10 Things To Add To Your 2023 Grants Pass Bucket List
By: Cate Battles/Visit Grants Pass
December 2022
With the ushering in of the New Year, 2023 presents the chance to set new goals and explore places and things you’ve never tried before. From outdoor adventures to artisan experiences, Southern Oregon is chock-full of unique and exciting opportunities. For those needing a little extra inspiration, here are 10 things to add to your 2023 Grants Pass Bucket List.
1. Explore Oregon Caves National Monument
Discover more of nature’s power and beauty by taking a ranger-led tour at Oregon Caves National Monument. Established in 1909, Oregon Caves is home to one of the largest, most pristine and complete segments of old oceanic crust in North America. Inside the caves, the River Styx is also the first subterannean stream designanted as Wild and Scenic in the country. While most accessible caves in the US are made of limestone, a sedimentary rock, Oregon Caves stands apart. Out of the 3,900 cave systems managed by the NPS, Oregon Caves National Monument is 1-of-3 parks that consist of marble, a metamorphic rock created by pressure from tectonic shifts. Beneath the ancient forest canopy, acidic rainwater seeped in through cracks and dissolved the marble over millions of years, creating the expansive cave system it is today.
Explore a labyrinth of marble passageways where you’ll pass glistening stalagtites and stalagmites, historical evidence, and a cavernous natural room 220 feet beneath the surface. During the 90-minute adventure, guides will share interesting facts about the geology around you. Tours are limited to 12 people and can be booked online or at the Illinois Valley Visitor Center. While visiting Oregon Caves, take advantage of their 6 hiking trails, wonderful visitor center, and two campgrounds. Afterwards, grab a bite at Taylor Sausage or Trillium Bakery in Cave Junction. This year’s Cave Tours. Read more about Oregon Caves National Monument here.
2. Take a Trip Down the Rogue River
Hailed as Oregon’s whitewater capital, Grants Pass offers guests a world-class outdoor experience along the Wild and Scenic Rogue River. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly excursion or a thrill-seeking adventure, a trip down the Rogue promises an epic time you’ll never forget. With dozens of rafting and boating companies in the Grants Pass area, you can enjoy a jet boat ride through the famous Hellgate Canyon, an afternoon of leisure on the Paddled Pub, or for the more adventurous, a 3-7 day rafting trip through Class Ill and IV rapids in the Wild Rogue Wilderness.
If you’re looking for a fun experience for the whole family, take a thrilling tour with Hellgate Jet Boat Excursions, where guests can enjoy beautiful views, historical commentary, and abundant wildlife as you journey through rugged Hellgate Canyon. During the trip, enjoy a meal at their lodge before being boated back to Grants Pass. The company offers several different packages, from brunch tours to sunset excursions.
For epic memories that’ll last a lifetime, plan a multi-day Wild Rogue Lodge Trip through the wilderness from May-November, where you traverse dozens of rapids and explore hidden waterfalls and canyons. While you journey through Class Ill and IV rapids during the day, the lodges provide nights of comfort in a beautiful and rustic setting complete with family-style meals, private baths, and heated rooms. For those who want something a little more rustic, book a guided trip with catered meals and camp along the river’s shore. Don’t want to commit to a multi-day excursion? No problem. Rent some kayaks or book a guided kayaking trip on the Rogue with one of the numerous boat rental companies. For a mellow river experience, take the kid-friendly daytrip through the Hellgate Canyon section, where you’ll have plenty of opportunities to swim, rock jump, and picnic along the shore.
For those who enjoy fishing, the Rogue is world-renowned for its steelhead and salmon and there are fishing opportunities year-round. Schedule a guided fishing charter that will take you to some of the best fishing holes on the river. For experienced anglers, bring your boat and gear and put in at one of the county’s many riverside parks.
Have a special occasion to celebrate? Rally your friends and plan a trip on the Paddled Pub. Whether you’re planning a birthday, wedding, or bachelor party, book a 7-mile guided trip down the Rogue River on a custom boat where you can take in the scenery, sunshine, and suds of Southern Oregon. This mobile pub is the perfect place to enjoy a pint(or 2) with friends, while celebrating life’s milestones. This is one of the most unique and popular river experiences in Oregon, so schedule your trip well in advance!
3. Try the “World’s Best Cheese”
Situated just minutes from downtown Grants Pass, along the banks of the Rogue River, the Rogue Creamery Dairy Farm is one of Oregon’s agrarian treasures. For more than 85 years, the certified organic creamery has drawn from the rich flavors of the Rogue River Valley to cultivate its savory and delectable handcrafted cheeses. In 2019, Rogue Creamery took the top prize at the World Cheese Awards in Bergamo, Italy, beating out 3,800 cheeses from 42 countries around the world with their famous Rogue River Blue. Not only was this a historic win for Oregon farmers, it was the first time an American cheese had been awarded this prestigious distinction.
