Plan an Epic RV Vacation In Grants Pass
One of the best perks about camping is the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of city life; trading evenings glued to the computer screen for cozy nights around the fire. Taking a break from the daily grind gives us time to relax, pursue a passion, and reconnect with friends and family. The Rogue Valley presents endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, from afternoons exploring wine country to rafting its wild and scenic rivers. This under-the-radar destination is perfect for those wanting to escape the crowds and experience pristine wilderness. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, romantic getaway, or weekend warrior adventure, Grants Pass is chock-full of activities for all ages to enjoy.
Photo Courtesy of Larry Evans
Fun Things To Do Around Town
River Recreation
With 3 river valleys, there’s no shortage of fun ways to enjoy the outdoors around Grants Pass. Plan an overnight rafting trip or an afternoon floating down the Rogue River, passing dozens of gravel bars to hop out and swim. Experience a thrilling ride with Hellgate Jetboats that lead guests through Hellgate Canyon, the Rogue’s deepest river gorge before stopping for a meal at their lodge. World renowned for its fly-fishing, book a guided angling trip with a local outfitter or cast a line at one of our many county parks or river accesses.
Hiking
Find incredible hiking trails throughout the region that feature wildflowers, waterfalls, mossy forests, and panoramic vistas. Hike or backpack along the Rogue River Trail that skirts along the wild and scenic area of the Rogue, passing rapids, old growth forest, and historic mining sites. Get 360 views of the Siskiyou Mountains along the East Applegate Ridge Trail in Applegate Valley. Near downtown, hike through spring wildflowers at Cathedral Hills or explore unique flora along the Illinois Valley’s Rough and Ready Botanical Trail and Eight Dollar Mountain Boardwalk. Escape the summer’s heat and follow the Limpy Creek Trail that stays cool and lush year round and features cascading waterfalls and moss strewn trees and boulders.
Oregon Caves National Monument
Explore a labyrinth of marble passageways at Oregon Caves National Monument, where you’ll pass glistening stalactites and stalagmites, historic relics, and a cavernous natural room 220 feet beneath the surface. During the 90-minute adventure, park rangers will share interesting facts about the geology and history as you’re guided through the cave. 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 stay at their RV-friendly Grayback campground.
Wine Tasting and Farm Stands
Home to some of the oldest vineyards in Oregon, Applegate Valley’s wine roots run deep. Around Grants Pass, you’ll taste a wide array of flavors, 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. Plan a stop at Troon Vineyards, 1-of-4 in the world to receive the Regenerative Organic Gold designation and visit their neighbor, Wooldridge Creek Winery, the first dual vineyard and creamery in the state. Afterwards, tour the gardens at Schmidt Family Vineyard and try one of their famous wood-fired pizzas. After exploring Applegate’s wine, head over to the Illinois Valley and visit Foris Vineyard and Bridgeview Winery where they have a rotating “Art in the Vineyard” exhibit by Southern Oregon Guild of Artists.
Not only was the Rogue Valley recently voted as one of the most important wine regions by Wine Enthusiast magazine, it’s also home to the “world’s best cheese”. Follow your nose to Rogue Creamery Farmstand where you can tour their state-of-the-art farm and try their award winning blue cheese. Indulge in one of Oregon’s most mouth-watering bakeries at Pennington Farms in the heart of Applegate valley. This organic berry farm and orchard dishes out amazing baked goods, from chicken pot pies and fruit cobblers to berry danishes and turnovers. Down the road from Pennington’s, drop into Whistling Duck’s Farm Store which focuses on fermented goods and take home some kimchi, krauts, brines, and kvass.Visit U-Pick flower farms and take home a bouquet from Mama Bees Flower Farm, English Lavender Farm, and Sweet Cron Farms.
The valley is also home to a handful of incredible farmers markets. In addition to the year round Grants Pass Growers Market, find weekly markets during the warmer months at the Cave Junction Farmers Market, Applegate Evening Market, Murphy Farmers Market, and Williams Farmers Market. While shopping for fresh produce, enjoy live music, foodtrucks, and kids crafts at many of these events. Learn more about farmers markets and experiences here.
Zip-lining and Trail Rides
For a thrilling adventure, Out N About Treesort near Cave Junction is sky-high with things to do, From zip-lining to trail rides, this unique year-round attraction offers one of the best zipline canopy tours in Southern Oregon. With multiple courses for all comfort and skill levels, their two hour excursions provide an exciting 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. 
Downtown Shopping, Restaurants, and Breweries
Spend a day walking around the Historic District, where Victorian and Art Deco buildings line the streets and public art and murals surround every corner. From art galleries and specialty boutiques to bike shops and antique stores, you’ll find a wide variety of retail stores downtown.While perusing the shops, grab a Cup of Joe from Rogue Roasters , dine at a regionally-sourced eatery, and indulge in hand-crafted cocktails. Get a taste of the brewery scene at Weekend Beer Company, Wild River Brewing, and Climate City Brewing. After Climate City, visit the neighboring Steam Distillery, a steampunk themed craft cocktail bar and pop into Glass Forge Studio and Gallery. Enjoy art from both regional and international artists at Grants Pass Museum of Art and explore locally-owned shops along historic G St. Plan a brunch date at Lulu’s or Dassh Bakery and dine for dinner at Food Studio, Zoom City, Bohemian, and Carson’s Bistro. Learn more about shops and restaurants here.
