Charming Southern Oregon

An eclectic mix of rural communities make up unique culture, a plethora of outdoor activities and exciting attractions.

by

Words by Rick Stedman

Travelling through Southern Oregon in the summer is an unforgettable experience. The region features lakes, mountains, and rivers that all blend seamlessly together to form one scenic destination. In addition to outdoor activities including hiking, biking and golfing, the area is popular for its art culture, culinary options, and wine tasting.

The main cities in southern Oregon are Grants Pass, Medford, Ashland, and Klamath Falls. Each area is unique and they all highlight rural America. Grants Pass, Medford, and Ashford are easy to access on I-5 while Klamath Falls is worth the short drive to the east.

Although Crater Lake National Park draws many visitors to this southern part of the State, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) in Ashland plays an important role in tourism as well and has attracted more than 20 million visitors from around the world since opening in 1935. Live performances for 2022  include Shakespeare’s The Tempest and King John. Additional plays are performed six days a week on three different stages through December.

Just adjacent to the OSF, the 40.5 ha (100 ac) Lithia Park is a relaxing respite for residents and visitors alike. The park includes picnic areas, a playground, several hiking trails, and summer music performances at the bandshell. It also has a few wetlands and a bucolic Japanese garden.

Ready to Sample Some Wine?

There are more than 150 wineries throughout southern Oregon where you can visit several tasting rooms - many offer outdoor patios and other welcoming features. A good example is Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, located just outside of Ashland. You can sample Chardonnay or Pinot Noir while enjoying the grounds, which are at an elevation of 640 m (2,100 ft).

You’ll also be amazed by some of the meals that are served at the wineries. Unlike a typical restaurant with a set menu, many offer a carte du jour that feature small plates of appetizers or heavy hors d'oeuvres. You will not only be impressed by the quality of the wines, but by the meals you’ll savour.

Since wine and cheese always complement each other, visiting the Rogue Creamery in Central Point just north of Medford is a must. Established in 1933, the Rogue Creamery has expanded over the years and still tempts the palates of cheese lovers around the world. In 2003, its Rogue River Blue cheese was the first non-European cheese of its kind to receive the title of the “World’s Best Blue Cheese.”

The wines produced in southern Oregon are popular but if you crave an ice-cold beer on a hot summer day, look no further than Klamath Basin Brewery, located on Main St downtown Klamath. Its Backroad Vanilla Porter is worth sampling and has the catchphrase  ‘like a good back road, our vanilla porter is filled with unexpected twists and turns.’ The brewery uses regionally-sourced ingredients and geothermal energy to produce its beer and a full menu is devised to complement its craft beers.

Whitewater and Waterfalls

Medford is considered the hub of Southern Oregon and has a little more than 80,000 residents. It’s home to the Rogue River Gorge and Natural Bridge, located off Hwy OR-62 near Union Creek. From the bridge, the 3.2 km  (2 mi) trail is paved and barrier-free. The views of this natural phenomenon are mesmerizing.

If you’re looking for more adrenaline-producing activities, whitewater rafting and kayaking are popular on the Rogue River. The Upper Rogue is a little tamer while the Lower Rogue requires a permit; the whitewater rafting is unforgettable! Grants Pass is known as Oregon’s whitewater rafting capital.

To view a beautiful waterfall, visit the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway. Starting at Roseburg, take exit 124 to Hwy OR-138. The 277 Km (172 mi) route leads to the town of Gold Hill, just north of Medford. The entire excursion could take several hours, but you’ll see more than a dozen waterfalls along the way.

Golf Courses: From Tame to Tough

The Rogue Valley has several quality golf courses. The par 72, 18-hole Centennial Golf Club is the newest course in the area, which opened in 2006. This public course stretches to 6,683 m (7,309 yds) from the tips and was designed by architect John Fought. Neighbouring the course is the 2Hawk Vineyard and Winery, where you can sample their award-winning Sauvignon Blanc or Grenache Rosé.

Medford’s Stewart Meadows Golf Course is an 18-hole, par 70 course that spans 5091 m (5,568 yds) from the tips. Laid out on 25 ha (62 ac), this challenging course features more than 800 trees, four ponds, and 39 sand traps. The Tee Time Café is a great place to round out your game.

Open all year, the nine-hole Oak Knoll Golf Course in Ashland has been serving the public since 1927. It’s also the only municipal course in Southern Oregon. The par 36 measures 2,651 m (3,020 yds) and offers a covered driving range and practice areas.

Since 1997, Running Y Ranch Golf Course in Klamath Falls has welcomed golfers from around the country. The only Arnold Palmer-designed course in the State, Running Y is on every golfer’s must-play list when visiting the Beaver State. With an average of 300 days of sunshine, many golfers tee it up throughout the year. The 18-hole, par 72, championship course measures 6,526 m (7,138) yards from the tips.

RV Campgrounds Abound

Catering to big rigs and featuring 57 sites, Crater Lake RV Park in the rural community of Prospect is located just outside of the national park of the same name. Also nearby is Union Creek Campground in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, which features 74 sites (only three of those sites offer full RV hookups).

North of Medford in Central Point, just off exit 33 on Hwy I-5, is Southern Oregon RV Park (SORV). This is the newest addition to Jackson County Parks and opened in 2016. It has 92 sites, full hookups and all sites are paved. Premium locations are also available and measure 23 x 4.5 m (75 x 15 ft).

Located near the Rogue River with many outdoor activities to enjoy like fishing, hiking, and cycling, SORV is adjacent to the Bear Creek Greenway, which is a multi-use, 32 km (20 mi) trail that connects the cities of Central Point, Medford, Phoenix, Talent, and Ashland.

Also part of Jackson County Parks is Point RV Park on Emigrant Lake. South of Ashland,  the Point is open all year and has 32 sites, full hookups and is only open to RV camping. Further south is Klamath Falls KOA.

While popular for outdoor enthusiasts, the area draws birders from across the US. One of the principal attractions is Klamath Falls, which has the highest concentration of bald eagles in the Pacific Northwest.

Lake of the Woods is another great option to experience what Mother Nature has to offer. In addition to numerous cabins for rent, it has 22 wooded RV sites with hookups. The Lake House Restaurant is open daily and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Lake of the Woods Pizzeria is also popular.

Crater Lake National Park

A visit to Southern Oregon wouldn’t be complete without experiencing Crater Lake in the National Park of the same name. More than 750,000 travellers visit annually to observe the country’s deepest lake at 592 m (1,943 ft). The scenic 53 Km (33 mi) Rim Drive around the lake is popular. Keep in mind that the route gets busy during peak season.

Though Crater Lake draws visitors to the region, it’s the individual characteristics of the surrounding communities that truly define Southern Oregon. It’s a special destination that’s not to be missed.

For more information, visit www.southernoregon.org.