Things to do in Merlin in December

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Overview

December is a good time to visit Merlin. The weather is usually cold and breezy, with temperatures ranging from 33—46°F (0—8°C).

Merlin has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your December trip to Merlin. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to December. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Merlin in December. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout December, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

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Best events and things to do in Merlin in December

Top experiences in December
We couldn't find any experiences in December
Holidays in Merlin in December
December

There are no holidays in Merlin in December

Other notable holidays
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Weather in Merlin in December

Temperatures on an average day in Merlin in December

The average temperature in Merlin in December for a typical day ranges from a high of 46°F (8°C) to a low of 33°F (0°C). Some would describe the temperature to be cold. The general area may also feel breezy.

For comparison, the hottest month in Merlin, August, has days with highs of 88°F (31°C) and lows of 55°F (13°C). The coldest month, December has days with highs of 46°F (8°C) and lows of 33°F (0°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Merlin in December based on historical data.

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Historical temperature average in December
46°F
highs
33°F
lows

General weather summary

Cold, breezy
Feels like
46%
Chance of rain
0.237 in
Amount
10.0 mph
Wind speed
92%
Humidity
9.1 hrs
Daylight length
7:34 AM
Sunrise
4:42 PM
Sunset
30%
Cloud cover
Jacket
What to wear
What to wear in December
With an average high of 46°F (8°C) and a low of 33°F (0°C), it generally feels cold and breezy. There might also be a small chance of rain. With that in mind, most people would dress in something warm like a jacket and remember to bring an umbrella
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Best attractions for Merlin in December

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Merlin has to offer for travelers in December, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Merlin that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Merlin for December.
Morrisons Rogue Wilderness Adventures
1. Morrisons Rogue Wilderness Adventures
4.9
(221)
Raft trip outfitter
Tours
Slide 1 of 8
Amazing trip. Everything about it...hike, food, lodging, scenery. Our guides Adam and Dustin took great care of us!!! Lots of great memories to take with me.
We LOVED our half day rafting adventure down the Rogue River with Todd. We felt safe, informed and just had a delightful time in general. One of our kids went in the kayak much of the journey and even though he didn’t have a ton of experience, I felt like Todd gave clear, excellent direction that made me feel safe as a parent and that his safety was the priority and clearly cared that he had a great time too. Todd shared his knowledge and information about the river and the area, as well as just enjoying the company of the group and some quiet time to enjoy the ride. Also, the lunch was delightful - a right-sized buffet with meatloaf, bbq chicken, Mac and cheese, cookies, farm to table salad, fruit, chips and more.
Wow! Our team was Adam, Abby, Mike & Tim. Great crew! Very accommodating, sharing tips & history, and great cooks. I would definitely do this trip again. They made our visit to The Rogue River unforgettable.
We had the BEST day rafting the Rogue-and our guide Dan made it unforgettable! He was fun, energetic, and made sure we always felt safe while finding adventure and beauty around every bend. Dan shared so many interesting facts and stories—things we never would’ve thought to ask about! His knowledge and passion really made the trip special. Highly recommend this experience—and if you can, request Dan!
What an amazing trip down the Rogue River (Wild and Scenic) The guides, Soren, Rip & Maynard were exceptional. I cannot put into words how much they made this trip memorable. The food was outstanding. The help they provided for my blind wife was above and beyond great service.
My wife, teenage son, and I recently did a full day guided trip on the Rogue River. We can't say enough about our experience, which was overwhelmingly positive. Our guide, Todd, was outstanding. Solid training on safety in and out of the boat, while also having lots of fun. Todd's stories about the history, ecology, and other knowledge of the river, is locked in our memories. He was kind and attentive to all of our needs, while also challenging us and teaching essential skills. Our multi course lunch, cooked by Rob, was delicious, beautifully arranged, and plentiful. The time at the lodge was relaxing and scenic. We are now hooked and are hoping to do an overnight trip next summer. Thanks again!
