Larry Lucas pilots early propeller boat to his lodge 32 miles upriver.Rugged outdoorsman navigated this exciting and dangerous river. (1935)

Early Rogue River Boatman

The first navigators of the lower Rogue were the TuTuTuni Indians. They existed along the shoreline earlier than 6000 years B.C. These early inhabitants used dugout cedar canoes to navigate the dangerous channels and rapids.

With the arrival of the European explorers (1840-1915) the sailing canoe or wooden raft became the preferred mode of river travel. The early 1920's was a time when the first motor powered boats began to navigate the lower Rogue. These boats were used to haul freight and a occasional passenger. The popularity of the ride started to grow. Sunset Magazine, during the 1950's, wrote a feature article on riding the Rogue. The trip was established as a popular tourist destination for many families during the 1960's. Today the children of those families are showing the Rogue to their children.