Griffin Park Campground

The Great Outdoors

Grants Pass campers who want to stay close to camp will want to explore the Rogue Valley. Valley of the Rogue State Park spans hundreds of acres of lush forest along the Rogue River. This park is great for hiking, with a relaxing interpretive trail that runs along the river for just over a mile. The Rogue River is ideal for watersports, and the park contains a boat ramp for easy access to the river. Other popular pastimes include kayaking, fishing, and swimming. If you'd prefer to relax, there are several picnic tables for a scenic riverside snack. The park also hosts festivals and has an amphitheater.The Griffin Park Campground is not far from the ocean, and there are several seaside parks that are well worth visiting. Bullards Beach State Park covers over four miles of fields, lowland forests, and beaches overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The park is excellent for a seaside stroll, and visitors can take a four-mile hike along the beach, which passes through woodlands and past a picturesque lighthouse. Some watersports are possible at this park, such as fishing and boating. The park features a boat ramp, so you shouldn't have any trouble getting your boat in the water. Other favorite pastimes include horseback riding, biking, and picnicking.Another seaside state park worth exploring is Tolowa Dunes State Park. This park is located just across the state line in California and features a diverse environment made up of wetlands, dunes, rivers, lakes, and more. This diverse landscape is a hotbed for wildlife, with hundreds of species of bird inhabiting the area, including peregrine falcons and Aleutian geese. If you're an avid angler, you'll love this park, as the Smith River contains salmon and nearby Lake Earl contains cutthroat trout. There are several miles of trails to explore, too.

Exploring the City

Oregon is great for escaping bustling cities; however, if you are looking to visit one of the state's major cities, consider Eugene. It is one of Oregon's biggest urban centers and offers several exciting and intriguing attractions. The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is one of Eugene's best museums and features over 13,000 pieces of art in its permanent collection, including Russian, Korean, and Japanese art. This museum also hosts events and classes, where all ages can test their artistic temperaments.If you want to visit another museum in Eugene, consider stopping by the Museum of National and Cultural History. This museum contains hundreds of culturally and historically significant artifacts relating to the city, making this an excellent way to learn about the region. Discover how Oregon looked during the Ice Age and marvel at the fossilized remains of giant sloths and giant salmon, and see how Native Americans lived over 14,000 years ago. One of the highlights of the museum is the world's oldest pair of shoes, which are thought to be over 10,000 years old.Alternatively, you might be looking for an activity the kids will love, in which case, plan a visit to Cascades Raptor Center. This large aviary features over 40 individual birds of prey with some rare and amazing birds on display, including Eurasian eagle-owls, bald eagles, and merlins. Visitors can take guided and self-guided tours of the aviary, and you can sponsor care for one of the birds if you feel like helping one of these magnificent creatures.