I have a group of friends who do hiking trips together every few years, and this year we picked Morrisons Rogue River hike with support from guides on rafts. Booking the trip was relatively straightforward, but Morrisons highly encouraged us to do trip insurance because they don't offer refunds, which should've been the first red flag. Before I go too far, I do want to give a huge shout out to our guides Drew, Adam, and Johnny. They were amazing, and if I were rating just them, this review would be 5++ stars. They were friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, and genuinely cared about us and our hike. The rest of the Morrison's staff...not so much. There was an active wildfire in the area before we started the hike. We talked to Morrison's several times in the days leading up to the trip (before we flew out) and even asked about rebooking the trip for a different time, when the forest in the area wasn't on fire. We were assured that even though they were planning a few modifications to our itinerary (i.e. at least one day of rafting instead of hiking), they were confident that it would be a wonderful trip. Fast forward to the end of day 2 of our trip...and they had to cancel the rest of the 4-day hike due to safety concerns and, ultimately, a mandatory evacuation. To be clear, I'm not upset that we were pulled out of the woods, as that was an obvious safety decision. I'm mad because we specifically asked about rebooking for different dates and were told no. Morrison's got us back to their main lodge the following morning, at which point they considered themselves done with us. There was no refund, no help finding rooms for the night, and the last lodge we were in literally wouldn't even let us use the bathroom in the hour we were waiting for vans to get us back to safety. Morrison's did at least send us all an official email about the trip cancellation so that we could share that with our travel insurance (if we'd purchased it) to try to get a refund, but that was about it. Morrisons also made the guides tell us, rather than having anyone higher up in the company talk to us. From what we can tell, they also didn't do anything to help their guides (e.g. helping them find lodging) once the trip was canceled. I will also add that I'm vegetarian, and although there was a lot of very tasty vegetarian food available, vegetarian protein was extremely scarce. For dinner the two nights we hiked (~9 mi on day 1 and 15 mi on day 2), there was no source of vegetarian protein for me to eat. (The gluten free and dairy free people fared much better.) It would've been so easy to roast a portobello mushroom the way they roasted salmon, or to do some kind of meat substitute when they did ribs (they did have meat substitute at the lunches, and eggs or veggie patties at breakfast). I had brought some protein powder with me, but not enough to make up for dinners without protein. My friends ended up giving me the protein bars they'd brought for themselves to try to make up for the dinners. To Morrison's: please consider all macronutrients (carbs, fat, AND protein) when planning meals for your guests! Overall, I would absolutely go back to the river with any of the guides, but I'll never use Morrisons again, and I recommend that you don't either.
Our rafting trip with Morrisons Rogue Wilderness Adventures was nothing short of extraordinary! From the start, the team at Morrisons left no stone unturned to ensure that our adventure was impeccably planned and executed. Whether you're an experienced rafter or a first-timer, they cater to every need. Our guide Ryan was the perfect blend of knowledgeable, attentive, humorous, and cautious. He lead 2 other rafts at the same time. His love for and knowledge of the Rogue River made the trip all the more fun. The rapids were perfectly suited for beginners, and the option to solo kayak added an exciting touch of challenge for those seeking it. I definitely made use of it and highly recommend it. Our children, aged 6 and 9, had the time of their lives! Watching their faces light up with joy and excitement was truly priceless. We saw Ospreys soaring above us and turtles on the shores. We jumped into the river for swim breaks multiple times. The provided lunch was not only delicious, but also thoughtfully prepared, adding to our memorable day. The chocolate chip cookies were.. yeah amazing. The full day of rafting was filled with moments of thrill, laughter, fun, and filled with awesome surrounding natural beauty. Our experience with Morrisons Rogue Wilderness Adventures was outstanding and one we will cherish forever. If you are looking for a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty, look no further than a rafting trip down the scenic Rogue River with this excellent crew. It's an adventure you'll remember for a lifetime.
Orange Torpedo Trips Rogue River
2. Orange Torpedo Trips Rogue River
4.8
(352)
Raft trip outfitter
Tours
Slide 1 of 8
Absolutely amazing family vacation. Some of the best views and company ever. JP, Matt, Artesia and Camilla were the best. The food was amazing and Artesia got us the best camp sites. Can’t recommend them enough for the 4 day Rogue trip!!
