14 Awesome Things to Do in Grants Pass, Oregon
Grants Pass doesn’t always make the top of Oregon travel lists — and honestly, that’s a shame. This Southern Oregon city is charming, outdoorsy, and sits right on the Rogue River, one of the most legendary whitewater rivers in the entire country.
It’s got a walkable downtown, great food, and more adventure packed around it than most people realize. Whether you’re passing through on a road trip or making it a destination, here’s what to do in Grants Pass.
Table of Contents
- 1. Float or Raft the Rogue River
- 2. Hike at Valley of the Rogue State Park
- 3. Explore Downtown Grants Pass
- 4. Visit Crater Lake National Park (Day Trip)
- 5. Jet Boat the Rogue River
- 6. Day Trip to the Oregon Caves
- 7. Swim at Grants Pass Fishing Pier & Riverside Park
- 8. Hike the Illinois River Trail
- 9. Check Out Reinhart Volunteer Park
- 10. Go Wine Tasting in the Applegate Valley
- 11. Visit the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
- 12. Kayak or Stand-Up Paddleboard the Rogue
- 13. Explore the Siskiyou Mountains on a Scenic Drive
- 14. Eat and Drink Your Way Through Town
- Getting to Grants Pass
- More Southern Oregon Adventures
1. Float or Raft the Rogue River
This is the big one. The Rogue River is the reason Grants Pass is on the map for outdoor lovers, and it absolutely lives up to the hype. You can go full send on a multi-day whitewater rafting trip through the Wild & Scenic section, or keep it mellow with a float through town on a hot summer day.
Several outfitters in town run guided trips ranging from half-day floats to 4-day wilderness adventures. If rafting is your thing, Oregon has some of the best white water rafting rivers in the country — and the Rogue is right at the top of that list.
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2. Hike at Valley of the Rogue State Park
Just east of town, Valley of the Rogue State Park sits right on the riverbank and offers easy trails with gorgeous Rogue River views. It’s a great spot for a relaxed morning walk, a picnic, or a family-friendly outing with the kids.
There’s also a campground here if you want to make a night of it — riverside sites with that classic Oregon state park feel.
3. Explore Downtown Grants Pass
Downtown Grants Pass is genuinely charming and worth a wander. The historic main street has independent shops, coffee spots, breweries, and restaurants — and a lively farmers market running Tuesday and Saturday mornings from May through November.
The famous “It’s the Climate” bear statue is right in the heart of town — a Grants Pass icon since 1949 and a solid photo op. The whole downtown has an easy, unhurried vibe that Southern Oregon does really well.
4. Visit Crater Lake National Park (Day Trip)
Grants Pass is one of the best base camps for a Crater Lake day trip. The drive is about 1.5 hours northeast, making it totally doable. You can hit the Rim Drive, do a hike or two, and be back in Grants Pass for dinner.
If you haven’t been to Crater Lake, do not sleep on this. It’s one of the most jaw-dropping places in the entire US.
5. Jet Boat the Rogue River
Not into paddling yourself? No problem. Jet boat tours run from Grants Pass deep into the Rogue River canyon, covering terrain you simply can’t reach on foot. You’ll blast through rapids, spot wildlife (black bears, deer, osprey, and bald eagles are common), and get into some seriously remote and beautiful country.
Hellgate Jetboat Excursions is the main operator and runs trips ranging from 2 hours to a full day. A great option for families or anyone who wants the adventure without the paddle.
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6. Day Trip to the Oregon Caves
Oregon Caves National Monument is about an hour west of Grants Pass and wildly underrated. A guided tour takes you deep into a marble cave system formed over millions of years — stalactites, cave bacon, underground rivers, the works.
It’s a totally different Oregon experience and pairs well with the drive through the Siskiyou Mountains, which is gorgeous in its own right. Cave exploration in Oregon is always a good time, and the Oregon Caves are one of the best.
