Rogue River Jet-boat Ride

The most popular way to take in the mighty Rogue is on a jet-boat ride from Gold Beach [1]. Two different companies run this trip, and they both provide comparable service and prices. It’s an exciting and interesting look at the varied flora and fauna along the estuary as well as the changing moods of the river.

Three different lengths of river tours are available. Most of the estimated 50,000 people per year who “do” the Rogue in this way take the 64-mile round-trip cruise. An 80-mile trip goes further up the Rogue, and the most adventurous trip is the 104-mile excursion that enters the Rogue River canyon. Meals are not included in the cost of the cruise, and you can either bring your own food or have a meal at one of the secluded fishing lodges upriver [2], where the tours stop for meal breaks.

The pilot-commentators usually have grown up on the river, and their evocations of the diverse ecosystems and Native American and gold-mining history add greatly to your enjoyment. Bears, otters, seals, and beavers may be sighted en route, and anglers may hold up a big keeper to show off. Ospreys, snowy egrets, eagles, mergansers, and kingfishers are also seen with regularity in this stopover for migratory waterfowl.

In the first part of the journey, idyllic riverside retreats dot the hillsides, breaking up stands of fir and hemlock. Myrtle, madrone, and impressive springtime wildflower groupings also vary the landscape. All of the jet-boat trips out of Gold Beach [1] focus on the section of the Rogue protected by the government as a Wild and Scenic River. Only the longer trips take you into the pristine Rogue Wilderness, an area that motor launches from Grants Pass [3] do not reach.

The 13 miles of this wilderness you see from the boat have canyon walls rising 1,500 feet above you. Geologists say this part of the Klamath Mountains is composed of ancient islands and seafloor that collided with North America. To deal with the rapids upstream, smaller and faster boats are used that skim over the boulders with just six inches of water between hull and the rock surface.

The season runs May–October 15. Remember that chill and fog near the mouth of the estuary usually give way to much warmer conditions upstream. These tour outfits have wool blankets available on cold days as well as complimentary hot beverages. Also keep in mind that the upriver lodges [2] can be booked for overnight stays, and your trip may be resumed the following day.

Jet-Boat Tour Operators

The following tour providers offer 64-mile ($45 adult, $20 children 4–11), 80-mile ($61 adult, $30 children), and 104-mile ($87 adults, $40 children) trips. There are usually two departures for each trip daily: one in the morning, one near mid-day.

Just south of the Rogue River Bridge, west of U.S. 101 on Harbor Way, is Jerry’s Rogue River Jetboats (P.O. Box 1011, Gold Beach 97444, 541/247-4571 or 800/451-3645, www.roguejets.com [4]). This heavily patronized company is noted for personable well-informed guides. If you forgot a hat to buffer the winds at the mouth of the Rogue, stop in at Jerry’s gift shop. While you’re there, check out the local jams and critically acclaimed fish prints by local artist Don Jensen.

Rogue River Mailboats (P.O. Box 1165, Gold Beach 97444, 541/247-7033 or 800/458-3511, www.mailboat.com [5]) is located 0.25 miles upstream from the north end of the Rogue River Bridge. Besides human cargo, this boat also carries sacks of U.S. mail, ensuring a warm welcome in upriver locations.