Super experienced outfitter that knows the Rogue forward and back, in and out. Why? We were w 2 veteran-status guides who could do this blindfolded, hands tied, and spun around 20 times, Hunter & Ben. Everything felt in control, they made all the logistics work w/o any need for us to even think, and ensured everyone in the party had shared experiences in the paddle raft, inflatable kayak, and in the water. Both are middle school teachers and you can tell based on their listening and desire to contribute and have their “students” (us) get as much as we wanted out of it. Guides were great. Itinerary. 3 days lodge based Rogue, about 40 miles (Strava’d mileage), w mix of class 2-4 rapids. Lots of mixed speed stuff throughout: rapid, then calm water, then rapid, then calm. We had 2 kids (10, 14) + 1 adult in the raft and had enough horsepower to get us thru. Nights were at lodges. The one at BlackBar was def welcome over a tent, but was hot and pretty basic (I liked it as having a touch of simplicity was welcome). 2nd night was at Paradise and it basically is that, esp after the first place. New fresh wood, clean, bugless, electricity whenever u need, cabin had full private bathroom and 3 beds (2 singles + 1 Queen). Great experience for families. Would def use Orange Torpedo again. Only change we might make for the next adventure is the river, where we may search for higher class, more technically demanding and fewer still-water bits. Or maybe do an inflatable kayak trip - it was so fun and liberating! But the guides were tops, wouldn’t change at all, and their students are lucky to have them.
Just did a 3-day lodge trip! It was so amazing! Stayed at Black Bar Lodge & Paradise Lodge. Both were great and the food was awesome! The guides with OTT are very experienced and a lot of fun! I highly recommend this trip and can’t wait to do it again next year!
Had a great half day trip doing Nugget Falls. Now we can’t wait to do more rafting! Plus it sparked our interest in returning to kayak the Rogue. Highly recommend the tour company. Friendly folks at every stage. Great guide. He made the trip feel easy and there was some crazy water to navigate. Tons of fun.
9 years ago we drove down from Seattle and met up with our Oregon friends at Orange Torpedo and did our 1st rafting trip on the Rogue River. This trip as expected last weekend, did not disappoint. We had an amazing time, great trip with Orange Torpedo. Absolutely loved our guide, Will, very personable and knowledgeable... Couldn't have had a better experience, it just got better !
I have rafted with many different companies around the country, and this is without doubt the best. We did a 6 day row your own with them on the Main Salmon in mid June as we didn’t get a permit. Erik was incredibly accommodating with all the logistics (we rented rafts from them as well), always easy to reach and very helpful with all the questions. Plus the pricing was very affordable. The trip was amazing. Ryan, Tristan and Henry were fantastic. They got us all the best camp sites, showed us all the lines, the best hikes, the secret spots. We couldn’t believe how good the food was: they are masters of the dutch oven, with cinnamon rolls, cherry pie, and chocolate cake, and grilling steaks, fish, and barbecued chicken. The breakfast game is strong: eggs, burritos, french toast, sausages, and hash browns. It was a huge relief not having to do all the cooking and set up and to have their local knowledge to help keep us safe. They were so much fun to be around; we laughed a lot. Whether you are doing a regular or row your own, I highly recommend OTT. I’m sure all their river trips are great although I will always have a soft spot for the Main Salmon. Thanks guys.🙏
What an adventure! We rafted/kayaked the lower Salmon, 3 night/4 days and it was one of my favorite trips I have ever done. I highly recommend OTT. From booking to the very end it was all very well organized. Our guides (Ethan, Tristan, & Noah) were so amazing and so fun! The meals were outstanding and they were so good about telling us all sorts of facts and info about the area as we rode the river. The beauty of this section of the Salmon river can't even be captured in photos. Plus we also saw a lot of wildlife - river otters, golden/bald eagles, and mountain goats. This was our very first time doing something like this and we would definitely do it again through OTT.
Well what can say, but Wow! Our trip was phenomenal but we couldn’t do it without our amazing guides. Becka, Hayden, and JP did an outstanding job from cooking, story telling, and sharing adventures with us. This amazing people were humble and caring. There service was beyond words they all showed amazing care and delight. We will sure be back :) Becka - Caring adventurous leader Hayden- Wild, Joyful, determined JP- Humble, Wisdom, Funny
Wine Hopper Tours
3. Wine Hopper Tours
Tour agency
Food & Drink
ROW Adventures
4. ROW Adventures
5.0
(110)
Raft trip outfitter
Tours
Slide 1 of 8
We did another Row trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon river and loved every minute of it so this time we did the 4 day/3 night lodge to lodge trip on the Rogue River and LOVED it. As a matter of fact I think Row should make it a 5 day/4 night so I could spend two days at the last heavenly lodge!! The guides (Ryan,Tom,Keith,Anna and Kayla) were all fantastic. They make sure you feel safe and happy all the time. Every element of the trip is carefully tended to and the joy they give is real. Food is delicious and it is fun to stay in lodges especially because it poured rain on us the first day. After that it was gorgeous weather and we had inflatable kayaks on days 2 and 4. I had never kayaked before but decided to give it a go! What a great time that was. The guides are engaging and so much fun to be with. Row really understands hospitality. Lucky us!! Thinking the Sea of Cortez trip next time.