Rogue Creamery is not only renowned for amazing gourmet cheeses, but also for their commitment to sustainability, animal welfare, and innovative operations. Their goal of fostering a healthy, happy, and stress-free environment for their 255 cows can be seen at their impressive milking parlor; a state-of-the-art robotic milking room. When the cows decide they need to be milked, they leave the pasture and head towards the loafing pavilion, where they get massaged and refreshed. By the time that’s over, the cows move to the parlor where they get milked to their comfort level before grabbing a nibble and heading to a new pasture. This voluntary and automatic system not only ensures the herd’s contentment, but it also increases farm production.
Rogue Creamery also utilizes environmentally conscious practices, including the installation of solar panels to offset energy use, and recycling dairy waste into usable byproducts like fertilizer and stall bedding. Guided tours are available Wednesday-Sunday at 10am and 2pm, where you can meet the herd, and learn about Rogue Creamery’s state-of-the-art robotic milking room. While visiting the farm stand, explore their giftshop where you can take home their artisanal cheese and locally made products. Don’t leave without trying their famous grilled cheese!
Rogue Creamery & Farm Stand
31 Lower River Road
Grants Pass, OR 97526
4. Attend a Festival
Throughout the year, Grants Pass holds numerous festivals and celebrations that bring visitors from all across the region. From classic car rallies, to elaborate street murals, you’ll find festivities for everyone to enjoy.
Kicking off the festival season is Boatnik, held every Memorial Day Weekend for over 60 years. Organized by the Active Club, the festival is not only a fun family-friendly weekend, but it’s also a charitable celebration. All funds raised during the event are returned to the community by supporting local children and youth programs. Throughout the event, festival goers can enjoy the carnival, boat races, parade, brewfest, concerts, golf shoot-outs, fireworks, and expos. The celebration culminates on Monday with a ceremony and fighter jet fly over.
For those who love flower farms, plan a visit to Southern Oregon for the Lavender Festival that takes place every June and July. Explore Applegate Valley by following the Southern Oregon Lavender Trail to six different lavender farms where you can walk through purple fields, pick your own flowers, and enjoy the sights, smells, and taste of lavender. During this annual summertime festival, many farms will be hosting special events, from live music, wand and wreath making, essential oil distillation demos, serving lavender inspired food, to sip and paints. The participating lavender farms include Dos Mariposas Vineyards and Lavender Farm, English Lavender Farm, Goodwin Creek Gardens, Lavender Ally, Lavender Fields Forever, and Murphy Creek Lavender.
Can’t get enough classic cars, Elvis, and good old-fashioned fun? Enjoy a blast-from-the-past and plan to attend the 33rd annual Back to the Fifties celebration which rolls through town the third weekend of July. The week-long festival includes classic car shows and cruises, sock hops, live music, drive-in movies, and more.
Every October, the streets of Grants Pass transform into a patchwork of color during Art Along the Rogue, downtown’s annual chalk art and music festival. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this beloved celebration and is shaping up to be the best one yet! The festival begins on First Friday, as musical acts take the stage from 5-9pm. Throughout the day Saturday, incredible muralists from around the region work on their street paintings as rotating acts perform on stage. During the 3-day festival, visit dozens of arts and crafts booths, food vendors, and get a glimpse of the finished masterpieces by Sunday afternoon.
5. Enjoy Wine-Tasting Along the Applegate Wine Trail
Though the Willamette is often regarded as Oregon’s wine Mecca, Southern Oregon is in fact the birthplace of the state’s booming wine industry, dating back to the mid 1800’s. Not only that, but is was also recently nominated as 1-of-5 top regions in the world by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Around Grants Pass, you’ll taste a wide variety of flavors beyond Oregon’s renowned Pinot, with over 70 varietals grown in the greater Rogue Valley. Take a self-guided tour to over 20 vineyards and tasting rooms spread along the Applegate Valley Wine Trail. After touring the Applegate, explore the vineyards of the Illinois Valley and views of the stunning Siskiyou Mountains.
Throughout the year, you’ll find numerous wine events from May’s Oregon Wine Month celebrations, Spring and Fall Uncorked Barrel Tours, and the Oregon Wine Experience that showcases the best of Oregon’s wine around the state.
6. Book a Stay at Out ‘n’ About Treehouse
Live your Swiss Family Robinson fantasy right here in the Illinois Valley. As one of the most unique attractions in the Pacific Northwest, Out ‘n About Resort outside of Cave Junction is sky-high with things to do, from ziplining and trail rides to arts and crafts. This year-round treesort offers 15 treehouses, with several that can accommodate up to 4 people. Guests receive a full breakfast, as well as access to their swimming pool and hiking trails.
