Top 5 Ashland Day Trips: Explore Southern Oregon

Thinking of getting out of town? So, too, it’s very easy to want a mini escape when you are in Ashland, Oregon. What’s cool is that Ashland is superbly located for awesome day trips! Ashland, often famous for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, works incredibly well as a springboard for explorations! There’s very pretty countryside, great little communities and heaps of awesome stuff waiting just a short drive away. Let’s take a peek at the top five spots that really should be high on your must-do list. I’m figuring these destinations offer a little something for everyone and guarantee a fun, packed day out.

1. Historic Jacksonville: Gold Rush Charm

Ready for a trip to a place that appears frozen in time? Well, it’s almost certain you will find that in Historic Jacksonville, which is, in a way, a hop, skip and a jump from Ashland! Just a short drive northwest, this gorgeous town is actually dripping with Gold Rush history. Established way back when the mid-1800s hit, Jacksonville served, arguably, as a real important hub during that golden era of Oregon’s story. These days, when you walk its pretty roads, you’re essentially strolling through a gorgeous, living museum! Every structure you see has a bit of a story it wants to tell. From the perfectly restored Beekman Bank to the cute, vintage shops, Jacksonville is so very charming, which, very easily, could sweep you right back into those great gold rush times.

Basically, get started with a visit to the Jacksonville Visitor Center, as I was saying, that’s so you grab yourself a great town map and learn, in short, a fair bit on must-sees. After, simply have a wander. Basically, investigate those cute boutiques, where you will likely find handcrafted jewellery and awesome antique goods. Getting very hungry is, apparently, no stress either because the town comes complete with nice restaurants and adorable cafes which absolutely are dishing up everything from upscale dinners to delicious, light bites. Oh! If you happen to go in summer, look, like your eye is peeled for shows happening at the Britt Festival! I feel that it’s an open-air performance spot which is adding that cherry on top of what is, actually, already an outstanding destination.

2. Crater Lake National Park: A Deep Blue Wonder

Fancy witnessing, just a little, one of the bluest waters you may ever clap your eyes on? Well, of course, because that is just what awaits you, almost, at Crater Lake National Park! Arguably a trip will see you travelling northeast of Ashland a pretty good distance! I would still say that a little drive should be so very much worth doing. What makes this national park just super incredible, obviously, is its main feature which clearly is Crater Lake. Basically, it exists inside of the caldera of what had been, a bit, Mount Mazama. Imagine some massively steep cliffs enclosing this utterly perfect mirror lake.

Alright, what can you get up to at the park, you ask? Seemingly, the number one thing should probably be, really, to drive the Rim Drive. Still, this beautiful road works just right as it winds its pretty path round the crater rim, always revealing incredible views! Actually, remember those viewpoints like Discovery Point and Cloudcap Overlook since the photos you get to grab from these, that’s just dynamite! What else? Get out for a little hike. Look to a trail like the Cleetwood Cove Trail which just is, almost, dragging you down to the lake where you will likely be able to engage in boat tours to Wizard Island! Apparently, boat tours could be accessible, you know, in the hotter times. Still, they absolutely are a bang on, special way to see even more of that stunning scenery from an unusual, aquatic POV you won’t often have!

3. Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve: Explore the Underworld

Are you wanting an outing which seems rather, almost, totally out of this planet? Just possibly? Then, in some respects, you’ve got to pop right over, arguably, to the Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve! Set quite close, seemingly, to Cave Junction. This amazing place seems to present you the amazing opportunity to check out beautiful caves! Just so you are seeing, the major way that this comes about just is, arguably, via ranger-guided cave tours! Now then, what they are very good at is explaining how those bizarre caves actually were birthed and throwing a little light on that ecosystem that resides deep down beneath us.

Seemingly, getting prepared with suitable clothing may be important, at the end of the day, because the caverns tend to be super cool, pretty darn chilly! However that said, the Monument provides extra things to do more or less apart from just caves. Really, spend a chunk of your time getting a hike finished! Well, actually, trails like the Big Tree Trail showcase those amazing woodlands that exist just surrounding those caves. Basically, for some added amusement and just to get settled properly, that chateau built historically, now an interesting hotel and coffee shop works pretty well! Seriously, just pause and just breathe up those amazing natural views whilst perhaps ingesting a light snack! Sounds super great!

4. Applegate Valley Wine Trail: A Taste of Southern Oregon

Think about getting the opportunity to taste, in fact, some awesome wines and take in beautiful scenes all at once! Well, so, you possibly could when you explore Applegate Valley Wine Trail. Arguably, just about a simple, very cute hop down to the western side of Ashland! I would suggest a leisurely spin around the vineyards situated in the area! So, this little corner, is basically, widely recognised amongst Oregon for possessing that microclimate which clearly, has demonstrated itself to be wonderful to produce many types of wines! I feel it is fair to anticipate many small but beautiful vineyard properties. Now what you must expect tends to be truly something that has genuine, one-of-a-kind character. Some lovely tastings are coming your way!

Now it’s really quite possible you won’t only be able just to test cool locally made grape beverages! It is also highly probable that will just happen as you absorb beautiful views! Quite a few wineries offer, so to speak, scenic terraces or perhaps picnic sites and all are so ideal just to spend your down-time properly just gulping some awesome locally crafted items just alongside all those gorgeous surrounding vineyard properties! It is highly advantageous, actually, just so that you will simply arrange your tour in a considered way. Really make a brief list, too, I’m fairly certain, of the sites which spark something so you gain all that extra juicy information regarding local viticulture from employees so to. Do that? Okay, now you’re looking well!

5. Siskiyou Mountains: Hiking and Natural Beauty

Want some really pure countryside fun just brimming just behind beautiful nature to boot? In the same way, maybe getting out into some proper hillside scenery might be just for you. Then definitely, I would highly prescribe getting in touch Siskiyou Mountains! Just in very close reaching vicinity for Ashland. I suspect there are loads of trails going everywhere in them so everyone has fun no matter what kind of experience they hope for. Routes will get discovered for whatever fitness, at the end of the day. Be it those lazy strolls and seriously back breaking hikes!

Now, what exactly causes The Siskiyous just to be that teeny-tiny more memorable might be their special nature scenes, actually! I reckon one will catch all kind of flora/ fauna kinds but probably most of interest comes from its many unusual botanicals and distinctive stone features! Pack any required snacks. Get set appropriately so too! I bet people just looking to snap seriously instagrammable frames grab amazing possibilities. Still, simply wandering through this amazing region simply delivers those quiet chances, more or less, so people refresh the spirit in nature’s soft embrace. If it sounds perfect. You nailed it . It sounds very cool to me!