Stories

This area of cosmic wonder includes portions of Malheur, Lake and Harney counties to the east of larger Southern Oregon cities like Medford, Klamath Falls and Ashland. They are so sparsely populated that the region is also known as the Oregon Outback. And while much of the nighttime world grows brighter every year, as much as 11 million acres of Outback are on track to become an official Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2023. That would be the largest area of its kind, and good news not just for curious humans checking out the Milky Way but also for wildlife that needs the dark to thrive.

There are few places in the West quite like the Wild and Scenic Rogue River, where travelers can experience exciting whitewater, remote wilderness, abundant wildlife, and warm summer weather all in one trip. Thanks to reliable flows, warm weather, and spectacular scenery, the Wild and Scenic Rogue remains ready for another unforgettable season on the water.

From waterfalls to whitewater, the North Umpqua River region is a summertime playground that stretches along the river corridor from Roseburg to near Crater Lake in the northern part of the 1-million-acre Umpqua National Forest. There’s almost too much to choose from in this area. Some visitors enjoy a heart-thumping paddle down Class IV rapids; others prefer a gentle float. You can grab a fly rod to angle for steelhead, explore breathtaking waterfalls or find a swimming hole for a lazy day. Here’s how to plan your outdoor adventure in Umpqua country.

If you’re looking for a break from city lights, head for Southern Oregon. The region is blessed with some of the darkest skies in the country, and conservationists and communities are teaming up with Dark Sky Oregon to help keep them that way. It’s not only good for stargazing; wildlife and migrating birds benefit from the cover of night, too. From the Oregon Outback to the Oregon Caves, you’ll find a variety of landscapes and many ways to enjoy the region’s star-studded skies.

Dreaming of live music and a picnic with friends under a sky full of stars? Get away to pictureseque Jacksonville, surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards near Ashland and Medford. In this small town, many of the 19th-century brick buildings and gracious homes have been preserved, and the downtown district, with its brick facades, feels like the film set of a Western. Each summer it’s home to an outdoor music festival that makes the town come alive with arts and culture.

When it comes to astrotourism, visitors to Southern Oregon enjoy an array of options. Light-pollution maps show large swaths of gray and black in the region, especially in the Oregon Outback. That’s good.

What Is International Dark Sky Week? Imagine standing beneath a sky so dark and clear that the Milky Way stretches […]

Dreaming of live music and a picnic with friends under a sky full of stars? Get away to pictureseque Jacksonville, surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards near Ashland and Medford. In this small town, many of the 19th-century brick buildings and gracious homes have been preserved, and the downtown district, with its brick facades, feels like the film set of a Western. Each summer it’s home to an outdoor music festival that makes the town come alive with arts and culture.

Crater Lake isn’t the only spectacular water feature in Southern Oregon. The mountains and valleys of the entire volcanic region are dotted with waterfalls that provide a rushing, watery exclamation point to many hikes. Springtime is best to catch high-volume falls bursting with fresh snowmelt, but you’ll enjoy them all year round — expect cooling mists on hot summer days and vibrant views amidst fall foliage.

If you’re looking for winter fun, Southern Oregon has it all — including ice skating, skiing and sledding. Towns in the region go all out for the holidays, too, with a banquet of festivals, parades, artisan fairs and tree lightings. Load the family in the car and choose from these four wintry getaways.

With its rich agricultural heritage, wine and cheese production, and award-winning food businesses, Southern Oregon welcomes food lovers to enjoy wineries, restaurants, farmers markets and boutique shops. It also makes it easy to share the joy with food-loving friends back home. Here is a guide to some of our favorite food gifts, from charcuterie baskets to immersive culinary experiences.

Western monarch butterflies are relatively rare in the Pacific Northwest, but Southern Oregon is a hot spot for the iconic insects with beautiful orange-and-black wings. If you’re traveling through the region in early fall, you may spot monarchs as they make their way to their wintering grounds on the California coast. Read on to learn how you can mindfully and safely observe the butterflies, as well as what you can do to help monarchs — and other pollinators — thrive.

Over the following decades, winegrowers have flocked to the valleys and hillsides around the Umpqua River, which was recognized as an official American Viticultural Area in 1984. Today it’s a great place to learn exactly why Oregon is such a special place to grow grapes and make and taste wine. It’s also packed with plenty of other culinary delights, from organic farms to specialty coffee roasters, which you can experience on the Great Umpqua Food Trail. Here’s how to plan a perfect wine-tasting getaway to the Umpqua Valley.