SOUTHERN OREGON

Although Jacksonville offers more than enough to enthrall visitors, Southern Oregon is full of adventure possibilities. Outdoor enthusiasts will find hiking and biking trails, waterfalls, summertime swimming holes, and spectacular mountain views. Crater Lake National Park is one of the most amazing natural wonders of Southern Oregon and the world, and well worth the day trip from Jacksonville. Ashland’s world famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival offers performances in four different theaters from March through October.

Crater Lake

A scenic 2 hour drive from Élan, ‘Crater Lake inspires awe. Native Americans witnessed its formation 7,700 years ago, when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of a tall peak. Scientists marvel at its purity: fed by rain and snow, it’s the deepest lake in the USA and one of the most pristine on earth. Artists, photographers, and sightseers gaze in wonder at its blue water and stunning setting atop the Cascade Mountain Range.’

Oregon Redwoods

‘The Oregon Redwood Trail is a short loop through a mixed-species upland forest that includes some small old-growth redwoods. The trail consists of a ridgetop portion that leads to a cluster of perhaps half a dozen mid-sized redwoods, and a longer portion that descends a hillside to a second, more widely-scattered collection of mid-sized redwoods.’

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Whether you’re planning months ahead or wondering what’s playing today, it’s all here: performance schedules, prices, discounts, Box Office hours, member events, on-site essentials like the Tudor Guild gift shop, and less than a 1/2 hour scenic drive from Élan through vineyards and mountain views.

Rogue Jet Boat Adventures

Rogue Jet Boat Adventures offers a variety of outdoor excursions to allow visitors the experience of Oregon’s beauty. The popular jet boat tours are a fantastic opportunity to take in local views from the river, while shuttles to camping and concerts at Discovery Park are enjoyable for all ages. Year-round guided fishing tours ensure you’ll cast in the best spots the Rogue has to offer.

Mt. Ashland

The Mt. Ashland Ski Area is located less than one hour from Élan. In the summer, when the ski area is closed, you can enjoy amazing views of Mt. Shasta and Mt. McLaughlin. Outdoor recreation options are endless, including trail running, mountain biking, wildflower viewing and bird watching.

Oregon Caves

Another day trip excursion may find you at the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, a protected area in the northern Siskiyou Mountains of southwestern Oregon. The 4,554-acre park, including the marble cave, is 20 miles east of Cave Junction, on Oregon Route 46. The protected area is managed by the National Park Service. The Oregon Caves invite you to experience a memorable adventure of learning and exploring.