Rogue Gorge Trail #1034A

Area Status: Open

A 3.5 mile trail guides the hiker to a spectacular view of the Upper Rogue Wild and Scenic River cascading through a constricted channel of basalt lava. The gorge was formed by the erosive action of the river. The small cave on the west wall of the gorge is the end of a lava tube.

The trail begins at the Natural Bridge Viewpoint parking lot and travels upriver on the east side of the Upper Rogue Wild and Scenic River. The Upper Rogue River Trail #1034 traverses the west side of the river. You pass by Natural Bridge Campground and Union Creek Campground before arriving at the Rogue Gorge, located just off Highway 62 north of the Union Creek Resort.

The gorge area offers an interesting display of pot-hole formations. These smooth depressions were sculpted into solid rock by the continuous spinning of small rocks churned by the swift river currents. They are especially obvious in a section of dry river bed above the gorge.

A short loop hike is possible by crossing the Upper Rogue Wild and Scenic River at the Natural Bridge Viewpoint footbridge and following the Upper Rogue River Trail #1034 to the Natural Bridge Campground, returning on the Rogue Gorge Trail to Natural Bridge Viewpoint.

At a Glance

Fees:	No
Open Season:	June - October
Usage:	Light
Closest Towns:	Prospect, OR
Water:	Not available. Surface water should be treated.
Information Center:	High Cascades Ranger District

General Information

General Notes:

Connecting trails: Upper Rogue River Trail #1034
Trail is not designed for: pack and saddle, mountain bike, motorized bike, ATV, 4-wheel drive, barrier free

Directions:

From Prospect, OR, take Highway 62 (Crater Lake Highway) north for approximately 9 miles. Turn left at the Natural Bridge sign, just before Union Creek. Follow signs to the day use area. The trail is accessed on the west side of the footbridge and continues upriver (north).