Grants Pass
Around Grants Pass
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Metro area · Oregon · 88k people
Grants Pass
Locals say Rogue Valley · “River City”
Where the river bends and the mountains breathe.
Sunset OrangeForest GreenRiver Teal
Welcome to Grants Pass, where the Rogue River runs right through town and the mountains are right outside your door. Whether you're here for the rafting, the wine, or just to soak up the small-town vibe, you'll find plenty to love.
Clubs for Grants Pass
No clubs for Grants Pass yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Grants Pass. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Grants Pass. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Oregon Caves National Monument Marble caves with guided tours through the mountains.
- Caveman Bridge Iconic pedestrian bridge over the Rogue River with a caveman statue.
- Riverside Park Riverside park with playgrounds, picnic areas, and river access.
- Grants Pass Museum of Art Local art exhibits and community events.
- Rogue River Central to local recreation, famous for rafting and fishing.
- Outdoors Rafting on the Rogue River
- Outdoors Hiking in the Siskiyou Mountains
- With kids Visiting Oregon Caves National Monument
- With kids Playing at Riverside Park
- Evenings Local breweries and taprooms
- Evenings Wine bars in downtown
- Locals love River rafting outfitters
- Locals love Wine tasting rooms
Through the year
- Boatnik May Hydroplane boat races on the Rogue River over Memorial Day weekend.
- Josephine County Fair August County fair with rides, exhibits, and livestock.
- Grants Pass Growers Market Summer Weekly farmers market with local produce and crafts.
Grants Pass has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The best times to be out are spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall
Talk like a local
- “The Rogue”
- The Rogue River
- “Caveman”
- A local resident, from the Caveman statue
Getaways
- Medford Larger city with shopping, dining, and the airport.
- Roseburg Wine country and the Umpqua River.
- Brookings Oregon coast with beaches and the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor.
- Crescent City Redwood national and state parks.
Local flavour
Rooting for Oregon Ducks, Oregon State Beavers, Portland Trail Blazers, Portland Timbers, Seattle Seahawks
Eat and drink
- Dutch Bros coffee Founded in Grants Pass in 1992
- Marionberry pie Oregon's signature berry
- Rogue Valley wine Local vineyards and tasting rooms
- Rogue Creamery blue cheese Artisan cheese from nearby Central Point
Where people go
- River rafting outfitters The Rogue River is a whitewater destination
- Wine tasting rooms Rogue Valley vineyards and wineries
- Oregon Caves National Monument Marble caves in the Siskiyou Mountains
- Historic downtown with the Caveman Bridge A landmark bridge and quirky local statue
- Hiking trails in the Siskiyou Mountains Forest trails and mountain views
Heritage and traditions
Grants Pass is proud of its wild Rogue River, the rugged Siskiyou Mountains, and its quirky 'Caveman' identity, celebrating a laid-back outdoor lifestyle and a deep connection to the land.
This time of year in Grants Pass
- Salmon run September–October Fall brings salmon runs, a time for fishing and feasting.
Say it like a local: “up the hill” — The surrounding mountains
Festivals
- First Friday Art Walk Monthly Local galleries open late with new exhibits and meet-the-artist events.
- Summer Concert Series July–August Free outdoor concerts in the park feature local and regional bands.
- Christmas Parade December A small-town holiday parade with floats and lights.
- Siskiyou Wildflower Festival May Guided hikes and talks celebrate the region's spring wildflower blooms.
Landmarks with a story
- Josephine County Courthouse Built in 1910, this historic government building anchors the downtown.
- Wolf Creek Inn One of Oregon's oldest continuously operating inns, a former stagecoach stop.
- Kerbyville Museum Local history museum in Kerby, showcasing pioneer artifacts.
- Applegate Trail A historic pioneer route that brought settlers to the Rogue Valley.
- Redwood Highway A scenic byway (US 199) through the Siskiyous, connecting to the redwoods.
Food traditions
- Smoked salmon and steelhead Locals catch salmon and steelhead from the Rogue and often smoke or grill them.
- Huckleberry picking A late-summer ritual in the Siskiyous, used for pies and jams.
- Pear harvest Local orchards produce pears, celebrated in pies and preserves.
- Farm-to-table dining Restaurants source fresh produce from nearby farms.
- Craft beer Local breweries offer a taste of the region's hops and barley.
Music and arts
- Local art galleries Galleries and the Grants Pass Museum of Art showcase regional artists.
- Folk and bluegrass scene Open mics and jam sessions at local venues.
- Caveman public art Murals and sculptures celebrate the caveman theme.
- Summer concerts in the park Free music events draw crowds to Riverside Park.
A little history
- 1850s Gold rush brought settlers to the Rogue Valley
- 1850s Rogue River Wars with Native American tribes
- 1865 Town of Grants Pass founded
- Early 20th century Timber industry boomed
- 1920s Oregon Caves highway completed
- Game day Boatnik hydroplane races
- Game day Rafting competitions
- Outdoors Gold panning in the Rogue
- Outdoors Berry picking
- With kids Caveman mascot
- With kids Annual Easter egg hunt
Locals often refer to the Rogue River as 'the Rogue' and embrace the 'Caveman' nickname. The accent is typical Pacific Northwest, with a relaxed, outdoor-oriented vocabulary.
Only here
- The Rogue River's Hellgate Canyon is a dramatic narrows.
- The Illinois River is a wild and scenic river.
- The Siskiyou Mountains are a biodiversity hotspot with unique plants.
- Cave Junction is named after the Oregon Caves.
New here? A few tips
- Get a local map for the many trails and forest roads.
- Try the farm stands for fresh produce and local honey.
- Attend a First Friday Art Walk to meet neighbors.
- Learn about the Caveman history and the Rogue River's significance.
- Be prepared for wildfire smoke in late summer; check air quality.
Make this page better
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Part of Medford area
Nearby
Every areaMedfordOregonWhere the Rogue flows through wine country.RoseburgOregonWhere the river meets the pines.BrookingsOregonWhere the ocean meets the forest, and every day is a fresh catch.Siskiyou–ModocCaliforniaLand of living rivers and ancient peaksCrescent CityCaliforniaWhere the redwoods meet the sea.Coos BayOregonWhere the sea and forest embrace.Klamath FallsOregonBasin of lakes and lightEugene–SpringfieldOregonWhere rivers, trails, and a love of sport meet.
Grants Pass, OR. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.