Provolt Recreation Site
The Provolt Recreation Site is a day use area located at 14171 Williams Hwy. It is situated along the Applegate River and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It was once a seed orchard used for Douglas-fir reforestation, but is now home to multi-use trails and ongoing restoration efforts.
This site is managed by the BLM Grants Pass Field Office. Click here for up-to-date hours and visitor information. You can also view the Provolt Recreation Site Brochure here.
Want to join the Provolt Volunteer Team?
The Provolt Volunteer Team is a group of dedicated community members, led by Liz Shen. This group organizes clean up events, trail maintenance, fundraising for site improvements, and so much more. The Provolt Recreation Site is now open 7 days a week thanks to these dedicated volunteers.
To see upcoming events visit our Upcoming Events page or email provoltvolunteerteam@apwc.info for more information.
For a copy of the most current trail map click here.
Riparian Restoration
APWC staff has been conducting invasive species removal and maintenance within the 48-acre riparian area found at the 294-acre Provolt Recreation Site since 2017. The site borders both the Applegate River and Williams Creek. The focus has been on the removal of Armenian Blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) along with Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum). The removal was done by a field crew of residents, using weed eaters and other non-chemical methods. There has been ~17,000 native trees and shrubs (16 species total) planted at this site. Species planted include: Ponderosa Pine, Incense Cedar, Indian Plum, Tall Oregon grape, Mock Orange, and more.
We are coming to the end of this project. Final maintenance of plantings and removal of remaining invasive species will be completed by mid 2023. A management plan is being developed for the continued maintenance of this new public site, carried out by the BLM and members of the community through the Provolt Volunteer Team.
Before and after pictures of the restoration efforts at the Provolt Recreation Site.
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Why Restore Riparian Areas?
Riparian zones are the areas immediately surrounding fresh bodies of water, whether it be a river, lake, or stream. Though small, these areas are of vital importance to surrounding watersheds. Trees and shrubs bring structure to the shore with roots that filter and retain sediment. They provide shelter and critical habitat for wildlife including insects, mammals and fish. Riparian plants afford shade that reduces water temperatures to suitable levels for aquatic life and produce abundant food for a large variety of animals.
Multi-Use Trail Development
The Provolt Volunteer Team worked with APWC’s Provolt Restoration Project Manager and the BLM’s Recreation Manager to locate and construct the mile-long "River Walk Trail". BLM biologists were also consulted in the approval process to ensure the trail would not adversely impact wildlife or damage sensitive habitat. Volunteers used hand tools to clear vegetation and smooth the trail tread during a series of volunteer work parties. This year, the Volunteer Team is expanding the network of trails, adding an additional mile or more within the upland meadow and former tree farm. Volunteers will monitor all of the trails through the growing season and provide maintenance as needed and as conditions evolve with use. More trails are planned for all portions of the Provolt Recreation Site once these other management zones are opened to the public.
Horseback Riding at Provolt Recreation Site
The new mile of upland trails in Area A at the Provolt Recreation Site adds more variety and loop options for hikers, runners, and riders. An all-volunteer team has weed-whacked and grubbed a new trail up the middle of the central tree orchard area, with two cross-trails partway along its length. BLM’s Shawn Stapleton has been a huge supporter and assisted in these efforts; he provided signage, tools, and training. Our team of dedicated and hard-working volunteers have attended several trail work days for the fun, hard work, camaraderie, and the wonderful feeling of giving back to the community.
These new trails wind through open areas in full sun and then sneak through the remaining trees in the old seed orchard, where a picnic table hides in the shade now and then. Together with the existing River Walk Trail and the perimeter trails, a visitor can enjoy a human-or-horse-powered jaunt of nearly three miles, and adding in loops and figure eights using the new trails can add another mile or two! Safe trails for all users, this is a great place to take the family, the pooch (leashed), and a picnic lunch for a walk or ride in the orchard and along the river.
A large area for horse trailer parking near the vault toilet location and west of the car parking area provides plenty of room for several rigs at a time to make a wide circle and park. Please park efficiently to allow other rigs to pull around and park, and clean up your horse manure and hay. We hope to have a manure bin onsite in the future, but until then, please put it in your trailer and take it home with you.
These trails and equestrian amenities in Area A are a preview of more trails and amenities to come as the larger Area C on the south side of the highway starts getting developed. Stay tuned!