Merlin Galice Area

The little hamlets of Merlin & Galice are located northeast of Grants Pass and is the home base for many outfitters and fishing guides. This and the fact that Merlin is close to the 84-mile segment of the Rogue River set aside by Congress under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, is why Merlin is known as the "Gateway To The Wild & Scenic Rogue River." See below for more River Info.

Also located nearby is the famous Hellgate Canyon (on Galice Hwy.) where the famous "Jump" segment of the movie "Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid" (starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford) and many other Westerns were filmed. Above Merlin is Grave Creek, the starting point for the 32 mile "wild" section of the Rogue River.
Great Fishing and rafting on the white waters are but some of the activities available in the Merlin & Galice area. One of the best hiking trails around is the famous Rogue River Wild and Scenic Trail which starts at Grave Creek above Merlin and runs downstream 40 miles through the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River to Foster Bar. A permit, available by lottery, is required in the summer for floating some sections of the river; contact US Forest Service, River Permits, 14335 Galice Rd., Merlin, OR 97532.

The Rogue River

This legendary river has long been a secret paradise for game fishermen and now you are invited to enjoy its long and entertaining history, filled with tales of gold, Indians and modern-day moviemaking.

The river's popularity is steadily growing as more and more visitors to Southern Oregon view the spectacular rapids and falls, and drink in the calm serenity of the still waters. Beautiful old-growth pines and twisted madrone grace the banks and deer graze in pastures bordering the water. Osprey fish for Chinook salmon while blue heron skim majestically along the sparkling waters. The Rogue River is the embodiment of the Oregon dream lifestyle, a relaxing haven away from the strife of modern city life. More often than not, visitors come for a week and stay for a lifetime. We here in Southern Oregon, invite you to do the same.

The Rogue's headwaters start at Crater Lake and twist and roar for 215 miles through the Cascade, Siskiyou and Coastal Ranges before spilling into the Pacific at Gold Beach. Numerous small towns dot its journey west, most notably the city of Rogue River, which took its name from the river itself. As the river leaves the Cascade range it winds its way through the Rogue valley. Gracious river homes line the banks where lucky residents live amongst the natural splendor. From the relative calm of the valley the river takes a dramatic turn as it enters the coastal range at Hellgate Canyon. From Hellgate for the next 60 miles the Rogue takes a wild and scenic trip through the coastal range towards its final destination: the Pacific Ocean.