Steep rock walls of Hellgate Canyon on the Rogue River above calm blue water

Rogue River, OR

Rogue River Full-Day Trip

Full day

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From $119
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A full Rogue day

TRIP TYPE

Day Trips

Whitewater class

Class I

Class II

Class III

See all

OVERVIEW

A full Rogue day

A full day on the Rogue with Class I to III rapids, Argo Canyon and a riverside lunch.

Full day

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

  • Class I to III whitewater Fun rapids broken up by calm water, a good introduction to whitewater for all kinds of travelers.
  • Scenic Argo Canyon The day covers 14.5 miles of the Rogue, right through scenic Argo Canyon.
  • Riverside lunch Lunch is on us at a spot along the river, with a water jug for refills all day.
  • Wild and Scenic view Get a look into the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue along the way.
  • Inflatable kayak or raft Take an inflatable kayak, or ride in the paddle raft or the oar raft.

INSIDER TIP

From Our Guides

If you have never been on whitewater, this is a great place to start. It is a fun day trip and a good introduction, with plenty of time for stories, swimming and running fun rapids.

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 8:00 AM and head to the river. The day covers 14.5 miles of Class I to III water, through scenic Argo Canyon and with a view into the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue. Lunch is riverside, and you are back at the shop around 5:00 PM.

Miles covered

14.5

miles

rogue-river-full-day-trip

1

Inclusions

What's Included

Guides and gear

  • Guide and all gear
  • Dry bag

Meals

  • Riverside lunch
  • Water jug for refills

Getting there

  • Shuttle from the shop

Bring or rent

  • A water bottle
  • Sunscreen
  • A hat

From $119

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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

Lunch is on us, at a spot along the river. We bring a water jug so you can refill your bottle all day.

Meeting Logistics

Where & When To Meet

Meet us at the shop at 8:00 AM PT, 210 Merlin Road in Merlin. We shuttle to the river from there and have you back at the shop around 5:00 PM PT.

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. I-5 exit 61, 3.2 miles west. Gated parking. Check-in from 8:00 AM. 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.

■

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. We bring the dry bag for everything else.

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.

How hard is paddling an inflatable kayak?

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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.

Will we see wildlife in Oregon?

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On the Rogue, bears, often with cubs near Paradise, bald eagles, osprey, otter, mink, turtles, mergansers and deer. Bring binoculars if you have them.

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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|

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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 Full-Day Trip

From $119

A full day on the Rogue with Class I to III rapids, Argo Canyon and a riverside lunch.

Duration

Full day

Trip type

Day Trips

Whitewater class

Class I

Class II

Class III

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.