The Grande Ronde River, born high in the Wallowa Mountains in the Northeast corner of Oregon, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Nestled amidst snow-capped peaks and broad mountain valleys, this unexplored region offers a captivating mountain landscape that’s sure to leave you in awe.
The nearest city, La Grande, serves as the gateway to Hells Canyon country, inviting you to embark on an unforgettable journey. As you traverse the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, you’ll encounter charming historic towns like Enterprise and Joseph, each offering its own unique allure. Prepare to be enchanted as you explore every corner of this majestic area!
The surrounding area is brimming with adventures waiting to be discovered, from the rugged landscapes of the Hells Canyon Recreation Area to the pristine wilderness of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and the alpine-like Eagle Cap Wilderness.
For our 3-day trips, which meet in Minam, OR, the nearest city with hotels is La Grande, OR. The surrounding towns also offer a variety of accommodations to suit your travel plans. Whether you prefer a cozy hotel room or a rustic retreat, you’ll find options to fit your needs.
Accommodations Near Minam:
For our 5-day trips, we meet at the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel in Lewiston, ID which offers a range of lodging options for pre and post-trip stays.
Accommodations in Lewiston, ID:
Indulge in the rich farm-to-table food ethic of this ranching county, where smaller towns surprise you with a delightful variety of delicious dining options.
Local Eateries:
Dining in Lewiston, ID:
Lewiston, a major city in Idaho, boasts a diverse culinary scene where you can find just about every type of food you’re looking for. Here are a few recommended places to dine:
The North Santiam River offers a great introduction to whitewater rafting. Conveniently located near Salem and Portland, it's a great river to raft year round. Our half-day and full-day options include lots of swimming opportunities, crystal clear water and mild, splashy rapids like Spencer's Hole, Carnivore and Mill City Falls. It's a river rafting trip suitable for everyone, whether they be novices or a veteran rafter.
The beautiful McKenzie River is located just East of Eugene and is one of our favorite rafting runs in the Willamette Valley. Swift, crystal clear water moves along a tree-lined river bank and is full of fun Class II+ rapids. With half-day to two-day trips available, there is plenty of great camping, hiking, fishing and whitewater to enjoy.
The Wild & Scenic Sandy River is an early season delight, as the water generally starts to drop by early June. It courses its way down the slopes of Mt Hood and drops into the Cascade foothills before joining the Columbia River. A great option to see the lesser known portion of this surprising scenic trip that is still close to town.
Oregon's #1 most popular one-day white water rafting trip. The Wild & Scenic Deschutes River rafting trip flows through high desert with consistent and exciting Class III-IV white water rapids. Suitable for beginners, your rafting trip also features world-class fishing and lots of wildlife. This river is only 2 hours from Portland and offers lots of sunshine and swimming even when Western Oregon is cloudy.
The Wild & Scenic Clackamas River is rated as one of the best rafting adventures in Oregon and is only a 45 minute drive from Portland's East side. An unbeatable combination. Three thrilling Class II or Class III+ white water rafting trips are available to choose from. Our half-day trips on the Lower Clackamas are perfect for those new to rafting or with smaller kids. The Upper Clackamas offers a more thrilling rafting adventure. The full-day Upper Clackamas Experience is the most thrilling white water rafting trip we offer. This river has it all.
Our office is open 7 days a week during the months of April–October from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We are available for reservations and customer support during these hours. During the months of November-March are open Monday through Friday.
Oregon River Experiences offers trips launching from various points across Oregon. Detailed departure information for each river trip can be found on our individual trip pages.
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