lodging, travel and add-ons for your crew.

You can also call us at (800) 635-2925.