Rainie Falls

Rainie Falls Trial is a 4 mile out and back along the Lower Rogue River. Easy with fun views of rafting people and fishing spots.

Driving

– The Rainie Falls Trail is a one hour drive from Medford. Take I-5 north past Grants Pass to the Merlin exit. Take that and turn left. You are now at the 30 minute mark and you are on Merlin Road which turns into Galice Road. The local landmark Indian Mary Camping and Recreation area is about 15 minutes from the interstate and just past the Hellgate Bridge that crosses over the Rogue River. Pass that and you will arrive at the river town of Galice in 8 minutes. Pass that and it’s another 8 minute before you cross the next bridge over the Rogue you have arrived. Pull over before the bridge.

This is a big rafter’s hub. If you want to explore a little you can cross the bridge and turn left. There is a boat ramp area and restroom facilities and many many boat people. But don’t take that trail! It’s the trail to hell!… Okay. It’s the Lower Rogue Trail to Gold Beach but that’s not a day hike. Enough messing around! Back across the bridge.

Parking

– Roadside parking. Depending on the day, it’s close to the bridge or further back aways. But there is no reason to park on the boat ramp side of the bridge.

Hiking

– The Rainie Falls trailhead is next to the bridge across the road from your parking spot. Head down from the road on this giant dirt apron and you will soon see all of the Forest Service/ State Park information signs. This trail runs along the left side of the Rogue River so there are no tricky intersections. Take this well maintained and well traveled trail for 2 miles. You will pass opportunities to walk over to the river and fish or swim but remember that it is a real river. Currents, rocks, drunken rafters – all the big river dangers.

Just before Rainie Falls there is a side trail to a sandy swimming beach. Big, calm water to swim out into and the sand to lay around on but don’t forget. Just down stream. Falls! So another 100 yards down the trail and you’ll arrive at a number of rocky view areas of the falls. And it’s not a giant drop. Just loud with an impressively heavy volume of water. Just downstream are the landing areas for the rafters.

Many times the rafters disembark upstream, watch the guides take their empty rafts through the smaller “fish ladder” and then reenter the raft downstream. So there might be quite a crowd. Or… could just be you. Either way, pretty fun hike on a mostly level riverside trail

4 miles. Swimming. Rafters. Boom.