Activites, Camps and After School Classes in Merlin, OR

Our 1/2 Day PM Rogue River Hellgate rafting trip is an ideal way to enjoy the beautiful Southern Oregon sun in the summer time. Hot weather, plenty of whitewater, lots of swimming, and a riverside lunch make this a perfect family afternoon adventure.

Discover the magic of the Rogue River in the early evening, when crowds fade and the canyon takes on a tranquil rhythm. As twilight descends, wildlife re-emerges, the wind calms, and the canyon’s light transforms into a stunning spectacle. This moment feels like a secret among true river enthusiasts. We begin our adventure by loading into a raft and heading toward the glowing horizon. Navigate through Hellgate Canyon and witness the breathtaking shift in light as the sun sets behind distant ridges. Approaching Taylor Creek Gorge, the sky becomes a canvas of vibrant hues, creating a memorable evening. We pause to savor this stunning transition while relaxing in comfortable chairs and enjoying a light meal. Breathe in the fresh air, listen to the soothing sounds of nature, and let the outside world fade away. As the first stars twinkle above, we float downstream under the enchanting dusk. Join us for the Gold Hours on the Rogue River and create unforgettable memories!

We will be on the Wild & Scenic Rogue River, near the town of Grants Pass, Oregon. This river section is known as the Hellgate Canyon Section, and is brimming with spectacular views, fun water, and wildlife sightings. Your guide will train you on basic paddling and river language before you hit a variety of water along the river, including calm pools, small riffles, and class I-II whitewater rapids. There are ample opportunities to swim, enjoy the scenery, and have fun in splashy whitewater. The river section length is about 10.5 river miles.

The Rogue River thrill seeker is the trip for the group who can’t decide on the experience they want so they choose to do it all. In the morning paddle yourself in an inflatable kayak through the pristine pools in the bottom of Hellgate Canyon. Take on some adventure and paddle yourself through the class II rapids of the Rogue River in your own inflatable kayak! Our guides will teach you the skills and show you the lines, but paddling through will be all you, and you can certainly do it! Mid-day the group will enjoy lunch on our patio between games of ladder golf. After you have had your fill we load in the van for a short drive to the put-in for the Nugget Falls section of the Rogue River. This section of the river has much bigger whitewater so we load into a paddle raft where you paddle as part of a team through the frothing torrents. The afternoon section builds in difficulty, culminating in the famous Tilomikh falls, a combination of two drops plummeting over 10 feet in total.

The 1-day trip on the Rogue River through Hellgate Canyon is ideal for almost anyone looking to get a day on the river. This trip meets your needs whether you want the perfect raft trip to introduce your family to the river life or you want to try paddling an inflatable kayak for the first time. This scenic day section with it’s mix of pools for swimming, whitewater for paddling, and scenery for inspiring, really satisfies all groups looking to spend a day on one of America’s most famous rivers.

The half-day trip on the Rogue River through Hellgate Canyon is our most scenic half-day trip. The forbidding walls of Hellgate Canyon rise out of the water at the rivers edge marking a dramatic point of transition into the whitewater downstream. As we float through the canyon osprey and eagles fly over head as the search the river for fish. This trip flows through two distinct gorges and concludes with two of the best class II rapids on the day section of the Rogue River. This is a great trip anyone wanting to learn to inflatable kayak or any family with younger kids wanting to raft.