Grande Ronde River Rafting

The Grande Ronde River flows through a spectacular canyon in the northeast corner of Oregon and the extreme southeast corner of Washington. The fast-flowing but gentle river is a great introduction to rafting and perfect for family adventures. Campsites are on the slopes of the river, set beneath ponderosa pines, fir trees and among wildflowers and grasses. Wildlife viewing, mountain scenery and hiking are some of the highlights on this trip. 

In 1988, recognizing the tremendous beauty and outstanding resource values of the river canyon, Congress protected 44 miles of the Grande Ronde as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers system. Our trip floats through evergreen forests with towering ponderosa pines anchored on steep mountainsides. The mountains and river canyon are accented with black basalt cliffs that were created millions of years ago during the great Columbia Basin lava flows. The river corridor has a complex ecosystem rich in plant and animal life.

This is the heart of the homeland of the Chief Joseph band of the Nez Perce.  We honor their legacy. Once they roamed freely here, living off the land that was and is still replete with wildlife. Elk, deer and black bear may be seen on the upper stretches while big horn sheep are often perched on the cliffs of the lower river. Birds of prey commonly soar and hunt the wooded hillsides.

The Grande Ronde comes from a relatively small watershed so our trips take place from late spring to early summer. Your white water rafting trip begins at Minam (elevation 2500’) on the Wallowa River, for a fast-paced 10 miles before the Wallowa joins the Grande Ronde River at Rondowa. 

We offer a 3-day trip from Minam to the Powatka bridge near Troy and includes 10 miles on the Wallowa River followed by another 30 miles on the Grande Ronde (40 miles total).  Our 5-day trip also starts at Minam, floats 10 miles on the Wallowa and then another 81 miles to end at Heller Bar ((91 miles total).  Hellar Bar is just a few hundred yards below the confluence of the Grande Ronde and the Snake River, located at an elevation of 850’.

Images & Videos

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Oregon's Grande Ronde River
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Grand Ronde Rafting Tours
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kids on a rafting tour
Oregon's Grande Ronde River
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instrument in mans hands
guided tours on the grand ronde river
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Grande Ronde River in Oregon
food during a rafting trip
guides on the grand ronde river
Grand Ronde Rafting Tours
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cooking on the river

Itinerary

Day 0 - Travel & Arrival

Travel from your home to stay in the vicinity of La Grande or Enterprise, Oregon and overnight in your choice of accommodation.

  • Accommodations: Not Included in trip cost - Make your reservations early
  • Meals: NA

 
Day 1 - Orientation Meeting, Rafting and Riverside Camping

Meet your ROW Team Leader at 9:30 AM at the river put-in at Minam, Oregon. We welcome you with a 30-minute orientation meeting to answer your last-minute questions and pack the waterproof gear bags we will give you at this meeting.  Then as your gear is loaded onto our rafts we give a safety talk to prepare you for the river.
 
We launch where the Minam and Wallowa rivers join and begin a fast-paced float through a gorgeous canyon of pine-scented air and colors of deep green.  There are a few riffles and small rapids to liven things up.  We stop for lunch to soak in the scenery and replenish our energy.  Afterwards the river carries us downstream to our evening camp set beneath dramatic mountains among the trees.
 
After tents are set up, there’s time for relaxing before our delicious appetizers are served, followed by dinner.  As the stars sparkle in the sky our campfire crackles and stories begin.

  • Accommodations: Riverside camping
  • Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 - Paddle Down River, Hiking, Camping

We rise to fresh mountain air and the smell of coffee on the fire.  There’s time to savor the surroundings, and enjoy life unplugged from phones and the internet.  After a filling breakfast we load the rafts and begin our day’s journey downriver.  Scenes of mountain splendor and stories from your guides make the day full of richness.  We stop for lunch and to stretch our legs, continue on and arrive in camp late afternoon for another wonderful evening and night under the stars.

  • Accomodations: Riverside camping
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 
Day 3 - Rafting to Take-Out at Powatka Bridge

You’re feeling like an old hand at rafting by now, and once again we pack up, load up the rafts and begin our day on the water.  The river canyon is steep and black basalt cliffs accent the slopes dotted with the blooms of bright yellow mullen and expanses of green grasses. After lunch we reach our take-out point at Powatka Bridge where your car is waiting.

  • Accommodations: Not Included in trip cost - Make your reservations early
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

 
Please Note: The cost of the shuttle to move your car from Minam to the take-out is not included and is approximately $125.  For groups of 10 or more we can arrange transportation from the airport at Pendleton, OR or Lewiston, ID.

Day 0 - Travel & Arrival

Travel from your home to stay in the vicinity of La Grande or Enterprise, Oregon and overnight in your choice of accommodation.

  • Accommodations: Not Included in trip cost - Make your reservations early
  • Meals: NA

 
Day 1 - Orientation Meeting, Rafting and Riverside Camping

Meet your ROW Team Leader at 9:30 AM at the river put-in at Minam, Oregon. We welcome you with a 30-minute orientation meeting to answer your last-minute questions and pack the waterproof gear bags we will give you at this meeting.  Then as your gear is loaded onto our rafts we give a safety talk to prepare you for the river.
 