We did a four day lodge to lodge trip on the Rogue River and we had a fantastic time. Our excellent guides (Anna and Shayden) were super fun and friendly and made us feel very comfortable. The food at the lodges and on the river was terrific. I would do this trip again thru ROW in a heartbeat and strongly recommend them for their excellence.
Amazing trip! The 4 day lodge trip on the Rogue is worth every penny. Our family had the best time and we saw bears, deers , eagles , osprey and more. The lodges and food were fantastic. Our guides were super and made it fun for all. Highly recommend this trip and our guides Ryan and Anna!
Just finished a fantastic 5 day trip going 81 miles through Hells Canyon. Every detail was well organized, from the packing list that was perfect and easy to follow, to the opening meeting and the trip itself. It was easy to have a bag brought to the end with some clean clothes for the end of the trip! The meals were absolutely incredible, the physical exertion was on a “choose your level” spectrum, and camp life was lovely. We definitely chose the right time of year with the end of June—the weather was gorgeous, and brief rain storms were easily recovered from with dry weather that got all of our gear dried. We had a group of 4, and got time together and also time to bond with the other 14 members of our trip who were lovely. It was easy to navigate different combinations of us among the various boats. It is an adventure—as a non-experienced white water rafter, I was worried when they said that only the first few days would have class iv rapids, but every single day had significant rapids, and later in the trip they pulled out kayaks we could choose to use instead of being on a large raft. For wildlife spotters, we saw mountain goats, bighorn sheep, otters, bald eagles, and most entertainingly, mergansers zipping up and down the white water with their chicks. Most importantly, our guides were knowledgeable, skilled, and fun. Connie, Jen, Raya, Cushi (sp?), Charlie and Beck absolutely made our trip fantastic.
Wow. Simply wow! First off, I’m fully prejudiced as or guide, Liz (Elizabeth to me), is my daughter. Lucky me! She was absolutely amazing. Best yet, the full guide team, back office and ownership was just so remarkable in our whole experience. The level of organization, safety precautions, communication, connection to the lodges, connections to the guests, and love for the river was brilliant. I will always love this company for how great they have been for my daughter to work with. Then the next level guest experience was some of the best. I cannot wait to do more adventures with ROW.
Wow, what an incredible adventure me and my daughter had rafting down the rogue river. I can’t say enough how professional and good our guides were. Liz, Mike and Byron showed amazing patients and were full of information. And the people that we shared the trip with were all amazing as well. We all came from different walks of life. All different age groups. It’s definitely a trip that me and my daughter will remember. Thank you Row Adventures…
An incredible trip with a fabulous group of people. The guides for our Rogue trip were experienced and funny, taking great care to ensure each member of the trip had a ball. I also loved the historical context of the region they brought to the trip. Our three teenagers were never hungry (very unusual) and never bored. The lodges on the Rogue were full of character and characters, adding to our overall experience. I can’t recommend enough ROW in general and the Rogue team in particular. One of our best family vacations. Thanks ROW!
The Rogue River is a Wild and Scenic river accessible only by boat or by hiking and, because of this, rafting the river is a privilege and quite magical. The rapids were interspersed by gentle paddling where we could watch the Western Turtles basking on the rocks or watch the mergansers floating around the rocks. An Osprey with a small fish in its talons was a rarer treat. The trip was excellently organised and the guides informed us of the human history of the river. I loved the rapids, the swimming, and the gentle pace of the days. The short hikes were welcomed. The lodges were a treat - each special in their own way - and the food was outstanding. The guides were exceptionally thoughtful, kind, professional, and skilled. My favourite section was the Mule Creek Canyon; at first rapid and then as a quiet river between the two canyon walls. It was a place to shut-up and just listen to the water in this high-sided chamber. Thank you to Tom, Byron, Jonas, and Liz. @rowadventures
Orange Torpedo Trips Rogue River
5. Orange Torpedo Trips Rogue River
4.8
(352)
Raft trip outfitter
Tours
Slide 1 of 8
Absolutely amazing family vacation. Some of the best views and company ever. JP, Matt, Artesia and Camilla were the best. The food was amazing and Artesia got us the best camp sites. Can’t recommend them enough for the 4 day Rogue trip!!
