Oregon · Eight rivers
Oregon overnight rafting trips
Lodge trips on the Rogue, desert canyons on the Owyhee and John Day, and Class V on the Illinois. Compare every Oregon river trip we cover.
2 to 9 days / 1 to 8 nightsQuick answer
Oregon overnight rafting trips run 2 days, 1 night to 9 days, 8 nights on eight rivers we compare, from the Rogue and Deschutes to the Owyhee, John Day, Grande Ronde, Illinois, Klamath and the Snake through Hells Canyon. Only the Rogue and Hells Canyon use lotteries for private trips. Listed prices start at $399 per person (checked September 2026).
Trips by river
Oregon overnight rafting trips by river
Each river page compares every outfitter we found there. Hells Canyon runs along the Idaho border, and the Klamath crosses into California.
Oregon · Wild and Scenic Rogue
Rogue River
From $895per person with River Drifters: 3 day, 2 night trip, listed as $895 to $1,100; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026. Confirm when booking.
Oregon and Idaho · Owyhee canyon
Owyhee River
From $950per person with River Drifters: Middle Owyhee, 3 day, 2 night trip; Lower listed at $1,050 to $1,150; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026. Confirm when booking.
Oregon and Idaho · Snake River
Hells Canyon
From $1,350per person with Salmon Raft: 3 day, 2 night trip, 2026; 20% off in May and September. Checked Sep 2026. Confirm when booking.
Oregon and California
Klamath River
From $399per person with Ironhead Guide Service: $1,200 group minimum; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026. Confirm when booking.
Oregon · Lower Deschutes
Deschutes River
From $425per person with River Drifters: 2 day, 1 night trip, listed as $425 to $450 plus Boater Pass; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026. Confirm when booking.
Oregon · Central Oregon
John Day River
From $1,099per person with Arrowhead River Adventures: 3 day, 2 night trip, 2026. Checked Sep 2026. Confirm when booking.
Oregon · Northeast Oregon
Grande Ronde
From $995per person with Minam Store Outfitters: 3 day, 2 night trip, Minam to Mud Creek; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026. Confirm when booking.
Oregon · Southwest Oregon
Illinois River
From $1,999per person with ARTA: Starting price; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026. Confirm when booking.
Each card shows the lowest listed adult price we found for a public overnight trip on that river, from the outfitter's own site, with the trip and year behind it. Every river page compares all of its outfitters.
Side by side
The eight rivers side by side
| River | Trip length | Whitewater | Season | Private permit | Outfitters | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rogue River | 3 days, 2 nights to 5 days, 4 nights | Class III+, per American Whitewater | April to October, by outfitter | Lottery for private trips only | 18 | $895 |
| Owyhee River | 3 days, 2 nights to 8 days, 7 nights | Lower: Class II to IV, per the BLM | March to early June, by water | Free self registration, no lottery | 18 | $950 |
| Hells Canyon | 3 days, 2 nights to 6 days, 5 nights | Class II to IV in summer, per the Forest Service | April to October, by outfitter | Lottery for private trips only | 10 | $1,350 |
| Klamath River | 2 days, 1 night to 5 days, 4 nights | Upper Class IV+; Lower Class II to III | March to October, by section | None for private trips, per the BLM | 10 | $399 |
| Deschutes River | 2 days, 1 night to 4 days, 3 nights | Class III, per American Whitewater | Year round, busiest in summer | Boater Pass, no lottery | 9 | $425 |
| John Day River | 3 days, 2 nights to 9 days, 8 nights | Class II to IV, per the BLM | May to early July | Reserved in high season, no lottery | 6 | $1,099 |
| Grande Ronde | 3 days, 2 nights to 5 days, 4 nights | Class II to III, per the BLM | March to July, by outfitter | Free self issue, no lottery | 7 | $995 |
| Illinois River | 4 days, 3 nights | Class IV (V), per American Whitewater | April and May | Free, not limited, no lottery | 3 | $1,999 |
Prices are per person on outfitters' own sites, checked September 2026, and each river page shows the year and trip behind them. Confirm when booking.
The no lottery way in
Two lottery rivers, six without
The Rogue lottery takes applications December 1 to January 31 for launches from May 15 to October 15, when the BLM and Forest Service allow 120 people a day on the Wild section. Hells Canyon private trips go through Idaho's four rivers lottery.
