Rogue River Travel Planning

Travel to Merlin, Oregon to meet your Team Leader at Morrison's Lodge at 5:45 pm for a one-hour orientation meeting to answer last-minute questions. You will receive your waterproof gear bags to pack. Dinner is on your own.

We will depart at 8:00 am from Morrison's Lodge and drive to Rand Boat Launch, where you will be fitted with lifejackets and will get an orientation of the boats before launch.

NOTE: Anyone who drove their vehicle to Merlin can park in a secure area at Morrison's Lodge during the Rogue River rafting trip.

Rafting on the Rogue starts gently, but it isn’t long before we come to our first fun rapids. Lunch on the first day is around the Class V rafting rapid called Rainie Falls (guests walk around this rapid). The afternoon is filled with several Class II and Class III rapids. We arrive at Black Bar Lodge around 4:30 or 5:00 pm.

Hors d’oeuvres are prepared while you freshen up and get assigned to a room. Short hikes around the area are encouraged as the family-style meal is prepared. After dinner, guests can play cards, visit, play the lodge guitar, or go outside and gaze at a star-filled sky. Around 10:00 pm, Black Bar Lodge's generator is shut down, so we encourage you to bring flashlights since the property can get very dark.

Breakfast is served around 7:30 am with coffee and tea available beforehand. Gear will be carried from the lodge to the boats where an amazing day on the Rogue River will begin.

Today, on your Rogue River rafting trip, you go through a series of bouncing, exciting Class II and III rapids. We stop for lunch along the way, perhaps at a historic site or spot with a good walk. Later in the afternoon, we arrive at the Rogue River Ranch. The Rogue River Ranch is a fascinating place to visit and a vivid example of early pioneer history.

Later in the afternoon, we arrive at Marial Lodge, home for our second night. After dinner, one of our guides will generally lead guests on a hike down a trail that leads to a spectacular waterfall. Then enjoy the deck with calming river canyon views before heading to bed, dreaming about what is next on this Oregon rafting trip!

Wake up to the sound of birdsong and quiet. Breakfast is served around 8:00 am. After breakfast, everyone packs up and returns for rafting on the Rogue River around 9:00 am. The third day is where the best whitewater occurs on the Rogue River. Guests will experience famous rapids like Mule Creek Canyon, Blossom Bar, and Devil's Staircase rapids, all of which are Class IV.

After those three rapids, the rest of the trip is relatively easy with Class II and III rapids. We stop for another bountiful riverside lunch when the sun is high overhead. Day 3 on a 4-day trip goes at a slower pace, allowing extra time in the afternoon to do some fishing, read a book, play some cards, or enjoy the company of those around you as you settle in at the Half Moon Bar Lodge for your final night.

FINAL DAY On a 3-day trip, you will float to the take-out at Foster Bar, arrival time is about 3:00 pm, and then load up into vans for the two-hour drive over the mountains back to Morrison's Lodge. We plan to have you back to your vehicle around 6:00 pm.

FINAL DAY On 4-day trip »

After our final lunch on this Rogue River rafting adventure, we continue to the take-out at Foster Bar. Arrival time is about 3:00 pm, and then we load up into vans for the two-hour drive over the mountains back to Morrison's Lodge. We plan to have you back to your vehicle around 6:00 pm

• Professional, licensed guides
• All meals between trip departure and return
• All eating utensils and a souvenir insulated bottle
• Unlimited water
• Custom rafts
• US Coastguard approved whitewater life jackets
• Wilderness First-Aid kit
• For Lodge to Lodge trips:
  • Daytime dry bags and medium dry bag for personal gear and clothing
• For Camping trips:
  • Freshly laundered sleeping bag and sheet
  • Tent and ground cover
  • Water-resistant dry bag for sleeping gear and personal duffle bag

Through several decades of experience on the river, Western knows what clothing and gear will keep you smiling every second of your adventure. Specifically, we’ve bundled “The Works” for him, for her and one for gear in general. For your convenience, you can order all these items online with Western’s retail division Red Rock Outfitters.

• Small, soft sided bag, packed with personal items outlined on the packing list
• Extra drinks, if desired. (Water is available in unlimited quantities on the boats, at the lodges and in camp. Beer and wine in limited amounts are available at the lodges and in camp).
• Extra snacks, if desired. (Snacks will be provided during the trip)
• Photo ID, a major credit card, and cash for gratuities.
• Camera(s) - Phones as cameras in waterproof cases/sleeves (Cell service unavailable)

• Unnecessary electronic devices (game devices for kids, etc.)
• Extra Luggage
• Valuables

You will need a photo ID, a major credit card, and some cash for gratuities. All other valuables and jewelry should be left at home or in a safety deposit box at your hotel. In addition, as a safety precaution we suggest that you not wear rings on the river. Also, each year a few of our guests traveling on airlines arrive without luggage. With this in mind, we recommend keeping medications, prescription glasses, and any essential items you can't easily replace with you.

Transfer all your clothing and gear which you will need on your rafting trip to a small, lightweight duffle bag. Identify the duffle bag with label, and leave any extra suitcases or luggage in your vehicle or at the lodge. Please DO NOT BRING SUITCASES on your river trip. As part of your camping equipment package, we provide a water-resistant bag in which you will place your duffle bag as well as the sleeping bag that we provide.