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Print Friendly MapThis scenic, paved trail along Oregon’s Rogue River is currently open in three disconnected segments totaling nearly 10 miles between Grants Pass and Gold Hill. Long-term plans call for the Rogue River Greenway to link with the nearby Bear Creek Greenway (see page 57), which runs through the Medford area. Together, the two trails would span approximately 50 miles, connecting eight cities and two counties.
Begin on the trail’s western end in Tom Pearce Park on the outskirts of Grants Pass. Just under a mile of trail traverses the park along the densely forested northern bank of the Rogue River. Restrooms, picnic areas, and parking are available in the park.
After a gap of 6 miles, the longest stretch of the trail—spanning 7.5 miles—picks up in the city of Rogue River at the Depot Street Bridge. The trail begins on the north side of the bridge, but you can easily cross it to reach John F. Fleming Memorial Park, where there are restrooms and parking, on the southern bank of the Rogue River. Although the trail parallels I-5 as it heads southeast from the bridge, it’s pleasantly tucked into a wooded corridor along the river over mildly rolling terrain. There are benches along the trail, with many providing views of the riverscape.
In 2 miles, you’ll exit the woods to broad meadows and mountain vistas as you enter Valley of the Rogue State Park. A series of paths traverse the state park, including a gravel pedestrian path that skirts the water; camping, fishing, and picnicking opportunities are also available here.
After the state park, the trail swings away from the river and under I-5. From the underpass, you’ll pop out along Twin Bridges Road, which you’ll follow until it meets North River Road in 0.2 miles. You’ll parallel this quiet roadway for 2.7¿miles—with the views becoming more agricultural—until its end at OR 99/OR 234. You’ll continue along this connecting highway to the western outskirts of Gold Hill. This trail segment ends at a bridge over Sardine Creek.
After a gap of 1.6 miles, the final stretch of trail begins in downtown Gold Hill at the corner of Dardanelles Street and Fourth Avenue. This 1.4-mile section runs along Fourth Avenue and the railroad tracks, within easy reach of restaurants and businesses. In 0.3 miles, you’ll reach the Rogue River and turn north, passing through the Gold Hill Sports Park, which offers restrooms, parking, and athletic facilities. The trail ends at Ti’lomikh Falls River Access.
Parking is available at a number of locations along the trail, including Fleming Memorial Park (off SR 99). From the park, bike lanes and sidewalks along the Depot Street Bridge allow you to cross to the other (north) side of the river to access the Rogue River Greenway. Additional parking is found at the Valley of the Rogue State Park (adjacent to I-5). Visit the TrailLink map for all options and detailed directions.
We rode recumbents from the Day Use lot in the Valley of the Rogue State Park. It was well maintained, but the trucks are alarming at times. The trail ends before Gold Hill, but you can follow 99 through the village. Then follow signs towards the falls. The trail begins again beside the railroad tracks and goes up to the falls. The Del Rio Winery is on the trail and is accessible by bike Ti’lmathFalls
From Ashland or to central point or. approx. 18 miles. Hard surface, no gravel, no dirt. Partly shaded. Flat. Scenic, except last few miles, near Central Point. Homeless camped near path around Medford but no hassle. Rating should be
4 1/2 rather than 5, due to homeless.
Some of the reviews are talking about the Bear creek greenway trail... this is the Rogue River Trail and it is a quiet, beautiful ride along the river. You can easily connect to the bike path at the south end of this trail and ride into the town of Gold Hill. The entire trip from the town of Rogue River, through Valley of The Rogue State Park (camping available) to Gold Hill is an excellent biking/waking route.
Rode the 7.5 miles from start of trail in Ashland to Phoenix and back. The trail itself is great. Nice and wide, place to pull off and rest if desired, nice views of the creek and hills. Can still see the devastation from the Alameda fire that took place in August 2020. Sad to see all the house destroyed but nice to see the new construction taking place. When the vegetation and trees come back the trail will be even nicer. Did not encounter any homeless camps on this section of the trail. Saw lots along sections of the trail in Medford and Central Point areas. Look forward to going back when the weather warms up.
We rode 11 miles each way on great paved surface along the river. We loved this trail.
Our experience was great. Beautiful and safe and in Ashland we had lunch in a nice outdoor cafe before we returned to Central Point.
Walked all but .5 miles of this trail yesterday, starting at the Rogue River Rest Stop (where you can park for four hours for free). The beginning of the trail (starting at the rest stop) is shaded and the paved trail runs alongside the camp grounds. There is a secondary gravel trail that runs right along the bank of the river for about 2 miles. It is not accessible for bikes but is easy to walk and has a lot of access to the river. At just about the 2 mile mark (again starting from the rest stop) the shade ends! We did not encounter any shaded areas for the last half of the trail which is why we turned back before finishing. It got way to hot with the sun directly on us and heat radiating up from the asphalt. It was still a great walk, lots of cyclists were out and it was beautiful. Would do it again, only this time I will be prepared for shade only on the first half.
Even though there was a little rain, I enjoyed this very scenic ride along the Rogue River very much. I'm looking forward to riding it again in the summer.
Traveling up or down I-5? Want a break? Want to ride something?
Here is a scenic little four mile trail with one end at the Depot St. Bridge in Rogue River and the other just beyond the Valley of the Rogue State Park rest area. In between it runs through the meadows below the Valley of the Rogue campground loops, then dives into the brush between the river and the freeway and winds around and up and down to the trail end at the new Depot St. Bridge.
<http://www.roguerivergreenway.org/>
This bit of newly paved trail is the first installment on a long term project - the Rogue River Greenway. The plan is to build a bike trail from Grants Pass to Central Point to join the Bear Creek Greenway in Medford. That would make quite a long destination trail - but assembling the right of way will take years. Meanwhile, head for the Depot St. Bridge in Rogue River and cross over, turn right and enter the...
ROGUE RIVER CITY PARK, GE: 42.430888 -123.171004
Here is the best trailhead. Lots of parking, restrooms, water, tourist information office, picnic tables, river views and - if you have luck - covered parking beneath the bridge with a view of the boat launch (always run to watch).
TB surveyed this trail in several parts owing to the wretched weather that seems to follow him north on the spring migration. One season he spent some time below the bridge making tea while the rains sluiced down on both sides. Too wet to ride. The next season he got in a ride from the bridge up into the park campground. The following season he surveyed down from the eastern trailhead to connect the dots.
If the weather is with you, ride out from under the bridge, cross over it and turn left. You will make a downhill loop to the dedication plaza and then on to some dry under-bridge viewing of the river and trailhead on the far shore. On the near shore is a stump carved into a pair of salmon. Ride on.
The trail enters a twisty section through the woods that climbs and falls for a bit over a mile. It then exits the woods and enters the meadows of the Valley of the Rogue State Park. Here are wide views of the valley. What you don’t get are views of the river. Too much brush in the way. There is a ped trail that goes along the river edge in the park if you are hunting river views.
The trail passes under the western most campground loops, then turned away from the river to head for the park road by the freeway. Here begins the bike lane bit. There is a quarter mile of bike lane and then the trail heads for the river again, passing under A loop and around the end of…
VALLEY OF THE ROGUE REST AREA, GE: 42.411997 -123.128298
Here is your eastern trailhead – the rest area. Plenty of parking, picnic tables, restrooms, water, shade – but no overhead cover. The trail crosses the access road to the east of the parking area. It then circles below the freeway bridges, crosses the highway and ends just short of the RR tracks. Ride done. Now you can retrace your route to the bridge.
Trike on,
TrailBear
Searching for dry riding weather in the NorthWet.
6.23.2012
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