Rogue River, Oregon

Rogue River

From its source in the high Cascade Mountains in southwestern Oregon near Crater Lake National Park, the Rogue, one of the longest rivers in Oregon, tumbles and flows more than 200 miles, entering the Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach. One of the eight rivers established with passage of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1968, the designated segment of the Rogue extends from the mouth of the Applegate River (about six miles downstream from Grants Pass) to the Lobster Creek Bridge (about eleven miles upstream from its mouth), a total distance of 84 miles. The first 47 miles are administered by the Medford District BLM, and the remaining 37 miles are administered by the Siskiyou National Forest.

The Rogue River's scenic qualities, fisheries and recreation opportunities are its outstandingly remarkable values. The river is nationally renowned for its challenging whitewater, steelhead trout and salmon fishery, and extraordinary wildlife viewing opportunities.

With one section classified as wild, one as scenic and three as recreational, the Rogue offers a wide variety of river experiences. Unique among boating experiences, paddlers can float from lodge to lodge in sections of the Rogue, allowing for plenty of time to fish and escape the often rainy weather. In the wild section, the most challenging whitewater reach, float permits are required from May 15 - October 15; details are available from the Medford District BLM.