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Overnight Rafting Trips
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Oregon ยท Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Illinois River rafting trips in Oregon

A short spring window, Class IV and V rapids, and what the Forest Service calls one of the most inaccessible sections of wild river in the country. Compare all three outfitters.

4 days / 3 nights
State
Oregon
Trip length
4 days, 3 nights
Whitewater
Class IV (V), per American Whitewater
Season
April and May
River miles
30.6, Miami Bar to Oak Flat
Permit
Free, not limited, no lottery
Compare outfittersGuided trip or lottery?

Quick answer

Guided Illinois River rafting trips in Oregon run 4 days, 3 nights through the Wild section, only in spring. The Forest Service counts 150 rapids, including 11 Class IV and one Class V. Three outfitters run it, with minimum ages of 14 to 16. Listed prices start at $1,999 per person (checked September 2026).

The route

Miami Bar to Oak Flat

The Class IV rapids start within the first few miles, and Green Wall, the Class V, comes a little past halfway.

  1. Mile 0Miami BarLaunch
  2. Mile 4.2York CreekClass IV+
  3. Mile 7.3Pine CreekClass IV
  4. Mile 17.4Green WallClass V
  5. Mile 20.1Submarine HoleClass IV+
  6. Mile 30.6Oak FlatTake out
  1. Day 1
  2. Day 2
  3. Day 3
  4. Day 4

River miles and classes from American Whitewater. Shown for a 4 day, 3 night trip. Camps are set by the outfitter.

Compare outfitters

All three Illinois River outfitters, side by side

We found no agency list of Illinois River outfitters. Travel Oregon and the outfitters' own sites name the same three, listed alphabetically.

Illinois River rafting outfitters with trip lengths in days and nights, boats, season, minimum age and lowest listed price
OutfitterTrip lengthsBoatsSeasonMin ageFrom, per adultBook
ARTA4 days, 3 nightsOar and paddle combination raftsEarly spring16$1,999Starting price; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with ARTA
Momentum River Expeditions4 days, 3 nightsNot listedApril to early May14$2,100Year not shown; the page does not say per person. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Momentum
Northwest Rafting Company4 days, 3 nightsPaddle rafts; oar boats carry gearApril and May16$2,495Year not shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Northwest Rafting

"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. None of the three prices shows a year. Confirm when booking.

Missing an outfitter? Tell us.

The no lottery way in

Guided trip or private trip?

There is no lottery on the Illinois, and the permit is free. The hard part is the river itself: the Forest Service says it should only be run by highly skilled and experienced boaters, and flows can change fast.

No lottery

Book a guided trip

How you get a spot
Pick a date with one of the three outfitters and book it.
Experience
Guides run the boats; you need to be fit and ready to paddle.
If the river is too high
Northwest Rafting moves guests to the Rogue or refunds them.
Minimum age
14 at Momentum, 16 at ARTA and Northwest Rafting.
Compare Illinois outfitters

Private permit

Self issue a free permit

Permit
Required year round for the Wild section; free and not limited.
Where
Self issued in Selma, according to American Whitewater.
Group size
Up to 12, according to American Whitewater.
Skill
Class IV and V rapids in a roadless canyon.
See the lottery calendar

Sources: the Forest Service Wild and Scenic Illinois River page, the Fish and Wildlife Service rivers page and American Whitewater.

On the river

What a day on an Illinois River trip looks like

ARTA's itinerary covers 8 to 10 miles a day, with camps on each of three nights.

  1. Morning

    Breakfast in camp, then the boats are loaded and the paddlers suit up.

  2. Midday

    Technical rapids, with lunch on the bank.

  3. Afternoon

    More rapids, then camp in the canyon.

  4. Evening

    Dinner cooked by the guides and a night in the canyon.

What outfitters list as included

  • Guides, boats and life jackets
  • Meals on the river
  • Camp gear
  • The drive to Miami Bar

ARTA describes a van ride of about 3 hours to the put in. Check each outfitter's list.

Worth checking before you book

  • Travel to Grants Pass, Ashland or Medford
  • The cancellation policy for high water
  • Sleeping bags and rain gear
  • Guide tips

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

When to go

The Illinois River season

The Fish and Wildlife Service gives the primary boating season as March through mid May. Outfitters run in April and May.

Spring flows are unpredictable. Momentum says the river can rise to unraftable levels in less than a day, and Northwest Rafting has cancelled about 20 percent of its trips. See when to go rafting.

150 rapids on the Wild section, including 11 Class IV and one Class V, according to the Forest Service.

Who it suits

Who the Illinois suits

Whitewater seekers

Class IV and V in a roadless canyon. See whitewater camping trips and the whitewater classes guide.

Flexible travelers

Trips can move or cancel with the water, so pick an outfitter with a clear backup plan.

Not for young kids

Minimum ages are 14 and 16. For families, see the Rogue River or family rafting trips.

Questions

Illinois River rafting questions

How much does an Illinois River rafting trip cost?

On the outfitters' own sites, checked in September 2026, 4 day, 3 night trips list from $1,999 with ARTA to $2,495 with Northwest Rafting Company. None of the three shows a year on its price, so confirm when booking.

How hard is the Illinois River?

Hard. The Forest Service calls it highly technical, with 150 rapids, including 11 Class IV and one Class V, and says it should only be run by highly skilled and experienced boaters. American Whitewater rates Green Wall, 17 miles in, Class V.

Do I need experience?

Not with a guide, but you need to be fit and ready to paddle. Northwest Rafting says no prior rafting experience is required; ARTA describes its trip as one for experienced rafters. Minimum ages are 14 to 16.

When can you raft the Illinois?

Only in spring. The Fish and Wildlife Service and American Whitewater give the season as March through mid May, and outfitters run in April and May.

Can a trip be cancelled?

Yes. Northwest Rafting says it has historically cancelled about 20 percent of its Illinois trips, moving guests to the Rogue or refunding them. Momentum says flows can rise to unraftable levels in less than a day.

Do I need a permit?

A permit is required year round for the Wild section, but it is free and not limited, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service. American Whitewater says permits are self issued in Selma.

How remote is it?

Very. The Fish and Wildlife Service says the Wild section is reputed to be the most remote, inaccessible river segment in the lower 48 states.

Where do Illinois trips start?

ARTA and Northwest Rafting meet in Grants Pass, Oregon; Momentum meets in Ashland or Medford. Trips launch at Miami Bar and take out at Oak Flat.

Keep planning

Ready to book

Pick your Illinois River outfitter

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

Compare Illinois outfittersOr the Rogue, nearby

Written by a Moab river guide and Wilderness First Responder.Last checked