One of the eight original rivers designated Wild and Scenic in 1968, Oregon's Rogue offers some of the best and most accessible wilderness rafting in the western United States. Running 215 miles from Crater Lake to the Pacific Ocean, the section from Grave Creek to Foster Bar, managed by the BLM, carves through the Siskiyou Mountains northwest of Grants Pass, Oregon. It's three days and 33 miles of river canyon wilderness from put-in to takeout. No Cars. No Roads. No Safeway.

The paddling crosses through a rugged, remote canyon with lots of class III whitewater and a couple of technical class IVs, like huge boulders clogging the flow at Rainie Falls and Blossom. There are flat sections and deep sturgeon pools framed by steep canyon walls. There's lots of history to consider, readily available maps and guidebooks and lodges or camping along the way. So if you find yourself pining for something more than a daytrip (and can successfully navigate the BLM's permit system), give the wild section of the Rogue a try.

Guide services on the Rogue are available—but they aren't cheap at an average of $500 to $700 for three to four days on the river—better to outfit a trip for yourself at a fraction of the cost. If you do it yourself, figure costs for permits ($12 each), vehicle shuttle ($55 per vehicle), gas, food and miscellaneous gear expenses. If you're spending more than $150 each, you're spending too much.

Permits
If you are boating the wild section in the summer (May 15 to October 15), you need a private party float permit. The BLM conducts a lottery system for those permits from December through January. They allow for 120 people per day, notifying awarded parties around the first of March. Float openings may still available after the lottery process due to cancellation and are given away beginning the first business day in April on a first come, first served basis.

Check out the BLM's website (http://www.or.blm.gov/Rogueriver/) for updated permit information. The website also offers extensive links regarding general recreation issues, river flows and weather, maps, car shuttle services, camping, lodges and guide services.

If you didn't get a permit or procrastinated, pick your target date and keep checking the website. Snagging last minute float dates is easiest two weeks prior to your target, as private parties are required to confirm or cancel by then&151; there's also the day of (if you care to sweat it out), when commercial cancellations kick-in.

"The paddling crosses through a rugged, remote canyon with lots of class III whitewater and a couple of technical class IVs, like huge boulders clogging the flow at Rainie Falls and Blossom."

Prep
The wild Rogue is a wilderness stretch of water, so treat your trip as you would any backpacking or camping trip unless you've arranged accommodations at one of the several lodges along the way. Carefully consider food, water, fire, shelter, clothing (no cotton) and a portable toilet (required) approved for river-running. The Rand Visitor's Station has maps and literature available regarding the many campsites. Employ the “Leave No Trace” ethic during your trip and you'll be okay.

While on the river be aware of bears and other wildlife including otters, osprey, bald eagles, elk and deer—but particularly the bears. Ask about any recent bear encounters when you check-in at the Rand Visitor's. Bears have become bold and unafraid of humans due to lack of care in safeguarding food and garbage. Keep a clean camp and secure all cooler, food, trash and cooking supplies. DO NOT keep food in your tent.

Whitewater
With your permit and gear packed safely in drybags, now for the fun stuff. Whether you are in a kayak, canoe, inflatable kayak, raft, or drift boat, you'll find the water varied and challenging and the river canyon spectacular. Dam controlled flows are normally above 2,000 cfs and the river is runnable throughout the year.

The BLM and Forest Service offer excellent maps showing rapids by river mile and class and there are several more complete guidebooks available, including Handbook to the Rogue River Canyon by James A. Quin, and trip descriptions in Soggy Sneakers: A Guide to Oregon Rivers and Oregon River Tours.

With 33 miles of river to navigate, it's best to break your trip up into three or four days, planning for the camp you want realizing that when you get there it may be taken. The campsites are not marked along the river. Use a guidebook or the BLM map to help you find your way. Be open to the possibility of continuing downstream to the next available site.