Grants Pass
Grants Pass is located in Southern Oregon about 60 miles north of
the California border. It is a town filled with beauty, history
and scenic attractions. Downtown Grants Pass has earned
the distinction of a National Historic District because of its
historic buildings and homes. The city is filled with antique and
collectible shops, ice cream parlors, and sidewalk espresso
stands. Be sure to stroll through downtown and enjoy the
beautifully restored historical buildings.
Grants
Pass is known for its mild climate. Average annual maximum
temperature is 68.0, annual minimum 40.9. Average annual
precipitation is 29.5 inches. Snowfall is minimal - 2.3 inches per
year and in many years is non-existent. Grants Pass is
located in the "sun belt" of Southern Oregon. Our ideal climate
provides a minimum of precipitation, unlike our neighbors to the
west. Our average rainfall is just under 30 inches and we boast a
very gentle wind velocity, averaging only 3.2 mph. Visitors can
plan on warm, sunny days and cool, dry evenings from mid-May
through mid-September
The highlight of Grants Pass is the mighty Rogue River
flowing through town. Riverside Park is located right on the Rogue
River and is a wonderful place to picnic and walk along the Rogue.
The city is often referred to the "whitewater rafting capital" of
Oregon and over 25 outfitters offer rafting adventures in Grants
Pass and nearby Merlin. There are jet boats that leave
from Grants Pass and take visitors on a tour through Hellgate
Canyon. Be sure to bring your cameras to catch the extensive
wildlife on film. In 1968 the Rogue River was designated by
Congress as a National Wild and Scenic river. This means that
visitors have access to an unspoiled wilderness world.
Grants Pass abounds with modern campgrounds and RV facilities,
many with boat ramps and riverside campsites. Josephine County has
an extensive system of parks, and many of these are on the Rogue
River. As far as lodging, you will find quality Hotels, Motels, B & B's
and Inns.
Historical Sites - Enjoy a walk
through time as visitors and residents share the legends of
Historic Grants Pass. Visitors will enjoy a tour of our Pioneer
Cemetery Memorial Drive, visit historic homes of The Croxton
House, The Alf House, The Judson House and our famous Schmidt
House. Visit the Schmidt House located on SW 5th Street, downtown,
for a tour of Josephine County’s Historical Society. Contact
541-479-7827 for tours. For a complete list of historical
residences, ask for maps on our “Walking Tour of Historic Grants
Pass.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Amazing
May is the season opener. Festivities are scheduled throughout the
entire month of May. Events include the Native American Arts
Festival; Spring Wine Stroll, Antique & Collectible Street Fair,
Boatnik, the Wild Rogue Balloon Festival, and many more. For a
list of May events call 1-800-547-5927 for further information.
Art Along the
Rogue A premiere fall event. This unique event introduces an art
and music festival at its best, introducing nationally-known and
local pastel street artists along with local and regional musical
entertainers and art displays, in an event that promises to be as
inspiring as it is fun. This three-day event is a must see! Call 1-800-547-5927 for more exciting
details.
The Fabulous 50’s Car Show is a summer event not
to be missed. Celebration includes a downtown 50’s car cruise, a
dance, live music and much more for the entire family to enjoy.
Bear Fest in Grants Pass,
Oregon, is a celebration honoring the area's most prized
inhabitants - the black bear. Our bedecked, larger-than-life bears
start out as plain fiberglass figures. They are then magically
transformed by local artists into colorful, embellished creatures
that are publicly displayed on the downtown streets for all to
see, touch, and enjoy throughout the summer months. Besides its
obvious entertainment value, Bear Fest was organized to raise
funds and support for nonprofit organizations in Grants
Pass. There are sixty-two of the wildest bears you are likely to
encounter. Larger than life-size bears, artfully interpreted by
local artists as fun and friendly public art, are displayed on the
streets and sidewalks of beautiful downtown Grants Pass. Each of
the designed bruins include an adorable "bear cub" as a companion.
Boatnik is an event for the entire family to enjoy
memorial weekend. The event is kicked off by a parade terminating
in Riverside Park, the starting point for whitewater hydro boats
racing 35 miles down the Rogue River and back. Activities in the
park include magic and art shows, crafts, art, clothing and food
vendors. Visit www.boatnik.com or call 1-800-547-5927 for further
information.
Concerts in the Park is a great setting for a
family picnic! Annually this event provides a unique variety of
local music performances free to the public. Limited food vendors,
beverages and other snack treats for the kids are available
throughout the concert. Every summer from July to August
performances will take place every Tuesday evening starting at
6:30pm at Riverside Park. Contact 1-800-547-5927 for more
information and concert performers.
First Friday Art Night
Enjoy an evening stroll through downtown Historic “G” and 6th
Street viewing a variety of local talents in our art Galleries and
Museum. Occurring on the first Friday night of the month
(excluding January), Grants Pass comes alive with music and art.
There are various shops, galleries and restaurants open late
displaying local art and musical talent. Event begins at 6pm and
ends at 9pm.
Perfoming Arts - Grants Pass offers a
uniquely diverse selection of performing art theatres varying from
treasured Musicals to favored Comedies along with remembered
Documentaries & the exploration of Modern performances.
Reminiscing favorite Broadway style shows, enjoying invigorating
community youth productions, to reliving audience involvement
plays.