Whether you plan to stay or just visit for the day, book a zipline canopy tour. With multiple courses for all comfort and skill levels, these two hour excursions provide a thrilling adventure that takes you up to 70ft in the air, speeds up to 45 mph, and expanses up to 850ft long. Afterwards, ask them about the Tarzan Swing!
If heights aren’t your thing, choose an adventure a little closer to the ground, and plan a guided horseback ride along their wooded trails. In addition to trail rides, Out n About also offers guided raft or inflatable kayak trips on the Klamath River in Happy Camp through Treehouse Outfitters rafting.
Out ‘n’ About Treehouses
300 page creek Rd
Cave Junction, 97523
7. Witness the Wildflower Bloom
Just a few miles from downtown Grants Pass, the 400-acre Cathedral Hills complex is home to one of the best wildflower displays in Oregon. During March and April, see an explosion of color as vibrant Warriors Plume blankets the forest floor, while Shooting Stars put on their own pyrotechnic display. While hiking, biking, or horseback riding, enjoy tunnels of Manzanita, old growth Madrones and pines, and sweeping views of the mountains surrounding Grants Pass.The versatile 10-mile trail system is rated for both easy and more strenuous excursions, offering visitors a “choose your own adventure” experience. For a moderate hike, take the Sky Crest trail or Outback Loop, which are both family and pet-friendly.
8. Tour Golden Ghost Town
It’s been said that Oregon has more ghost towns than any other state in the country, but did you know we have one right here in Josephine County? Golden is located on the banks of Coyote Creek, just 20 miles north of modern day Grants Pass.
During the 1850’s Gold Rush, many miner’s headed North from California to seek their fortunes in Southern Oregon, and began flocking to Coyote Creek. Gold production really started to ramp up, as did the population, with the introduction of hydraulic mining during the 1870s. In the years that followed, the Ruble family moved to the mining camp and with their successful mining invention, the Ruble elevator, which improved productivity, they bought up land and officially established the town of Golden in 1890.
However, like many Western boom towns, after a few decades, gold production slowed down and people started to leave in search of other opportunities. The post office closed in 1920 and by the mid 20th century, the town was abandoned. Golden is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and as of 2011, is an Oregon State Heritage Site. You can visit the town free of charge and the church, school, general store, carriage house, and a few homes are still standing. Across the street, you can see where the miners worked as the trails loop around the Coyote Creek Wetlands, a restoration project that returned the countryside to its former beauty.
After visiting Golden, drop by the Historic Wolf Creek Inn, which first opened to guests traveling along the stagecoach route in 1883. Take a self-guided tour around the property, where famous guests like Clarke Gable, John Wayne, Orson Wells, and President Hayes stayed many years ago.
9. Take a Lesson at the Glass Forge
Founded by two master glassblowers, Lee Wassink and Nathan Sheafor, The Glass Forge first lit its furnaces in 1998. Their 5,000 square foot gallery and studio features one-of-a-kind glass art, ranging from functional pieces like goblets, bowls, and lamps to decorative vessels, vases, and sculptures. Specializing in traditional Venetian Style glass, most of their work is done in a team-oriented fashion, with a gaffer directing the art being created. These Italian glass-making techniques have been practiced for at least two thousand years.
While walking around the gallery, you’ll notice four huge viewing windows to watch the artists at work, and often times, they will invite you back to get a closer look into their glass-making process. For those interested in learning the art of glassblowing, they offer short, $35 lessons, where you create an ornament, paperweight, or bowl. After perusing the gallery, head next door to Climate City Brewing and Steam Distillery, where you’ll find their glass art throughout the restaurants.
Glass Forge
501 SW G Street
Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm
Friday 8:30am-5pm
Saturday 10am-4pm
10. Hike the Rogue River Trail to Whisky Creek Cabin
For one of the best hikes in Southern Oregon, plan a day hiking along the river, and follow the Rogue River Trail to Whisky Creek Cabin. This 7-mile roundtrip hike takes you to the last remaining miners cabin in the Lower Rogue Gorge and offers views of the stunning Rogue scenery and mining relics.
On the way to the 19th century homestead, the trail is flush with spring and early summer wildflowers as you cross several footbridges, creeks, and waterfalls. The best time to hike is spring and fall as the summer temperatures get pretty toasty. For those interested in backpacking, continue past the cabin and follow the entire 40 mile trail that stretches from Grave Creek to Agness near the coast.
At this time, the trail head is only accessible by following Wolf Creek/ Grave Creek rd as Galice Road remains closed past Rand due to the Rum Creek Fire. Despite last year’s fire, the Rogue River Trail was untouched from any damage and the Grave Creek trailhead and boat ramp remain open to hikers and boaters.
