Two paddlers in yellow inflatable kayaks running a whitewater rapid past dark boulders, with pines on the hillside.
Many trips bring inflatable kayaks so you can paddle a rapid on your own.

Oregon · Wild and Scenic Rogue River

Rogue River rafting trips

Camp on a beach or sleep in a riverside lodge. Every Rogue outfitter we could find, side by side, and no lottery to enter.

3 to 5 days / 2 to 4 nights
State
Oregon
Trip length
3 days, 2 nights to 5 days, 4 nights
Whitewater
Class III+, per American Whitewater
Season
April to October, by outfitter
River miles
33.8 to 35.5, Grave Creek to Foster Bar
Permit
Lottery for private trips only

Quick answer

Guided Rogue River rafting trips run 3 to 5 days on the Wild section, most of them 3 days, 2 nights or 4 days, 3 nights, from May into October. Many trips sleep in riverside lodges instead of tents. We found 18 outfitters. Booking a seat skips the Rogue lottery. Listed prices start at $895 per person (checked September 2026).

The route

Grave Creek to Foster Bar

The named rapids bunch up near the start and in the middle of the run, with long calm stretches between them.

  1. Mile 0Grave CreekLaunch, near Galice
  2. Mile 1.7Rainie FallsClass IV+
  3. Mile 21.1Mule Creek CanyonClass III+ to IV
  4. Mile 22.8Blossom BarClass IV
  5. Mile 29.4Clay Hill RapidsClass III
  6. Mile 35.5Foster BarTake out, near Agness
  1. Day 1
  2. Day 2
  3. Day 3
  4. Day 4

River miles and classes from American Whitewater. The BLM's permit page gives 33.8 miles to Foster Bar. Shown for a 4 day, 3 night trip; camps and lodge nights are set by the outfitter.

Compare outfitters

Every Rogue River outfitter we found, side by side

We could not find an official BLM list of Rogue outfitters online. This list starts from the Wild Rogue Outfitters Association's members, adds outfitters whose own sites show Rogue Wild section trips, and uses each outfitter's site for details. Listed alphabetically.

