Exploring Medford, Oregon: Parks, Theaters & Culinary Delights

Carving its way through the surrounding valley, the Rogue River is a 215-mile long river that begins on the western slopes of Mt. Mazama in Crater Lake National Park and flows into the Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach. The world-famous river is divided into the Upper, Middle, Lower sections and provides a wealth of exhilarating water-based activities such as whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, lodge-to-lodge floating, and salmon fishing.

The river is world-renowned for being home to King Salmon, champion-size Chinook, and steelhead, and there are several parks and camping spots along the banks of the river. Other activities also include hiking, mountain biking, and visiting charming turn-of-the-century towns in the surrounding area.

Medford, Oregon

Protruding from the banks of the Rogue River, Upper and Lower Table Rock are two prominent volcanic plateaus, also known as monolithic mesas that rise 800 feet above the river. The unusual rock formations were formed by an andesitic lava flow from a volcanic eruption more than seven million years ago and have been shaped over time by erosion. These fascinating rocks played an essential role in the history of the region's indigenous culture, and today are a popular hiking destination with a two-mile hike to the top of either of the Table Rocks where spectacular views of the surrounding valley can be enjoyed.

Medford, Oregon

Established in 2009, Padigan is a 25-acre locally-owned and operated winery that produces 12 award-winning luxury-class estate wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, and Grenache. Owners Ross and Jen Allen bring over 50 years of experience in agriculture and winemaking to the table and produce handcrafted, award-winning wines that can be tasted in the contemporary tasting room with a traditional wine tasting by the glass or bottle. The 14,000-square foot state-of-the-art facility also serves gourmet cuisine to pair with the wine, which can be enjoyed on the outdoor terrace with ample seating, fire pits, and a bocce court.

2335 N Phoenix Rd, Medford, OR 97504, Phone: 541-779-9463

Located on a 49-acre plot on Berrydale Avenue, the Medford Railroad Park is a seven-acre park and outdoor train museum that celebrates the history of railroading in the state. The family-friendly museum features open-air model railroad tracks with full-size locomotives and cabooses and offers miniature train rides around the park. Built on revitalized land that was once a sewer plant, the park features a large round concrete settling tank known as the Railroad Park Pavilion in which several railroad clubs operate. The Railroad Park Pavilion can be rented for private events and functions and annual shows.

799 Berrydale Ave, Medford, OR 97501, Phone: 541-774-2400

Diamond Lake is a large natural body of water just north of the Crater Lake National Park in the southern part of Oregon. Nestled between Mount Bailey and Mount Thielsen, the lake was named for John Diamond, who was a pioneer settler of Coburg and who spotted the lake on his summit of Diamond Peak in 1852, which is also named after him. Diamond Lake provides a wealth of recreational activities, including swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing by boat near Silent Creek in the south, along with hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and hunting. Winter sports include cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, Alpine and Nordic skiing, and sled dog racing, and there is plenty of lodging, boat rentals, restaurants, horse rentals, and stores on the eastern side of the lake.

Douglas County, Oregon

Surrounded by the magnificent Rogue River National Forest in southwestern Oregon's Jackson County, Applegate Lake has long been hailed as an angler's paradise with an average depth of 85 feet of cold water which is home to a wide variety of fish, including coho salmon, chinook, rainbow trout, and steelhead trout. Situated 23 miles southwest of Medford, Applegate Lake is named after pioneers Lindsay and Jesse Applegate, who bravely crossed the mouth of the Applegate River while paving the Southern Emigrant Trail of the 1840s. Applegate Lake's hiking trails boast breathtaking views of the hauntingly beautiful Collings Mountain, Kinney Mountain, and Stein Butte, which surround the lake.

Rogue River National Forest, Jackson County

Located in the heart of southern Oregon, EdenVale Wineryy is one of the Rogue Valley's premier wineries that produces highly acclaimed handcrafted wines that reflect the rich earthiness of the region. The winery produces a range of wines that reflect the diverse micro-climates of Southern Oregon, including Pinot Noir, Malbec, Merlot, Chardonnay, Tempranillo, Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, and excellent red and white table wine blends. The contemporary tasting room features comfortable décor and a lovely terrace with outdoor tables and chairs, and beautiful historic gardens and picnic grounds where families can relax and enjoy the stunning surroundings.

2310 Voorhies Rd, Medford, OR 97501, Phone: 541-512-2955 ext. 2

The JCLS Medford Library is the Medford Branch of Jackson County Library Services, which has 15 branch libraries and serves over 200,000 residents and visitors with a wealth of literary materials from traditional books, magazines, and periodicals to multimedia, newspapers, and more. The library features several study rooms and community meeting spaces and provides a range of educational programs and workshops for visitors of all ages, including book talks, symposiums, book signings, outreach programs, along with art exhibits, classes, book groups, and storytelling.

205 S Central Ave, Medford, OR 97501, Phone: 541-774-8689

Nestled in the forested foothills overlooking the Rogue Valley, DANCIN Vineyards is a contemporary winery and tasting room that produces award-winning wines in a spectacular setting. Located just minutes from Medford, the elegant winery transports visitors to the rolling vineyards Burgundy as they sip world-renowned Burgundian-style Pinot noirs, Chardonnay, and Italian-inspired varietals such as Barbera, Sangiovese, Syrah, and Zinfandel against a backdrop of grand valley views. The winery also serves a wide variety of delicious farm-to-table cuisine prepared using the freshest seasonally available ingredients from local artisans and farms.

4477 S Stage Rd, Medford, OR 97501, Phone: 541-245-1133

Resting at 4,526 feet above sea level, Howard Prairie Lakey is a tranquil body of water formed by the 100-foot tall Howard Prairie Dam that boasts spectacular natural scenery and an array of outdoor activities. Located 18 miles east of Ashland, the lake teems with bass and trout and offers some of the best fishing in the region, as well as other watersports such as kayaking, canoeing, sailing, water-skiing, and swimming. The Howard Prairie Resort boasts 1.63 miles of lake frontage and offers comfortable accommodations and a wealth of amenities, while other recreational activities include hiking, mountain biking, horse-back riding, birdwatching, and camping.

Jackson County Parks Office, 7520 Table Rock Road, Central Point, OR 97502, Phone: 541-774-8183