Super experienced outfitter that knows the Rogue forward and back, in and out. Why? We were w 2 veteran-status guides who could do this blindfolded, hands tied, and spun around 20 times, Hunter & Ben. Everything felt in control, they made all the logistics work w/o any need for us to even think, and ensured everyone in the party had shared experiences in the paddle raft, inflatable kayak, and in the water. Both are middle school teachers and you can tell based on their listening and desire to contribute and have their “students” (us) get as much as we wanted out of it. Guides were great. Itinerary. 3 days lodge based Rogue, about 40 miles (Strava’d mileage), w mix of class 2-4 rapids. Lots of mixed speed stuff throughout: rapid, then calm water, then rapid, then calm. We had 2 kids (10, 14) + 1 adult in the raft and had enough horsepower to get us thru. Nights were at lodges. The one at BlackBar was def welcome over a tent, but was hot and pretty basic (I liked it as having a touch of simplicity was welcome). 2nd night was at Paradise and it basically is that, esp after the first place. New fresh wood, clean, bugless, electricity whenever u need, cabin had full private bathroom and 3 beds (2 singles + 1 Queen). Great experience for families. Would def use Orange Torpedo again. Only change we might make for the next adventure is the river, where we may search for higher class, more technically demanding and fewer still-water bits. Or maybe do an inflatable kayak trip - it was so fun and liberating! But the guides were tops, wouldn’t change at all, and their students are lucky to have them.
Just did a 3-day lodge trip! It was so amazing! Stayed at Black Bar Lodge & Paradise Lodge. Both were great and the food was awesome! The guides with OTT are very experienced and a lot of fun! I highly recommend this trip and can’t wait to do it again next year!
Had a great half day trip doing Nugget Falls. Now we can’t wait to do more rafting! Plus it sparked our interest in returning to kayak the Rogue. Highly recommend the tour company. Friendly folks at every stage. Great guide. He made the trip feel easy and there was some crazy water to navigate. Tons of fun.
9 years ago we drove down from Seattle and met up with our Oregon friends at Orange Torpedo and did our 1st rafting trip on the Rogue River. This trip as expected last weekend, did not disappoint. We had an amazing time, great trip with Orange Torpedo. Absolutely loved our guide, Will, very personable and knowledgeable... Couldn't have had a better experience, it just got better !
I have rafted with many different companies around the country, and this is without doubt the best. We did a 6 day row your own with them on the Main Salmon in mid June as we didn’t get a permit. Erik was incredibly accommodating with all the logistics (we rented rafts from them as well), always easy to reach and very helpful with all the questions. Plus the pricing was very affordable. The trip was amazing. Ryan, Tristan and Henry were fantastic. They got us all the best camp sites, showed us all the lines, the best hikes, the secret spots. We couldn’t believe how good the food was: they are masters of the dutch oven, with cinnamon rolls, cherry pie, and chocolate cake, and grilling steaks, fish, and barbecued chicken. The breakfast game is strong: eggs, burritos, french toast, sausages, and hash browns. It was a huge relief not having to do all the cooking and set up and to have their local knowledge to help keep us safe. They were so much fun to be around; we laughed a lot. Whether you are doing a regular or row your own, I highly recommend OTT. I’m sure all their river trips are great although I will always have a soft spot for the Main Salmon. Thanks guys.🙏
What an adventure! We rafted/kayaked the lower Salmon, 3 night/4 days and it was one of my favorite trips I have ever done. I highly recommend OTT. From booking to the very end it was all very well organized. Our guides (Ethan, Tristan, & Noah) were so amazing and so fun! The meals were outstanding and they were so good about telling us all sorts of facts and info about the area as we rode the river. The beauty of this section of the Salmon river can't even be captured in photos. Plus we also saw a lot of wildlife - river otters, golden/bald eagles, and mountain goats. This was our very first time doing something like this and we would definitely do it again through OTT.
