Scenic Fall Hikes Around Grants Pass
As summer turns to fall, hikers around Grants Pass enjoy a new look at the scenic region. Salmon hurl themselves upstream in the area’s chilly rivers to spawn and begin the cycle of life anew, breezy afternoons encourage extended snack breaks at wide-open viewpoints, and colorful fall foliage blankets our forests in hues of red, orange, and yellow.
So as you plan your autumn outings, here’s a look at four popular fall hikes around Grants Pass.
Wildfire Scars, Fall Colors Along the Rogue River Trail
In all, the Rogue River National Recreation Trail stretches about 40 miles between Grave Creek (just outside of Grants Pass) and Foster Bar (near the Oregon Coast). Along the way, it follows the northern banks of the Lower Rogue National Wild and Scenic River while traversing mountainous terrain and darting in and out of verdant forests. Backpackers who spend days on the trail enjoy nightly stays in riverside lodges—many of which are accessible only by foot.
We don’t expect you to hike the 40-mile trail all in one go, but fall is a great time for day hikes along the broader footpath; temperatures are far cooler than at the height of summer, wildlife sightings aren’t uncommon (and may include deer, raccoons, and even the occasional black bear), and groves of vine maple provide vibrant pops of yellow, red, and orange by mid-October.
The trail also provides a unique (and safe) glimpse at the impacts of wildfire on regional forests. It was in August 2022, after all, that the lightning-caused Rum Creek Fire decimated large swaths of the Rogue River canyon. (The popular Rainie Falls Trail, on the south side of the Rogue River, remains closed as of July 2023.) As such, hikers can compare and contrast different sections where the wildfire missed the forest entirely—and where plants, trees, and shrubs are beginning to regrow in its aftermath.
Learn more about the Rogue River Trail, and peruse the official Rogue River Trail Guide for the lowdown on trailheads, mileage markers, and safety to start planning.
Urban, Natural Attractions Come Together at Reinhart Volunteer Park
You don’t have to go far to enjoy the natural wonders at Reinhart Volunteer Park. Just a five-minute drive from downtown Grants Pass, the bucolic green space offers a welcome dose of nature and a few walking and jogging trails that invite lazy wandering.
Reinhart Volunteer Park is beloved around Grants Pass for its many facilities, including a fly-fishing pond, pickle ball courts, sandy volleyball courts, and play equipment for children. The park’s mostly flat, family-friendly footpaths head near the shore of the Rogue River—where an open field allows for lunchtime picnicking and a flock of resident ducks enchant visitors of all ages. By mid-October, maple trees come alive in colorful hues of red, pink, orange, and yellow.
City Views Await Along the Dollar Mountain Trail
The two-mile (round-trip) Dollar Mountain Trail is another close-in hike, with the trailhead sitting a mere five-minute drive from downtown Grants Pass.
But you’ll quickly leave the hustle and bustle behind while ascending nearly 750 feet—all before emerging at a viewpoint (at the base of a cell tower) that overlooks the sweeping expanse of Grants Pass. The steep trail passes through a forest of fir, pine, and oak, with colorful fall foliage dotting the surrounding hillsides along the way. This is a popular trail for much of the year, but never more than in fall—when cooler temperatures make the climb a bit breezier.
Note that portions of the trail can be steep and sandy, which makes it slippery if you’re not paying close attention. Consider bringing at least one trekking pole for added stability.
