The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Cathedral Hills Trail System is a fantastic place to go hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding a short distance from Grants Pass, Oregon. The 10 miles of trails are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and open year-round. People especially flock to this location when the wildflowers bloom in the springtime. These trails are about 90 miles from Crater Lake National Park and 140 miles from Redwood National Park.
The trail system is open for day use only, but there are nearby Bureau of Land Management campgrounds. These campgrounds offer few amenities, but you can stay in them for 14 days at little or no cost. Search for BLM camping near me if you are traveling to this area and would like more options.
This trail starts on top of the hill off Sky Way in Grants Pass. This popular trail is wide enough that several people can walk side by side. Stay on the path because there is poison oak near its edges. It can be a little muddy after rain.
Length: 1.6 miles
Intensity: Easy
This trail begins off Walker Road in the Ashland Plaza neighborhood of Grants Pass. There is a small parking lot near the trailhead. This beautiful, partially shaded trail crosses over switchbacks.
Length: 4 miles
Intensity: Easy
This trail starts off South Espey Road in Grants Pass. It runs very close to a 117-foot tall knobcone pine and a 25-foot high white leaf manzanita, which are some of the largest trees in Oregon of their type. This trail crosses several footbridges. This is a favorite area for pileated woodpeckers.
Length: 3.8 miles
Intensity: Easy
The Rogue River runs through Grants Pass, and it is a fantastic place to fish year-round. Anglers can catch Chinook salmon starting in late May, running through the fall. In September, you can catch the largest Chinook salmon in this river. This river is also a great place to fish for steelhead trout throughout the year.
The Honeycombs, near Roseburg, Oregon, are a fantastic place to climb. Most of the climbing there is single-pitch sports climbs that take you up volcanic spires. There are two gates to this property located along Touchstone Road outside of Roseburg, Oregon. The northern gate is on Bureau of Land Management property.
Ashland Ponds is a terrific place to go wildlife viewing. Located next to Bear Creek, the pond is framed by a beautiful trail. This dog-friendly area starts as an asphalt trail that soon becomes dirt and chips. One of the advantages of this area is its secluded location. It's also a great place to go birdwatching.
Chinook Park is a fantastic place for a picnic. This county-operated park features picnic tables and a grilling area. You can use the boat ramp to launch your vessel onto the Rogue River after you eat. There is also a fishing pier, where anglers often catch Chinook salmon and steelhead trout.
While there is no RV camping at the Cathedral Hills Trail System, you can find great options operated by the county nearby. Whitehorse Campground is about eight miles from Grants Pass, and it offers eight RV sites near a bird sanctuary. Griffin Campground is about 14 miles from Grants Pass and offers 14 full-hookup camping spots. There are 40 full-hookup and 10 partial-hookup sites at Indian Mary Campground, which also has a disc-golf course, a swimming area, and sports facilities.
While you can boondock for free on most public lands in Oregon, you cannot stay on the public land between the Applegate River and Hog Creek. A beautiful option for boondocking is the Rogue River Ranch National Historic Site. Explore the historic buildings, including a chicken house, barn, and woodshed. The site has a museum open from May to October, staffed by volunteers. Another fantastic Bureau of Land Management free camping option is Elderberry Flats near Medford, where you can easily access the West Fork of Evans Creek.
Exploring nature is a great way to unwind, and Cathedral Hills is the ideal location to do it. It would be best to have a great pair of hiking boots to make sure you stay stable on the path. Since some of the paths through this area can be muddy, select a hiking boot option that is easy to clean. Besides slippery trails, the main hazards there are rattlesnakes, ticks, and poison oak.
There is cell phone coverage at this BLM site, but why not turn off your smartphone and spend time with those you love when you visit Cathedral Hills? Soak in the sounds and sights of nature. Before leaving, check out our BLM camping blog to find many useful tips.
Especially since this area is close to many waterways, you must clean up after yourself so that your trash does not pollute the rivers and streams. Approximately 70 percent of all marine litter starts on land, and it can travel thousands of miles, so please do your part.
While you can access the Cathedral Hills using different routes, to get to the picnic pavilion from Grants Pass, start by going south on Espey Road and turn right on Oregon 238 West. Veer right to get on Williams Highway. Take the ramp on the left to exit onto Southeast 7th Street. Turn left on Southeast G Street and left on Southwest 5th Street. Look up, and you will see the entrance.
Address: Cathedral Hills, Grants Pass, Oregon 97527
Ready to visit Cathedral Hills? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
