Jerry's Rogue River Jet Boat

Friday | 1 June 2007 | Gold Beach, Oregon: After visiting Gold Beach three times recently, today we were finally successful in the weather department and took an all-day, 104-mile round-trip ride up the Rogue River from Gold Beach on a jet boat. We chose Jerry's Rogue Jets. The boat stops at Agness, Oregon on the way up for a few minutes and then again on the way back for a 90 minutes lunch break. The Rogue River is designated a Wild & Scenic River. There are only six jet boat permitted up the river daily and rafting is also regulated. There is no commercial development along the river - save for the teeny community of Agness. Agness is so isolated, the jet boats still deliver the mail, though there is now a winding, narrow road from Gold Beach to Agness.

We left the dock at 8 am and returned at 4 pm. The trip cost $84 per adult, lunch is not included. Souvenir photo was $5.75. It was cold and windy in Gold Beach, so we dressed in layers - knowing it was going to be in the 80's up river.

The tourist photo, (left) was taken by Jerry's photographer as we cross under the bridge at Gold Beach. We are in the third row (I am in yellow, wearing my big hat!). Unless otherwise noted, all photos today are by DT.

Leaving the dock, our first wildlife sighting of the day occurred - California Sea Lions, sleeping on the boat dock. They were barking like mad as we went by.

California Sea Lions


Sittin' by the dock of the bay


Isaac Lee Patterson Bridge:
Where Highway 101 crosses the Rogue River at Gold Beach


About five miles upriver we saw several groups of harbor seals on a sand bar.


Merganser hen with chicks. This duck nests in trees!


We passed many fishermen today; this is only guy we saw with a fish.


We saw many bald eagles today - in trees and flying overhead.


Three bear were spotted today - one was up a tree!


Tons of Blacktail deer too.


Entering one of the canyons.


River rats: we are soaked! (photo by complete stranger)

The boat pilot loved doing "360's" in the water, soaking us all and going fast up rapids so the boat would crash back down onto the waves and force gallons of water into the boat. It was fun upstream, as it was really hot - we didn't dry off until after lunch and then we soaked us a little more on the ride home.

Lunch on the patio at Singing Springs Resort (photo by tgt)

The tour went up river to Blossom Bar, where rocky rapids prevent boats from continuing. At Blossom Bar, our jet boat turned around and we stopped at Agness for a one-hour lunch break before continuing back to Gold Beach.

I won't say the lunch at Singing Springs Resort was gourmet, but it was decent enough and well-priced (considering they had you hostage and could have charged as much as they pleased to hungry people in the middle of nowhere). Singing Springs Resort had a full menu of burgers and sandwiches and also had a buffet for $12 that included several types of meats (yummy fried chicken) and side dishes, a huge and impressive salad bar and also a dessert buffet. Singing Springs is a beautiful property and a great place to dry-off in the sun after lunch.

DT dries off in the warm Oregon sun. (photo by tgt)


Our jet boat waits at the Singing Springs Resort dock
 to take us back to Gold Beach (photo by tgt)

It was a great day - and I highly recommend the trip and Jerry's Rogue Jets. There are two mail/jet boat companies in Gold Beach. Both offer basically the same rides for the same price. I would suggest the 101-mile trip that goes up into the gorge. But if have youngsters or very elderly people in your group - it may be too long of a day for them. You will get wet and the ride isn't exactly smooth - it is exhilarating. Not only did we see the wildlife photographed above, we saw otter, many osprey, turtles, geese, herons, cormorants and many other birds. The Rogue River is gorgeous - so green and so clean. Just a wonderful day. Don't miss a ride up the Rogue River if you have the chance.

Gold Beach was still covered in cold fog. It was 60 degrees! We were back to all our layers by the time we arrived back to the dock, but we were really cold because we were still wet. Back to the RV as quickly as possible and into hot showers. Ah. We are both exhausted too - strange since we sat down nearly all day.

Shabbat Shalom from our motor home!

RV Park: Ireland's Ocean RV Park