Having fun whitewater rafting on the Rogue River.

SOUTHERN OREGON OVERVIEW

Our Region

The Southern Oregon region is a diverse area offering a wide range of outdoor activities. The Siskiyou mountain range and the Cascade range are the centerpiece for outdoor enthusiasts from rafting on wild rivers, kayaking on tranquil lakes, mountain biking on rugged trails, fishing for steelhead, and climbing high peaks. The moderate climate in this region makes it easy to play outside. It is an outdoor enthusiast's dream!

RIVERS

If whitewater rafting, kayaking, and fishing are what your heart desires, the Southern Oregon and Northern California region is boater's paradise. Rivers in the region are the Klamath, Rogue, Cal Salmon, Scott, Smith, and Owyhee, just to name a few. The Klamath River is known for its whitewater rafting and fishing opportunities. The Rogue River has been made famous for whitewater boating, kayaking, and winter steelhead fishing.

OUR CITIES

The cities that are at the centerpiece of Southern Oregon are Ashland, Oregon and Medford, Oregon. Ashland is the home of the world famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival. OSF shows plays of many different genres nine months out of the year. The Shakespeare Festival is a major tourist attraction to the region, generating income for many businesses in the area especially during the summer months.

Medford, Oregon is the hub of the Rogue Valley and is home to the Rogue Valley International Airport. Medford began in 1883 when the railroad came to town. Planting of apple and pear orchards began in the early 1900's making fruit the number one export of the Rogue Valley. The railroad allowed access to distant markets which made Medford and agricultural mecca. At this point, Medford, Oregon was named one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

WINERIES

In addition to outdoor recreation the Southern Oregon region in the recent past has become well known for its wine. With wet winters and hot, dry summers this makes it the perfect climate for the perfect wine. In the past few years several companies offering wine tours have popped up in the area. They will take you to some of the finest wineries in Ashland, Medford, and the Applegate Valley where you sip on some of your favorite flavors. The best part of a wine tour is that you leave the driving to your tour guide.

VISIT CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK

Crater Lake

Many people travel to this part of the country to see the sights and everything that makes Oregon and Northern California so great. Southern Oregon is proud to be the home of a National Park, Crater Lake. Crater Lake is what remains of a collapsed volcano, Mount Mazama, creating a caldera, that has filled with crystal clear blue water. Crater Lake is known as being the deepest lake in the United States and the seventh deepest lake in the world. It has an average depth of 1,148 ft. At its deepest it is 1,949 ft. Crater Lake attracts approximately 500,000 visitors a year to view this fantastic natural creation.

One of the ‘Natural Bridges’ upstream in the Gorge. The Rogue River Gorge and Natural Bridges Trail is on the Crater Lake Highway, just past the hamlet of Union Creek, not far from the entrance to the National Park.

Another sight to see on the drive up to Crater Lake is the Rogue River Gorge. The Rogue Gorge features a section of the river called Natural Bridges. It is called Natural Bridges because this is where the entire volume of the Rogue River goes underground through a lava tube. As a tourist and local this natural phenomena is a site to see. A walking path takes you across the Rogue River and up to a viewing area of the Natural Bridges. Don't forget to bring your camera!

MT. ASHLAND SKI AREA

Mt. Ashland is our local ski area. Mt. Ashland is a short drive from downtown Ashland and is always a nice, cool place to hang out on a hot summer day. The top of Mt. Ashland sits at feet and is the highest point in the Siskiyou mountain range. If you flew into the Rogue Valley you may have caught a glimpse of Mt. Ashland. In the summer Mt. Ashland offers hiking opportunites, mountain biking trails, photographic view points of Mount Shasta ahd the city of Ashland. In the winter, Mt. Ashland gets on average, 280 inches of snow a year. Cross Country skiing is also a popular activity and is available behind Mt. Ashland out to Grouse Gap shelter. The next time you are visiting Ashland, take some time out of your busy schedule to see the sights of Mount Shasta to the south and the Rogue Valley to the north, from Mt. Ashland.

Whatever it is you choose to do while you are visiting the Southern Oregon and Northern California region, just remember to have fun, take lots of pictures, and relax. You will love it!