Rogue River Wild Section

The wild section of the Rogue River begins at the mouth of Grave Creek, about 34 road miles northwest of Grants Pass, Oregon. The area features 33 miles of class II and III rapids, and includes Rainie Falls, a class V, and beautiful scenery at Mule Creek Canyon and Blossom Bar, both class IV rapids. The wild section is free of impoundments and is accessed by trail and boat. Most boaters take 3 to 4 days to float the Wild Rogue River. Foster Bar, the take-out, is 33 miles downriver from Grave Creek.

Blossom Bar

The Wild Rogue is a regulated use river with permits required for floating between Grave Creek and Foster Bar from May 15 through October 15. Use is regulated to protect the river corridor from overuse and to provide a wild river experience. Approximately 120 commercial and noncommercial visitors are issued special use permits to enter the wild section each day, May 15 through October 15. During the non-regulated use season, October 16th through May 14th, please fill-out an "off-season" permit when you boat the Wild Rogue. Enjoy your trip!

Hiking opportunities are available from the campground. The trailhead for Mule Creek Trail , within the Wild Rogue Wilderness, is within the campground boundary and just down the road you can access the Rogue River National Recreation Trail as it enters the scenic Mule Creek Canyon.

Safety Tips

• Bears are sometimes bold on the river. Secure your food, coolers, and trash. Don't leave these items in your boat; bears may climb into your boat for food.
• Wear a life jacket in rapids and when swimming.
• Swim and boat with at least one other person, so you have help if problems arise.
• Don't let drinking ruin your river trip.
• Avoid Strainers! Brush, fallen trees, boat docks or anything with a current flowing through it is a strainer. Strainers can hold you or your craft in a dangerous position in the water.
• If you get in trouble swimming in swift water:
  1. Float on your back with your feet downstream.
  2. Wear shoes so you can bounce off rocks with your feet.
  3. Swim to shore in slow moving water.

River Etiquette

• Your actions affect nature and the experience of other river visitors. Please conduct your trip with a sense of the river community you are a part of. The following are tips to help everyone have an enjoyable river trip.
• Boat ramps: Use boat ramps for transporting boats to and from the river only. Pack and unpack gear near ramps, not on them.
• Room for Everyone: Give anglers room to fish. Allow others room to maneuver in rapids.

Outdoor Use Ethics

Rainie Falls

• Leave No Trace
• Trash: Carry out all trash to keep the river natural.
• Leave natural, historical, and archeological features unspoiled and intact.
• Human waste: Toilets are available at developed sites. If you plan to camp at an undeveloped site, bring a portable toilet or other carry-out method.
• Gray water: All water should be disposed of at least 100 feet away from the river, creeks, and camp. Even biodegradable soaps are foreign to the river environment and food scraps attract pests. You can strain dish water to dispose of food scraps into your trash. A clean camp keeps the river natural, for people and nature.
• Fire: You are required to burn open fires in a fire pan, year round, within 400 feet of the river's edge. You are also required to pack out the fire residue. Burn only dead and down woody material. A gas or propane camp stove is an easy, clean alternative to an open fire. The intent is to keep the beaches in a clean and natural state.

Cultural Resources

Rogue River Indians, settlers, and miners are the dominant players in Rogue River history and culture. Whisky Creek Cabin is a turn of the century mining cabin that was used and improved up to the 1970s. The cabin is 3 miles downriver from Grave Creek and is on the register of National Historic Sites. Access to the cabin is by floating the river or hiking the Rogue National Recreation Trail.

Rogue River Ranch (PDF) is a site with evidence of over 9,000 years of Indian habitation and was also a turn of the century mining site along with a rich history of a secluded 20th century river community. The ranch is 23 miles downriver from Grave Creek and has a museum open to the public from May through October. There is access to the Ranch by way of a 2 to 3 hour drive, from I-5, on a winding, narrow logging road. There is rustic camping and limited parking. There are not any gas stations or stores.

Federal laws protect archaeological and historic sites on public lands. It is everyone's responsibility to keep America's heritage safe. If you notice artifacts, leave them undisturbed. Report your observations of vandalism or new discoveries to one of the offices listed below.

Thank you for your cooperation. We hope you enjoy your visit!