Oregon Rafting

Rafting the Rogue River

DAY 1 » The team leader will meet you at Morrison's Lodge in Merlin by 8:15 am. Be sure to have your duffle bags ready according to the specified size listed on the packing list. Two personal duffle bags will be fit into one water-resisitant dry bag while on the river. You will have access to your personal duffle each evening of the trip. A safety orientation will prepare you for a day of rafting the Rogue River, while your gear is loaded onto the boats.

Sometime before lunch the gently flowing Rogue River breaks its slumber at a rapid named Grave Creek. This marks the congressionally designated Wild & Scenic section for rafting the Rogue River. Guests take a lunch break and walk around a Class V rapid named Ranie Falls. Afternoon hours are spent splashing through several more Class II and Class III rapids. Black Bar Lodge awaits your arrival with hors d'oeuvres, complimentary regional wine, beer and sodas. Play and explore around the lodge until you're called in for a family style dinner, served in the cozy lodge dining room. Enjoy the evening as stars begin to fill the sky. Bring a flashlight, as it gets quite dark when generators are shut down for the evening.

DAY 2 » Freshly brewed coffee greets your senses at about 7 am, with breakfast following a short time thereafter. Personal gear is transported back down to the river's edge where boats are prepared for another day of adventure rafting the Rogue River. Enjoy playful river rapids throughout the day, interspersed with a hike or two to historic pioneer cabins. Marial Lodge is home for our second night of rafting the Rogue River. Enjoy a hike that evening to a spectacular waterfall in the dense Oregon forest.

Day 3 » Enjoy your last morning listening to the sounds of the forest mingling with the river nearby. You'll savor a hearty breakfast, and when ready at the boats, you'll again take to the river. Today is when you'll encounter the most spectacular rapids while rafting the Rogue River: Mule Creek Canyon, Blossom Bar, and Devils Staircase are all Class IV rapids. More rapids lengthen out the day with a calmer side. *Expect to arrive at Foster Bar take-out around 3:00 pm where vans are ready to take you back to the Galice Resort. You should arrive at your vehicle around 6:00 pm.

Day 4 » *The fourth day is made possible with a third night stay in the Paradise Lodge, located between Marial Lodge and the Foster Bar Take-out location. Spend some extra time soaking in the lush forest canopy and rich wildlife in this beautiful part of the Rogue River gorge.

Pre-Trip Travel Information

There are several travel options to consider in planning your Oregon rafting vacation, rafting the Rogue River. Simply give us a call and we’ll discuss your options and help arrange everything for you.

Where and When to Meet
We will meet you at Morrison’s Lodge near Merlin, Oregon at 5:45pm the evening prior to your departure date for a one-hour orientation meeting to answer last minute questions and give you your waterproof bags to pack. This is an important meeting, so please be on time. In the morning, meet at 8:15am at Morrison’s. Please have breakfast on your own before we meet.

Where to Stay (before or after the trip)

How to Get to Merlin, Oregon
Arriving by Car: From I-5 (north or south) take Exit 61 to Merlin. Merlin is 3 miles west of I-5. Turn left (west) onto Merlin- Galice Road and go 12 1⁄2 miles. You will cross a large, yellow bridge over the Rogue River about two miles before you reach Morrison's Lodge, which will be on your right.

The nearest airport is located in Medford, Oregon – the Rogue Valley International Medford Airport – which is approximately 28 miles south of Grants Pass. For assistance with shuttle service, call Affordable Shuttle (541) 479-1042 or Galice Resort (541) 476-3818. Please note: The fees that these shuttle companies charge are in addition to your trip fees.

Post-Trip Travel Information

After your river trip, you will be shuttled by van from rafting the Rogue River. back to Merlin. We recommend lodging locally the night your trip ends, before traveling home.