Southern Oregon
Southern Oregon is a land of dramatic contrasts. Marked by spectacular mountains, deep lakes, rich valleys and arid deserts, the southern Oregon region extends from the California border, north to the shores of the Umpqua River. Mountain ranges hem in some of the region’s most captivating valleys, providing lush countryside for hiking, camping, fly-fishing and river rafting.
Location
Southern Oregon is a region of the U.S. state of Oregon south of Lane County and generally west of the Cascade Range, excluding the southern Oregon Coast. Counties include Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, and Josephine. It includes the Southern Oregon American Viticulture Area, which consists of the Umpqua and Rogue River drainages.
Overview
A bustling theatrical town (Ashland) featuring the Tony-Award winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the country’s deepest lake, Crater Lake, the Oregon Caves National Monument, world-class fishing and rafting rivers, year-round golf, mountains for skiing, biking and hiking only begin to make up the many pieces of picturesque Southern Oregon. The region is home to dozens of museums, including Favel Museum and Southern Oregon History Center, and a host of art galleries, theaters and antique malls.
Attractions
- There are many attractions in Southern Oregon like Shakespeare Festival and Crater Lake.
- You can indulge in blacksmithing demonstrations and Native American dances at Hanley Farm, visit six beautiful covered bridges near Umpqua, or take in glory days of the old west in Jacksonville.
- Kids can enjoy at Wildlife Safari, where you can view cheetahs, giraffes and hippos.
- You can also visit the Science Works Museum.
- Satisfy your hunger and bite into artisan cheeses at Rogue Creamery (we suggest Smokey Oregon Blue), handmade chocolates at Lillie Belle farms or sip and swirl away at picturesque wineries.
Outdoor Activities
- 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.
- You can also visit the Oregon Caves National Monument.
- For hiking, biking or snowshoe adventures with jaw-dropping views, visit Crater Lake National Park, North America’s deepest lake.
- If you want to see feathered friends in their natural habitat, trek to Klamath Forest National Wildlife Refuge, where you can paddle ancient Klamath Indian canoe trails for views of a variety of waterfowl, including pelicans, herons and the largest concentration of wintering bald eagles in the U.S.
- During the snow fall, head to the uncrowded slopes and trails of Mt. Ashland and Diamond Lake.
Driving tours offer an interesting and enjoyable way to sample the many attractions and activities that comprise the Southern Oregon area.
Wineries
Southern Oregon is full of natural treasures: Crater Lake, Oregon Caves, redwood forests, the mighty Rogue and Umpqua Rivers; all are surrounded by thousands of acres of wilderness. In the past few decades, a new Southern Oregon treasure has emerged in the form of vineyards and wineries that are garnering national and international attention.
The rugged mountain valleys and diverse climates allow for a wide variety of intensely flavored wine grapes to be grown. The cooler areas of Southern Oregon produce wonderful Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Gewürztraminer while the warmer, more arid regions ripen big reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, Merlot, Malbec, Dolcetto, Zinfandel, Grenache and Syrah. Many other unique varieties such as Albarino, Pinot Blanc, Gruner Veltliner, Marsanne, Rousanne, Baco Noir, Marachel Foch, Mourvedre, Semillon, Petite Sirah and Viognier are also grown; making Southern Oregon one of the most diverse winegrowing regions in the world.
Visit this beautiful place to enjoy with your loved ones.