Josephine County: Wilderness, Caves and Rivers

Josephine County brings together nature and culture with a wide range of travel experiences: from underground marble passages to stretches of river to explore on foot or by raft. The Kalmiopsis Wilderness lies in southwestern Oregon in Josephine and Curry counties. Its ancient, rugged landscape is characterized by razor-sharp ridges, rounded plateaus and deep, boulder-strewn canyons.

Wilderness and underground landscapes

Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve protects a solution cave system as well as a watershed connected to the Siskiyou Mountains. The protected area also includes the River Styx, the first underground Scenic Waterway. The park’s watershed is among the headwater tributaries of the Illinois River, which is designated a Scenic Waterway. The cave landscape and river basin are thus part of distinct but interconnected natural settings.

The trails in Oregon Caves Park also provide a way to orient your stay: the area has six scenic hiking trails. There is a clear access requirement for the cave itself: it can only be accessed on a guided tour. So plan a cave visit as a tour, not as an independent walk through the passages.

Caves, trails and guided tours

The Discovery Cave Tour lasts 90 minutes and is led by a ranger. It passes through marble passages to a chamber 220 feet below the surface. The Off-Trail Caving Tour is a three-hour experience with different physical demands: participants climb over boulders, crawl on their stomachs and pass through tight spaces just 11 inches high and 19 inches wide. The two tours differ markedly in duration and the experience they offer.

If you’d rather plan your time outdoors along a trail, the Rogue River National Recreation Trail offers another option: it runs for more than 40 miles along the Rogue River. The Rogue Wild and Scenic River is known for its steelhead and salmon fishing and offers opportunities for wildlife viewing. The designated 84-mile stretch of the Rogue National Wild and Scenic River begins about seven miles west of Grants Pass.

River areas and different timeframes

The Hellgate Recreation Area includes 27 miles of Class I and II rapids and 11 boat-access facilities. Common activities include whitewater rafting and commercial jet boat tours. Grants Pass is the starting point for most guided fishing and boating trips on the Rogue River Scenic Waterway.

The Wild Rogue section calls for a different timeframe: it is a Class III river with some Class IV rapids. It is typically traveled in three to four days by raft or five days on foot. When comparing these options, you can consider both the mode of travel and the typical timeframe.

History and architecture

Historic sites also tell the story of different chapters in the area’s past. Wolf Creek Inn State Heritage Site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The inn was built around 1883 and served as a stop on the 16-day stagecoach journey from San Francisco to Portland.

Oregon Caves Chateau was completed in 1934; its construction used Port Orford cedar bark and marble from the cave. The history of Indian Mary Park dates back to Mary Peters’ 1894 claim: Josephine County later turned the associated land into the park that stands there today. The Schmidt House Museum was occupied exclusively by the Schmidt family until 1978, after which the house was transferred to the Josephine County Historical Society.

This gives you several distinct areas to focus on when planning your trip: guided cave tours, hiking trails, river activities and historic sites. Cave tours can be compared in particular by their duration and itinerary, while a Wild Rogue trip can be considered in terms of its mode of travel and typical number of days. These differences can help you decide what to focus on during your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Grants Pass, Cave Junction, Merlin, Douglas, Polk County, Klamath County, Columbia County, Grant County.

For the broader travel overview: Oregon.