Three-Day Weekend in Grants Pass, Oregon: Small Town, Big Adventures
Grants Pass is located in a gorgeous area of Southern Oregon, with easy access to all the delights in the Rogue Valley, including the Rogue River and Siskiyou Mountains for outdoor recreation. (Photo by John Roberts)
Grants Pass and the greater Rogue Valley is ripe with fun activities that will appeal to all kinds of travelers looking for a long-weekend getaway. I visited for the first time this summer as a guest of Visit Grants Pass and found a bunch of cool stuff that adventurers, foodies and families will thoroughly enjoy.
I was able to take a direct two-hour flight from Denver to Medford, which is a 30-minute drive from Grants Pass. So, it was convenient for me to experience this charming destination, where I found a great list of things that travelers would enjoy during a three-day weekend.
Here are my top picks for what you’ll love about Grants Pass, Oregon.
1. Recreation on the Rogue River
Hellgate Jetboat Excursions offers fun speeboat tours along the Rogue River. (Photo by John Roberts)
I stayed at the Riverside Inn (986 SW 6th Street), which sits right on the Rogue River. I was able to go for a run in a nearby park after crossing the bridge.
But the highlight was my jetboat ride with Hellgate Jetboat Excursions. The company has a fleet of flat-bottom speedboats, and you start your adventure just steps from Riverside Inn. The boat excursion I took was four hours long and included a nice all-you-can-eat barbecue dinner at a lodge on the river.
The Rogue River was designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1968. (Photo by John Roberts)
We saw ospreys all along the route perched in large nests, bald eagles and a number of other birds. The pilots give riders a thrill every so often by doing some high-speed spins that could bring a big splash of water.
The Rogue River is a premier destination for watersports, renowned for its stunning scenery and diverse recreational opportunities. It was designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1968, and it offers 215 miles of pristine waters, from Crater Lake to the Pacific Ocean.
In Grants Pass, the river is utilized for a variety of activities, including whitewater rafting, with Class I to Class IV rapids. Outfitters like OARS and Morrisons provide guided rafting trips. You can experience both thrilling rapids and serene floats. In additional to Hellgate Jetboat Excursions, Jerry’s Rogue Jets also delivers high-speed tours through Hellgate Canyon, showcasing its wildlife and history.
Kayaking and paddleboarding also are popular for exploring calmer sections of the waterway, while fishing for salmon and steelhead attracts anglers year-round.
2. The Food and Wine Trail in the Applegate Valley
Pennington Farms is a highlight on the Rogue Valley Food Trail, with a wonderful variety of fresh jams, jellies, pastries, pies and more. (Photo by John Roberts)
Yes, Southern Oregon has a wonderful slice of wine country.
The Applegate Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) covering a lush stretch of about 50 miles along the Applegate River and surrounded by the Siskiyou Mountains.
I enjoyed a day touring the Applegate Valley Wine Trail, stopping at Wooldridge Creek Winery & Creamery (the vineyard makes its own cheeses on site, too) and Troon Vineyard and Farm.
I tried a variety of wines, cheeses and cured meats and got a wonderful tour of the property at Troon to learn about the organic farming that also takes place and how the biodynamic vineyard operates.
The Applegate Valley Wine Trail covers 275,000 acres, and the AVA was established in 2000. It’s part of the Rogue Valley AVA and boasts a rich winemaking history dating to 1854.
The trail features 19 unique, family-owned wineries, such as Troon, Cowhorn and Red Lily Vineyards, producing diverse varietals like Syrah, Tempranillo, Chardonnay and Vermentino, thanks to the region’s warm days, cool nights, and well-drained alluvial soils.
The vineyards are characterized by their sustainable practices and stunning views
The Rogue Valley Food Trail also is connected to this region and offers tasty farm-to-table experiences.
Check out RogueValleyFoodTrail.com for a self-guided tour route that showcases the region’s rich agricultural heritage. Spanning from Grants Pass to Ashland, the trail features 52 businesses, including family farms, artisan producers and farm-to-table restaurants.
Established in 2019, the trail highlights sustainable practices and local sourcing, offering experiences like you-pick farms, farmers’ markets, craft breweries and Rogue Creamery, home to the award-winning Rogue River Blue cheese.
There are stops throughout Jacksonville and the Applegate Valley. Travelers will enjoy fresh produce, organic herbs and gourmet chocolates from Lillie Belle Farms. Open year-round, the trail offers scenic backroads and vibrant communities. It’s a delicious way to connect with Southern Oregon’s food culture.
The fresh pastries at Pennington Farms were irresistible. (Photo by John Roberts)
I experienced a little slice of this wholesome goodness through my stops at Pennington Farms, where I bought a fresh blueberry scone and citrus tea cake, and Whistling Duck Farm and Store, which features a fantastic number of organic produce and goodies. I grabbed some smoked sweet paprika pepper to take back home to spice up my cooking.
