More Than You Imagined— Grant County Oregon

Cool nights. Crisp fall days. The sizzling days of summer are behind us. The days are getting shorter with the ever changing seasons as summer surrenders to the upcoming fall. Nature reminds us that change is inevitable. A fall drive through Grant County offers every traveler the chance to reflect, relax and reconnect. It’s a place to enjoy the wild scenic river, dense forests, or the peace of open spaces.

For much of the outside world, Grant County may seem like uncharted territory, a little known part of Oregon. Although vast—it sprawls over 4,500 square miles, nearly as large as Connecticut—the county is remote from more urban parts of Oregon. It’s not just rural, but proudly frontier. No freeway or railroad runs through it. You can’t drive in from north, south, east, or west without first crossing a 5,000-foot pass. If you don’t mind sharing a country road with a cattle drive, or pausing for a herd of elk, you will find it well worth the effort.

Fall is the perfect time of year to visit Grant County, you’ll find harvest moons, clear dark starry skies, crisp walks in the woods, and autumn’s colorful foliage. The leaves along the rivers are changing from green to gold, crimson, bright yellow, and bronze. In the any of the National Forests the tamarack tree, a deciduous conifer, is one of only a very few species of conifers that is not evergreen. You can easily point it out in the fall when the needles turn a beautiful golden yellow. In late fall to early winter these needles will drop off. But in the fall, the forests are amazing with the golden tamarack against the evergreen pine trees.

Read Also: Travel the Iconic Route 66 to Springfield. 

Partake in warmed cider shared at the last Farmers Market in mid October. At any given time you might find a potluck, live music, a quilt show, or even a holiday bazaar. The Grant County Chamber is your go to for information about the happenings in the county. (You can find them at www.gcoregonlive.com)

The history of the county is rich—gold rush, ancient fossils, timber, and sheep and cattle  barons. The KamWah Chung Museum and Heritage Site offers a fascinating look into the Chinese experience in the old west. The Museum does close from mid October til spring. (Please check their website for information. stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=5)

You can explore the Age of Mammals at the world renowned John Day Fossil Beds National

Monument, open year around. There are seven hiking trails in the Sheep Rock Unit of the Fossil Beds, ranging from 0.25 miles to 3.25 miles in length, that take you through stunning geologic formations. The Interpretive center gives you the opportunity to explore dioramas depicting the ancient history of the area, view actual fossils, and watch archaeologists at work. (For more information please visit www.nps.gov/joda/index.html)

Outdoor adventures abound in Grant County. Generally the weather is perfect for hiking, rock hunting, bird watching, wildlife viewing, and family gatherings. Traffic is sparse. Campsites are numerous, spacious, and available. Grant County contains most of the Malheur National Forest and sections of the Wallowa–Whitman, Umatilla and Ochoco National Forests so there is plenty to explore. With more than 75 campgrounds, three State Parks, and many free picnic areas, you can find your spot to enjoy days of laid back, uninterrupted, fun.

You can find all of fall’s pleasures in Grant County, Oregon.