Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Recreational Activities - Trails

Upper Rogue River Trail #1034

The Upper Rogue River Trail is located along the Upper Rogue Wild and Scenic River. This trail is split up into the following seven section:

1. Crater Rim Viewpoint to Hamaker Campground
2. Hamaker Campground to Foster Creek Trailhead
3. Foster Creek Trailhead to Big Bend Trailhead
4. Big Bend Trailhead to Natural Bridge Viewpoint
5. Natural Bridge Viewpoint to Woodruff Bridge Picnic Area
6. Woodruff Bridge Picnic Area to River Bridge Campground
7. River Bridge Campground to Prospect

Larger maps available here. Click map numbers for individual trail section information below.

1. Crater Rim Viewpoint to Hamaker Campground

Season:	June through October
Elevation:	5,200 to 4,000 Feet
Length:	9.3 Mile
User Groups and Difficulty Rating:			More Difficult - Hiker
Prohibited User Groups:
Trail is Not Designed for:	Pack and Saddle, Mountain Bike, Motorized Bike, ATV, 4-Wheel Drive, Barrier Free
Level of Use:
Facilities:
Maps:	Prospect Ranger District Map USGS Quad(s): •
Fee:

Description: Beginning at the Crater Rim Viewpoint, this trail passes through a stand of lodgepole pine. The trees show how hard it is for vegetation to grow on the frothy ash that covered the area when Mt. Mazama erupted over 6,800 years ago.

Approximately 0.5 mile after leaving the trailhead, the Boundary Springs Trail intersects with the Upper Rogue River Trail. This trail provides a 7.2 mile link for those wishing to connect with the Pacific Crest Trail. The Upper Rogue River Trail continues to the right at this junction and heads downstream. The next two miles offers spectacular views. One vista overlooks a sharp hairpin turn sculpted into the cliff by the river. Just beyond this, Ruth Falls can be heard far below. A steep, unstable pumice cliff prevents more than a glimpse of the falls through the trees. Two miles further downstream, the trail approaches Rough Rider Falls. The trail leaves the river at this point and travels 2.5 miles through the woods, crossing Forest Service road 6530 and returning to the river's edge at Hamaker Campground on Forest Service road 900.

Access: From Prospect, travel north on Highway 62 until you reach the junction with Highway 230. Continue north on Highway 230 for approximately 16.5 miles until you reach the Crater Rim Viewpoint. This is where the trail begins.

2. Hamaker Campground to Foster Creek Trailhead

Season:	June through October
Elevation:	5,200 Feet
Length:	10.0 Miles
User Groups and Difficulty Rating:			More Difficult - Hiker
			More Difficult - Pack and Saddle
Prohibited User Groups:
Trail is Not Designed for:	Mountain Bike, Motorized Bike, ATV, 4-Wheel Drive, Barrier Free
Level of Use:
Facilities:
Maps:	Prospect Ranger District Map USGS Quad(s): •
Fee:

Description: Ten miles of trail follow this meandering section of the Upper Rogue River as it winds through marshy meadows and carves channels in buff-colored pumice.

This section of the river trail begins on Forest Service road 900, across from Hamaker Campground. The trail heads away from the river through a stand of white fir and western white pine. It joins the river 2.0 miles later near the confluence of Muir Creek and the Upper Rogue River.

The trail continues south through grassy meadows with alder thickets and huckleberry bushes bordering the marshy river channel. After crossing Hurryon Creek, the grade fluctuates as the trail crosses a series of pumice banks before reaching the riverbank again near Highway Falls. The river pours over a short section of rapids, then turns sharply south to parallel Highway 230.

Beyond Highway Falls, the trail climbs to the top of a pumice cliff and offers a dramatic view of the river, finding its way through a maze of logjams far below. The trail descends with a series of switchbacks to the riverbank, following it closely through a secluded stand of mature forest. After crossing National Creek on a foot log, the trail climbs to Forest Service road 6530, crosses the river on the road bridge embankment to continue south along the west bank. The last 0.5 mile of trail climbs along the pumice road cut overlooking the highway and drops through a series of switchbacks to the Foster Creek Trailhead.

Access: Follow Highway 62 northeast until you reach the junction with Highway 230. Travel north on Highway 230 for approximately 14 miles until you reach the 6530 road. Turn right and follow this road until you reach the 900 road. Trail begins east of Hamaker Campground.

