About - Morrisons Rogue Wilderness Lodge

Escape the Ordinary

Morrisons Rogue Wilderness Lodge is your outdoor recreation destination. Located in the heart of Southern Oregon, we are your launchpad into a world of adventure. Morrisons attracts adventurers of all types — anglers, river rafters, gold panners, rock hounds, swimmers, hikers, bikers, and everyone who loves to dive into an exciting new experience.

The historic lodge and individual cabins — partially eclipsed by groves of evergreen, maple and oak trees, and other beautiful greenery — are a peaceful retreat from the stresses of everyday life. Here, there are no pings from emails, voicemails or texts — just the whistling of the water and chorus of bird songs. Whether fishing, rafting, hiking or exploring, you have the luxury of walking from your lodge to the river in mere minutes. We put you in the thick of things so you can experience these amazing natural wonders.

Built in 1945

River guide and lumber mill worker Lloyd Morrison had several fishing clients who traveled from Grants Pass to the middle Rogue to fish. Mr. Morrison dreamt of building a lodge to accommodate these fishermen; however, building supplies were in short supply because of World War II. With the help of some of his San Francisco clients, Mr. Morrison secured the essentials to build his lodge in 1945. He handpicked the lumber, and the choice Bird’s Eye Pine he used throughout the lodge has become more lustrous through the decades.

Mr. Morrison later added a cabin and moved two small houses onto the property. After he sold the lodge, the buildings eventually fell into a period of neglect.

Lloyd and Ruth Morrison ice fishing

New Owners & the Flood of ‘64

In 1964, BA and Elaine Hanten purchased Morrisons Lodge and moved in with their three young children — Mike, Michelle and Mark. They took to guiding, cooking and transforming the lodge into a resort. However, disaster struck in December that same year, when the Rogue River flooded and wiped out the cabins. The water rose so high in the main lodge that it flowed above the fireplace mantel. Fortunately, the lodge survived this turbulent time. With the help of a disaster loan, the Hantens repaired the main lodge. They also built three new cabins on stilts. The business continued to thrive, and with its growth came additional cabins and more manicured grounds.

BA Hanten rafting the Rogue River

Fishing & Rafting

Steelhead fishing has been the main attraction on the Rogue for many decades. In the mid-1920s, famed Western author Zane Grey was enamored with the “half-pounders” that are unique to this region. They are tenacious fish only found on three rivers in the United States: The Eel, the Klamath and the Rogue River.

In 1968, the Rogue was designated a “Wild and Scenic” river by the federal government. At that time, Rogue River Raft Trips, Inc., which operated out of Morrisons, was one of the first to use inflatable rafts to take adventurers down the wild section of the Rogue.

Still Going Strong

For more than 70 seasons, the Hanten family has owned and operated Morrisons Rogue Wilderness Lodge. Although BA, Elaine, and Michelle are no longer with us, Michelle’s son, Churchill, continues their legacy of wonderful hospitality and fabulous meals at this full-service river resort.

Michelle teases her son Churchill while fishing

OUR GREAT STAFF

David Blauser CFO

David joined the Morrisons team in March 2018 as the Chief Financial Officer. A former Naval Flight Officer and current CPA, David is a true utility player. His experience in non-profit, government, and corporate sectors makes him an agile member of our crew. David appreciates the pace and energy of the staff and loves researching to find solutions to new issues.

Lisa Bless Sales & Office Manager

Equal parts outdoor enthusiast and hospitality maven, Lisa brings a lot of fun to the Morrisons crew. She started out as a part-time seasonal employee at the front desk of the lodge over ten years ago and has been an integral part of the team ever since. During the off-season, Lisa spends her time booking rafting, hiking, and fishing trips. During the busy season, she also trains front desk staff and manages the six commercial permits we carry daily. Her quick problem solving and critical thinking skills are an asset and her love of the Rogue River and Taylor Creek wilderness areas are contagious. Lisa lives in Merlin and loves seeing the huge smiles on the faces of our guests when they return from their Rogue River adventures.

Churchill Crean General Manager

Churchill has worked with Morrisons since he was a kid, and held many different jobs over the years. He has been a dinner server at the restaurant, worked at the front desk and helped with the shuttles. For Churchill, watching the guests arrive and leave with smiles on their faces is what he loves about working at Morrisons. He likes making people happy and finds great joy in helping the guests have an unforgettable experience. From working with the other staff members to interacting with guests, he does his best to ensure they are happy and having fun on their Morrisons’ adventure.

Matthew Garcy Head Chef

Chef Matt was born and raised in southeast Michigan where he also attended college at the Culinary Institute of Michigan. Matt found his love for the art in cooking at a young age with a fishing charter captain/ home chef father who always made a point to put a fresh meal on the table every night. Aside from being a successful chef, Matt’s biggest dream has always been to move to beautiful southern Oregon. In early 2020 him and his wife Heather decided on the Grants Pass area where they soon found a professional home here with us at Morrison’s Rogue Wilderness Adventure Lodge. Matt strives everyday to bring you fresh and local ingredients in creative ways to our guests the most exceptional dining experience possible on the Rogue!

Danica Jensen Front Desk Supervisor

New to the Morrison’s team, Danica is making headway into the outdoor hospitality industry. She has been an outdoor enthusiast ever since she can remember and grew up in the Grants Pass, Oregon, area. She looks forward to booking trips to help others fulfill dreams of Rogue wilderness adventures.

Danica lived in Southern Oregon for 20 years before moving to Eastern Idaho for college, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. This has helped her tremendously as she encounters people from all over the world for her job. She likes to hike and play sports in her spare time.

Deborah Spears Bookkeeper

I started for MRWAL in October of 2021, after receiving my MBA from Eastern Oregon University. I have the good fortune to work with David Blauser, who is a wonderful mentor. I continue to grow and sharpen my skills with his guidance. To find this job in one of the most beautiful settings in Oregon was a dream come true. My commute along the Rogue River is quite a site to see! My greatest pleasure is my family. When I am not crunching numbers, you can find me in the beautiful Rogue Wilderness, outdoors, with a grandchild or two in tow.