Three Ultimate Weekend Getaways for Adventurers, Families, and Retirees
No two trips to Klamath County are ever quite alike: Adrenaline junkies love the region’s outdoor thrills, families appreciate easy-going adventure, and retirees can stay as active as they feel. And that’s to say nothing of the museums, performing arts venues, and farm-to-table restaurants that take advantage of the region’s rich agriculture.
Fortunately, there’s plenty in Klamath County to please travelers of all stripes—and with 300 days of sunshine every year, plenty of time to enjoy it all. So as you plan your next weekend getaway in Klamath County, here’s a look at how to make the most of your time—whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, family fun, or a relaxing trip.
Weekend Getaway for the Adventurer
Get ready adventurers! The hardest part of your trip is going to be deciding what to do out of all Klamath’s offerings. Discover Klamath
Adventurers could spend several weekends in Klamath County and never run out of things to do, from paddling the Klamath Basin’s myriad waterways to mountain biking the region’s singletrack paths to hiking in the verdant southern Cascades. Tough as it may be to narrow things down, here’s a look at how thrill-seekers can spend a weekend in Klamath County.
Where to Stay: From the Sky Lakes Wilderness to Upper Klamath Lake, Klamath County is home to all kinds of outdoor fun—and Lake of the Woods Mountain Lodge and Resort makes the perfect basecamp for adventure. The resort sits on the shores of one of the clearest natural lakes in the southern Cascades and offers a variety of cabins (many of which are pet-friendly), three campgrounds, a marina offering boat rentals, a pair of on-site restaurants, and easy access to the rest of the region.
Where to Eat: A day of outdoor adventure isn’t complete without that first sip of a refreshing brew. And Klamath Basin Brewing Company—housed in a one-time creamery in downtown Klamath Falls—produces a mix of classic, easygoing ales to please every palate. Choose from hop-forward IPAs, a citrus-tinged pale ale, a Bavarian-style hefeweizen, a smooth vanilla porter, and more.
What to Do: Nearly 30 miles of trails crisscross Spence Mountain, perhaps the most popular mountain bike network in a region known for mountain biking. The world-class singletrack paths offer moderate climbs, along with quick descents, berms, rock gardens, jumps, and other challenges. Along the way, you’ll be treated to views of Upper Klamath Lake, Mount Shasta, and other landmarks.
Weekend Getaway for the Family
From camping to ziplines and yummy food, getting out with your children will make you feel like a kid at heart. Discover Klamath
Traveling with kids gives us the chance to see the world through their eyes—which means staying at campgrounds laden with fun amenities, eating at playful diners, and getting creative with outdoor adventure. Klamath County has you covered—here’s how.
Where to Stay: The Klamath Falls KOA campground sits just two miles from downtown Klamath Falls—and hosts a variety of family-friendly amenities, including Wi-Fi, an on-site dog park, a swimming pool (open between late May and mid-October), a horseshoe pit, and a playground. The central location also means you’re less than an hour from family-friendly attractions like Crater Lake National Park, Upper Klamath Lake, and the 109-mile-long OC&E Woods Line State Trail.
Where to Eat: The Waffle Hut and Eatery makes breakfast fun with a menu of nearly two dozen sweet, savory, and outlandish Liège waffles. The Peanut Butter Fudge waffle, for instance, comes slathered with peanut butter and chocolate sauce—and is topped with whipped cream. Other breakfast and lunch selections include French toast, chicken fried steak, omelets, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and soup.
What to Do: Kids of all ages love Crater Lake Zipline—and for good reason. Those 10 and older can zip around on nine lines—covering 1.5 miles of cable—at heights of up to 100 feet. The fun also includes two rappels and two sky bridges and offers views of some of the region’s most iconic sights—including the rim of Crater Lake. Kiddos, meanwhile, flock to the Sasquatch Hollow challenge course, which features four ziplines, a suspension bridge, and a rope crossing.
Weekend Getaway for the Retiree
Rest, relax, or adventure…you choose! Discover Klamath
You no longer have to wait for annual vacations, watch the clock on Friday afternoon, or plan around three-day weekends. So whenever your weekend begins, you’ll find plenty of fun waiting in Klamath County. From an 18-hole golf course in the Cascades to Oregon’s only national park, here’s how to make the most of a Klamath County getaway for retirees.
Where to Stay: When you want to kick back and enjoy Klamath County in comfort, Running Y Ranch Resort offers a quiet respite—just 10 miles northwest of downtown Klamath Falls. The resort, sitting on 3,600 acres in the Cascade foothills, boasts a variety of accommodations (from an 82-room lodge to townhomes and chalets), an on-site spa, an 18-hole golf course, and more.
Where to Eat: If you’re already staying at Running Y Ranch, why not treat yourself to a meal at the resort’s vaunted on-site eatery? Ruddy Duck Restaurant showcases a menu of upscale American fare that features house-ground meats, vegetables grown onsite, and seasonal ingredients from nearby farmers’ markets.
What to Do: Klamath County offers plenty of challenging outdoor adventure, from heart-pumping hikes to thrilling mountain bike paths. But for a slower-paced approach to its natural beauty, spend some time at Crater Lake National Park. The breathtaking lake—noted for its remarkable clarity—at the heart of Oregon’s only national park is rimmed by a 33-mile road, with dozens of viewpoints for pulling over and spying landmarks like the Phantom Ship, Wizard Island, Mount Scott, and other nearby peaks.
Written by Matt Wastradowski for Matcha in partnership with Discover Klamath Visitor and Convention Bureau.