Well what can say, but Wow! Our trip was phenomenal but we couldn’t do it without our amazing guides. Becka, Hayden, and JP did an outstanding job from cooking, story telling, and sharing adventures with us. This amazing people were humble and caring. There service was beyond words they all showed amazing care and delight. We will sure be back :) Becka - Caring adventurous leader Hayden- Wild, Joyful, determined JP- Humble, Wisdom, Funny
Rogue River Raft Trips Inc
6. Rogue River Raft Trips Inc
4.9
(18)
Travel agency
Tours
Slide 1 of 8
We had a great half day float with Rogue Rafting Co last month. What a fun stretch of river, it even had a few big(?!) rapids that got us all wet and super fun. Our guide Phil was amazing!! Felt like rafting with my buddies back on the Saco, he even told us about the plants and rocks and stuff on the river. The boats were nice, and the drop offs went quickly and smoothly as far as I could tell. We’ll definitely back back. Thanks y’all!
Great day on the river! Combination of 2-4 class rapids, with time in between to float and jump in the water. Guides were great and shared info about area on slower sections.
Guides were fantastic. Many years of rafting experience from all around the world! The three of four "rapids" we experienced were ho hum. The fourth was great. Scenery was awesome as were wild animals spotted along the trip. Felt completely safe the entire rafting trip. This is a great trip for individuals and families who want to experience rafting for the first time.
Wow! Did I say Wow? This was an amazing experience. The staff is knowledgeable, entertaining, and reassuring. My family and I have never gone rafting and this seemed to be a scary enterprise. Although thrilling, at no time did I feel concerned. What a beautiful country. We stayed at Morrison's Lodge and it was the frosting on the cake! Great place, amazing food, and oh let me say it again, WOW! We will be back!!!!
Amazing experience. A must do for locals and tourists alike. Travis is an excellent boat driver and very entertaining.
Really fun, our lead was fun, kept all of us informed on history of area, how to safely row... really enjoyed
Awesome rafting company with very experienced guides and a great variety of trips.... and morrisons lodge is a beautiful place to stay down on the river
Honestly worth the money. The whitewater trip is especially good.
OARS Rogue River Rafting
7. OARS Rogue River Rafting
4.9
(46)
Raft trip outfitter
Tours
Slide 1 of 8
Best trip ever!!!! Truly unforgettable. The guides were knowledgeable and made learning fun. The food was amazing. And the memories are priceless! Looking forward to my next trip with O.A.R.S.
Fantastic 3 night, 4 day trip down the Rogue. Weather was hot and beautiful. Came as a group of 4 and made 8 new friends. We had four guides who were outstanding: Andy (lead), Casey, Abby, Travis. All were kind, fun, and informative. We had delicious meals: salmon, tri-tip, enchiladas, lox & bagels, eggs benedict, chicken Caesar salad wraps, pancakes, and more. The camp sites were beautiful. While our trip was adults only, this would be a great trip for kids as well. There were options to just sit on the gear boats and enjoy the view, paddle on the paddle boat and get a bigger whitewater experience or get down in a kayak and really challenge yourself. This makes it very approachable for a wide range of ages. As a bonus we also had education on the history of the river and geology. Short day hikes, rock jumping into the river, and dips in a variety of swimming holes were also part of the trip. Overall would highly recommend a multi-day Rogue River excursion with OARS.
We did the 5 day Rogue River trip in May and it was fantastic. We were a group of old river guides coming together from across the country who can't seem to pull private permits anymore. Our group of guides - Nicole, Geoff, Jay and Kelby were top notch - I wish I'd been half the guide that they all were when I guided. Safety was the top priority - whether running rapids, leading the inflatable kayaks, hiking, getting in and out of the boats - they were on it. Lead Guide Nicole was a great communicator and we always knew what the plan was for the day. I appreciated her always giving us options. The food was unbelievably good and served with style (Kelby the French Waiter.) Geoff and Jay were incredibly easy to connect with and great listeners (we had a lot of stories to tell:) This was our 2nd trip with Oars but not our last.