SATURDAY ARTISAN & CRAFTERS MARKET
A festive
open-air market featuring some of the finest artisans from around
the Rogue Valley. View a wide variety of exquisite, handmade items
including: glass art, pottery, jewelry, metal art, photography,
garden art, furniture, textiles, watercolor, mixed media and much,
much more. We are co-located next to Grower’s Market on 5th St
between E & F Streets every Saturday from May through October
between the hours of 9AM to 1PM.. For further information contact:
(541) 660-9000
GROWER'S MARKET
“We
grow it, cook it, and make it, just for you.” Rising above
Oregon’s only permanent open-air agricultural market, one hears
many languages; Spanish, German, Japanese, Russian; all boasting
of the bounty of Southern Oregon. Providing our families with a
wide variety of specialties, the atmosphere is relaxed, festive
and fun. Discover Grants Pass Growers Market. Open Mid March to
Thanksgiving, Saturdays from 9am – 1pm & June to September on
Wednesdays at Riverside Park from 9am – 1pm. Contact 541-476-5375
for further information.
Horse Racing at Grants Pass Downs
at Josephine County Fairgrounds features high caliber Pari-mutuel
horse racing each Saturday, Sunday through the 4th of July weekend
(approx). For hours call: 541-476-1639
Hellgate JetBoat
Excursions – has what you are looking for...excitement, scenery
and history. You an experience the thrill and adventure of an
exciting jetboat trip down the famous Rogue River. There are five
excursions to choose from; a 2-hour scenic canyon tour; a 4-hour
Champagne Brunch trip, a 3-hour Lunch Trip, a 4-hour Dinner Trip,
served down river at an old homestead overlooking the river, or a
5-hour Whitewater Adventure. See Our Recreation Section to contact
them...
Josephine County Fair is held in mid- August and
is a great summer event. This old-fashioned county fair includes
baking, crafts, and hobby contests along with livestock auctions,
entertainment, carnival rides and even pig races.
Magical Musical Holiday Murals These
holiday murals light up Grants Pass along both 6th and 7th Street
annually, mid November to December 31st. Donated by the fine works
of Fiber optic Lighting, 20 murals decorate downtown, each 5ft x
10ft uniquely designed giant holiday card, weighing 400 pounds,
specializes in its own sound system along with playing its own
holiday tune. Who says you can’t stroll through downtown Grants
Pass during the holidays listening to Jingle Bells?
GENERAL INFORMATION
Geographic Location
Grants Pass, elevation 935 feet, is
located on the banks of the scenic Rogue River in Southwestern
Oregon. It is surrounded by the foothills of the Cascade, Siskiyou
and coast mountain ranges, and is only 85 miles from the Pacific
Ocean. Grants Pass is the county seat of Josephine County, the
headquarters for the Siskiyou National Forest and the northern
gateway to the Redwood Empire of California. Crater Lake, a U.S.
National Park, is 100 miles northeast, and the Oregon Caves, a
U.S. National Monument, are 50 miles to the southwest. Numerous
outdoor recreational opportunities abound.
POPULATION
City of Grants Pass 35,000 (est) Josephine County 83,000 (est.)
Recreation
Josephine County offers five public
golf courses, one with a driving range. Indoor miniature golf,
bowling, one outdoor and two indoor swimming pools, one at the
YMCA and one at Club NW. Five tennis sites with nine courts, six
racquetball courts, 12 playgrounds, 14 gymnasiums, a gymnastics
center (Gymnastics By Design), a sportsman club with rifle range
open to the public, and many other activities are available. The
city is within two hours of ocean beaches and mountain skiing; one
hour to many high lakes and streams for fishing & boating.
Just minutes to river fishing, rafting/boating, camping,
hunting, biking, fairgrounds and parks. See Our Recreation
Section...
Cultural
Musical and cultural programs
are presented locally by the Rogue Theatre, Barnstormers Theater,
Stardust Repertory Theatre, Connect the Dots Theatre, and the
Rogue Music Theatre. The Grants Pass Museum of Art presents
changing art displays. There are also art displays featured in the
Wiseman Gallery at the Rogue Community College and the Fire House
Gallery downtown. The city of Grants Pass is also represented by
all major civic groups. Grants Pass is 50 miles from the renowned
Oregon Shakespearean Theatre in Ashland which offers year-around
Shakespearean and contemporary performances on two indoor stages
and one outdoor Elizabethan stage along with the Oregon Cabaret
and Art Attack Theatre Productions. The Peter Britt Summer Music
Festival in Jacksonville is 45 miles away as well. See our
Recreation Section.....
Medical Services
The
Three Rivers Hospitals are full-service, community owned health
care facilities. Three Rivers offers an array of services not
usually found outside of metropolitan areas. Included in the
hospital's services are a homelike birthing center, the area's
only maternity service and American Medical Response, the
hospital' critical care ambulance. Medical specialties currently
represented on the medical staff of the hospital include: allergy,
dentistry, dermatology, emergency medicine, family and general
practice, Hospice Care, home health, infectious diseases, internal
medicine, neurology, obstetrics/gynecology, occupational health,
ophthalmology, oral/maxillofacial surgery, orthopedic surgery,
osteopathy, otolaryngology, (ear, nose and throat), pathology,
pediatrics, psychiatry, radiology, surgery (colon-rectal, general,
thoracic, and vascular) and urology.
If you are new to our
area, or would like to be referred to a doctor, please call the
Physician Referral Service.
SCHOOLS
There are 10
elementary schools, a number of private, parochial, independent,
vocational and pre-schools. Three middle schools, three high
schools, and Rogue River Community College are also available in
Grants Pass. Southern Oregon State College, a four year
institution, is located in Ashland.
CHURCHES
More
than 77 churches in Josephine County represent a majority of
denominations.
TRANSPORTATION
Josephine Community
Transit 541-474-5452 offers a city bus route and taxi service.
Greyhound has a terminal on Agnes Ave as well as one at the Grants
Pass Airport, which has a small airstrip near Merlin . The City of
Grants Pass is within 30 minutes of a major air terminal in
Jackson County which serves both counties. An
industrial-business-recreational airport in Merlin is five minutes
from Grants Pass.
Lodging - See Our Lodging Section
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