When you think of a gorge in Oregon, our mighty Columbia River Gorge probably comes to mind. It's a massive, 80-mile-long gorge that's as much as 4,000 feet deep, and truly an impressive sight, but it's not our only gorge. The Rogue River Gorge is much smaller - just 500 feet long - but it's pretty awe-inspiring, too. Take a short stroll to see it for yourself.
The Rogue River carves a rugged path through some of Oregon's most beautiful scenery. The river is 215 miles long, and it's well-known for its fly-fishing and whitewater rafting.
There's one spot along the river that's particularly fascinating. The Rogue River Gorge is a narrow gorge that was created over time as the water eroded through basalt lava.
To get a good look at it, make a stop at the Rogue River Gorge Viewpoint. You'll find it right off the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, west of Crater Lake.
56515 Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, Prospect, OR 97536
There's a large parking lot with rest rooms, and the trailhead is clearly marked.
This pretty path is paved, and easy enough for just about anyone to traverse. It's just .3 miles from the trailhead and back.
Along the way, check out the "living stump." You'll see an informational sign that tells you how it's possible for this stump to still be alive, despite the fact that the tree was cut down.
You'll soon reach the viewpoint where you look right down into the beautiful gorge.
As the river narrows to just 25 feet wide, the water rushes through the chasm at the rate of 410,000 gallons per minute.
The churning, broiling water is a sight to behold as it makes its way 500 feet from the inlet of the gorge to its outlet, before emerging from the gorge and plunging into the wider river downstream.
It's important to stay back behind the fence here. The basalt cliffs towering above the gorge are very slippery, and a fall into the churning water below could easily be fatal.
Like so many of Oregon's forest spots, this gorge is a brilliant green, thanks to the moss growing on the basalt, and the foliage and ferns all around.
The Rogue River Trail follows along the bank of the river for 40 miles, but there are short sections of it that you can easily hike if you want to extend your adventure.
Click here to see the 19-page guide prepared by the U.S. Forest Service.
Have you visited the Rogue River Gorge? Tell us about your adventure!
If you're interested in checking out the Columbia River Gorge, here's a waterfall hike that has reopened since the Eagle Creek fire of of 2017.
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