(v.250220)
These map links are a good start:
ACME Mapper use Note:
Be sure to "Delete All" Markers between opening Programmed ACME Mapper Links like the ones used here.
Rogue River Boater's Guide, (PDF, @ BLM) for the: "Rogue National Wild and Scenic River"
This is the map/guidebook that you receive with your permit from the Smullin Visitor Center at Rand Bend.
My map of Favorite Launches, etc. (ACME Mapper)
Focus is mostly on (Upper Rogue) Day Trips (including the Klamath Lake area), but also includes some key Rogue Wild & Scenic points.
The Upper Rogue is mostly viewed as the section between Grants Pass (including the Applegate River confluence) and Lost Creek Lake. (G-map)
RNWS Key Rapids + more (ACME Mapper)
This map focuses on the entire Rogue Wild & Scenic section (Applegate River to Lobster Creek).
Hellgate Canyon Tour ... Best Local Day Trip.
Launch at Hog Creek CP / Recover at Grave Creek BR (G-map)
This is a super fun day trip, no permit is required. One Class-III, mostly Class II, perhaps a bit more in bigger flows. Average Summer flows are around 1,600 to 1,800 cfs (cubic feet/sec.) in August.
Some Noteworthy Videos
Rogue River Rapids - Oregon Out - 13:18 @ ~2200cfs - Fairly decent views of most major rapids below Grave Creek. The operator must be using a helmet cam, which gives good views of the approach.
Merlin OR (8 miles W/N of Grants Pass OR, 34 miles W/N of MFR [Medford International Airport]) is the main hub for most of the River Guide Outfitters who organize trips. (G-map)
Rogue National Wild and Scenic River (BLM, upper section)
Rogue National Wild and Scenic River (USFS, lower section)
These are the two agencies responsible for oversight of the RNWS River.
The Full extent of the W&S ranges between the Applegate River confluence and the Lobster Creek confluence.
The "Permit Section" (referred to by locals as "The Canyon") falls between Grave Creek and Watson Creek.
Watson Creek is just above Foster Bar, where most Outfitters recover/take-out their guide trips, which is just above Agness, OR... about 34 miles from the mouth of the river at Gold Beach, OR on the Pacific coast.
Mule Creek is the dividing point between the BLM & USFS sections.
Mule Creek is about 6 miles downstream from the Josephine/Curry County line, and very close to Marial Lodge and Rogue River Ranch NHS (below).
Rogue River National Recreation Trail (RRNRT)
<42.705810, -123.894927> (G-map) = Approximate location of the Marial Trailhead on the "Rogue River National Recreation Trail" (BLM map, hiking).
You can drive into this point (Mile 24.4 on the BLM "Rogue River Boater's Guide" map, a.k.a. "Mule Creek Guard Station") and make an easy day hike down to Blossom Bar and beyond, as well as hike up to the Rogue River Ranch site. While here you are very near the Marial Lodge, my favorite lodge stay.
Rogue River Ranch National Historic Site (BLM)
<42.71907, -123.88187> (G-Map)
This is one of the best historic sites to visit on this trip.
BLM Trail Guide (PDF).
You can make a Rogue River NRT Lodge Hike Trip as well.
Lodges I have used (notes):
Most lodge stays run about $200/night/person, and include Breakfast and Dinner in a group setting. All the lodges have excellent food and staff. All accommodations are fairly rustic. No Internet or Cell Phone service. Electricity is available via lodge generators (and can be on a schedule). Rooms (dry, clean, and warm) are typically double occupancy, having two twin beds (all bedding provided) and a full bath, and nice heating systems, usually propane-fueled. The construction of the buildings is "normal" (basic "stick-built" structures), but due to the remote location and difficulty getting materials into the site, they can sometimes appear to be a bit funky.
River Left <42.65676 -123.73078>
This room was the most rustic and was very comfortable.
Marial Lodge - (G-search)
River Right <42.71243 -123.88918>
Marial is my favorite Lodge.
All the Lodges here are good, but Marial stood slightly above the rest in terms of overall comfort & staff.
River Right <42.69887 -123.93406>
Paradise was by far the most "Posh". The main lodge and the room I stayed in were on the "fancy" side compared to the others.
Paradise also gets a lot of overnight visitors arriving by Jet Boat from Gold Beach OR.
ACME Map of this area.
Spring Creek DUA (G-map)
This is a wonderful adventure. It is a simple out-and-back trip that can be easily done in about 4+ hours.
Unique to this location are "Mare's Eggs"... this is a rare wildlife experience opportunity.
Access Points:
J.F.Kimball SRS / Wood River DUA (G-map) ... Located near Ft. Klamath OR
This trip is similar to Spring Creek, especially in the beginning.
It is a short day trip, especially nice in May while there is still snow on the mountains surrounding the valley.
It is suitable to do by SUP, IK, Canoe, etc.
This is a deceptively technical trip. The water is cold... be prepared!
Weed Rd Bridge / Wood River Wetland (G-map)
This is the lower section, which empties into Agency Lake (which is effectively a bay of Upper Klamath Lake).
Access Points:
Rocky Point & Malone Springs (G-map)
Very simple out-and-back trip. Best in Spring and Fall.
The "Wocus Cut" can typically only be crossed in Spring when the water is higher.
The same applies to the Beaver Dam crossing the confluence of Crystal Creek and Recreation Creek (which is more like a bayou or canal).
There is a lot of beaver activity in this area.
This section is upriver from the I-5 crossing.
(G-map)
I made two Outfitter trips on the "Upper Klamath" before the dams came down (which is a good thing). It was a Wild Ride!
I have spoken to a few folks who have made the Upper Klamath trip since the dams came down. It is a fun trip, but it is a complicated shuttle. (G-map)
I have not made a paddle trip on the Umpqua yet. Hopefully, that will happen this year. Two of my best River Buddies almost got me on this one at the end of the 2024 season, but the weather turned and we scrapped the idea.
You need to be fairly sturdy to take on this one (even with an outfitter/guide), but it sounds like the Trip of a Lifetime!
Kalmiopsis Wilderness (USFS)
Illinois River (USFS)
The launch point is typically at "Miami Bar". (G-map) Note: Downstream is North.
I am guessing that the recovery point is in or near Agness OR.
I have crossed the Illinois River many times at Cave Junction OR while traveling on US-199 from Grants Pass OR to Crescent City CA, heading to/from the N-CA Redwoods.
I have yet to paddle this river, which flows into the Rogue at Agness OR. I do know a few folks who have done at least some of it, so maybe this year (and that is a BIG "Maybe"). This one has some fairly major rapids. It is also very remote, with the river being "the only way in or out – no roads, no trails, no escape routes." It does sound like quite a stunning adventure, however.
Outfitter Resources (G-search)
ARTA River Trips (Nice Description)
Momentum River Expeditions (Fabulous Video & Photos)
"There is a ton of amazing whitewater with eleven class IV drops, one class V (the infamous “Green Wall”), and countless others. The rapids are a perfect combination of giant boulders, big holes, steep drops, and crystal clear crashing waves."
Nice description & "testimonials".
This web page is intended to be an introduction.
For more details, I am building a G-Docs File.
It has not been released publically yet, but if you want to view it you can contact me.
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Be Well... Have Fun!
bud