Southern Oregon

Home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland’s cultural scene includes theater, music, museums and art galleries. For outdoor enthusiasts, Ashland has easy access to the Rogue and Upper Klamath Rivers, the Mt. Ashland Ski Area, mountain biking on the Cascade Siskiyou Scenic Bikeway and hiking on the epic Pacific Crest Trail. When you get hungry, mouth-watering restaurants and local wineries abound.

One of Southern Oregon’s biggest attractions is Crater Lake and its namesake national park. The water in the USA’s deepest lake is produced entirely by snow and rain, resulting in an ultra-clean, ultra-clear and extremely photogenic lake. Drive, bike or take a trolley tour (seasonal) around the perimeter and snap photos of the volcanic rock formations jutting out of the water. There’s hiking and trail running in the summer, or skiing and ranger-led snowshoeing in the winter.

The city’s motto, “It’s the Climate!” is well deserved. Grants Pass boasts a pleasant climate year round, with dry summers and moderate winters. Its charming historic district is full of amenities – shopping, galleries, local wineries and restaurants – making Grants Pass an ideal basecamp for accessing nearby activities like rafting and fishing the Rogue River, or exploring Crater Lake and Oregon Caves National Monument.

Nicknamed Oregon's City of Sunshine for of its 300 annual days of fair weather, Klamath Falls is an outdoor adventurer's paradise in all four seasons. Bucolic waterways beckon with fishing, paddling and wildlife-watching opportunities; three National Park sites invite you to explore; and specialized trails for mountain biking, hiking, backpacking and more criss-cross the region. Even more adventures await at Running Y Resort's  Arnold Palmer-designed golf course and the Crater Lake ZipLine's adventure course, home to the state's longest zip line.

In the heart of the Rogue Valley, you'll find the friendly small town of Medford, where foodie delights meet outdoorsy charm. The perfect basecamp for exploring many of Oregon's natural wonders, including Crater Lake National Park and Rogue River, and the setting of the annual Heart of the Rogue Festival, this locale offers adventure and culture in equal measure. Don't miss the chance to taste globally-renowned wines and frolic in colorful lavender fields at vineyards and farms across the region.

Western culture and natural wonders meet in the remote and rugged landscapes of the Oregon Outback, where a lack of light pollution and a number of unique geological features come together to create some of the USA's most stunning stargazing spots. Spend unforgettable nights peering at the wonders of the universe on the vast playas of Summer Lake, in the endless sagebrush country of Hart Mountain and on the high ramparts of the Warner Mountains. You're sure to come away with a renewed sense of wonder.

From February to early November, the Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) presents 11 theater performances in three different venues throughout Ashland. There are also educational discussions, lectures and demonstrations to enhance the theater experience.

The designated Wild and Scenic Rogue River is one of Southern Oregon’s most famous and popular natural attractions – even celebrities like Clark Gable and Bing Crosby have vacationed here. Fantastic salmon and steelhead fishing, Class I-V rapids and the 64-kilometer Rogue River hiking trail through spectacular scenery promise something for every fitness level. Stay in Grants Pass or Medford for easy access.

The town of Roseburg was built on the lumber industry, earning it the nickname “The Timber Capital of the Nation.” Today, Roseburg specializes in charming shops, restaurants and wineries. The appeal of Roseburg is its central location to adventures on the Umpqua River that flows right through town, and the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway “Highway of Waterfalls,” a 275-kilometer drive into the Cascade Mountains dotted with beautiful waterfalls.

Southern Oregon was a major thoroughfare during the railroad boom, providing passage for emigrants to the west coast and transportation of lumber and other goods. Ashland, Grants Pass and Medford flourished with the growth of the railroad industry. It’s no wonder, then, that you’ll find the world’s longest miniature railroad and the world’s largest collection of cabooses at Train Mountain in the tiny town of Chiloquin.