Festivals
Throughout the year, you’ll find an amazing lineup of family-friendly festivals in Grants Pass. Festival season kicks off with Boatnik which takes place every Memorial Day weekend. The multi-day event features jet boat races, carnival rides, concerts, a parade, fireworks, and a brewfest. June’s Porchfest is one giant block party that brings regional musicians to the porches and front lawns of historic homes for a day of free music and art. Southern Oregon’s Lavender Festival takes place in June and July as visitors can take a self-guided tour to a handful of lavender farms. During the 3rd week of July, Back to the 50’s bring the old school fun to Grants Pass, with classic car shows, live music, sock hops, a poker run, and Drive-In movies. In August, the Josephine County Fair returns to the fairgrounds for a week of rides, live music, livestock, and arts and craft shows. The first Friday of October kicks off Art Along the Rogue, Southern Oregon’s largest chalk art and music festival. The free 3-day festival showcases incredible muralists, cross genre bands, food trucks, and craft vendors.
Where To Camp
RVers have different camping preferences and needs and throughout Grants Pass, you’ll find about every kind of stay across the spectrum. From glampgrounds and full hookup county parks to winery stays and backcountry boondocking, here you’’ find a wide array of camping options.
County Parks
Grants Pass is home to eight county park campgrounds, all of which offer access to the water where guests can cool off along the banks of the river, lake, or creek. Throughout the county, you’ll find parks that cater to both remote workers who need full hookups and reception as well as those who want to escape the city and unplug.
If you’re seeking something closer to town, book a site at Schroeder or Whitehorse County Parks. Located just 4 miles from downtown Grants Pass, Schroeder Park is the closest park to the heart of the Historic District. This 50 site campground offers full hook ups, partial hookups, tent sites, and yurts, with many of them located right along the river. Enjoy a bike ride around the park with the family, take advantage of the fully enclosed dog park, and play a game of tennis, volleyball, or basketball. Slightly further away is Whitehorse Park , located 7 miles from downtown Grants Pass. With 42 RV, tent, and yurt sites, campers can spread out under the towering shady trees that encompass the park. Here, you’ll find one of the area’s most treasured bird sanctuaries, with more than 170 species recorded, and some great trails that will lead you down to the river for a better view. Down the road, Griffin Park offers spots for RVs and tents and being one of the calmest sections of the Rogue River, it’s perfect for swimming on hot summer days.
For those looking for something further out, Lake Selmac, Almeda Park, Indian Mary, and Wolf Creek Campgrounds are excellent choices. For a park that’s quiet and tucked away, head North from Grants Pass to the Wolf Creek exit and plan a stay at Wolf Creek campground. Nestled in the mountains of Southern Oregon, this park is situated along a creek and is your best bet for finding a last minute campsite, as it sees less traffic than the other county parks. While there, take the hike up to London Peak which overlooks town and visit the historic Wolf Creek Inn. If you’re looking to unplug and enjoy lazy days on the river, Almeda Park offers a quiet retreat and is the gateway to the Lower Rogue. This particular campground offers dry camping only, without hookups, showers, and cell reception. If you prefer hookups and shower facilities, Indian Mary Park is right down the road and is one of the most scenic parks in the county. In the Illinois Valley, Lake Selmac offers families scores of fun activities, from kayaking and fishing around the lake as well as disc golf, volleyball, horseshoes, and more. While visiting, explore Oregon Caves National Monument and hike along the Illinois River. Learn more about Josephine County Campgrounds here.
Photo Courtesy of Augustino Estate
Winery and Farm Stays
Get best of both worlds and plan a stay at a local vineyard, farm, or brewery around Grants Pass. With the growing amount of RVers looking for ways to experience new places, services like Harvest Hosts and HipCamp have connected travelers to local farmers and wine makers. Plan a camping trip at one of Oregon’s most unique tasting rooms at Augustino’s Tree House Tasting Room in the Illinois Valley. Nestled in a valley surrounded by gorgeous mountains, Augustino’s O’Brien location is halfway between Grants Pass and the coast- making it the perfect hub for those wanting to explore Southern Oregon and California’s Coastal Redwoods.
Photo Courtesy of Cedar Bloom Farm
Glampgrounds, Private Parks, and Resorts
Sunny Valley Campground
Conveniently situated off of I-5, Sunny Valley Campground just north of Grants Pass offers a wide selection of both RV spaces as well as cabins, covered Conestoga wagons, and tent sites. Perfect for families, the campground includes a pool, game room, lawn games, laundry facility, camp store, dump station, and a propane fill-up.
