After crossing a river bridge, turn left at a sign for Agness. Follow this paved, one-lane road three miles to the Agness Store and turn right on Cougar Lane for 0.2 mile. Immediately after a school, park on the right in the Agness Community Library's gravel lot. In 1895, mail boats began braving the Rogue River's rapids to supply isolated settlers. Today this tradition has evolved into rival fleets of 50-seat jet boats whisking tourists into the Rogue's wilderness.
Loudspeakers announce herons, seals, and deer.
Stops at rustic lodges allow passengers to buy buffet meals. Rogue River Mail Boats dock upstream from the north end of Gold Beach's bridge, while their rivals, Jerry's Rogue Jets, dock downstream from the bridge's south end, beside a free museum of Rogue River memorabilia. From the trees along the trail, large gray squirrels shake their bushy silver tails at passing hikers. Deer and black bear come down to the Rogue River for water, and osprey cruise above it looking for fish. In short, this is one of the best wildlife-watching areas in Southwest Oregon.