Grants Your Wish
Outdoors, Food, and Wine in Grants Pass Oregon
Enchanted Forest, Cathedral Hills, the Lavender Trail, Supernatural Chocolates … sounds like storybook material, but it comes to life in Southern Oregon’s beautiful Grants Pass. Home to the Rogue River, gateway to the Applegate Valley wine region, and abounding in garden and farm charms, Grants Pass is filled with fairy trails: wildflower hikes, mountain bike rides, sustainable vineyards, fields of lavender, and farm-to-table food in all the flavors of the region.
Enchanted Forest, Wildflowers, and Wine
Set right in the heart of the glorious Applegate Valley wine region, the 4.4-mile (round-trip) Enchanted Forest Trail sets forth in a canopied haven of madrones, fir, and pine trees, then transitions to steady switchbacks before emerging to sublime views of Applegate Valley. Another hike here is the Felton Memorial Trail, also with beautiful views and wildflowers through summer. This trail ends at a memorial clearing, a site honoring three men who tragically perished here in a 1993 helicopter crash.
Bonus Wineries: Applegate Valley is home to its namesake AVA wine region, and the dynamic, sustainable Applegate Valley Wine Trail. After hiking at Enchanted Forest, visit any (or all!) of these nearby wineries: Wooldridge Creek Winery and Creamery; Walport Family Cellars (weekends only); and Schultz (weekends only, or by appointment).
Heavy Petal, Purple Dreams
All roads lead to food and wine in Grants Pass, gateway to the Applegate Valley Wine Trail and lined with farm stops and garden parks.
Located between Grants Pass and Medford, Pacifica is 400 acres of tranquil land backed by the Siskiyou Mountains. There’s a lake, picnic areas, hiking, horseback riding, and lots of flora, including wildflowers at their peak in June. Hikes here range from 1 to 3 miles on easy or moderate terrain. Download a Flora and Fauna ID sheet … cat’s ears, camas, winecup, silver lupine, and (of course) Oregon sunshine!
Bonus Wine: Neighboring Pacifica, Plaisance Wine is both a vineyard and cattle ranch, a nice stop for trying varietals including Viognier, Sangiovese, pinot noir, and Tempranillo.
Seeing purple? You’re probably on Southern Oregon’s Lavender Trail, a series of lavender farms in the Applegate Valley that showcase purple on parade! They also host events, festivals, demonstrations, and—you guessed it—they have lots of lavender products. Set on a hillside overlooking the mountains, the English Lavender Farm opens for the season on June 9 and will be awash in neat rows of peak lavender until about mid-July. See for yourself at one of the farm’s upcoming festivals!
Bonus Wine and Food: Named an “American Winery of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine Troon Vineyards is one of just two Regenerative Organic Certified wineries, driven by future-thinking, minimalism, and a commitment to reducing environmental footprint. Enjoy a “slow wine” tasting experience. Pro tip: Pair your Troon wine with some Supernatural Chocolates! Handcrafted in Grants Pass, the multiple-award-winning Supernatural Chocolate Co. is beyond Willy Wonka in all the ways … exquisite truffle chocolates and baked goods, including vegan and gluten-free offerings—the lavender lemon truffle bar will have you at hello. For more homemade deliciousness, try a savory pie as part of your lunch at Pennington Farms, famous for sustainably grown and absolutely sumptuous berries and jams.
Nature's Cathedral
Take me to church—in Cathedral Hills! Hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and trail runners love this 10-mile trail system just minutes from downtown Grants Pass. It’s home to some impressive nature icons: a 25-foot-tall whiteleaf manzanita and a 117-foot knobcone pine—the largest in the U.S. (find it on the Ponderosa Pine Trail).
Spring is an ideal time to visit Cathedral Hills, with wildflowers adding extra color to the 400 acres of forest. Hike or bike to views of the Rogue Valley. Pro tip: Rent a mountain bike in Grants Pass and go on a group ride.
Bonus: Dollar Mountain offers a million-dollar view of Grants Pass and the Rogue River Valley. But you’re going to have to work for it! Hike up to the mountain’s peak on a short but challenging trail canopied by oaks and manzanitas and breaking out to a ridge with a stellar view of Grants Pass and the Rogue River Valley.
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