HIKING & BIKING TRAILS IN SOUTHERN OREGON

The Howard Prairie Resort is 155 beautiful acres, including 1.63 miles of lake frontage and breathtaking views of Mt. McLoughlin. The lake waters are teeming with both trout and bass and have some of the best fishing in Southern Oregon. Offering everything from tent sites to large RV sites, a rentable 2-bedroom Cabin, a store, restaurant, laundry facilities, and full-service boat marina, The Howard Prairie Resort is the ideal location for a unique outdoor excursion for the entire family, either for just a weekend or your summer vacation destination. Discover a true ambiance of natural camping in one of Howard Prairie Resort's campsites with spacious tree-covered spaces.

Picture yourself in a campsite overlooking Lost Creek Reservoir with wildlife, large conifer trees, and mountains surrounding you. Take a hike or bike ride on the 11-mile trail system, through the forest with year-round streams and wildlife viewing. Take a swim in the cool, mountain water; rent a boat from the marina (call (541) 560-3646 for information), and troll the 10-mile lake for trout and bass ... an angler's dream. Or bring your own boat and water skis and spend a few days in the sun! The park is about 40 miles from Crater Lake National Park, and makes an excellent jumping-off point for an exploration of Southern Oregon.

Knob Falls Trail is a 6.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Prospect, Oregon that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is best used from April until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

Nestled in the heart of the Cascade Mountains, Lost Creek Lake and Marina are a welcome surprise when traveling along Highway 62 towards Crater Lake. Just 36 Miles from Medford, Lost Creek Lake can be a pleasant day-trip or a week long camping adventure.

The sentinel guarding Oregon’s border against invaders from the south has long been a landmark to pioneers. Hence it’s name. Visible for miles from the south and east, it is the first Oregon landmark people notice as they head up Interstate 5 from California (except for Mount McLoughlin). Route Details: Relatively easy until last 1/2 mike when it starts getting steep. To scramble to the top of the rock takes a bit of rock climbing and is not great for those who are scared of heights. Know your limits!

Prescott Park starts from Roxy Ann Drive off of Hillcrest Road. The park totals 1740 acres of hiking and mountain biking trails, both paved and unpaved. This park is the perfect place for family adventure and incredible overviews of the valley!

Come enjoy the beautiful, quiet secluded forest. This area has picnic tables and a hiking trail leading to Pearsony Falls, the amazing Rogue River gorge and Mill Creek Falls. No drinking water at this site.

The Red Buttes pop up now and then on many southern Oregon back roads, usually just for a second. Their double-humped camelback outline is an instant giveaway. Also, they are red (orange actually). Highlight: Close-up exploration of the beautiful namesake peak of the Red Buttes Wilderness.

The term Rogue River Gorge is often applied to long stretches of the Wild and Scenic River, but this short stretch where the river courses through a narrow chasm carved no wider than 10 feet in places, is the proper feature to apply the name to. This waterfall occurs at the head of the gorge. The falls begin where the river splits around an island composed of basalt talus. The visible channel of the river spreads across the smooth basalt bedrock and veils about 5 vertical feet into a trough in a very scenic display. Shortly downstream the two channels converge and cascade another 25 feet into the narrowest and deepest portion of the gorge. The waters of the river swirl calmly for several hundred feet then resumes its boisterous journey towards the ocean after exiting the slot no more than 500 feet downstream from the entrance. The Rogue River Gorge is a very scenic location, one that is worth spending some time at. The lower section of the gorge can only be seen from the paved path but the smaller falls at the top of the formation can be approached closely. Unless the weather cooperates, the lack of shade in the area will be problematic more often than not. Spray shouldn't be a problem with the falls.

Located in southwestern Oregon and extending into California, the Forest ranges from the crest of the Cascades Mountains, west into the Siskiyou Mountains, nearly to the Pacific Ocean. The Forest covers almost 1.8 million acres, including portions of the Applegate and Illinois River drainages that extend into northern California. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest embraces a treasure of botanical diversity, and is home to incredible wild and scenic rivers, isolated wilderness, outstanding fisheries and wildlife resources, and breathtaking landscapes of mountains, meadows, streams, and lakes.

From April to June, the Table Rocks are used as an outdoor classroom. Over 3,500 individuals participate in the Table Rocks Environmental Education Program. Students and community groups of 10 or more are led by BLM hike leaders who share their knowledge of the natural and cultural history as they ascend the Table Rock trails. Weekend guided hikes open to the public are provided by local volunteer specialists willing to share their knowledge while hiking the trails. Reservations for weekend hikes can be made starting in March through the Bureau of Land Management.

Two small and beautiful glacial cirque lakes sitting on the Oregon-California border. Reaching the trailhead involves an adventurous drive through some of the prettiest country in the Oregon Siskiyou high country.