The Grande Ronde River

The Grande Ronde is an Oregon gem for family rafting trips of 2 – 4 nights, perfect for kids. The trip actually starts on the Wallowa River below the Hwy 82 bridge. Both a motel at the bridge and nearby state park offer accommodations for the night before launch. Once on the water, the Grande Ronde offers some splashy little rapids and an abundance of beautiful campsites in the pine and fir forests that line the run. Once the Wallowa joins the Grande Ronde, the scenery reminds one of the Middle Fork of the Salmon. On the last day, the canyon falls away a bit, revealing vistas of the Blue Mountain region of Oregon. Rafting parties take out at Powwatka bridge or continue 7 miles downstream to the resort town of Troy.

Put-In: River Access near Minum Store

Take-Out: Powwatka Bridge or Troy

Miles: 46 (Troy)

Managing Agency: Umatilla National Forest

Campsites: Grande Ronde Campsites

  • Rafts floating across a glassy section of the Grande Ronde River
    A minor rapid with tree-lined shores
    A sandy campsite at the edge of a dark forest of large trees
  • Grande Ronde Scenery
    The Grande Ronde is great for kids... apparently for wine and cake too!
    House Rock on the Wallowa
  • Grande Ronde Scenery
    Nice Camps!
    Confluence of the Wallowa and Grande Ronde - railroad leaves the river here
  • Grande Ronde Scenery
    Looking upstream towards Martins Misery Rapid
    Big Tree Camp
  • Big Tree Camp
    Grande Ronde Scenery
    Grande Ronde Scenery
  • Grande Ronde Scenery
    Grande Ronde Scenery
    Typical Grande Ronde Camp
  • Grande Ronde Scenery
    Approaching Powwatka Bridge
    Grande Ronde Scenery
  • Sheep Creek Rapid
    Looking downstream towards Troy Oregon
    Wallowa River Scenery