Community Gems: The Bear Hotel

Contrary to its name, the Bear Hotel is not actually a hotel for bears—or for humans. This ‘hotel’ is actually a warehouse and museum owned by the Evergreen Federal Bank, which is based out of Grants Pass. The Bear Hotel is home to hundreds of hibernating bear statues, some of which were created in 2003 during the city’s first ever BearFest. The event displayed thirty bears on the streets of Grants Pass, and then auctioned them off, raising $175,000 for charities and nonprofits. In the following years, even more bears frequented the streets, and more auctions earned over $250,000. In the summertime, you can create a scavenger hunt, searching for all the uniquely designed bears hiding around the city. Total, 182 fiberglass bears have been made since the first BearFest, each of these created by 85 different local artists.

In the recent years, the bears have been allowing other critters into their hotel as well. Squirrels climb trees that were made out of bike tires. A wolf lurks near a waterfall of CDs and computer cords. A raccoon hangs out under the shade of tree leaves made from melted plastic and chunks of water bottles. Even Bigfoot is hiding among canvas Redwoods. As stated by Teresa Woodall, the Bear Hotel’s Manager, the artists have worked hard to “make something beautiful out of garbage.” Through the ingenuity of these local artists, the Bear Hotel now includes exhibits displaying the beauty of the surrounding area. According to Evergreen’s website, “the Southern Oregon Adventure invites visitors to experience the beauty of Southern Oregon without ever leaving the Bear Hotel.” This tour takes visitors through a mini Crater Lake National Park, as well as into the Redwoods, to the Oregon Coast, through snowy forests, and over a covered-bridge.

Though relatively unknown, the Bear Hotel is one of the hidden gems of Grants Pass. Admission to see the Bear Hotel is even free, though tour reservations must be made a week in advance by calling the Evergreen Federal Bank. So, if you’ve ever wanted to wander through a forest of bears at no risk to your personal safety, call (541) 479-3351 and schedule an opportunity to see this unique hotel for yourself.

*Guidelines for visiting the Bear Hotel may be different because of COVID-19. If tour reservations are unavailable, check back in early 2021!

Additional Sources:

Evergreen Federal Bank. (2019). Evergreen’s Bear Hotel. Website: https://www.evergreenfederal.bank/bear-hotel

Paradiso, A. (2019). Mail Tribune. Website:

https://mailtribune.com/archive/a-visit-to-the-bear-hotel