If your idea of the perfect summer day includes equal parts adrenaline and nature, Hellgate Jetboat Excursions in Grants Pass is for you. For more than 60 years, this second-generation, family-run outfit has been helping visitors experience the raw, untamed beauty of the Wild and Scenic Rogue River — not from a distance but up close and at full throttle. From splash-filled spins to canyon runs and riverside meals, these guided jet-boat trips deliver full-contact access to one of Oregon’s most iconic waterways.
High-Speed Thrills, Exceptional Views and Local History
Each expert-guided trip with Hellgate Jetboat Excursions is led by a pilot who shares insider stories and river lore along the way, mixing natural history with white-knuckle maneuvers. Expect swift turns, sweeping views, 360-degree spins and the occasional bow dunk. Heads-up: You’ll definitely feel the spray no matter where you’re sitting, so come prepared to get wet. Want to get soaked? Grab a seat up front.
High-energy excursions ranging from one to five hours are offered from May through September, departing from docks near the Caveman Bridge in downtown Grants Pass. Trips are suitable for adults and kids alike (4 and up is the sweet spot), though the five-hour whitewater trip is for ages 5 and older. Now is the perfect time to book, since reservations are essential during the height of summer.
See Wildlife and Iconic Western Scenery
Don’t have much time? No problem. It doesn’t take long to get a taste of the majestic Rogue. Hellgate Jetboat Excursions’ one-hour, 14-mile River Run trip travels downstream to the mouth of the Applegate River. While the wind whips through your hair, you’ll get fantastic photo ops the whole time. Pilots might point out nesting osprey, bald eagles perched on snags or black-tailed deer at the water’s edge.
Have a little more time? The two-hour Quick and Scenic Excursion takes you deeper into Hellgate Canyon, combining history and wildlife with cinematic history. This 200-foot basalt canyon is the deepest on the Rogue River. Its dramatic rock walls and thick forests have been the backdrop for Hollywood hits like The River Wild, the TV series Gunsmoke and the famous jump scene in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Cap Outdoor Adventures With a Tasty Meal
Interested in a longer trip — and perhaps a relaxing meal? Opt for one of Hellgate Jetboat Excursions’ four- or five-hour trips, which include whitewater adventure plus a full meal at the historic Hellgate River Lodge Restaurant overlooking the Rogue. Exclusively accessible by jet boat, this restaurant serves all-inclusive family-style meals on an open-air covered deck surrounded by trees and set to the relaxing sounds of the river.
Choose from a midmorning Champagne brunch or a hearty dinner with Western vibes. Brunch features fresh fruit, house-baked breads, biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon, and bubbly. Dinner pairs cornbread with oven-roasted chicken or baby-back ribs, plus a seasonal crisp. Have special dietary needs? No sweat. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available with advance notice. Meals include beer and wine, and spirits and cocktails are available for purchase at the on-site Whiskey River Bar.
Hellgate Jetboat Excursions’ most epic adventure is a five-hour, 75-mile trip that goes through Hellgate Canyon and surfs a series of Class II whitewater rapids (just enough excitement to get the adrenaline pumping, but no need for technical skills). You’ll go all the way to Grave Creek, the start of the Rogue’s permit-only Wild and Scenic section. And yes, there’s food waiting for you on the way back. On the return, the boat stops at Hellgate River Lodge Restaurant, where you have the option of purchasing a brunch buffet.
Ready to Go?
Hellgate Jetboat Excursions run May through September in Grants Pass. Book online early, especially for summer weekends and longer excursions. Dress for the splash zone, bring your sense of adventure and let the Rogue River do the rest.
