Gone Rogue!

Float an Inflatable Kayak Down the Rogue River in Southern Oregon

07.29.2020
Float an Inflatable Kayak Down the Rogue River in Southern Oregon With Orange Torpedo

If one thing can make you feel like a kid at summer camp, it’s spending a day on the river, rafting, floating, cannonballing off cliffs—eureka! One of the best rivers in the West to float is the Rogue River, aka the heartbeat of the region.

This river has it all, from scenic and sublime sections to thrills through rapids up to Class III, with one Class IV, and some mellow spots for a swim. For a fun adventure, rent an inflatable kayak from Orange Torpedo. They’ve been around for 51 years and know their stuff, which is big fun on the water!

Go on a guided trip or ask about the do-it-yourself routes. The inflatable kayaks are a kick, sturdy orange ‘torpedos’ that are your vessels for a scenic day paddling a mix of the Rogue River’s gentle flows, whitewater for some splash action, and relaxing pools for a quick dip. 

Inflatable kayak orange torpedo Rogue River

FOOD & DRINK: Grab a tasty hamburger (or salmon burger) and a beer at Galice Resort along the Rogue River. Their spacious outdoor patio overlooks the water and their popular soft-serve ice cream makes a sweet treat on a warm day.

BONUS BBQ & STAY: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Wolf Creek Inn & Tavern is the oldest continually operated hotel in the Pacific Northwest. Originally a refuge for stagecoach pioneers who would socialize in the inn’s two parlors, the original decor remains authentic, but today the socializing is out back of the inn, where you can belly up to a picnic table and order what we think will be some of the tastiest BBQ you’ll ever have.

You can spend the night at the inn in one of their rooms with a full bath or in smaller rooms with bunk beds and a shared bathroom down the hall. Its location close to the Rogue River and rafting or kayaking options makes it a good overnight option. The inn is rumored to be haunted, though we witnessed no paranormal activity.

Check out the Best Southern Oregon Road Trips

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: In the episode "Road Trip to Spectacular: National Park, Hot Springs & Hikes" the Weekend Sherpa team discuss their adventures in Southern Oregon and floating down the Rogue River.

2020 Travel: Here’s more information on Southern Oregon’s health guidelines and updates.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  2. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

    View
  3. Two people fly fishing on the Truckee River with guides from Reno Fly Shop

    Zen and the Art of Fly Fishing

    Learning to fly fish is one of the most fun and beautiful ways to connect with nature, family, friends, and yourself. It’s also a great way to truly experience the magic of a place. Make that place Reno Tahoe, where a fly fishing adventure with Reno Fly Shop is like being planted in a plein air painting of dreamy outdoors.

    View

  4. Roaring Good Time

    There’s nothing quite like the majestic beauty of California’s redwood forests. Now, imagine experiencing those towering giants aboard a historic 19th-century steam train. Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton is home to some of the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow-gauge steam engines in America.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Two kayakers on Upper Klamath Basin on tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures

    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

    View
  2. Alex Villicana, Villicana Winery and Re:Find Distillery

    Locals' Feature: Alex Villicana

    Tech booms, AI revolutions, okay that’s all fine, but you wanna know what else is really cool? Being a pioneer in a world-famous industry that—in Paso Robles—remains solidly down to earth. When Alex Villicana established Villicana Winery in 1993, he clearly had grape expectations...

    View
  3. A woman on a hiking trail with huge open space and yellow flowers around her at Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks

    Going Wildwood

    Consider this your invitation to get a little untamed. In just one walk through Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks, you can chase the sound of a cascading waterfall, duck into a shadowy cave, and soak in big hillside vistas. The mostly flat 4.25-mile loop makes wild feel wonderfully accessible.

    View
  4. A woman on the overlook deck overlooking the Truckee River at Oxbow Nature Study Area in Reno

    This Way to Oxbow and Dickerson Road

    Just west of downtown Reno—tucked right alongside the Truckee River—is a nature haven for wildlife spotting and waterside relaxing. The 22-acre Oxbow Nature Study Area is ideal for those seeking solitude and a short hike. Afterwards, explore the creative hub of Dickerson Road.

    View