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Exploring Oregon’s Only National Park and Neighborhood

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Crater Lake is Oregon’s top visitor attraction and we make it easy to visit… even in the winter! Winter is a special time in the Park and there are plenty of close by lodging and dining options that stay open year-round.CLICK HERE for current news and winter specials.

 

BEST GATEWAYS TO CRATER LAKE

HIGHWAY 97

If you are traveling up the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains heading to/from Central Oregon or Eugene (via Highway 58), Crater Lake is easy to visit from Klamath Falls, Chiloquin, La Pine, Sunriver and Bend.

2015 - Discover Klamath Banner Ad - 270x225KLAMATH FALLS

2015 - Discover Klamath Photo - IMG_7069DISCOVER KLAMATH (Highway 97, 57 miles to Crater Lake) – Klamath County is home to Crater Lake National Park, their motto, “Oregon Unexpected,” reflects that they have a whole lot more than just the Park. You can drive their Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, or, explore some of the hundreds of lava caves at Lava Beds National Monument. For nature lovers and photographers, drive one of the Auto Tours in their six National Wildlife Refuges where you’ll see some of the 300+ Bird Species in the area. There are excellent lodging and restaurant choices too. Plan to participate local recreational activities, including Ziplining, Fishing, Hiking, Biking (road, mountain, and gravel), Boating, Hunting, Golfing, Geocaching, and more. And with multiple museums, you can explore Klamath’s rich history for days. Check out the brand-new Ride the Rim event in September, 2015. Stop by their Visitor Center for more information and/or help planning your Klamath vacation: 205 Riverside Drive, Klamath Falls; or, call 1.800.445.6728. CLICK HERE TO VISIT WEBSITE.

INTERSTATE-5

The main interstate to/from Oregon is I-5 – western side of the Cascade Mountains. There are numerous cities that offer easy access to Crater Lake from I-5. The most popular ones (south to north) are Ashland, Medford, Grants Pass, Canyonville, Roseburg and Eugene (from I-5, take Highway 58 to Highway 97 to the Park).

medASHLAND-MEDFORD

Ashland Listing

ASHLAND-MEDFORD, (Interstate 5, 80 miles to Crater Lake) – If traveling from California via I-5, Ashland and Medford are your first gateways to Crater Lake. The area is rich with visitor attractions and has more than 2,000 lodging rooms to choose from. The dining scene is also the best in the region.

 

 

tapGRANTS PASS

HELLGATE & MORRISON’S (Interstate 5, 96 miles to Crater Lake) – Located right off Interstate 5, Grants Pass offers you the unique opportunity to WOW the family with a visit to Crater Lake and a Rogue River family adventure. Start your Grants Pass visit by booking a reservation on the Northwest’s #1 River Trip, Hellgate Jetboat Excursions (966 SW 6th St, Grants Pass, Res: 1.800.648.4874). See the beauty of the Rogue River, jet through the jaws of Hellgate Canyon, experience 360° spins and dine family style at their exclusive riverfront OK Corral. Follow it up with a relaxing stay along the Rogue River at historic Morrison’s Rogue River Lodge (8500 Galice Road, Merlin, Res: 1.800.826.1963) or reserve one of their cozy cabins. Swim, play tennis and experience their fine dining while you watch herons fish, osprey dive, or eagles soar along the river.

ROSEBURG2015 - Roseburg Photo (Waterfall)

ROSEBURG (Interstate 5, 102 miles to Crater Lake) – The city of Roseburg, the heart of the LAND OF UMPQUA, offers one of the most scenic routes to Oregon’s only National Park via the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway. The “Land of Umpqua” stretches from the coast to the Cascade Mountains and filled with captivating outdoor adventures. On your way to the Park stop at dozens of waterfalls, hike or mountain bike the North Umpqua Trail that parallels the “wild and scenic” North Umpqua River. The river is a premier fishing destination with more adventure than you could hope for in one river.  The perfect base for exploring the Land of Umpqua is Roseburg.  With something for everyone, Roseburg is in the center of it all.  Stroll through historic downtown, discover unique shops, art galleries, outstanding breweries and flavorful restaurants. Explore the flavors of Umpqua Valley wine region, home to more than two dozen award-winning wineries.   Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center: 410 SE Spruce Street, Roseburg, OR, Phone: 1.800.440.9584. CLICK HERE TO VISIT WEBSITE.

EUGENE

Tire Mountain, Lane Co, OregonEUGENE, CASCADES & COAST (Highway 58 via Oakridge to Crater Lake 176 miles or Interstate 5 via Cottage Grove to Crater Lake, 173 miles) – The Adventure Center (I-5, exit 194) can provide you with road conditions, weather, free maps and points of interest to Crater Lake National Park. Eugene – Springfield is a cornucopia of wineries, breweries, performing and visual arts, outdoor recreation and sports. Two scenic routes lead to Crater Lake: Highway 58 takes you via Oakridge, “The Mountain Biking Capital of the Northwest,” and some of Oregon’s best natural wonders. One spectacular “must see” is Salt Creek Falls, Oregon’s second highest continuous waterfall. The second route takes you south on I-5 to Roseburg via Cottage Grove, an “All America City” steeped in pioneer culture with the largest concentration of historic covered bridges west of the Mississippi. (Visitor Center & Gift Shop: 3312 Gateway St, Springfield, OR, Phone: 1.541.484.5307. CLICK HERE TO VISIT WEBSITE.

HIGHWAY 101

Just because you are exploring the scenic Oregon Coast it doesn’t mean you have to miss Crater Lake. The Park is a wonderful one day excursion from the coast and there are convenient routes to the Park from many cities including (south to north) Brookings, Bandon, Gold Beach and Coos Bay/North Bend.

Bandon-Listing

OREGON SOUTH COAST

Gold Beach Listing GOLD BEACH & BANDON (Highway 101, Gold Beach 221 miles, Bandon 187 miles to Crater Lake) – Many Crater Lake visitors don’t realize that combining a tour of Oregon’s spectacular South Coast is very doable with a visit to the Park. There are numerous routes that connect the coast to the Park. You can either start or end your trip with a coastal experience. The highlights of any South Coast visit are the towns of Bandon and Gold Beach. Bandon (Visitor Center location: 300 Second Street, Old Town, Bandon, OR, Phone: 1.541.347.9616) is a charming and unspoiled town that is world-famous as the home of Bandon Dunes, one of the top golf destinations in the world. Gold Beach (Visitor Center location: 94080 Shirley Lane, Gold Beach, OR, Phone: 1.800.525.2334) is where the Rogue River meets the sea. It offers Rogue River jetboat trips, easily accessible beaches, and great fishing. To learn more about both towns, see Attractions below.

 

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