North Umpqua Rafting Itinerary

One Day Rafting Trips

Meet the guides at the Rogue River Center (210 Merlin Rd, Merlin OR. West off of Interstate 5 at exit 61) at 6:45 AM. If you are coming from the north or are already in Roseburg Oregon, you may find it easier to meet us at the Windmill Inn, in Roseburg (exit #125), at 8:15 AM. Be sure to eat a hearty breakfast before we meet; you will be very active before lunch. After meeting the guides, the group will load the van for the scenic 45-minute drive up river from Roseburg to the put-in on the North Umpqua River.

At the put-in, your head guide will give you a thorough safety and paddling orientation while you gear up with helmets and optional wetsuits. Our trip begins with exciting class III white water that will give you a thrilling introduction working on a paddle raft with your team members. Returning guests have the option to paddle an inflatable kayak down this exciting stretch of Oregon whitewater.

After more white water and beautiful scenery, the group will paddle into a well-earned lunch. Relax in the sun while reminiscing about the exciting morning as your guides finish preparing lunch. Eat well; the afternoon is a white water extravaganza with many class III rapids and even one exciting class IV, Pinball. Spending the afternoon running famous rapids like Amazon Queen and the Froggers will make you a paddling pro. Late afternoon finds us at the takeout where our van will be waiting to take you back to the Windmill Inn or the Rogue River Center.

Two Day Trips

Day 1: Meet the guides at the Rogue River Center (210 Merlin Rd, Merlin OR. West off of Interstate 5 at exit 61) at 6:45 AM. If you are coming from the north or are already in Roseburg Oregon, you may find it easier to meet us at the Windmill Inn, in Roseburg (exit #125), at 8:15 AM. Be sure to eat a hearty breakfast before we meet; you will be very active before lunch. After meeting the guides, the group will load the van for the scenic 45-minute drive up river from Roseburg to the put-in on the North Umpqua River.

Day one starts off with a bang and puts you in some perfect warm-up class II+ or III white water. This is where you will hone your inflatable kayak skills of weaving around boulders and riding over waves or bring your rafting team into sync as you prepare for the later rapids. In the morning you will see awe-inspiring scenery and keep a lookout in the many deep pools you float through for the trout the North Umpqua is famous for.

After a riverside lunch prepared by the guides, it will be time to head back out for the white water– packed half of the day. The afternoon on the North Umpqua is filled with class II, III and one class IV rapid hiding in the middle. After paddling through rapids like the Froggers, Amazon Queen and Pinball, your raft team will feel ready to take on any white water you can find. In the late afternoon when your knuckles are white and your smile has become a permanent fixture on your face, the group will reach the takeout, the vans and your luggage. Load up. It’s time to head for the beautiful and relaxing Steamboat Inn.

Upon arrival at the Inn, you will be given a room assignment and the evening is yours. Unpack and hop into the shower or the hot tub. Depending on how early the group arrives at the Inn, the guides may be leading a hike to one of the many water falls in the North Umpqua basin. Feel free to take your fly rod down to the river and try your skill on one of the most famous fly fishing rivers on the West Coast (make sure you have an Oregon fishing liscense). Whatever you choose, be back and ready for dinner; this is a meal you will not want to miss. And please remember that Steamboat Inn requests collared shirts at the dinner table. After dinner relax out under the stars or play a board game. Just have fun and rest; this is your vacation.

Day Two: After a filling breakfast, it's into the vans and back to the North Umpqua river for another day filled with crystal-clear water, big waves and fun with your group. The day starts off at Bogus Creek with plenty of exciting morning white water, including Wright Creek and Bathtub rapids. Make sure to take in the scenery as you float through the pools; you are floating through the heart of the beautiful Cascade Mountains. Another riverside lunch will lead you into more class II and III rapids, such as Cliffside and Island, filling the adrenaline quota for the day. Arrival at the takeout means it’s time to pack up the gear and head for home. The sad conclusion to two days of Oregon’s best white water rafting.

Camping

Camping trips will simply stay at one of the many beautiful local campgrounds instead of utilizing the lodge.