Our 5 day, 4 night trip was a special time of all that the Rogue River has to offer with amazing OARS guides... we enjoyed delicious meals (seriously, we're talking eggs benedict, tri tip, salmon, fresh fruits and veggies, quinoa salad, chocolates, and more!) and camping riverside (and creekside), we explored waterfalls, canyons, and swimming holes, we saw bald eagles, otters, osprey, and more, we met new "river family" friends, and we were able to disconnect from technology while enjoying the leisurely pace making our way towards the coast on a beautiful river. Highly recommended!
OARS rowing clinic on the Rogue River in Southern Oregon was excellent, as expected: the guides, food, rafts, equipment, camp, organization, everything. Unlike regular guided trips where the guides are on the oars, this clinic has the clients on the oars. Our group had varied rowing skill, but our guides/instructors helped each client improve their individual skills. I'm considering taking this rowing clinic again at the start of each rowing as a tuneup for the start of the rafting season. Our guides love what they do and it shows, you won't be disappointed with OARS or the Rogue.
This was my first white water rafting trip at aged 71, so had a little trepidation about the trip. Those "fears" went immediately!. The guides were so knowledgeable, friendly, great cooks, safety conscious and so skilled in everything they do on the river. The scenery is spectacular and to have guides that were so capable meant that the whole trip was wonderful. There are other organizations conducting similar trips on the Rogue River but I have no hesitation in recommending OARS for your next adventure. We are already planning to return next year with our family. Thanks to Andy, Kate, John and Case for making this such a wonderful and thrilling experience. Richard Lawrence
My fourth trip with OARS was as outstanding as every one before it. Great registration process & pre-trip communication. Our Trip Leader, Andy, was excellent, as were Case, Kate and Jon. They're knowledgeable, personable, strong, and always so on top of everything in the river and with the guests. Experts in so many ways! The tents and sleeping kits were in great shape, and the option to raft, kayak or swim down the river (and rock jump, hike, and plunge in swimming holes) was appreciated. We loved the guides' environmental interpretation, optional games, and friendly interactions. They earned our deep respect and trust. And the mighty Rogue was a thing of beauty and peacefulness, with daily rapids that were navigable by raft and kayak, and wildlife ranging from bald eagles, to otters, to newts. It was a birthday I'll never forget, and an intro to OARS that will bring my novice friends coming back for more.
My second river trip with OARS. They are so very good at what they do: safety, fun, food. Crew worked very hard all day every day to bring guests a wonderful experience, and they did that with smiles on their faces, with humor, with enthusiasm for questions, with patience, with culinary skill. Five stars also for the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue: so lovely! Bald eagles, bears, mink, otters, deer, osprey, turtles, newts, tiny fish in the shallows. My thanks to trip leader Kate, paddle raft guides Sophie and Rachel, gear boat oarsmen Garett, Jay and Kelby, and swamper extraordinaire Kat. I’m home a day, and planning to sign on for another river with OARS.
River Dance Raft Rentals
8. River Dance Raft Rentals
4.8
(52)
Rafting
Tours
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Great family business with a goal to get everyone out to enjoy the Rogue River and its scenic views. You choose the type of 'ride' you want --- slow and steady floats, rapid riding etc. They have different rafts and rafting options to accommodate all interests and easy transportation to a number of drop off and pick up locations. We thoroughly enjoyed our Saturday float and picnic on the Rogue. Highly recommend.
These folks are awesome! They are great to work with, very helpful in figuring out how to suit plans for the group. We had a group of 35 people, and they had us outfitted with everything we needed, and adjusted as needed. Couldn’t have been happier with the service.
We have been going with them for 7 years. We love the owner Bob and all his crew. We start early and are able to pull out in Galice and have some lunch. We go all the way to Graves Creek. We love our summer trip down the Rogue. The business has sold and the new owners are great also. Their names are Keith and his wife Dani.
River Dance Raft Rentals was amazing today! I've been whitewater rafting before but it has always been with a guide so I was nervous about taking my family out today without a guide for the first time. They answered a ton of my questions and concerns and created a plan/route that would work best for my lack of experience. We rented a 12' raft so all five of us could be on the same raft together. They gave us tips for the water and we were safe and had a great time together. The shuttle service was amazing and made it even easier than expected. Most importantly, it was very affordable for all 5 of us to get on the water! We spent 2.5 hours out... since it's June (and was a cloud free day today), the sun was very intense so 2.5 hours was perfect for us (don't do any less than that). Be sure to wear high SPF sunscreen (swimshirts that cover your arms or legs would be wise). On the route we went on, there was a restroom at the first landing we came up on and also where our route ended (if that's a concern for you). Be aware other boats use the river but you can easily paddle out of their way. You can clip your phone to a dry bag on the boat so that you can take photos and not lose your phone (but you won't have service after about an hour in). A cooler is provided so bring ice, drinks, and food. There is not a lot of shady spots along the river to stop at but there are a few if you look out for them.
