Southern Oregon

Southern Oregon offers year-round cultural and recreational activities of every type - from the world renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland , to world famous Crater Lake; the Britt Music Festival in Jacksonville to the Oregon Caves National Monument . During the winter, Mt. Ashland Ski Area offers downhill and cross-country skiing with spectacular 360-degree views across the Cascade and Coast Ranges. Grants Pass, the gateway to the wild and scenic Rogue River, offers rafting, fly fishing, jet boat excursions, antique shops, the Rogue River Loop and the Applegate Trail. The rich farmlands of the Rogue Valley are home to more than a dozen wineries and the world-famous Harry and David pear orchards.

Day Tripping 1 - Skiing
Ashland and Jacksonville are located in a valley that is surrounded by mountain ranges - the Cascades and the Siskiyous. Your innkeeper can tell you about their favorite cross-country trails and help with equipment rental and packing a lunch. And downhill skiing is available at Mt. Ashland, a short drive from Ashland, but a world away.

Day Tripping 2 - Crater Lake
This spectacular natural wonder is a must-see for visitors to Southern Oregon. Stop at the Apple Cellar or Allysons's in Ashland for gourmet salads and sandwiches, then head north on I-5 past Medford. Take exit 43 (Hwy 234) through Gold Hill and the beautiful Sams Valley. After about 15 miles, you reach the intersection for Crater Lake Highway ((Hwy 62). Turn left and go through Shady Cove. If you're hungry, stop along the river at one of several rest areas and enjoy your picnic lunch. Or drive a little further to Lost Lake Resevoir day camp area and dine overlooking the water. If you didn't pack a lunch, you're in for a treat at the Crater Lake Lodge where lunch is served in the Lodge dining room. Friendly young wait staff will charm you with their youthful enthusiasm and wholesome outdoor spirit. They spend the summer in nearby employee housing, far from the urban world.

The fresh mountain air will definitely peak your appetite, but the sights (and perhaps the altitude) will leave you breathless! There are several vantage points for enjoying the view or taking pictures. You can walk along well groomed paths near the Lodge, and it seems that every where you turn are spectacluar views. There's also an information center where you can learn about the history of the area from Park Rangers. During the summer, you can traverse the Lake rim road by car. Or you can take a boat cruise to get closer to the sparkling saphire blue water. In winter, you can cross country ski. Whatever the season, this is one spectacluar destinationn that you'll always remember.

Day Tripping 3 - River Rafting
Just how much heart-pounding escitement do you want? You can raft the rapids with a guide and a couple of other adventurous folks, working as a team to test your rowing skills, then stop to enjoy lunch (packed and prepared by your guide) on the bank of the river. Or you can get on board one of the big jet boats that take groups out for sightseeing and dinner at a charming encampment in a wooded area up river. Either way, you're sure to enjoy the wild and scenic rivers of the Rogue Valley. And you can count on getting wet!

Day Tripping 4 - Historic Jacksonville
This charming authentic mining town is designated a National Historic Landmark. Jacksonville preserves its old west atmosphere with wooden sidewalks, horse-drawn carriages and beautifully restored historic homes and buildings. But today the downtown buildings house art galleries, restaurants, boutiques and antique shops. Jacksonville is also famous for the Peter Britt Music Festival, a summer-long concert series that features world-class performers in an outdoor amphitheater that offers spectacular views of the beautiful Rogue Valley. Spread a blanket on the lawn and enjoy a picnic dinner (prepared by the Jacksonville Inn, of course) or reserve stadium seats. Either way you'll long remember a special evening under the stars!