Blossom Bar is one of several exciting rapids that must be navigated on the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River in Oregon. Blossom Bar is also one of rapids that boaters are greatful to successfully transit.

Located 22.7 miles below Graves Creek Landing, Blossom Bar is a Class IV-V rapid.  It should be scouted.  Even if you have been through Blossom Bar a hundred times you need to ensure that is is clear.  Scout from the north bank (river right).  It is not unusual to find either a raft or a driftboat hung up somewhere near the top.

Statistically, if you are going to die on the Rogue River it will most likely be at Blossom Bar, and most likely at the Picket Fence.  So far this year (2008) there have been two deaths at the Picket Fence.

Scout. Watch other boaters. Take your time.  Don't do it if you don't feel prepared.  Portage around.

Blossom Bar was named after the beautiful azaleas that bloom in the canyon.  Extensively mined in the past, remnants from this mining time can still be seen today.  There are also campgrounds and restrooms at Blossom Bar.

The Rogue River Trail, on river right, passes by Blossom Bar and is used by those boaters who don't want to float this rapid.  Access to the trail is easy from above the rapids where boats tie up so that they can scout the rapid before dropping down through.

The trip from Graves Creek Landing to this point is without motors.  Below Blossom Bar, by permit, powered boats will be sharing the river with you.

Jerry's Rogue Jets and the Mail Boats travel up to Blossom Bar during the tourist season, bringing hundreds of tourists.  Be patient with these tourists.  They are here to enjoy the beauty of the river and they would all most likely trade places with you as you float quietly down river.  The jet boat trips to Blossom Bar are very educational for tourists which creates better understanding and support for the concepts of Wild and Scenic Rivers.

Blossom Bar used to be relatively impassable, with one half day portages the norm.  Glen Wooldridge, an early Rogue River riverman, made Blossom Bar passable by using strategically placed charges of dynamite.  He would row up to a rock, drop a gunnysacked charge onto the other side of the rock, and then quickly row away.  Glen repeated this process many times until Blossom Bar became configured the way that it is today.