The best books for the Rogue River.

Anywhere as beautiful and awe inspiring as the Rogue River is bound to have a fascinating history, and the Rogue is no exception. Home to gun battles, feuds between miners, famous authors, and plenty of eccentric river runners; the Rogue River canyon hosts stories of lore so grand that only some have been accurately captured in writing. A few good books exist that talk about Rogue River history and a few exist that combine the history with directions on how to make it down the river. Here are some of the best Rogue River books, perfect for anyone thinking of going down the canyon.

1.
The Rogue River Guidebook: A comprehensive guide from Prospect to Gold Beach, by Matt Leidecker

This is the book that someone FINALLY made. A detailed guidebook to rafting the Rogue River. We recommend everyone on our guided trips take this book with them. This book combines knowledge of where you're going with an understanding of the areas basic history and geography. Being able to easily find information about where you and where you're going is valuable on the river.

2. Illahe, by Kay Atwood

"Illahe tells the captivating story of the miners, packers, farmers, and families who settled southern Oregon's rugged Rogue River Canyon in the 1860s."

If you're a history buff this book is for you. Kay Atwood does a remarkable job of re-telling first had accounts from the early days in the canyon. She utilizes journals, diaries and interviews with decedents from those who originally journeyed into the unknown isolation that was the Rogue River Canyon. Feel the stories and emotions of floods, harsh winters and constant isolation as these people chose to make their home in this beautiful river wilderness. This is a great read right before coming on a rafting trip down the Rogue River canyon.

3. The Rogue, a River to Run, by Florence Arman with Glen Woolridge
Here is a spectacular book about THE Rogue River legend. Glen Woolridge started running the Rogue River in 1915 and was still running it into the 1980's. He was the first person to travel up the Rogue River from Gold Beach Oregon to Grants Pass Oregon in 1947. The next year he became the first person to travel up the Salmon River "river of no return" in Idaho from Riggins to Salmon. This book is a piece of history about a man who made history on the Rogue River.
If you want to understand the sense of adventure that surrounds the Rogue River this is your book.





4.Rogue River Feud, by Zane Grey
One of Zane Grey's lesser known books, The Rogue River Feud masterfully and beautifully describes the scenery and tranquility of the Rogue River. This is a great novel to bring with you into the canyon. On floats down the Rogue River you get stop by Zane Grey's cabin on the river and get a better understanding of exactly where he was while working through the novel. A great book for any rafting or hiking journey in the Rogue River canyon.