KOA Campgrounds
Nestled along Jump Off Joe Creek just North of Grants Pass, the Grants Pass KOA offers 54 RV sites with plenty of fun activities to keep families entertained. During your stay, explore their waterfall nature trail, cool off in the creek, and bounce on their large jumping pad. They also have axe throwing, tetherball, a volleyball court, playground, GaGa court, horseshoe pit, and poly pong. The campground includes other amenities like wifi, showers, dog park, laundry facilities, and a fully stocked camp store. Coming this spring, Cave Junction will also have a new KOA and is conveniently located off of Redwood Highway. With 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains, the Cave Junction KOA is a great choice for those traveling between the coast and I-5 or visiting Oregon Caves National Monument. Save 25% on stays between March 1st and June 16th when you book by February 28th.
River Park RV Resort
Just minutes from downtown Grants Pass, River Park RV Resort offers 47 full hookup sites right on the Rogue River with several spots for big rigs. With over 700ft of river frontage and trees that provide shade, the sites offer a quiet retreat where you can fish, swim, and relax without being far from town.
Photo Courtesy of The Dyrt
Off-Grid Boondocking
You’ll discover much of Southern Oregon is public land, so if you’re looking for dispersed camping spots on National Forest or BLM land, you’ve come to the right place. One of the best area’s for off-grid camping can be found along Applegate’s Middle Fork near Applegate Lake. From intimate creekside spots to large meadows that can accommodate large parties, this remote area is perfect for recharging in nature. For something closer to Grants Pass, Ennis Riffle is a large gravel bar along the Rogue River that allows overnight camping for up to 14 days. While this particular site charges $15/day, there are several pullouts past Hog Creek that allow free camping overnight. Nearby, Rocky Riffle allows free overnights on BLM land. Please remember to respect Oregon’s public lands and pack it in and pack it out.
Amazing Day Trips
One of the best things about Grants Pass is its close proximity to amazing adventures. In less than 2 hours, you can be hiking through ancient Redwoods, walking along the coast, exploring Oregon Caves National Monument, and taking in the sweeping views of Crater Lake National Park. Leave the trailer at camp and plan a day trip to some of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest.
Jedediah Redwoods and the Southern Oregon Coast
From Grants Pass, follow Redwood Highway 70 miles towards the coast before arriving at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Some of the best hikes can be found at Grove of Titans and the Boy Scout Tree Trails. For those looking for a quicker jaunt, take the short path to Stout Grove or take a scenic drive along Howland Hill Road that winds its way through the Redwoods before arriving at Crescent City. After touring the Redwoods, head North along Highway 101 to Samuel Boardman Scenic Corridor which starts near Brookings, Oregon. Perhaps the most photogenic stretch of shore along Oregon’s 363 miles of public coastline can be found between Brookings and Gold Beach. Known for its impressive sea stacks, natural arches, and rugged cliffs, here you’ll witness waterfalls cascading down onto the beach, sea caves lined with anemone and starfish, and best of all, it garners a fraction of the crowds you’ll see along Oregon’s Northern Coast. While Harris Beach is popular with families, those who enjoy a bit more solitude will find it at Lone Ranch Beach or Whales Head. Explore one of the best trails in this area is along the Oregon Coastal Trail starting at Whales Head Beach. Here, hikers are led past fern blanketed forests, ocean vistas, and natural bridges before arriving at Indian Sands.
Crater Lake National Park
Voted recently as the country’s “Most Beautiful National Park”, Crater Lake is a stunner year round. Take a day trip to Oregon’s crown jewel and spend an afternoon exploring the park. The lake, which is the deepest, bluest, and clearest lake in the US formed when ancient volcano, Mount Mazama erupted, leaving behind the massive caldera you see today. While exploring after winter’s thaw, visitors can take the scenic Rim Drive that skirts around the lake and offers multiple viewpoints. Work up a sweat and hike along the Watchman or Garfield Peak Trails or make your way down to the water and catch a boat ride to Wizard Island, a volcanic cinder cone towards the west end of the lake. If you have time to spare on your way back to Grants Pass, grab some pie at Beckie’s Cafe and explore the waterfalls along the Rogue River Gorge. 
Where to Find RV and Camping Supplies
If you’re looking for RV or camping supplies in Grants Pass, there are several retailers throughout town. Drop into Oregon RV Outlet at the Merlin exit or Caveman RV on Rogue River Highway for parts and camping supplies. Find additional camping supplies at Big 5 Sporting Goods near Walmart on Grants Pass Parkway.
How To Get Here
Grants Pass is located in the southwest region of Oregon, about an hour north of the California/Oregon border and around four hours south of Portland. For those traveling along I-5, Grants Pass is located off exits 55 from the south and 58 from the north. If you plan to drive from the coast, follow Highway 199 near Crescent City for 80 miles which will bring you to Grants Pass.
Make Grants Pass your adventure hub and start planning your RV getaway today! Learn about more fun things to do around town here.