Rogue River rafting outfitters with camping and lodge trip lengths in days and nights, boats, season, minimum age and lowest listed price
OutfitterTrip lengthsBoatsSeasonMin ageFrom, per adultBook
ARTA3 to 5 days (2 to 4 nights), campingOar, paddle, inflatable kayakMay to early October6$1,449Starting price; trip length not stated. Checked Sep 2026See dates with ARTA
Arrowhead River Adventures4 days, 3 nights, campingRaftAugust to OctoberNot listed (18 on specialty trips)$1,4954 day, 3 night camping trip, 2026; BLM fees included. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Arrowhead
Helfrich River Outfitter3 days, 2 nights to 4 days, 3 nights, camping or lodgePaddle, oar, drift boatLate August to early SeptemberNot listed$1,2503 day, 2 night camping trip; 2022 price, the latest shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Helfrich
Indigo Creek Outfitters3 days, 2 nights to 4 days, 3 nights, camping; 5 days, 4 nights kayak charterOar, paddle, inflatable kayakMay or June to October6$1,2753 day, 2 night camping trip, 2027. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Indigo Creek
Momentum River Expeditions4 days, 3 nights, camping; 3 days, 2 nights, lodgeOar, paddle, inflatable kayakMay to September7$1,450Lowest on its Rogue page; its trip pages show $1,850. Confirm. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Momentum
Morrisons Rogue Wilderness Adventures3 days, 2 nights to 4 days, 3 nights, camping, lodge or bothOar, paddle, inflatable kayakMay to October6$1,0993 day, 2 night camping trip; BLM and Forest Service fees extra. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Morrisons
Noah's Rogue River Rafting3 days, 2 nights to 4 days, 3 nights, camping, lodge or bothPaddle, oarMay to August6$1,3453 day, 2 night camping trip; 5% federal fee extra. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Noah's
Northwest Rafting Company4 days, 3 nights, campingOar, paddle, inflatable kayakMay to September7$1,6954 day, 3 night camping trip; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Northwest Rafting
OARS3 days, 2 nights to 5 days, 4 nights, campingOar, paddle, inflatable kayakMay to September7$1,2493 day, 2 night trip, 2027; $10 access fee extra. Checked Sep 2026See dates with OARS
Orange Torpedo Trips3 days, 2 nights, lodge; 4 days, 3 nights, campingInflatable kayak, paddle, oarJune to AugustNot listed (says most kids 5 and up)$1,6993 day lodge or 4 day camping trip; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Orange Torpedo
Oregon River Experiences3 days, 2 nights to 5 days, 4 nights, camping or lodgeOar, paddle, inflatable kayakMay to September7$1,305Lowest camping rate shown, length not stated; 5 guest minimum. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Oregon River Exp.
Ouzel Outfitters3 days, 2 nights to 5 days, 4 nights, camping; 4 days, 3 nights with a night at Half Moon Bar LodgeOar, paddle, inflatable kayakMay to September7 (and 50 pounds)$1,3593 day, 2 night camping trip; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Ouzel
River Drifters3 days, 2 nights to 4 days, 3 nights, campingPaddle, oar, inflatable kayakApril to October8$8953 day, 2 night trip, listed as $895 to $1,100; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with River Drifters
Rogue Rafting Company3 days, 2 nights to 4 days, 3 nights, camping or camp and lodgeRaft, inflatable kayakMay to August6$1,2503 day, 2 night camping trip, 2027; 5% fee extra. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Rogue Rafting Co.
Rogue River Outfitters3 days, 2 nights to 4 days, 3 nights, camping, lodge or bothOar, paddle, inflatable kayakJuly to AugustNot listed$9953 day, 2 night camping trip, 2026. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Rogue River Outfitters
ROW Adventures3 days, 2 nights to 4 days, 3 nights, lodgeOar, paddle, inflatable kayakMay to September7$1,8903 day, 2 night lodge trip, 2027. Checked Sep 2026See dates with ROW
Tributary Whitewater Tours4 days, 3 nights, camping; 3 days, 2 nights, lodgeOar, paddleMay to October7$1,4004 day, 3 night camping trip, 2026; lodge trip $1,645. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Tributary
Western River Expeditions3 days, 2 nights to 4 days, 3 nights, lodge (May to August); 4 days, 3 nights, camping (September and October)Oar, paddle, inflatable kayakMay to October7$1,5404 day, 3 night camping trip; 2025 rate, the latest shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Western River

"Not listed" means we could not find it on the outfitter's site in September 2026. Where a site gives days only, nights are days minus one. Prices are the lowest adult rate we found and may leave out BLM and Forest Service fees. Confirm when booking.

Not shown: Sundance Kayak School (a kayak school whose 4 to 5 day (3 to 4 night) trips have raft support; no price listed) and A. Helfrich (site did not load). Missing an outfitter? Tell us.

The no lottery way in

Guided trip or private permit?

From May 15 to October 15, the BLM and Forest Service let 120 people a day launch on the Wild section, split evenly between private and guided trips. Private permits come from a lottery. A guided trip skips it.

No lottery

Book a guided trip

How you get a spot
Pick a date with one of the outfitters above and book it.
Who goes this way
About half the river's launch capacity is set aside for guided trips. In 2018, 5,958 people floated with outfitters.
Trip length
3 days, 2 nights to 5 days, 4 nights on the trips we checked.
Where you sleep
Camp, lodge or a mix, depending on the trip you book.

Private permit

Enter the Rogue lottery

When to apply
December 1 to January 31, with a $6 application fee.
Results
Emailed by February 15.
Openings
Cancelled spaces go out the day after they are cancelled. Call in, or show up at the Smullin Visitor Center at Rand.
Fee
$10 per person per trip.

Sources: BLM Rogue River permit page, the BLM Rogue River FAQ, and the BLM 2018 river use newsletter.

On the river

What a day on a Rogue River rafting trip looks like

The Wild section is short for a multi day trip, about 34 to 36 miles, so a 3 day, 2 night trip averages about 12 miles a day and leaves time for swimming, hiking and lodge porches.

  1. Morning

    Breakfast in camp or at the lodge, then back on the boats.

  2. Midday

    Rapids and swimming holes, with lunch on a beach.

  3. Afternoon

    A side hike or a scout of the next big rapid, then on to the night's stop.