3. Foster Creek Trailhead to Big Bend Trailhead

Season:	June through October
Elevation:
Length:	7.0 Miles
User Groups and Difficulty Rating:			Easiest - Hiker
			Easiest - Pack and Saddle
Prohibited User Groups:	Mountain Bike, Motorized Bike, ATV, 4-Wheel Drive
Trail is Not Designed for:	Barrier Free
Level of Use:
Facilities:
Maps:	Prospect Ranger District Map USGS Quad(s): •
Fee:

Description: For 7 miles of easy walking, the trail explores a peaceful section of the Upper Rogue River Canyon, then continues south to join Hershberger road 6510. The scene is unique because it reveals the Rogue's continuing struggle to recover from the pumice avalanche that buried its channel during the eruptions of Mt. Mazama. Eroded pumice bluffs and exposed lava rock from earlier lava flows testify to the river's erosive abilities. Here, the Rogue follows a meandering path through a maze of abandoned oxbows, peninsulas, and forested islands.

Leaving from the Foster Creek trailhead on Highway 230, the trail fords Foster Creek and finds its way through a brushy riparian thicket into a mature conifer forest. A varied array of small plants carpets the forest floor. The most common species are vanilla leaf, squaw carpet, Oregon grape, inside-out flower, pinemat manzanita, and wild strawberry.

About 1.0 mile downstream, the trail leaves the river for a short time to climb a pumice cliff. The trail also passes through one of many marshy areas inhabited by skunk cabbage and a variety of small water creatures.

Besides the abundant wildlife of the area, cattle are frequently seen grazing in the meadows along the riverbank. Several large logjams slow the flow of the river and offer shelter for cutthroat trout. Five miles downstream, on the south side of the footbridge, the trail passes the abandoned 0.5 mile trail west to the old Brown's Cabin trailhead. Brown's Cabin was the site of an early day Forest Service ranger station. Continuing south, the trail climbs and traverses a pumice bluff with views of the rapids below. The trail follows the river's edge as it winds around Big Bend and terminates on Forest Service road 6510, one mile from the junction with Highway 230.

Access:

4. Big Bend Trailhead to Natural Bridge Viewpoint

Season:	June through October
Elevation:	3,300 Feet
Length:	7.0 Miles
User Groups and Difficulty Rating:			More Difficult - Hiker
Prohibited User Groups:
Trail is Not Designed for:	Pack and Saddle, Mountain Bike, Motorized Bike, ATV, 4-Wheel Drive, Barrier Free
Level of Use:
Facilities:
Maps:	Prospect Ranger District Map USGS Quad(s): •
Fee:

Description: The trail rises and falls with frequent switchbacks following gullies in the terrain. Two miles south, a steep forested slope overlooks Farewell Bend Campground across the Upper Rogue River. At the southern end of the campground area, the trail momentarily descends to river level to view the river raging through the long, narrow chute of a collapsed lava tube. Continuing south, the trail will wander away from the river.

One mile south of the Flat Creek crossing, the trail junctions with a tie-thru trail which leads to a footbridge crossing the Upper Rogue River. This bridge provides access to the Rogue Gorge Trail and the north end of the Natural Bridge Campground. Continuing south on the Upper Rogue River Trail for the final mile of this segment leads to the Natural Bridge Viewpoint and footbridge. This area is 0.5 mile west of Highway 62, accessible by Forest Service road 300.

NOTE: Flat Creek has no bridge and must be waded. Water levels can be high in spring and after heavy rains.

Access: The trail begins at the Big Bend trailhead on Forest Service road 6510, 1 mile west of Highway 230. The route starts at the road, climbs a rocky embankment, and traverses a steep slope overlooking the Upper Rogue River. A brief opening in the trees offers a glimpse of Fish Mountain to the north.

5. Natural Bridge Viewpoint to Woodruff Bridge Picnic Area

Season:	June through October
Elevation:
Length:	3.5 Miles
User Groups and Difficulty Rating:			Easiest - Hiker
Prohibited User Groups:
Trail is Not Designed for:	Pack and Saddle, Mountain Bike, Motorized Bike, ATV, 4-Wheel Drive, Barrier Free
Level of Use:
Facilities:
Maps:	Prospect Ranger District Map USGS Quad(s): •
Fee:

Description: Natural Bridge, a feature with geologic, historic and scenic interest, marks the beginning of this 3.5 mile section of the trail. The route follows the Upper Rogue River bank along a picturesque and diverse section of the river.