They did such a great job accommodating our big group of 60! We got our life jackets quickly, super helpful with the shuttling, and they were there to meet us at take out right on time. Keith and others did a great job helping me figure out the details and logistics of our trip. We really enjoyed working with them and the trip went off without a hitch!
Wonderful family owned business. The owners were very friendly and helpful. They provided us with life vests for us and our dog before shuttling us out to the river. I highly recommend.
Always helpful and efficient with drop offs and pick ups. We always use River Dance for our Rogue river fun days with our friends and family that come from our of town.
This is a small business family owned. That's killing it right now. Great prices. Friendly faces. Just a all-around good group of people down there.
Galice Resort
9. Galice Resort
4.4
(404)
Lodge
Convenience store
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My wife and I stayed at Galice Resort in June, 2024, prior to launching on the Rogue for the week. The cabin we stayed at was great, the lounging above the river near the lodge was really laid back, and Deb (owner) and staff were fantastic. We had never been to Galice prior to the fire that burned down the restaurant 2-3 years ago so we can't speak to the "good ol' days", but I will say we thoroughly enjoyed our time a couple weeks ago and can't speak highly enough about our stay. Thanks again, Deb, for being such a gracious host!
After the fire I thought it was over for Galice, but they're back and it's better than ever. Open air seating next to the river, food truck culinary service, music on the weekends, and they still have drinks, snacks, and swag inside the shop including a full bar and espresso drinks. There's no better weekend or quiet weekday venue in the Rogue Valley.
We were only there for music and drinks but it was wonderful! The staff are friendly and the setting couldn’t be better. Affordable drinks and a wide variety, especially when you are somewhat more remote and you can end up paying a premium for a limited offering. It was a treat to sit by the river with a fun local band. So glad we found this beautiful spot. Hope we can return soon.
We stayed in the Galice Retreat house. Very comfortable for all of us and (very important) enough bathrooms for us. The larger room with five beds did not have the curtains around each bed as in the pictures, but there was room to spread out. Kitchen had EVERYTHING! Unusual in rental houses, in our experience. Lovely deck under the trees with a river view. The road to the house is one lane and very twisty, which is challenging at night. We enjoyed our stay very much.
Oh, the memories. I first came to Galice Resort around 1983, the second of the many years I started rafting the Rogue River. I love this place. Gorgeous location. Good, kind people. I absolutely adore coming here. This is the splendor of southern Oregon at its best.
Beautiful setting, by the river. Staff were very nice and helpful. Food was served in a timely manner. I cannot give a thumbs up on the fish(cod). The coating was thick and the fish mushy. Coleslaw and tartar looked like they were stored in fridge, uncovered. Fries and ice cream were very good. I will try it again because it was a fun place. No fish, though.
After driving across the US sight seeing, we decided to take in the resort for a quick stop to reminisce our former residence 40 years prior and was met with an egotistic attitude from the barkeep that apparently thought that she was doing us a favor by selling us overpriced beer and gracing us with her presence. Nicely laid and decorated outside are the picnic tables to ensnare the would be traveler inside to view the overpriced souvenirs that cluttered the shop with junk store appearance and atmosphere. The Rogue seemed much smaller and creak sized probably giving way to the population that now line the once empty and wild forested road we heavily traveled many years ago. I was absolutely unimpressed with this resort, if it can be called one at all. Just a junk store that sells overpriced Draught. Gone are the days of loggers and the gold miners that gathered at Galice when it was wild and sparsely unpopulated. Not worth a second chance visit.
The rooms were beautiful and clean and air conditioned upon arrival with a deck that overlooked the rogue river and the live music. The service was spectacular and debbie was absolutely amazing.Along with the staff. The location is absolutely perfect because there is little to no cell service. So you get to concentrate on relationships and having fun and building memories. This is an amazing place to enjoy the laid back river lifestyle. Live Music food drinks, Ice cream and a gift store a long with a lot of out side games,and view of the senic Rogue River .
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