We launch where the Minam and Wallowa rivers join and begin a fast-paced float through a gorgeous canyon of pine-scented air and colors of deep green.  There are a few riffles and small rapids to liven things up.  We stop for lunch to soak in the scenery and replenish our energy.  Afterwards the river carries us downstream to our evening camp set beneath dramatic mountains among the trees.
 
After tents are set up, there’s time for relaxing before our delicious appetizers are served, followed by dinner.  As the stars sparkle in the sky our campfire crackles and stories begin.

  • Accommodations: Riverside camping
  • Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 - Paddle Down River, Hiking, Camping

We rise to fresh mountain air and the smell of coffee on the fire.  There’s time to savor the surroundings, and enjoy life unplugged from phones and the internet.  After a filling breakfast we load the rafts and begin our day’s journey downriver.  Scenes of mountain splendor and stories from your guides make the day full of richness.  We stop for lunch and to stretch our legs, continue on and arrive in camp late afternoon for another wonderful evening and night under the stars.

  • Accomodations: Riverside camping
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 
Day 3 - Rafting, Bogan's Oasis, Camping

You’re feeling like an old hand at rafting by now, and once again we pack up, load up the rafts and begin our day on the water. The river canyon is steep and black basalt cliffs accent the slopes dotted with the blooms of bright yellow mullen and expanses of green grasses. Before long we pass by the small town of Troy, where John Fogerty, legendary American singer, musician and songwriter of Credence Clearwater Revival, had a home for a spell.  The Wenaha river flows from the Blue Mountains into the Grande Ronde here as it leaves the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness Area. A road from Troy parallels the river for the next 10 miles until we reach Bogan’s Oasis and here, the river and road go their separate ways again.  
 
Because we’ve dropped in elevation significantly since our launch, the scenery has changed dramatically, the land is drier and there are fewer trees.  We continue as the river carries us onward, with fantastic scenes of the American West. Steep mountains, the winding river, soaring eagles and clean, fresh air highlight our travels.

  • Accomodations: Riverside camping
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 
Day 4 - Rafting, Geology & Natural History, Camping

Another glorious morning greets us and the easy-going pace of river life is feeling good. We’ve now moved from Oregon into Washington state, but the river doesn’t care.  Our morning flows naturally as we pack up and once again begin our float on the rushing waters of the Grande Ronde. Our guides tell stories of the river’s geology and other natural history.  Learning and discovery are woven into our trips in a fun and engaging way.
 
After lunch, we continue on until we reach our last night’s camp on the banks of the river. While a few ponderosa pines are scattered on the hillsides, we now also see native netleaf hackberry along the riparian zone.  This unique ecosystem is home to a host of wildlife and with luck we may see bighorn sheep and mule deer as we float.
 
At our last night’s camp we celebrate our river odyssey with stories around the campfire and a final night under the stars.

  • Accomodations: Riverside camping
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 
Day 5 - The Narrows, Confluence with the Snake River in Hells Canyon, Take-Out at Heller Bar

A bountiful breakfast is an Epicurean treat, and soon we’re back on the water.  We have one rapid of note today, called the Narrows.  It’s quick and splashy and soon we reach the confluence with the Snake River in Hells Canyon, another river where we offer trips.
Our take-out is at Heller Bar and your car is waiting for you there.

  • Accommodations: Not Included in trip cost - Make your reservations early
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

 
Please Note: The cost of the shuttle to move your car from Minam to the take-out is not included and is approximately $185.  For groups of 10 or more we can arrange transportation from the airport at Pendleton, OR or Lewiston, ID.

Dates & Rates

Supplementary Information

Please note: The Grande Ronde River Rafting trip is offered by request for groups of 10 or more. If you're intested, please contact our team of Adventure Consultants for additional information. 

3-day Grande Ronde Rafting Trip

  • Departures: available upon request for groups of 10 or more

  • Adult Price: $1290, Youth Price: $1210

*Minimum of ten guests required to guarantee departure. 

5-day Grande Ronde Rafting Trip

  • Departures: available upon request for groups of 10 or more
  • Adult Price: $1990, Youth Price: $1860

TRIP INCLUDES: 

  • Services of our talented adventure consultants and professional guides
  • Hand-crafted itineraries
  • All meals/beverages as indicated in the itinerary (including beer and wine) 
  • Clean drinking water available at all times
  • All rafting/camping gear 
  • Specialized equipment needed for activities such as helmets, paddles, personal flotation devices, etc.
  • Private pre-tour orientation meeting
  • Transportation to/from river meeting points

DOES NOT INCLUDE: 

  • 6% Land and water access fee
  • Airfare/transportation to beginning and ending points
  • Shuttling your car from launch to take out point if driving 
  • Gratuities for guides
  • Travel protection plan
  • Pre & post-trip hotel reservations
  • Items of a personal nature

ROW Inc., doing business as ROW Adventures is proud to be an Equal Opportunity recreation service provider.  ROW Inc. operates under a special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service in the Umatilla National Forest.   All our operations and facilities are operated on a non-discriminatory basis.

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