Grants Pass, with a current population of 33,225 is the Josephine County seat and serves as the major commercial center for the county population of 79,645.

Downtown Grants Pass has been designated a National Historic District because of its historic buildings. It is renowned for its numerous antique shops.

We are a volunteer oriented community, as shown by our selection in 1997 as one of the thirty finalists nationwide in the “All America City” competition, sponsored by the National Civic League.

Recently, a ten-year project to create a 50 acre community park “for all ages,” was completed. The project involved public and private enterprises working together with citizens. Named Reinhart Volunteer park, this $8M complex boasts baseball diamonds, soccer fields, horseshoe pits, basketball and tennis courts, passive trails, viewing ponds, playgrounds, and picnic and shelter areas created through thousands of volunteer hours and donated services. This project, along with many others too numerous to list, exemplifies the pride of local citizens.

Once a timber-based community, the economy of the Grants Pass area has diversified. A healthy mix of light manufacturing, secondary wood products, retail trade, tourism, recreation and service-based industries provide a broad range of employment opportunities. Medical and retirement facilities also continue to expand.

Home to two school districts, and a number of private schools, Grants Pass also houses the main campus of Rogue Community College. Southern Oregon University is nearby in Ashland.

The world famous Rogue River runs through Grants Pass and provides many recreational opportunities: jet-boat trips, rafting, kayaking, fishing, water skiing, swimming, hiking, and gold panning. In addition, the nearby mountains provide high-mountain recreational experiences, including snow skiing at Mt. Ashland.

Cultural activities center around the Shakespearean Festival in the nearby city of Ashland and the historic town of Jacksonville.

Other scenic attractions include: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon Caves National Monument, and the Redwoods that stretch from San Francisco to Southern Oregon. For more information on recreational activities in and around Grants Pass, please visit the Visitor and Convention Bureau site.