Public Asked to Respect ‘Trail Closed’ Signs on Dollar Mountain

GRANTS PASS, Ore. — The public is asked to respect ‘Trail Closed’ signs on Dollar Mountain where construction of five miles of new trails on the eastern side of Highlen Loop started earlier this month. Construction will continue until early December

Conceptual Plan Prioritizes Mountain Biking and Hiking

Construction of the Dollar Mountain Trail began in 2019 when 446 acres were acquired by the City of Grants Pass. With the support of the National Park Service, the city has created a conceptual plan prioritizing mountain biking and hiking.

Grants Pass Park Superintendent Josh Hopkins says the new construction was enabled with a grant from Oregon State Parks. Community partners, such as the Rogue Valley Mountain Bike Association, have volunteered to assist.

Hopkins is hopeful that the new trails will boost local tourism and enhance outdoor activity areas. He says the Dollar Mountain Trails ‘provide a great space for kids and families and all-day tours.’

Once completed, the project will offer an 11.7-mile stretch of biking trails for all skill levels. Apart from advanced-level biking trails, the route will also be accessible to bikers with mobility challenges.

More Than 24 Miles of Trails When Project is Completed

Plans are also in place to develop another 13 miles of trails, increasing the total to more than 24 miles.

Travel Oregon wants to optimize the Dollar Mountain Trails as a premier mountain biking destination and has invested in flagging the routes.

Plans are to complete half of the trail by early December, and then to begin constructing the western leg of the project in February 2025.

Hopkins explains that multiple routes catering for bikers with different levels of experience will branch off from the main trail. After breaking off on the different routes, bikers can meet up with their families in a parking lot.

‘We are going to have two trailheads for this location and multiple parking lots,’ says Hopkins.