The other six have no lottery. The Owyhee, Grande Ronde and Illinois use free permits, the Klamath needs none for private boaters on its upper river, the Deschutes needs a Boater Pass, and John Day high season permits are first come, first served.
Outfitters hold their own permits, so a guided trip needs no lottery. See the lottery calendar for every window.
Sources: BLM Rogue River permits and the BLM Owyhee boating guide.
How to choose
How to choose an Oregon river
Camp or lodge?
The Rogue has lodge trips, with a bed and a cooked dinner each night, and some Upper Klamath trips use a lodge night. The Owyhee trips we list camp every night.
River lodge tripsWhen can you go?
The Owyhee, Illinois, John Day and Grande Ronde run mostly in spring. The Rogue, Hells Canyon and Klamath run into fall, and Imperial runs Deschutes trips year round.
When to go raftingWho is coming?
Arrowhead takes kids from 3 on the John Day; Lower Klamath and Deschutes trips start at 4. The Illinois starts at 14 to 16.
Family rafting tripsQuestions
Oregon overnight rafting questions
Which Oregon rivers have overnight rafting trips?
We compare eight: the Rogue, the Deschutes, the Owyhee, the John Day, the Grande Ronde, the Illinois, the Klamath and the Snake through Hells Canyon.
Do I need a permit to raft in Oregon?
Not on a guided trip. Private trips on the Rogue and in Hells Canyon need lottery permits in season. The Owyhee, Grande Ronde and Illinois use free permits, the Deschutes a Boater Pass, and the John Day a first come, first served permit in high season. The BLM says private boaters need no permit on the Upper Klamath.
Can you stay in a lodge on an Oregon river trip?
Yes, on the Rogue. The BLM lists Black Bar, Marial, Paradise, Clay Hill and Illahe lodges on the Wild section, and several outfitters run lodge trips. Some Upper Klamath trips also use a lodge night.
What is the cheapest Oregon overnight rafting trip?
On the outfitters' own sites, checked in September 2026, the lowest listed price is $399 per person for a 2 day, 1 night Lower Klamath trip with Ironhead, with a $1,200 group minimum. On the Deschutes, River Drifters lists 2 day, 1 night trips from $425.
How long are Oregon rafting trips?
Rogue trips run 3 days, 2 nights to 5 days, 4 nights; Owyhee trips 3 days, 2 nights to 8 days, 7 nights; Hells Canyon 3 days, 2 nights to 6 days, 5 nights; most Klamath and Deschutes overnights 2 or 3 days; Illinois trips 4 days, 3 nights; and John Day trips up to 9 days, 8 nights.
Which Oregon rivers run only in spring?
The Owyhee, Illinois and John Day. The BLM gives the Owyhee's primary season as March through early to mid June, the Fish and Wildlife Service gives the Illinois March through mid May, and the Park Service says the John Day is usually unfloatable by July 4th.
Which Oregon trip takes the youngest kids?
The John Day, where Arrowhead lists a minimum age of 3. On the Lower Klamath, OARS, High Country Expeditions and Tributary list 4, and River Drifters lists 4 on the Deschutes.
Where do Oregon trips start?
Rogue trips meet in Merlin, Galice or Grants Pass. Owyhee trips meet in Boise, Jordan Valley or at the Rome launch. Upper Klamath trips meet in Ashland or Phoenix, most Deschutes trips in Maupin, and Illinois trips in Grants Pass, Ashland or Medford.
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Related trips and guides
- Rogue River18 outfitters compared
- Owyhee River18 outfitters compared
- Hells Canyon10 float outfitters
- Klamath River10 overnight outfitters
- Deschutes River9 overnight outfitters
- John Day River6 outfitters compared
- Grande Ronde7 outfitters compared
- Illinois RiverAll three outfitters
- Idaho overnight rafting tripsThe Salmon, Selway and more
- California overnight rafting tripsEvery California river
- River lodge tripsA bed for some of the nights
- River permit lotteriesEvery lottery window in one calendar
- Family rafting tripsCompare minimum ages
- Outfitter directoryEvery outfitter we list, by name
- Rafting trip costHow prices compare across rivers
- Plan your tripAll planning guides
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