Half-day Rogue River rafting trips offer the closest rafting to Ashland, Oregon. Perfect for beginners or groups of mixed experience levels, this trip is our most popular excursion. This rafting trip is highly recommended for families with children. The trip features a steady progression from the easiest and most mellow rapids to the largest rapids, which gives everyone a chance to slowly become more comfortable with whitewater and rafting. Our family friendly guides are great with kids and will make your time on the river a happy and memorable experience.
The section of river that we run is known as the “Nugget” stretch and is named after the the first big rapid. For families or groups of mixed rafting experience, this stretch of river is absolutely perfect. It starts mellow and builds up slowly until the two grand finales: Nugget Falls and Powerhouse Rapid. Between the start and finish there are calm places to practice paddling and sitting in the raft, there are surf waves that are fun to play in, and there are class II and III rapids that keep things interesting. At the very end, almost like the final act of a Shakespeare play, are the two biggest rapids.
Cool Fact: The final rapid, Tilomikh Falls (commonly referred to as “Powerhouse” rapid) is an area of historical significance and the name “Tilomikh” was used by the Takelma Tribe. The Takelma (also Dagelma) are a Native American people who originally lived in the Rogue Valley, with most of their villages located along the Rogue River. The name Takelma means “(Those) Along the River”.
A rafting trip on Southern Oregon’s Rogue River offers a glimpse back to the history of western territorial exploration and settlement. Native American sites, pioneer settlements, gold rush exploration, thwarted attempts at development, and the congressional heroics that preserved the Rogue River make the background of your trip. Our guides are knowledgeable about the history of the Rogue River Valley and are eager to share their stories with you. Our rafting trips are more than just rafting trips  they are a guided experience with guides who have a passion for making your rafting trip perfect for you and your group. So whether that means focusing on whitewater, going for swims, looking for native birds, simply relaxing, or a combination of all the above, we are happy to provide an experience that exceeds your expectations.
Our rafting ends at the Sports Park in Gold Hill, Oregon. From there it is about a 30 minute drive back our Rafting Center. Our morning trips are generally back by 12:15 (12:30 at the very latest) and our afternoon trips are normally back by 5:15 (5:30 at the very latest).
Included:
Transportation, professional guides, all rafting equipment, end of trip snack.