Merlin

At the gateway to the Wild and Scenic Rogue River, the Southern Oregon town of Merlin is a watery heaven.

Rafters and kayakers delight in the white-water action, and fly-fishermen are hooked on world-class fishing. Hike the 40-mile river trail, and check out Hellgate Canyon, made famous in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and still a Wild West of natural beauty. Study the habits of wild creatures at the local wildlife preserve.

Southern Oregon

Nearby cities: Grants Pass, Wilderville, Wolf Creek, Murphy, Rogue River

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Wildlife Images Heals the Animal World

Wildlife Images, a refuge and rehabilitation center in Southern Oregon, sees more than 1,000 injured animals and birds come through its doors every year. Most are kept out of the public eye, rehabilitated and rereleased...

Eileen Garvin
Campers Flock to Indian Mary Park

It's no surprise that Indian Mary Park, a 61-acre park located in Merlin, about 16 miles northwest of Grants Pass, is the most sought after campground in Josephine County. The park borders the Rogue River...

Tara Corbin
Golden Getaway at Galice Resort

On the edge of the Rogue River National Forest, beyond the town of Merlin, is a magical place. It sits on the river wild, where Oregon's history and nature collide, waiting for adventurers to arrive....

Adam Smith

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Ask Oregon

Are there hikes near Rogue River (the city) that reach an elevation of 1,500 feet?

I love your question! Like you, I must have elevation hiking, and I live near Rogue River. My Adam Sawyer has written a book on waterfall hikes in Southern Oregon; he also wrote a Travel Oregon story about specific waterfall hikes along the Umpqua and Rogue River. You can also go the other direction from Rogue…