At Natural Bridge, the river is swallowed by an underground maze of lava tubes. A fraction of the flow is released into a small pool directly below the bridge. The remainder of the diverted water surges back to the surface and is visible from the viewpoint bridge. The largest of these angles out from under the east bank into the main channel, returning the river to its full strength.

The trail begins 0.5 mile west of Highway 62, near the Natural Bridge Viewpoint bridge. The route winds along the bank over a rough tread of mossy lava rock which becomes very slippery in wet weather. Vegetation along the trail alternates between sheltering old-growth forest and brush, while the river's character varies between rapids and pools of quiet water. The trail climbs high above the river where it bends sharply and rages through the narrow chute of a collapsed lava tube. This beautiful rapids is known as Knob Falls.

As the trail approaches Woodruff Bridge, several old skid roads are encountered. A developed picnic area is available at Woodruff Bridge. This is also a favorite fishing spot. Please use caution around the water - the river is dangerous due to extremely cold water and a strong, forceful current.

Access:

6. Woodruff Bridge Picnic Area to River Bridge Campground

Season:	June through October
Elevation:	2,700 Feet
Length:	4.6 Miles
User Groups and Difficulty Rating:			Easiest - Hiker
Prohibited User Groups:
Trail is Not Designed for:	Pack and Saddle, Mountain Bike, Motorized Bike, ATV, 4-Wheel Drive, Barrier Free
Level of Use:
Facilities:
Maps:	Prospect Ranger District Map USGS Quad(s): •
Fee:

Description: The wild raging character of the Upper Rogue River passing through Takelma Gorge is a key attraction on this section of the Upper Rogue River Trail.

Beginning from the Woodruff Bridge Picnic Area on Forest Service road 68, the trail heads downstream past a scarred, eroded pumice slope on the opposite bank. Alder, vine maple, cow parsnip, and horsetail line the river until it reaches the dark-colored lava cliffs of Takelma Gorge, 1.5 miles south. Here the river drops through a series of rapids and turns sharply to enter the gorge itself. The narrow channel continues for 0.5 miles. This section of trail has a rocky tread with a few steeper grades.

Below Takelma Gorge, the river widens and flows calmly past the Union Rogue Baptist Church Camp, while the trail returns to pumice flats along the river. Raptors, such as the shy goshawk, can be seen on this section of the river. The trail ends at the River Bridge Campground on Forest Service road 6210.

Access: From Prospect drive north on Hwy. 62 until you reach the Woodruff Bridge Picnic Area. You will see the trailhead.

7. River Bridge Campground to Prospect

Season:	June through October
Elevation:
Length:	6.5 Miles
User Groups and Difficulty Rating:			Easiest - Hiker
Prohibited User Groups:
Trail is Not Designed for:	Pack and Saddle, Mountain Bike, Motorized Bike, ATV, 4-Wheel Drive, Barrier Free
Level of Use:
Facilities:
Maps:	Prospect Ranger District Map USGS Quad(s): •
Fee:

Description: This section of the Upper Rogue River Trail parallels a quiet stretch of Upper Rogue River and ends at a small diversion reservoir 1.0 mile south of the forest boundary. This reservoir joins with waters from the South Fork of the Rogue and are diverted through two wooden penstocks (pipes) to a hydroelectric power plant.

The trail begins at River Bridge Campground, located 1.0 mile west of Highway 62 on Forest Service road 6210, and heads down river along the east bank. The trail crosses a brushy, sandy beach piled with driftwood and enters a stand of tall sugar pine, which has carpeted the forest floor with its needles and cones. Occasional views of the river occur where the trail nears the edge of 20-foot bluffs bordering the river channel.

The last 4 miles of trail leave the river and wind through a stand of younger trees. The backwaters of the reservoir are visible as the trail returns to the riverbank. It then joins and follows an old road to the picnic area at the edge of the reservoir. A 0.5 mile access road connects to Hwy. 62 from the dam, marking the end of the Upper Rogue River Trail.

Access: