My husband and I just returned from a 3 day Orange Torpedo Trip (OTT) down the Rogue River in southern Oregon and we cannot write enough good things about this outfitter. From start to finish this experience was top-notch. The guides were so great, experienced, professional (in a good way!) and extremely personable. They made sure we had everything we needed/wanted and fed us well on the riverside lunch pullovers. A special shout out to our raft guide, Billy. This man is THE BEST! Billy is a seasoned veteran of the river, having grown up in the area as a river guide and fishing guide for decades. He schooled us on river history and legend and kept us laughing with his jokes and humor. The overnight accommodations at the lodges were also really great. Rustic yet very comfortable and each meal that was served was excellent. I really loved the family style dinners and breakfasts and appreciated the time to get to know new people and share our experiences during of the day. So now to the scenery; there is so much undisturbed beauty on the Rogue. Along with the beauty of the river and canyon itself, we saw a couple of bears, lots of deer, bald eagles, hawks, osprey and even a mink on our trip. Oh, yeah, and the rapids were pretty fun, too! Experiencing Mary's Pot Hole will NOT be forgotten. All-in-all, I highly recommend Orange Torpedo Trips if you're planning a wild country adventure. Watch out, OTT, we're comin' for you next year, hopefully with some kiddos in tow! read more

Orange Torpedo Trips - Kayaking down the beautiful Rogue River - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Merlin, Oregon

You down wit OTT? Yeah, you know me. The 4 hour trip was not at all what I had expected, but it was fun nonetheless and I highly recommend the trip. First, I was getting mixed messages about the dangers and thrills. A guy at the hotel said it's a piece of cake. But one my friends had his cousin pop out of a raft, get stuck underneath, and came out with his eyes rolled back. But the website makes it sound super safe. But then I tore off all my fingernails as the guides went over safety protocol and would have started on the toes if I could have reached them. And then our raft went down the "Class IV" rapids with no problem. But the raft after us tipped over! So... what to think? Well, this stretch of river is safe and I believe the only true danger is NOT following protocol IF you tip over, which is feet up and facing down the river. And, though I thought the ride might be unstable, you're actually instructed to stop paddling, lean toward the middle, keep your feet braced, and hold on to handles, so nobody should be worried. Keep your fingernails. Second, I thought it was going to be tiring, but for 95% of the ride you are not paddling, which was a huge surprise. Most of the ride will be relaxing and/or conversing. For that reason, I recommend getting on Hayden's boat, if you have a choice. I told him he reminded me of Jeff Spicoli, but he was too young to get the reference so I changed it to Crush from Finding Nemo. Crush is basically a turtle version of Sean Penn's Spicoli. I am sure the other guides are awesome captains, too. Cora seemed to be playing more balancing games on her raft, and JP is the leader. It is not cheap, but I think it was a good value. The only complaints I have (none large enough to subtract stars) is that it's not clear where to pay the parking lot fee at Gold Hill and the description mentioned the distribution of snacks, and we didn't get any. Unless Hayden got the munchies and took them all? read more

Orange Torpedo Trips - Now streaming - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Merlin, Oregon

Our family of 4 went on the 2 night/3 day Rogue lodge trip. (kids are 10 and 13). This was the best family adventure trip ever! Their guides have all been with the company for 10+ years, and most for 20+. An incredible way to unplug and be present! The inflatable kayaks are way more exciting and fun than expected. Our 13 yr old daughter did the entire 3 day trip in her own kayak and LOVED it! The website doesnt do them justice! The paddle raft is perfect for those that want a leasure trip, and the kayak is perfect for those wanting a more hands-on adventure. This is our 2nd trip with Orange Torpedo and we can't wait for the next one! read more

Orange Torpedo/Whitewater Shitshow. Lost the keys to our truck, never delivered our vehicle to Foster Bar. Didn't make even a minimal effort to contact or meet us at the takeout. Left us stranded in 103 heat. We tried calling them twice from the camp host sat phone. Didn't answer their phone. Got an ex-employee of theirs on a private trip to text them. Didn't call back or respond to any of our messages. We had to float to Agness. They finally sent a van and trailer 6 hours late. Then tried to blame us, claimed we didn't leave a key. Finally admitted they had lost the key, but still tried to blame us for the whole fiasco and lack of any communication or effort to pick us up on time. Shitty experience, shitty company. read more

We had a great day with adult family! Thanks to our crew, the double "J's" and guide, Mike we had so much fun. Bonus: history lesson from Mike Oh! And lunch. Yummy lunch too! June 2024 read more

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Oh it was so fun, highly recommend! Took our two young kids 5 and 10 not really knowing what to expect, both kids ended up having a blast. We did the 1/2 day PM one. Can't say enough good things about our guide JP! He is very skillful, knows the river well and he made this anxious mama feel very safe. JP is funny and friendly, great with the kids, and best of all very knowledgeable with the animals, birds, plants, trees, history of the area, etc., making the trip more than just a water activity. read more

Two of us went on the Roque river with Orange Torpedo Rafting in August. We had a challenging great time. First 2 days we were in kayaks. Last day day were in a large raft that female guide, Artesia, rowed. I can't say enough about this company. Food, lodging, guides all were fantastic. Our lead guide, JP, was everything a guide should be. Experienced, friendly, funny. Our female raft guide, Artesia, was phenomenal. She is strong, positive, knowledgeable, friendly. Lodges, food were great. We parked our RV in their locked parking lot which was very helpful. I would not hesitate to use this company. A great trip for anyone of all ages. I'm read more

Some people take shrooms in search of a life-changing experience. Others practice deep meditation to find their inner chi. We chose the Wild and Scenic 4-day camping/rafting trip and found what most search their entire lives for - adventure. We're not talking about a selfie-stick, room service type of adventure (although many awesome photos were taken). I'm talking pure adrenaline coursing through your veins as you approach the next class-3 rapid. You taste river water but your mind is locked on that cold IPA beer waiting for you at camp up ahead. Just when you can hear the beer can *pop* full of fizzy goodness, you're 3 feet under water in a washing machine set to "spin". Is this it? Is this my legacy? Before all hope is lost, a familiar face begins to emerge. I could see our guide, Elijah. He may as well have been glowing like a deity from ancient Greece, and with the strength of a thousand Herculeses he hoisted me up onto his kayak. Some would say I was reborn that day. Baptized by the Rogue River herself. As I sat in my kayak listening to the bald eagles tending to their young, I observed Becca (our 2nd guide) up ahead corralling our other companions like water buffalo to the prairie. We made it. As Nick shucked us an icy cold beverage from his gear raft, I could smell the feast Derek was fittin' to rile up. Maybe I was reborn...in a sense. Or maybe, just maybe, I had never really lived before my adventures with Orange Torpedo Trips. read more

Orange Torpedo Trips - Or let it find you. - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Merlin, Oregon

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our family took the all day Thrill seeker trip and had an incredible time!! JP and Alex were our guides and they were awesome. Their knowledge of the area was wonderful. It could not have been a more beautiful setting. They had two priorities. keeping us safe and really engaging with all of us, including our children. Our kids had a blast. I have been lucky to raft with a lot of different companies in many different places and I can't imagine a better trip than this!! read more

Excellent guides, great trip, very organized and well run. Highly recommend. Multiple lodges and stops along one of the most scenic rivers in America. read more

Moira is the BEST!! They provided such an incredible day for my family and I. Their guidance was the perfect balance of fun and safety. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a super positive experience down the Rogue - 10/10 would do this again and am so appreciative to the staff (especially Moira!) who clearly put so much care into the experience for everyone. THANK YOU!! read more

My son and I took a full day Canyon Trip It was wonderful. Our guide was Jasmine (aka Disney) and she was the best!! The company took good care to meet our needs. Great outfit overall. read more

Orange Torpedo Trips - Jazmine and crew - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Merlin, Oregon

We had SOOOOO much fun on our Rogue River Hellgate Full Day trip with Moira! It was for my sister's bachelorette party and it was an amazing day. Moira was hilarious & the vibes were immaculate, they're seriously such a good guide. I was too scared to paddle but Moira understood lol. Definitely recommend a trip down the Rogue with Moira to anyone looking to have an unforgettable day! #dontbeamike read more

Great trip with JP as our guide on the thrill seeker trip. JP is knowledgeable about the river and community, is a fantastic kayak and raft guide who knows his stuff and knows how to teach others, and was friendly, funny, and great with our family. Our kayaks and raft were in good condition and provided wet suits and dry shirts for those of us averse to cold water. Excellent trip, I could not recommend it more. read more

I knew from the get go we wanted Cruz as our guide, and he didn't disappoint! We had a blast on the trip, level IV rapids/powerhouse was epic, Cruz handled it like a champ, guided us thru with success and fun, we surfed the waves in the prior rapid...acted as the safety boat for the last group, they flipped but AJ/guide was quick to get everyone on board and finish the trip with a round of applause from all the guests...lead guide not so much, kinda grumps. Big kuddos to Cruz, follow led by AJ - you boys rock! read more

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This was my first time rafting and I loved it!!!!! We did the half day nugget falls trip. There were some good rapids on this trip, but not as many as I expected. I was hoping for a little more excitement throughout the rafting trip. There was quite a bit of time where we just lazily floated down the river. Still a good time though! And the tour guides were awesome and fun! My one complaint: On the website, it said there would be snacks provided. I was kinda let down when the "snacks" included a nature valley granola bar being handed to me at the end. You can buy a whole box of those for $2 at the store.... read more

Fabulous trip down the gold hill 1/2. Day route. Kalen our guide was fabulous. I highly recommend him and orange torpedo. read more

Orange Torpedo Trips - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Merlin, Oregon

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4-day wild and scenic Rogue River . The second year in a row we've used orange torpedo, incredible experience for the family looking forward to next year . From start to finish you are taking care of by the company and the guides . Took my young daughter's they felt safe and secure throughout the trip . Shout out to Becca Brooke West and derek, best guides ever. Thanks for creating forever memories. read more

My teenage sons and I did Nugget Falls Class IV Half-Day and it was a nice blend of chill and class 2-4. Our guide JP was fun and knowledgeable about the River, critters and history and was both entertaining as well as helpful in ensuring we were prepared for the rapids. It was hot and the river kept us cool. Definitely recommend. Pics of the largest falls we went down. 3-4 day trip is next. read more

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We did a half day morning rafting with my kid who did it for the first time. It was very easy rafting and my kid wanted to pedal more! It was 100 degrees today but we had a nice breeze on our entire trip and water cooled us down. All the staffs were very friendly and fun to talk to. During our trip, we saw some wild ducks and geese, bold eagles and a beaver! It was very relaxing and fun trip. My kiddo is ready for the next level rafting for sure! read more

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The group (minus me because of our toddler) did the morning half day run and they all loved it. They did class 3/4 falls and said not only was it fun but the guide was wonderful and well trained. Our group ranged from the ages of 9-40 and they all loved it. We would definitely use this company on our next trip. read more

We had such an amazing time rafting yesterday. We booked the half day trip and it was very well organized from beginning to end. All the guides did a fantastic job. Our raft guide was Nick and he was the best! He gave clear straight to the point instructions and made us feel very safe but at the same time allowed us be free and enjoy the ride. I highly recommend this company if you are in Southern Oregon!!! Note: They followed strict Covid guidelines. When riding in their vans to the starting point, everyone was required to wear masks. There were empty rows between people in the vans so different parties didn't sit close together(very short ride BTW) . Every group gets their own raft and rafting guide. Hope that helps! read more

Orange Torpedo Trips - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Merlin, Oregon

I just want to thank Orange Torpedo for showing us a great time on the Umpqua River last summer (2018). Disney was an amazing guide and made the trip so memorable for us. We're also so thankful we chose Orange Torpedo so that my then 16 year old son could be introduced to whitewater kayaking, which he is now personally in love with!! Wish we could get up to Oregon again this year guys :( Maybe next year! Disney ~ I'm finally uploading the picture of our trip, and thank you so much for sharing your photos with us a while back. We were awesome river warriors!!! "I laugh in the face of danger!!!" Will always make us think of you :) read more

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We had such a fun day on the river with our guide Kalen! He kept us safe and showed us a great time through some class IV rapids!

5 stars for Orange Torpedo and our guide Wes! My friends and I had a blast rafting down the Rogue. None of us had rafting experience and I would highly recommend the Nugget Falls half day trip for beginners. Our guide Wes was extremely personable and professional and did an amazing job directing us through the rapids. Lots of wildlife to see as well--geese, eagles, blue herons. Thanks for the great day! read more

The word is WOW, this is definitely a must do while in the area. The views are breathtaking!! It was the highlight of our trip for sure and a good workout too. Everyone in our party had a blast. We saw a bald eagle hunt a duck and eat it right in front of us. (Pics to follow) we saw dear, a beaver and an otter among other animals. Special thanks to Donnie our guide. He's a super cool and knowledgeable dude for us it was the first time so it makes it more enjoyable when your guide really knows what he is doing he would let us swim where it was safe relax on the spots were it was not good for swimming but also row through exciting rapids. Seriously So much fun!! Make sure to bring (plenty of sun screen,water,water proof camera and a hat) Thanks for an amazing time, we will be back for sure. read more

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My husband and in-laws just got off the North Umpqua full day rafting trip with Kalen (who was very professional and talented) as our guide. It was the best rafting trip I've been on in Oregon. We've done Deschutes and Rogue River several times. It was perfect for myself and my husband who are athletic and like challenging(but fun) activities. My only issue is that my mother in law booked it thinking she wouldn't have to paddle because that is what the booking staff told her over the phone. This was not the case. She had to paddle as much as she could (which was very light) and the rest of us had to make up for that lag. I recommend that those expecting a relaxing trip book a different river because this trip is non stop rapids and challenges even though it's mostly level 2/3 (there is one 4). Both the other boats flipped or had guests fall out because their guests weren't able to row in sync in this intensity of rapids. read more

I used orange torpedo for a shuttle service and my car wouldn't start. They were so great they left me a note and sent someone to get me and even helped me get the car started. Deb was a great shuttle driver. I am so very grateful they were there for me. Above and beyond, exceptional service!!! Thanks You guys Jeremiah Esser read more

Question: When is a good time to spend 3 days out on the river? Answer: Never. Look, that kind of thinking is what is getting in the way of your own experience. Things like this, with life the way it is, are always hard to plan, and worth it in the end. So, I took my 4th river trip (on the Rogue for three days) this summer, and already signed up for 2015. In fact, following in my dad's footsteps, I'm kinda thinking of making this an every year thing. (My dad has been 24 times!) What can you expect? Or, maybe it's better to say, "What did I experience?" Guides who know what they're doing. Every single person in a blue vest is there with one thing in mind: Our safety. Next: Our fun. Safety and fun on the Rogue River for three days. Food that keeps coming. Look, I'm not a big guy (just 5'4", 135 lbs) but I love to eat. And, breakfast, lunch and dinner... They were all great (and plentiful). The scenery. C'mon folks, we're in a drought. The fact that we can go and spend upwards of 8 hours a day on the water is a gift that I don't quite know how to completely explain to my desert-living friends. The people. 19 guests, from all over America (and, I'm sure some tours have people from other parts of the world) who have one thing in common: They're not afraid to get wet. Stories, friendships, and ideas abound atop the Oregon waters. There are more stories to share, perhaps we'll be on the river next year at the same time... read more

Orange Torpedo Trips - Thank you, Orange Torpedo, for letting me fly! - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Merlin, Oregon

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This company and our-guides were so awesome. They welcomed us right on arrival and were giving updated regularly right up to our trip. We got more than we paid for. My husband and son and I went on the three day lodge to lodge kayak trip. We had Chris and Garrett as our guides to ourself as there were no others booked in our group. They were so fun and professional and by the end of the trip we were not only sore from the 42 miles of rapids but from the laughs we had with them the entire time. We always felt safe and when someone took a spill Garrett was right there in position with his raft with Chris in the large gear raft standing by as well to make sure that you got back in yours and on we went. We were well informed before each rapid and they really know this river after years of experience between the two of them. The lodges were great. Don't care about camping in the cooler weather anymore so a warm bed and great meal were just what we needed each night. Can't say enough about this incredible company and unbelievable trip. Go if you can. You won't ever forget it. read more

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The full day thrill seeker was an awesome experience for our family. Our teen age boys had the best time on the kayaks. Since it was our first time on an inflatable kayak/raft, I was so nervous about riding through the rapids and getting thrown off (my boys were not...they are adrenaline junkies). However our guide, Lelah, was wonderful. She made me feel safe. She was calm and confident, which helped to build the trust. Additionally, she was very accommodating with our needs and made sure that we were taken care of the entire time. I can go on and on. Lelah is a great representative for Orange Torpedo. Everyone else was also friendly and welcoming. Thank you, Orange Torpedo, for a fun and exciting experience that our family will talk about for years. read more

Loved these folks and will rely on them again for the Rogue River or other rivers they service! Staff clearly love their job and respect the owners, the River, and their guests. HARD WORKERS, always a "yes," customer first. Very impressed. Pre-trip communication was excellent. Trip was great. Guides were encouraging and professional. I confidentially recommend Orange Torpedo Trips! read more

We had a blast on the Rogue River with our next-door neighbors, who we've been quarantining with since March. The river guides (I call them River Cowboys) are phenomenal. They go above and beyond to ensure you have the best time possible. I initially thought we'd have young hot-shot guides but no, our cowboys were seasoned experts - especially Mike, Stitch, Tim, and "Babycakes"! Stitch was our raft guide and his knowledge of the history and terrain is amazing and added so much to our experience. Can't recommend them more highly! read more

Orange Torpedo Trips - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Merlin, Oregon

Just got back from the 3-day wild and scenic rogue trip. It was awesome! I went with my wife and 2 girls (8-10). I was in an inflatable kayak and my wife and two girls were in the paddle raft. I decided on the lodge trip because this was their first time on a raft and I didn't want to throw too much at them at once, having flushable toilets was a huge deal for them. My river experience was novice at best having been on a one day raft trip a couple times in the past and on an inflatable kayak about 20 years ago so i was pretty excited about a three day trip. The trip started great. We came into Grants Pass a couple days early to see the caves and the Smith national park before arriving in Merlin at OTT on Monday morning. Ben, our head guide, was waiting for us and got us situated with helmets, vests, and dry packs for our gear. After everyone on our group arrived, he went over procedures for staying safe on the river and how to pilot a kayak. we had about 17 people in our group and although most were in kayaks we also had an oared raft and a paddle raft. After that it was time to jump on the bus and get to the river! At the river we met the rest of the guides. The guide/rafter ratio was about 3 to 1 which made it very easy to get good instruction and see exactly what to do. I can't say enough about how great the guides were. Ben, Stitch, Maia, Grunt, Brandon, and Billy did an amazing job. Most of us didn't know what we were doing but they had us paddling together and hitting the rapids head on in no time. It became apparent in no time that OTT has a formula that works when hiring guides. They hire teachers (who are off in the summer), grad students, and other professionals. They take an interest right away and never once made us feel like the trip was a burden for them. They worked great as a team and were incredible adept at doing what I preach to my kids, namely, 'see the next move, be the next move'. The guides made the trip what it was and were true differentiators. The first day was great. After warming up on some class 1s and 2s we hit our first class 3. Of course, I flipped over but Ben was right there pushing me back to my boat and got me situated. It wouldn't be the last time I flipped but I knew then that I would be fine if I did, the team definitely puts the safety of the group first and foremost. They know where to wait to offer the best assistance when the inevitable happens. The lodges were great. Tucked off on the sides of the river with wild marion berries growing everywhere, the views and experiences were amazing. The food was equally good. Hearty breakfasts, and huge dinners, nobody went hungry. The lunches on the river were much more than I expected, a definite plus. The night of the second day we watched videos of some key areas where the crew put up cameras to film us coming through. Watching the crashes and successes was great. OTT even gives everyone a copy of the footage so we can all remember the trip at no charge. Again, above and beyond. My kids were a little young to be in a kayak by themselves but they had a blast on the paddle raft. The guides would even put them in the front of their kayaks during some class 2 rapids that they absolutely loved. We were extremely sad when the trip was over. We saw bald eagles, bears, turtles, vultures, and everything in between. It really felt like we went back in time and the stories the guides told of the area only reinforced those feelings. This is definitely an organization we will be using again. Everything about the trip was top notch and a perfect three days on the river. OTT, you guys nailed it. read more

Friends and I planned a rafting trip during our vacation and chose these guys. We had a great time and our guide Matthew was fabulous!! Highly recommend. read more

Orange Torpedo Trips - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Merlin, Oregon

I decided on orange torpedo for my 14 and 16 year old grandkids ,neither had done the River ,although both are strong swimmers and have kayaks in the ocean .I felt more secure with a guide . They had a blast ,They did the full day hog creek to graves creek . Thanks to the guides who made them feel proficient and confident . Will definitely go back . Very affordable . read more

Wow, What a fantastic trip. 4 days/3 nights on the lower salmon. The guides were exceptionally helpful, the equipment was newer and in good shape. The meals were great, the beer was cold, and the stars are magnificent. I would HIGHLY recommend. read more

I brought my family to Merlin for a day of kayaking on the Rouge River. I have tried several outfitters on the Rouge over the last 20+ years but keep coming back to OTT. Their inflatable kayaks are the best in town. Sturdy, stable and fast. All their equipment is well maintained. The service was great with the drop off and pick ups effortless on our part. I have been on their 3 day guided tours through the lower section in the past. I highly recommend the lodge trip. A bit more expensive but soooo worth it after a long day of paddling. All in all, I highly recommend OTT and will coming back again soon. read more

As my first multi-day rafting trip, I wasn't sure what to expect, but this company and trip exceeded my expectations! My boyfriend and I did the 4 day lower salmon trip. The guides were an incredibly competent, skilled group of guys who worked so hard on and off the water. The entire trip the group marveled at how well they guided, set-up camp, cooked, cleaned, and worked together. I can't say enough great things about the guides! The trip was a great blend of exciting rapids and lazy floating. Plenty of challenging things to keep you on your toes. The food was amazing and scenery picturesque. I am already thinking about my next trip with this outfitter! read more

I took a trip with my mother and son on the Lower Salmon in mid August of 2011. I think this was the best trip I have ever taken in my life! The scenery was beautiful, we all had our own 'Torpedos' and just about everybody had a spill but never felt in any danger. The guides were always on the spot if needed. We slept outside at night under the stars and had a wonderful time. The guides - I can't say enough about the guides. They were amazing, and friendly and wonderful cooks. They did all the work of schlepping the gear around, always happy to help out and were 100% professional and fun at the same time. I thought I would lose weight but actually gained a couple pounds because the food was soooo amazing. I would recommend this to anybody that likes adventurous vacations! It's exciting and relaxing and so far away from cell phones and TV - best trip ever. PS - Pack lots of sunscreen! read more