7. Swim at Grants Pass Fishing Pier & Riverside Park
Right in town, the Rogue River has some great swimming and wading spots — especially popular on hot summer days when locals flock to the riverside parks. Whitehorse Park and the area near the fishing pier are go-to spots for a casual dip.
Bring a picnic, let the kids splash around, and enjoy one of the more underrated small-city river scenes in Oregon.
8. Hike the Illinois River Trail
A little south of Grants Pass, the Illinois River area offers some spectacular and rugged backcountry hiking. The Illinois River is a tributary of the Rogue and the canyon it cuts through is dramatic, remote, and stunning.
This is more of a serious backcountry trail — not a casual stroll — but for hikers who want to get off the beaten path in Southern Oregon, it’s one of the best options around.
9. Check Out Reinhart Volunteer Park
Right on the Rogue River in the heart of town, Reinhart Volunteer Park is a great spot for a morning jog, a riverside picnic, or just watching the river roll by. It connects to the Greenway trail system, which runs along the Rogue and makes for a really pleasant walking or biking route.
Easy, free, and a lovely way to spend an hour in Grants Pass.
10. Go Wine Tasting in the Applegate Valley
The Applegate Valley, just southwest of Grants Pass, is part of the broader Rogue Valley wine region — one of Oregon’s most underrated wine areas. Several small family wineries are tucked into the hills here, producing Syrah, Tempranillo, Cabernet, and more that thrive in the warmer Southern Oregon climate.
A self-guided wine tasting loop through the Applegate is a seriously pleasant afternoon. Combine it with some scenery driving and you’ve got a great low-key day.
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11. Visit the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Grants Pass is essentially the front door to a massive stretch of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, which covers over 1.8 million acres of incredible terrain. There are countless trails, fishing spots, swimming holes, and scenic drives to explore in here.
The Wild Rogue Wilderness section in particular is a gem — remote, rugged, and absolutely stunning. According to the US Forest Service, the Wild Rogue Wilderness protects over 35,000 acres of old-growth forest and river canyon habitat.
12. Kayak or Stand-Up Paddleboard the Rogue
If full-on whitewater isn’t your vibe, the calmer stretches of the Rogue through and around Grants Pass are perfect for kayaking or paddleboarding. The river is beautiful at a slower pace — you’ll spot great blue herons, kingfishers, river otters, and if you’re lucky, black bears on the bank.
Several rental outfitters in town can set you up with gear. Morning paddles before the crowds arrive are the move.
13. Explore the Siskiyou Mountains on a Scenic Drive
The drive south from Grants Pass toward the California border on US-199 through the Siskiyou Mountains is legitimately beautiful — winding through old-growth forest, past the Illinois River, and into some extremely dramatic terrain.
There are trailheads, picnic spots, and viewpoints scattered along the way. Even if you just drive it without stopping much, it’s a great way to see a wild and underexplored part of Oregon.
14. Eat and Drink Your Way Through Town
Grants Pass punches above its weight for food and drink. A few highlights:
- Rogue Ales Brewery has a presence here — always a solid stop in Oregon craft beer country
- Ma Mosa’s is a beloved local breakfast and brunch spot
- The Laughing Clam is a Grants Pass institution on the river — good food, great vibes
Southern Oregon has a laid-back food scene that’s heavy on local ingredients and easy atmosphere. Spend an evening hopping between spots downtown and you’ll get what this town is about.
Getting to Grants Pass
Grants Pass sits right on I-5 in Southern Oregon, about 80 miles north of the California border and 30 miles northwest of Medford. It’s an easy stop on any Pacific Coast or I-5 road trip and a natural jumping-off point for exploring Southern Oregon more broadly.
The closest major airport is Rogue Valley International in Medford (about 30 minutes away).
More Southern Oregon Adventures
If you’re road-tripping through this part of the state, don’t stop at Grants Pass. The whole region is stacked with great stuff — check out our guides to things to do in Ashland, things to do in Medford, and things to do in Klamath Falls to round out your Southern Oregon itinerary.
Happy adventuring, friend!
