Welcome
to the High Country of Southern Oregon and its diverse landscape of lakes and
rivers, wetlands and woodlands. In this high desert region Crater Lake nestles
like a jewel. Come experience the amazing Oregon Outback, from historic Lake County
to the cascades of Klamath County.
CASCADE
AND LAKES - The high lakes area of southern Oregon offers abundant recreation
and unparalleled hiking trails, including a stretch of the historic Pacific Crest
Trail. Visit the Sky Lakes Wilderness area and its collection of pristine mountain
lakes, including Lake of the Woods, Fish Lake, Fourmile Lake, and others. As you
drop down from the Cascades into the Klamath Basin, the shimmering surface of
Oregon's largest lake, Klamath Lake, greets you. Throughout this region, experience
the wilderness in lodges or campgrounds, and enjoy recreation for all seasons
of the year.
No visit
to Southern Oregon is complete without experiencing Crater Lake National Park.
It's the deepest lake in the United States (at 1,932 feet), and one of the bluest
lakes in the world. Formed from the eruption of Mt. Mazama more than 7,000 years
ago, the lake sits in a huge crater, which is bordered by walking paths, interpretive
panels, and thousands of wonderful photo opportunities. Hike down the caldera
and take a boat ride out to Wizard Island. Relax on the broad stone balconies
of Historic Crater Lake Lodge, and soak up some sunshine along with the wonderful
views. Drive or cycle the Rim Drive that encircles the lake. Winter access can
be tricky, so be sure to check weather conditions.
THE
KLAMATH BASIN - Klamath Falls is a charming historic community where you'll
find sunny skies, antique stores, golf courses, and Oregon Institute of Technology
(OIT). In downtown Klamath Falls, you'll find several stores that have been serving
patrons for more than 50 years, plus many specialty retailers. The Klamath County
museum, Baldwin Hotel Museum, and the Favell Museum offer a glimpse of the areas
history and feature many Native American artifacts and fine art.
Make time for the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway
All American Road. Travel north on Highway 97 to Kla-Mo-Ya Casino, just outside
the old mill town of Chiloquin. Collier State Park and Logging Museum is located
further north, and you'll find access to the Williamson River and Spring Creek.
Click the link for more information.
OREGON’S
OUTBACK - In Lake County, no one gets cabin fever; there is something
to do every season of the year: skiing at Warner Canyon, hunting big game or small,
fishing the 500 miles of streams and seven lakes, camping with a backpack or an
RV, cycling or hiking the Fremont Trail System, golfing at Lakeview and Christmas
Valley, swimming in the beautiful Chewaucan River or the hot springs near Summer
Lake, and rock hunting for gem stones or fossils. Known as the hang gliding capital
of the West, the Outback's mountains provide perfect launching conditions for
gliders to catch thermals.
In the remarkable Fremont National Forest, you'll experience vistas unparalleled
in the world, from meadows to aspen groves, giant ponderosa pine to juniper, and
stream-fed gorges that draw down rimrock canyons. USFS trail systems contains
hundreds of miles of trails, and you'll find horse camps as well. Wildlife includes
mule deer, mountain lions, Rocky Mountain elk, black bear, porcupines, and Pronghorn
antelope.
Lake County's
Western hospitality is a year-round feature. All these activities can be enjoyed
from the comfort of historic bed & breakfast inns, guest ranches, modern hotels
and fine restaurants, or from the rugged isolation of a mountain camp in Oregon's
Outback.
A fine way
to get an overview of the Great Basin Region is to take a three- to four-hour
drive on the Oregon Outback National Scenic
Byway. This route extends from the junction of Highway 97 and Highway 31 south
of LaPine, and continues to the Oregon/California state line through 171 miles
of scenic, natural, recreational and archaeological features.
Don't miss 2,000-foot high Abert Rim, over 30 miles long, the highest exposed
scarp on the continent. Wildlife viewing is spectacular at Hart Mountain as well
as at the Summer Lake Wildlife Area and Warner Wetlands where you can see swans,
eagles, raptors, sandhill cranes, pelicans, deer, antelope, elk, bighorn sheep,
coyote and more.
