Overview of the lower Rogue River and the Zane Grey roadless area. Photo by Dang Ngo

Located on the Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management, the Zane Grey Roadless Area is about 25 miles northwest of Grants Pass. The Zane Grey Roadless Area lies on the periphery of the designated Wild and Scenic Rogue River for some 26 miles. It is contiguous with the Wild and Scenic Rogue Wilderness Area to the northwest.

The Zane Grey Roadless Area received its title from the famous adventure author who maintained a cabin in the heart of the area and was an avid fisherman in the waters of the mighty Rogue River.

The Zane Grey is the largest BLM roadless area in America. It is important from the standpoint of wildlife migration because many species are known to use river corridors as travel routes, and the Zane Grey acts as a link from inland habitat to coastal habitat.

Steep, precipitous canyons with elevations ranging from 400-3,800 feet fold and meander through the Zane Grey. As a result, dozens of waterfalls cascade down the steep canyon walls in the spring. There are many stunning and beautiful places here. Common encounters while walking in this area include mossy green plunge pools and fern walls near creeks with rocky, talus slopes between waterways. One rare plant species of stonecrop, a flower that grows right out of rock on dryer sites, is known to occur in the Zane Grey. Northern spotted owl, northern bald eagle, osprey, cougar, bear and Roosevelt elk are all known to inhabit the Zane Grey. The Zane Grey is also known to be an important area for migrating anadromous fish.

The Zane Grey is threatened by the proposed Kelsey-Whisky timber sale. The area has some very valuable conifer trees, but slopes are so steep that logging would be detrimental to the hydrology.

The Zane Grey is a heavily visited and prized recreational area. The river has to be managed for the number of rafters that are allowed to float the majestic canyon and camp on the banks of the river. The use is very concentrated along the river and will not likely be allowed to increase in the future.

KS Wild and the Oregon Wild campaign advocate for wilderness designation of the Zane Grey and adjacent roadless areas as additons to the Wild Rogue Wilderness.