Things to Do in Southern Oregon This Spring
Spring in Southern Oregon is characterized by mild temperatures, lush green landscapes, and blooming wildflowers. Clear and sunny skies allow for plenty of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and fishing. Southern Oregon also hosts a number of festivals and annual events during the spring months— perfect for those who want art and culture.
Whether you want to relax, explore, or simply enjoy the great outdoors, Southern Oregon in the springtime is a fantastic destination. Learn more about top spring activities in Southern Oregon below.
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OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Unlike the rest of the Beaver State, Southern Oregon enjoys a drier climate and milder temperatures. The spring weather opens plenty of opportunities to explore the region’s great outdoor destinations, including Crater Lake National Park.
Toketee Falls
You can find one of Oregon’s most photographed waterfalls within the emerald-green sprawl of Umpqua National Forest. Toketee Falls has two tiers, both of which can be viewed from a few viewpoints in the area. This wonder is at its mightiest from spring through fall.
The trail to Toketee Falls is short and easy (about a mile), lined with tall Douglas firs, western red cedars, and other old-growth trees. Since it’s relatively accessible, consider exploring the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, which travels for approximately 172 miles and features several scenic stops, including Toketee.
Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a long-distance hiking trail that runs from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington. The PCT in Oregon stretches for about 455 miles through some of the state’s most stunning landscapes, including mountains, forests, and high deserts. The trail offers a unique opportunity for backpackers and hikers to experience the diverse beauty of Oregon’s wilderness, with breathtaking views of volcanic peaks, lush forests, and alpine meadows.
The PCT in Oregon is typically open for hiking from late spring to early fall, with the best weather and trail conditions typically occurring in late summer. You can join the trail at Donomore Meadows. While technically it’s in Northern California, it’s a good place to start if you want to cover the Siskiyou Mountains, which straddles Northern California and Southeast Oregon.
The following wilderness areas are also great PCT entry points: Soda Mountain in Ashland; Sky Lakes in the Cascades; Crater Lake NP, where the PCT covers 33 miles of ground; and Mount Thielsen within the Umpqua National Forest.
Crater Lake National Park
There are numerous reasons to visit Crater Lake National Park in Southern Oregon. The park is famous for its stunning centerpiece, Crater Lake, which is the deepest lake in the United States and one of the clearest in the world. The lake was formed by the collapse of an ancient volcano and is surrounded by steep, forested cliffs, offering visitors breathtaking views and opportunities for hiking, fishing, and boating.
In addition to Crater Lake, the park is home to several other attractions. These include Rim Drive, a 33-mile road that encircles the lake and provides stunning views of the surrounding landscape. You can also hop on a boat to Wizard Island, a cinder cone on Crater Lake that you can also hike. At the south end of Crater Lake towers Garfield Peak, which presents a challenging 3.6-mile roundtrip hike and the best views of the lake. And while summer and fall are the best seasons to visit Plaikni Falls in southeastern Crater Lake NP, the hike is relatively easy and the views refreshing.
Before you visit, it’s important to check for any seasonal closures or weather-related conditions, as well as to obtain the necessary permits and information to help you make the most of your visit.
Rogue River
The wild and majestic Rogue River emerges from the caldera of Crater Lake, winds its way through Southern Oregon, and pours out onto the Pacific Ocean via Gold Beach. That’s over 200 miles traveled, making Rogue River one of Oregon’s longest rivers. In 1968, this famous river was one of the first to be designated “Wild & Scenic.”
With steep canyons, quiet meadows, magnificent rock formations, over-matured forests, and a variety of Class I to IV whitewater rafting options, Rogue River is a must-see destination. It’s divided into several sections for recreational purposes, with each one offering its own unique scenic beauty and outdoor leisure opportunities. The exact number of sections can vary depending on the source, but typically, the Rogue River is divided into four main sections: the Upper Rogue, Middle Rogue, Lower Rogue, and Wild and Scenic Section.
The rugged Upper Rogue, for instance, has breathtaking views of rushing whitewater and portions that are ideal for steelhead fishing and kayaking. The Lower Rogue, on the other hand, is known for its whitewater rafting and stunning mountain views. In addition, it offers some of the best fishing opportunities in the area. Among the fish you can catch here are chinook salmon, king salmon, coho salmon, green sturgeon, and pacific lamprey.
Every year, more than half a million people visit the Rogue River area. Aside from the above-mentioned recreation activities, visitors can also go on a hike, camp along the river, have a picnic, swim, and observe wildlife.
WINE TASTING AND TOURS
Southern Oregon is home to many wineries and vineyards, many of which offer tastings and tours.
Weisinger Family Winery
Weisinger’s of Ashland is a family-owned winery located in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon. The winery specializes in handcrafted, premium wines made from grapes grown on its estate vineyard and carefully selected vineyards throughout the region.
Weisinger’s is well-known for its Pinot Noir, but it also grows tempranillo, merlot, syrah, malbec, sauvignon blanc, and viognier, as well as other cool-climate varieties. Furthermore, it has earned a reputation for producing high-quality wines with a strong sense of place.
The winery’s tasting room is located in Ashland, where visitors are welcome to taste the wines and learn more about the winemaking process. Reservations for wine tastings and tours for groups of 1 to 8 people can be made through this link.
Troon Vineyard
Surrounded by the dramatic and lush splendor of the Siskiyou Mountains, Troon Vineyard is a Regenerative Organic Certified™️ and Demeter Biodynamic® Certified farm in Oregon’s Applegate Valley.
