• Fish Hatchery County Park is a great site on the bank of the Aplegate River
• The area offers hiking, fishing, and swimming opportunities
Fish Hatchery County Park is a day-use area on both Applegate River banks, just a short drive from Grants Pass. This is a fantastic outdoor location for swimming, fishing, picnicking, hiking, and biking.
The county park is a fantastic location to enjoy the beautiful nature of Southern Oregon. Plenty of trees create shade in the grassy areas. You can access the river from the multiple spots along the entire stretch of the park.
The day-use area has picnic tables, toilets, and a kids' playground, but no drinking water or BBQ grills. The host of the park is there to help out and answer questions. Josephine County charges a $5 parking fee per car.
Swimming and Other Water Sports
The park has plenty of places to access the water. It warms up nicely during the summer and has a lot of shallow places for kids to splash at. The current is slow and has some minor rapids down the stream.
There are deeper areas for swimming, canoeing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and other water activities.
Hiking, Biking, and Horseback Riding
The park has plenty of trails for hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers; some of them are extensive, including the Bolt Mountain summit hike. This is a hard 6.6-mile (10.6 km) out-and-back path.
The summit shows a stunning 360-degree view of the valley and Grants Pass, with plenty of viewpoints along the way.
Other extended trails can take you all the way to Stringer Gap Road and beyond.
If you want a simple hike, there are plenty of easier and shorter trails and trail sections. Make sure to pay attention to the trail signs.
Fishing
Despite the name of the park, there is no fish hatchery here. However, it is still a fantastic spot to fish at the Applegate River. Here, you can angle for trout, salmon, and small bass.
The park has no boat ramp, and plenty of spots here are shallow, so you are pretty much stuck with bank fishing.
Camping and Lodging
The park has no campground, but plenty of camping spots are within a short drive away. Hart-tish Park Campground on the bank of Applegate Lake is located 7 miles south. Cantrall Buckley Campground on the Applegate River is 8 miles north.
Affordable vacation rentals for short and long term stay in Jacksonville
Fish Hatchery County Park | Facts
Open: Year-round
Managed by: Josephine County (BLM for Bolt Mountain)
Amenities: Picnic tables and toilets
Activities: Swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and picnicking
Distance from the parking: Short
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: Yes
Popularity: Low to High
Elevation: 970 ft (296 m)
Fish Hatchery County Park is located:
- 8 miles southwest of Grants Pass
- 37 miles west of Medford
- 78 miles south of Roseburg.
Adventures Nearby
Directions to Fish Hatchery County Park
From Grants Pass,
- Take OR-238 East
- Turn right onto New Hope Road and follow it for 3.2 miles
- Turn right onto Fish Hatchery Road and follow it for 1.8 miles
- Turn right onto Wetherbee Drive and follow it for 0.6 miles.