  4. Evening

    Dinner cooked by the guides in camp, or a lodge dinner and a bed, depending on your trip.

What outfitters list as included

  • Guides, boats and life jackets
  • Meals on the river
  • Camp gear or lodge rooms, depending on the trip
  • The shuttle back to the start, on many trips

ROW includes the shuttle on its lodge trips. Arrowhead includes BLM fees; Morrisons, Noah's, Rogue Rafting Company and OARS list fees on top. Check each outfitter's list.

Worth checking before you book

  • BLM and Forest Service fees, which several outfitters add
  • Sleeping bags on camping trips
  • Travel to Merlin, Galice or Grants Pass
  • Guide tips

More on camp life, meals and the toilet in river camping, and on tips in tipping your guides.

When to go

The Rogue River rafting season

The BLM's regulated season runs May 15 to October 15. Outfitters run most trips from May to September; River Drifters starts in April, and several run into October.

Some outfitters switch styles through the year. Western runs lodge trips from May to August and camping trips in September and October. See when to go rafting for how seasons compare.

120 people a day may launch on the Wild section from May 15 to October 15, split evenly between private and guided trips, according to the BLM.

Who it suits

Which Rogue trip fits you

Families

Five outfitters list a minimum age of 6, and a shorter trip is easier on younger kids. See family rafting trips.

First timers

A 3 day, 2 night lodge trip means a bed and a cooked dinner each night. See river lodge trips and your first overnight rafting trip.

Short on time

Three days and two nights covers the whole Wild section. See 3 day rafting trips.

Questions

Rogue River rafting trip questions

How much does a Rogue River rafting trip cost?

On the outfitters' own sites, checked in September 2026, the lowest listed rate is $895 per person for a 3 day, 2 night camping trip with River Drifters. Most 3 day, 2 night camping trips list from $1,099 to $1,359. Lodge trips cost more: ROW lists $1,890 for 3 days, 2 nights. Confirm when booking.

Can you stay in a lodge on a Rogue River trip?

Yes. The BLM lists Black Bar, Marial, Paradise, Clay Hill and Illahe lodges along the Wild section. ROW, Orange Torpedo, Tributary, Western, Momentum and others run lodge trips, and several mix camp nights with lodge nights.

How long is a Rogue River rafting trip?

The BLM says most parties float the Wild section in three to four days. Outfitters we checked run 3 days, 2 nights to 5 days, 4 nights. The BLM gives 33.8 miles from Grave Creek to Foster Bar on its permit page; American Whitewater lists 35.5.

Do I need a permit to raft the Rogue?

Not on a guided trip. From May 15 to October 15 private trips need a permit from the Rogue lottery, which takes applications December 1 to January 31. Outfitters hold their own permits, so you book a seat directly.

How many people go with an outfitter?

The BLM splits the Wild section's launch capacity evenly between private and guided trips. In 2018, 5,958 of the 12,347 people who floated it went with an outfitter.

What is the minimum age for a Rogue trip?

On the sites we checked, ARTA, Indigo Creek, Morrisons, Noah's and Rogue Rafting Company list 6. Most others list 7, River Drifters lists 8, and Ouzel adds a 50 pound minimum.

How hard are the rapids on the Rogue?

American Whitewater rates the Wild section Class III+, with Rainie Falls, Mule Creek Canyon and Blossom Bar rated Class IV or harder. The BLM notes that parties can scout and let passengers walk around difficult rapids such as Rainie Falls and Blossom Bar.

Where do Rogue trips start and end?

Trips launch at Grave Creek, near Galice, and take out at Foster Bar, near Agness. Outfitters meet guests in Merlin, Galice or Grants Pass, Oregon, depending on the company.

When is the best time to raft the Rogue?

Most outfitters run May to September, River Drifters starts in April, and several run into October. Western runs lodge trips from May to August and camping trips in September and October.

Can I fish on a Rogue River trip?

Yes. Helfrich runs drift boats, and Rogue River Outfitters and Noah's also offer fishing trips. See fishing float trips for more.

Ready to book

Pick your Rogue River outfitter

Compare trip lengths, boats and minimum ages, then check dates directly with the outfitter.