Attractions and Places To See in Josephine County - Top 20

Reinhart Volunteer Park is located in Grants Pass, Oregon, and is a large community park known for its extensive recreational facilities. It features multiple sports fields, including baseball and soccer fields, as well as tennis courts, a skate park, and a disc golf course. The park also offers several picnic areas, playgrounds, and a scenic pond, making it a great spot for family outings and community events. Walking trails wind through the park, providing opportunities for leisurely strolls with friends and family.

The Rogue River Pedestrian Bridge spans the Rouge River, connecting the Reinhart Volunteer Park with Tussing Park. This bridge is only open to pedestrians, cyclists, etc., and is known as a stressed ribbon bridge, which is a type of bridge. A ribbon-stressed bridge is a type of bridge where the deck, which is made of a flexible material like steel or concrete, follows a catenary curve and is pre-stressed to handle tension and compression forces. This design allows the bridge to efficiently support loads while still being relatively narrow.

The Kerby Flat Trail is located in the Eight Dollar Mountain Botanical Area and provides breathtaking views of the Rogue River and the rich, unique plant life that the area is known for. It also gives you a chance to see Eight Dollar Mountain up close, with its rocky outcrops and unique geological features. Ecologically, the trail is notable for its unique plant communities supported by serpentine soils, which contribute to the distinct plant life found along the trail. One of the highlights is Darlingtonia californica, also known as the California pitcher plant or cobra lily. This carnivorous plant thrives in the wet areas along the trail, and its distinct appearance is a highlight for visitors. The trail also features Jeffrey pine and knobcone pine, which are adapted to the serpentine soils and are key components of the local ecosystem. The Eight Dollar Mountain Botanical Area is protected to preserve its unique ecology and rare plant species. Visitors are encouraged to stay on designated trails to minimize their impact on the delicate environment.

The Dollar Mountain Trail in Grants Pass, Oregon, is a short but challenging hike that rewards you with scenic views and a solid workout. The trail is approximately 2 miles round trip with an elevation gain of just over 750 feet and some fairly steep sections. The hike takes you through shaded oak and manzanita forests, providing excellent views of the Rogue River Valley and Grants Pass. Despite the rather unremarkable summit, which features a radio tower, the journey is worth it for the exercise and the views. Just be aware that there are no restrooms or water sources on the trail, and watch out for poison oak as you hike here.

The Grayback Mountain Trail is named for Grayback Mountain, the highest peak in Josephine County, Oregon at 7,048 feet. The trail begins from a trailhead south of Williams, Oregon, about two miles up Rock Creek Road (BLM Road 39-5-14). There is a BLM sign and a gravel pullout area where the trail starts. Hikers can shorten the route a little by a mile by driving further to a yellow gate, parking, and walking past the gate to join the trail. Initially, the trail rolls up and down for the first couple of miles before beginning a moderate, steady climb along the southeast side of the ridge through forests of madrones and pines. At about 4,400 feet, long switchbacks provide views of the Williams Creek Valley to the north. The trail continues to traverse the ridge, reaching another set of tight switchbacks. The trail turns southeast and climbs several steeper switchbacks over the east ridge of Big Sugarloaf Peak (6,679 feet), eventually ending at Windy Gap saddle at 6,500 feet. The best views are from the summit of Big Sugarloaf, providing a rewarding experience for those who make the climb. Although the trail does not reach the summit of Grayback Mountain, it offers an almost brush-free, cross-country scramble from Windy Gap to the peak.

Eight Dollar Mountain Botanical Wayside Boardwalk is a short boardwalk that is wheelchair accessible with two overlooks that give great views over one of the larger, more easily accessible fens in the Illinois Valley. The fen is home to a unique carnivorous plant, the California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica). This is a great little trail to take kids on and to link with the nearby Jeffrey Pine Loop Trail and Little Falls Loop Trail if you want to lengthen your hike and explore other diverse ecosystems.

The West Fork Illinois River Trailhead is situated south of Cave Junction, where the East and West Forks of the Illinois River converge. There are several popular loop hikes that offer a secluded trail experience through the mixed forest typical of the Siskiyou region. On these hikes, you traverse gullies, ridges, and slopes, encountering diverse flora and occasional obstacles like downed trees. The trail, which is primarily on BLM and Oregon State Parks land, winds through forests of pine, Douglas-fir, myrtle, madrone, and oak, with limited river access and few scenic views. The trailhead features a parking lot, pit toilets, an information kiosk and a horse trailer parking area. Noteworthy segments include the Dogwood Trail and the River Trail, which features switchbacks, myrtle trees, and an old barbed wire fence near the riverbank.

The Sky Crest Trail is a popular loop trail on the northeastern end of the popular Cathedral Hills area. This sandy, gravely path takes you in and out of forests, past meadows - which often have wildflowers blooming in the spring - and offers nice views of the surrounding area. There can be poison oak here, so please stick to the trails.