Pro Tip: Planning A Multi-Day Rogue River Trip
Did you just open an "congratulations you won a Rogue River permit" email? If so congrats. Here are some tips to help you plan you first, maybe 2nd of whatever number trip you are on.
Permits
Like many of the west's multi-day rivers, The "Wild and Scenic" Rogue requires a permit for trips from May 15 - October 15th. In the event you didn't win a permit but still want to get a Rogue trip in, keep you eye on the cancelations page Rogue Float Space The cancelation page is updated every day through out the permit season. It can be a challenge to call and pick up space but be patient and you will be rewarded.
Smullin Visitor Center
Don't forget to swing in through Smullin Visitor Center the morning of your trip to pick up your permit. They like to check your toilet system so make sure it is accessible.
Pro Tip: Download a Boaters Guide here
Put-ins and Take-out
The Rogue has a handful of put-in options for "Wild and Scenic" trips. Foster Bar is the most common take-out for summer trips. Fall fishing trips some times float a little farther down stream. Grave Creek and Almeda County Park and the most popular put-in options. Both have paved boat ramps but get really busy in the summer months. Almeda is also nice campground with camp, RV sites, and a couple of yurts.
Grave Creek Boat Ramp
There are a handful of alternative access points including Hog Creek, Indian Mary, Enis Riffle, Galice, Rand, and Argo. These options add miles onto your trip but are great options.
Gear
Maybe you and your group have all the gear your need, maybe you need to rent a few things. Well Whitewater Cowboys and Morisons Rogue Wilderness Adventure and Lodge have you covered. They both have a wide selection of gear to rent. From entire boat and kitchen packages down to a single helmet.
Whitewater Cowboys Rental Gear
In the event you forgot your PFD, camp chair, or repair kit SOTAR is also located in Merlin, just minutes out of your way as you drive to put-in. Grants Pass and Medford also have a wide selection of stores for many forgotten items.
Transportation/Shuttle
Taking care of your own shuttle for a Rogue trip is doable, but will take around 4 hours from put-in to Foster Bar, and back. However there are a few shuttles companies that can do it for a fair price.
Bear Camp Road is the shortest route from take-out back to Grants Pass. This narrow winding mountain road will get you back to Grants Pass in about 2 hours. Keep in mind this route is closed in the spring and winter due to snow. Check to see if it is open before early or late season tips.
Food
Food planning is a big job. There are many different tactics to approach this task that relies on your group size and gear. Grants Pass has many grocery store options and you should be able to find every thing you need. Also Medford isn't too far away and has a Costco.
My favorite food planning strategy is for each boat/couple/small group/ take care of one entire days worth of food. This is nice way to go because it keeps people from going in and out of coolers and dry boxes with reckless abandon.
Kabob Night On The Rogue
Some groups have that one person that absolutely loves tackling planning, buying, and packing all of the food. This can be tricky, especially if your group is coming from all over the place, as you may have to pack coolers right before launching your trip
However you go about planning and packing food my only suggestion is pre-cooking some items, take things out of packages, and freeze items that can be frozen.
Don't Forget
- Toilet paper, coffee, butter key items not to forget, can be used as currency on the river
- Theme days It is always fun to spend your day dressed as a pirate
- Trash and recycling Dumpsters are typically available at Foster Bar. Depending on the camp host there may be can recycling
