ROGUE JET BOAT ADVENTURES - OUR ONE DAY MINI-VACAY
When we booked our reservation for Rogue Jet Boat Adventures we had no idea that we would be whisked off on such a fun and exciting experience. Within five minutes of loading up on the jet boat we were thrown into our first 360 and Olivia declared "this is the best day ever!" Yes, Rogue Jet Boat Adventures is a jet boat ride up the Rogue River, but it is so much more.
Being spring, you never know what the weather will be like in southern Oregon and we were lucky enough to get a warm, blue sky day, so the occasional water spray was welcome. We sped from Touvelle Park weaving our way along the river. Our guide Taylor was awesome not just bringing attention to the natural beauty we were seeing, but educating us on the history of the Rogue River including many of the spots where celebrities visited in years past. we even saw Jim Belushi's house, which was of course gorgeous. We also saw many people enjoying the recreation that the Rogue River has to offer; fishing, paddle boarding, rafting, or just lying in the sun enjoying the day.
Included in the Discovery Tour is a stop at Discovery Park and Rogue Jetter Lake, their private 40-acre lake. This is where you want to take a bathroom break, and where they have a gift shop and snacks for purchase. We decided to bring our own picnic and we sat at one of the many picnic tables throughout the park while the kids participated in a little scavenger hunt where they found some arrowheads; such a cool little memento for them to hold onto, to remember "the best day ever". After lunch we took a spin around the lake on the pedal boats. The kids loved getting out on the lake controlling where we explored, plus the view of Mt. McLoughlin and Lower Table Rock were breathtaking. We really felt spoiled, like we were at some private resort in the middle of nowhere. After we got off the lake, Ilias grabbed a pole and started fishing; unfortunately, he didn't catch anything because we ran out of time. Olivia started crying because she didn't want to leave; which to me is a win because it was in indication of how much she loved the excursion. We will definitely go back to enjoy one of their Discovery Private Park Adventure's, so we can spend more time there! Gary would love to take a nice long nap in that hammock.
When we got back on the boat we spent another hour exploring the river, learning the location of where the 1859 Peace Treaty was signed and the location of the start of the Fort Lane - Trail of Tears. On the way back we did a few more 360's and Taylor took us into a beautiful narrow waterway that made us feel exactly as he described; like we were on the jungle cruise from Disneyland. Lush green trees hanging over the river, the expectation of a hippo popping up with its ears wiggling, we even caught sight of Bigfoot!
The day was so amazing that we didn't want it to end, but lucky for us, since we live in Medford we are only twenty minutes from another fabulous adventure. Rogue Jet Boats runs right out of Touvelle Park in Central Point, so if you want something fun to do at the last minute, all you have to do is call to make sure they have an opening and you will be off!
Rogue Jet Boat Adventures is a small, locally owned business; Taylor and Emily pull out all the stops and truly love southern Oregon and it shows. We love the fact that their boats are smaller than other jet boats we have been on, so we felt the river more and we were definitely able to do more 360's; we all loved that part! Not only do they offer the Jet Boat Discovery Tour, they also have their Discover Park & Lake Adventures, Guided Fishing Trips, and Concerts at their Lake. Choose your own adventure! Whether you live locally or are visiting you will have an amazing experience, guaranteed!
To make reservations you can either go online HERE or call 541-414-4182
Tell them What to do in Southern Oregon sent you!
To learn more history about the Fort Lane Trail of Tears and the Takelma, Latgawa, Shasta, and Athabaskan Indigenous tribes of southern Oregon here are a couple of resources I found.