Southern Oregon Visitors Association - www.southernoregon.org
Southern Oregon is home to world-class fishing and rafting rivers, mountains for skiing, biking and hiking, and green valleys that produce award-winning wines. It's also home to North America's deepest lake and Oregon's only National Park, Crater Lake, which graces the back of Oregon's state quarter.
From the valleys to the high desert, wildlife and nightlife share space. Southern Oregon is home to a pair of well-known attractions - the Britt Music Festival and Ashland's Oregon Shakespeare Festival - and to dozens of museums, art galleries, theaters, antique malls and tax-free shopping.
A ribbon of National Scenic Byways await, just a short drive from the California border. Follow the Redwood Highway to Grants Pass and the legendary Rogue and Umpqua rivers, where you'll find river adventures, jetboating, rafting, fishing and much more.
Discover Crater Lake National Park on the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway and experience the mountain lakes and world-class birding of the Klamath Basin and Oregon's Outback region.
History buffs will recognize the region as the site of Oregon's 19th-Century gold rush, an era preserved within the boundaries of Jacksonville, a National Historic Landmark town. Visit the "Heart of the Dunes" on Oregon's south coast, and experience America's Wild Rivers Coast.
Destinations:
The South Coast - From America's Wild Rivers Coast" to the "Heart of the Dunes," the South Coast offers an unspoiled coastal experience filled with windsurfing, fishing and exploring the most accessible and spectacular beaches in Oregon.
The Valley - From California, you first descend into the lush Rogue Valley, a region made famous by the nationally designated "Wild and Scenic" Rogue River. Meet friendly people, discover diverse cities, attractions and enjoy beautiful country.
The High Country - In this high desert region, Crater Lake nestles like a jewel. Come experience the Oregon Outback from historic Lake County to the Cascades of Klamath County.
Things to Do / See:
Crater Lake National Park - Few places on earth command overwhelming awe from observers, but Crater Lake, in south central Oregon, certainly does. Even in a region of volcanic wonders, Crater Lake can only be described in superlatives.
Stories of the deep blue lake can never prepare visitors for their first breathtaking look from the brink of this 6-mile-wide caldera which was created by the eruption and collapse of Mt. Mazama almost 7,000 years ago. Even seasoned travelers gasp at the 20-mile circle of cliffs, tinted in subtle shades and fringed with hemlock, fir, and pine: all this in a lake of indescribable blue.
Oregon Caves National Monument - Oregon Caves National Monument is small in size, 480 acres, but rich in diversity. Above ground, the monument encompasses a remnant old-growth coniferous forest including a Douglas-fir tree with the widest known girth in Oregon. Three hiking trails access this forest. Below ground is a marble cave created by natural forces over hundreds of thousands of years in one of the world's most diverse geologic realms.
Oregon Caves National Monument is a collection of chambers and passages that experts estimate are 3 to 5 million years old. This is a geologic wonderland for countless visitors between March and Thanksgiving each year.
Oregon Caves National Monument is one of five national parks or monuments in the state. The others are Crater Lake National Park, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and Fort Clatsop National Memorial.
Take the unique tour through the Oregon Caves, a trek along an asphalt trail complete with low ceilings, narrow passages and an occasional tight squeeze.
Rafting / Jetboats - Few places in America present outdoor enthusiasts more excitement and variety than beautiful Southern Oregon. Whitewater rafting on Oregon's Wild & Scenic Rivers offers breathtaking scenery, abundant forests and waterfalls, and a full range of mild to expert trips. For those seeking the thrill of whitewater (minus the rafting!) check out the wilderness adventure that is jetboating.
Shopping - Oregon is one of only two U.S. states that does not have a sales tax, so you can expect that shopping is a fantastic part of any vacation in Southern Oregon.
Because the Rogue Valley is the largest metropolitan area for a broad region, you'll find high-end boutique-style shopping as well as major chains available, and factory outlets as well.
Begin your adventure in Ashland, Medford, Grants Pass or Roseburg, all conveniently situated right along Interstate 5. Branch out to the South Coast communities of Brookings, Gold Beach, Reedsport and Coos Bay for other unique items such as Oregon Myrtlewood gifts.
Take in the sights and sounds of the Great Basin and Oregon Outback, from Klamath Falls to Lakeview to Christmas Valley, and take time to cruise the dozens of antique stores, high-end art galleries and Western-style retailers. Visit and shop Southern Oregon - you'll like what you find.
Lodging / Accomodations:
Bed & Breakfasts - If you're looking for a comfortable, friendly lodging option where you get that warm and home-style feeling, then one of Southern Oregon's fine B&Bs is for you.
Guest Ranches - For those seeking an out-of-the-ordinary lodging option, a guest ranch could be the way to go.
Hotels / Motels - Whatever your lodging preference, you'll find it in Southern Oregon. Major chain hotels and motels in our more urban settings, with small country inns just a few moments away.
RV Campgrounds - RV Campgrounds are in abundance in Southern Oregon
Resorts - Play golf by morning, go rafting by afternoon, and attend a Shakespeare production by evening.