Troon Vineyard’s 100-acre farm includes a vegetable garden, rewilded honeybees, cider apples, sheep, chickens, dogs, wildlife, and, of course, grapevines. They specialize in making some of today’s most exciting varieties, including marsanne, syrah, vermentino, roussanne, mourvèdre, tannat, and carignan, along with pétillant natural sparkling and orange wines. These can be sampled at the tasting room, surrounded by gardens that frame views of the Applegate Valley.
Make a reservation at the Troon Vineyard – Grants Pass or McMinnville Biodynamic Wine Bar for an unforgettable wine tasting experience.
Belle Fiore Winery
Located in the Rogue Valley of southern Oregon, Belle Fiore is a family-owned winery known for its elegant, handcrafted wines and sparkling wines. Belle Fiore’s 31-acre vineyards and winery produce French, Italian, and Spanish-inspired wine bottles and other products. At their shop, guests can purchase pinot noir, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petit verdot, and syrah.
The Chateau Tasting Room offers tasting sessions on Sundays at 12 PM and 3 PM by reservation only. Enjoy a magnificent view of Ashland and the surrounding landscape from the tasting room, which boasts a beautiful and elegant expression of French architecture and design. In addition to exceptional wines and classic food pairings, guests can enjoy live music every night and winemaker-paired dinners.
Known for their distinctive, flavorful varieties, Belle Fiore grows exotic Mediterranean grapes, such as caprettone, an Italian grape variety. Among the excellent Italian and Spanish estate-grown grapes are teroldego, barbera, verdejo, and montepulciano. Sweet, delicious dessert wines are produced from Muscat Canelli grapes.
EVENTS AND FESTIVALS
The Boatnik Festival, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Ashland Independent Film Festival, and the Pear Blossom Parade are among the many spring festivals in southern Oregon.
Boatnik
One of the largest annual events in the region, Boatnik in Grants Pass attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. It’s usually held in May to celebrate the Rogue River and the boating community.
The festival features a variety of activities and events, such as boat races, live music, food and craft vendors, and a large parade. There are also plenty of opportunities for visitors to get out on the water and explore the beauty of the Rogue River, either by boat or by kayak or canoe.
In addition to the boat races and other activities, Boatnik also features several other family-friendly events and attractions,such as a carnival, car show, and a kids’ area with games and activities. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor from out of town, the Boatnik festival is a great opportunity to experience the best of southern Oregon’s cult
Check out Boatnik’s event calendar here.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Established in 1935, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) is among the largest and oldest professional regional repertory theater companies in the United States and is a recipient of numerous Tony Awards.
Typically, the festival runs from February to October and presents a wide range of plays, including Shakespeare’s plays as well as classics and contemporary works and musicals.
OSF has three theaters: the Angus Bowmer Theatre, the Thomas Theatre, and the Allen Elizabethan Theatre. The Angus Bowmer Theatre is the largest and is used for the main productions, while the Thomas and Elizabethan Theatres are smaller and used for more intimate productions.
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival attracts visitors from around the world and is known for its high-quality productions, talented actors, and stunning set designs. Whether you’re a fan of Shakespeare or simply enjoy live theater, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is a must-visit destination in southern Oregon.
The latest production will begin this April. Tickets are now available on OSF’s website for Romeo and Juliet and Rent, a Pulitzer Prize-winning musical. Alternatively, those interested in the history and complexities of operating a repertory theatre are also welcome to take a Campus Tour.
For a full list of OSF’s upcoming events, click here.
Ashland Independent Film Festival
Ashland Independent Film Festival (AIFF) is one of the longest running local film festivals in Southern Oregon. Ashland is its host city, with the event usually spread over two weeks every April. Due to the pandemic, the last AIFF was held virtually, but organizers are planning an in-person event this 2023.
AIFF shows over 100 films and documentaries in various theaters throughout Ashland, including the Historic Ashland Armory and the Varsity. The festival gathers approximately 7,000 filmgoers every year, as well as revered names in the industry such as Helen Hunt, Ty Burrell, as well as James Ivory and Bruce Campbell, both of whom hail from Southern Oregon.
Apart from screenings, AIFF also has an opening party as well as a concluding awards ceremony. Stay tuned for the latest AIFF 2023 announcements here.
Pear Blossom Parade & Festival
Every April, Medford hosts the yearly Pear Blossom Parade and Festival, which is a spectacle of floats, marching bands, and other entrants. The weekend also consists of a street fair, a 5k run, and live music and entertainment. This year, Pear Blossom Parade and Festival will also include a baby contest, junior and senior pageants, a golf tournament, pear-a-fare, and a smudge pot stroll.
Since the first parade in 1954, which included 20 wagons and children, the festival has now grown to include 150 entries with over 5,000 participants and thousands of spectators. Southern Oregon’s Pear Blossom Parade offers residents and visitors alike a chance to experience its rich agricultural history, culture, and community. It’s a fun and festive event for people of all ages, and the spring season in southern Oregon won’t be the same without it.
Click here to view the Pear Blossom Parade’s event calendar.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUTHERN OREGON FROM THE LOCAL EXPERTS
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Find out how we can help you fulfill your real estate goals in Ashland, Medford, Phoenix, Talent, and other desirable communities in Southern Oregon. Call our team at 800.334.7499 or send an email here.