3. Tour the Oregon Caves and Cave Junction
Oregon Cave National Monument and Preserve in Cave Junction is a highlight of any trip to Southern Oregon. (Photo by John Roberts)
Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve is such a unique experience.
Visitors can tour inside an ancient cave complex nestled in the Siskiyou Mountains near Grants Pass.
The protected area spans 4,554 acres and features a stunning marble cave system formed by acidic water eroding the rock over millennia.
The caves are known as the “Marble Halls of Oregon” and were discovered in 1874. The temps inside are a constant 44 degrees Fahrenheit.
I went on a tour that took about two hours and covers one mile of walking. The pathways take you through narrow crevices, and you must crouch down in some corridors. You also have a few large chambers that showcase the stunning formations, such as stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones, that present as beautiful natural works of art formed over the centuries.
The site within the old-growth forest also features six hiking trails, including the 3.3-mile Big Tree Trail to Oregon’s widest Douglas fir.
Cave tours, available from late March to early November (Thursday–Monday), are ranger-guided and require tickets from the Illinois Valley Visitor Center in Cave Junction. The Discovery Cave Tour that I enjoyed navigates 500 steep stairs, as well as the tight passages and is suitable for people 42 inches tall without mobility issues. The Kids & Family Tour caters to younger visitors with gentler routes. Summer Off-Trail Caving Tours (3 hours) teach caving techniques for adventurous adults. Reservations via Recreation.gov are recommended.
The Oregon Caves are located in Cave Junction, Oregon, which consequently is known as the “Gateway to the Oregon Caves.” The town itself offers several other attractions, too.
Visitors could check out:
Great Cats World Park: A conservation-focused park with 32 big cats. It’s home to lions, tigers and leopards. Guided tours allow you to observe active animals in a natural setting, making it ideal for conservation-focused wildlife enthusiasts.
Illinois River Forks State Park: This serene spot at the confluence of the Illinois River’s forks offers a clear, 6- to 10-foot-deep swimming hole, picnic areas and a 9-hole disc golf course. This spot is a nice choice for family outings and water activities such as kayaking and fishing.
Eight Dollar Mountain Botanical Area: A significant botanical site with rare plants and wildflowers, ideal for short hikes and nature photography. Its ecosystem draws botanists and general outdoor lovers.
Taylor’s Sausage Country Store: This is the stop for snacks and lunch.
Established in 1924, Taylor’s Sausage is a fifth-generation family business that began in Calgary, Canada, before moving to California and settling in Cave Junction in 1970. The store is known for its European-style sausage recipes owns a reputation as a Southern Oregon landmark.
Taylor’s specializes in more than 80 varieties of handcrafted sausages, including smoked bratwurst, andouille and LandJaeger, plus a huge variety of jerky flavors (such as whiskey maple, orange habanero). The menu includes breakfast burritos, burgers, sandwiches (like pastrami or pulled pork), steaks and salads, with vegetarian options like avocado sandwiches. The store and deli features a diner-style setting with a walk-up counter, indoor seating and a patio.
4. Stay, Eat, Dine and Shop in Historic Downtown Grants Pass
My accommodations at Riverside Inn offered wonderful views and access to the river. This also is an easy 10- to 12-minute walk to the downtown area of Grants Pass, where you will find the quaint antique stores, coffee shops and dozens of places to enjoy a meal or drinks.
Downtown Grants Pass is a vibrant hub reflecting the city’s rich history and community spirit and has been designated as a National Historic District for its historic buildings.
The city was founded in 1865 as a stagecoach stop and grew from there with the arrival of the railroad in 1883.
It was a major hub for commerce and trade, getting the nickname of the “Rogue River’s Home.”
The Historic District is centered on G Street, and I was drawn to the well-preserved buildings. Many are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and some feature beautiful large murals depicting periods of time in the city.
Self-guided walking tours are available at the Downtown Welcome Center (198 SW 6th Street).
Dining options abound, blending regional flavors with diverse cuisines.
The Bohemian Bar & Bistro (221 SW G Street) serves creative breakfast and brunch with rooftop dining, while Carson’s Bistro (414 NW 6th Street) has upscale New American dishes in an intimate setting. For casual fare, check out The Haul (210 SW 6th St.), which offers wood-fired pizzas paired craft beers from Conner Fields Brewing (tasting room on site).
The food at Catalyst Pizza Co. (314 SE H Street) and the meals and cocktails (on the rooftop) at The Bohemian Bar (221 SW G Street) come highly recommended by the residents I met during my time in town.
Popular shopping stops include the Old Town Antique Mall and Elegance Antiques, perfect for collectors. Loam + Black and Rogue Florists cater to plant lovers, while The Kitchen Company stocks unique culinary gifts.
For drinks, Steam Distillery elevates cocktails with a steampunk vibe, serving Smoked Old Fashioneds. Wild River Pub, Southern Oregon’s oldest brewery, offers award-winning craft beers and live music. Partake combines a wine shop, craft cocktails, and seasonal cuisine for a refined experience.
For more ideas on dining and events in the city and region, check out VisitGrantsPass.com.