The
best-known water in Southern Oregon is deep blue Crater Lake.
See
Our Directory of Outdoor Options
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Fishing
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Rafting
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Jetboating |
From
the rugged coast of the Pacific Ocean, to the vivid blue of Crater Lake, adventure
on the water awaits you here in Southern Oregon.What's
your pleasure? Fishing? Name a fish, and you're likely to find it here in this
diverse region.
Jet
boating? Travel up the Rogue River from Gold Beach and experience the Wild & Scenic
corridor, where wildlife outnumbers people. With so many adventures from which
to choose, let your imagination have free reign and find yourself on the water
in Southern Oregon.
Rogue
River Valley
This
world famous river was designated "Wild & Scenic" in 1968. It was a
favorite vacation getaway for Clark Gable, John Wayne and other entertainers from
Hollywood's Golden Age, and a favorite, too, with countless generations of families.
The
headwaters of the Rogue are on the western slopes of Mt. Mazama, in Crater Lake
National Park. More than 200 miles later, it crashes into the Pacific Ocean at
Gold Beach. In between you'll find steep canyons, gentle meadows, amazing rock
formations, old growth forests and a huge range of whitewater rafting options,
from Class I to IV.
Distinct
sections of the Rogue - the Upper, Middle, Lower Rogue, and Rogue River Canyon
- each offer a different set of adventures. It's well known also for champion-size
Chinook and king salmon, steelhead, and other varieties.
Parks
and camping spots are abundant, as are charming turn-of-the-century towns, Native
American history, mighty redwoods, and much more.
Applegate Valley
The
area is named for early pioneers Jesse and Lindsay Applegate, who opened the road
to Southern Oregon in 1846. They came to Oregon on the original Oregon Trail,
created a scouting party and set out in June 1846, blazing a trail through the
Willamette Valley and continuing to just south of Ashland.
In
August 1846, hundreds of pioneers came to Oregon on the new Applegate Trail. By
1853, more than 3,500 pioneers took this route, which is followed today by Interstate
5 and Highway 66.
The
Applegate Valley is the middle of three adjacent river valleys extending from
the foothills of the Siskiyou Mountains along the California border to the Rogue
River in the north. The forested slopes and often snow-covered peaks of the Siskiyou
Mountains are reflected in the clear blue waters of Applegate Lake in the Rogue
River National Forest. In this scenic setting the U.S. Forest Service operates
hike-in campgrounds and lake shore areas for picnicking, swimming and boating.
The lake extends to the California border and a hiking trail follows the 18 mile
shoreline.
The
Umpqua River Valley
The
headwaters of the Umpqua River are found at Diamond Lake, so-named for its rare
beauty as it snugs up to the craggy peaks of Mt. Thielsen and Mt. Bailey in the
Cascade Range. At over 5,000 feet, Diamond Lake is both a summer and winter play
paradise, offering trout fishing, cycling and horseback riding in the summer and
snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and other sports in the winter.
As it winds it way to the Pacific, the Umpqua River passes through the Umpqua
National Forest, which holds the distinction of having the largest Old Growth
Douglas Fir Forest in the world. Lemolo Lake and dozens of waterfalls are found
along Highway 138 as it follows the river to the sea. Steelhead fly fishing along
the North Umpqua is some of the best anywhere, and inspired famous Western novelist
Zane Grey to make it his annual vacation destination. You'll find rafting, fishing
for spring and fall Chinook here.
Crater Lake
Visit
one of America's crown jewels, Crater Lake National Park. No place else on earth
combines a deep pure lake, so blue in color; sheer surrounding cliffs, almost
2,000 feet high; a picturesque island and a violent volcanic past.
Crater
Lake National Park offers year-round adventure and fun, from winter cross-country
skiing and snowshoeing to summer camping, boat tours, hiking and scenic tours
around the Lake.
Take
a boat tour around the Lake! Volcano Boat Tours begin for the season the 4th of
July weekend and end on Labor Day.
Kokanee
Salmon and Rainbow Trout are both present in Crater Lake. No fishing license is
required within the boundaries of Crater Lake National Park. The lake can be fished
year-round except when weather prevents safe access.
Wizard
Island is also open while boat tours are running. Crater Lake is accessible for
certified scuba divers. All divers are required to obtain a diving permit upon
arrival at the park. Permits are free of charge and can be procured from the Canfield
Building (Ranger Station) in the Park Headquarters complex.
Mountain Lakes Wilderness
The explosive collapse of a 12,000 foot volcano,
followed by eons of glacial carving, combined to create this unique wilderness
area, located on a broad region about halfway between Medford and Klamath Falls.
Visitors will discover sparkling alpine lakes and streams, flower-strewn meadows,
cool forests and magnificent ridge-top vistas.
A
central trail, which circumvents the crater, is reached by one of the three access
trails. Lake of the Woods, Fourmile Lake, Howard Prairie Lake, Hyatt Lake and
Fish Lake provide a huge variety of choices for boating, swimming and waterskiing.
You'll find camping, picnicking, and of course, tons of fishing!
Photo
Credits:
Photos
at the top of this page are courtesy White Water Warehouse and Oregon Ridge &
River Excursions. 
