Fifteen miles from California’s northern border and halfway between San Francisco and Portland is Ashland, Oregon. Tucked in the southern end of the state’s Rogue Valley, this lovely, free-spirited town may be hundreds of miles from the nearest urban center and surrounded by mountains and forest, but it’s no backwoods getaway.
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Ashland is home to a cultural treasure, the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which normally attracts almost half a million visitors annually. Every year since 1935, the festival produces 11 plays – usually three to five by Shakespeare, and the remainder by other playwrights – on three stages during an eight-month season beginning in mid-February. During the summer, there’s also a free outdoor “Green Show” featuring a wide array of artistic performances prior to the evening headlines.
Because of COVID-19, performances since March 12, 2020, have been suspended, and the Fall 2020 season has been cancelled. Now, however, is the perfect time to start planning for 2021!
Beyond Theatre
While the Shakespeare Festival is Ashland’s main tourism driver, there’s a lot more to this town than theatre. In the span of a weekend you can find fresh picks at the farmers’ market; sip wines at a family-owned vineyard; try out local brews; browse fashion boutiques and art galleries; and linger over lunch or dinner at any number of Ashland’s cafes and restaurants.
Not to be overlooked is Lithia Park. Covering 93 acres and easily accessible from the downtown hub, this forested canyonland around Ashland Creek features sycamore-lined hiking trails, two duck ponds, picnic areas, tennis courts, and even a small Japanese garden.
Side-Trip to Crater Lake National Park
Despite the abundance of activities in and around Ashland, a visit to this part of the world is incomplete without a day trip to Crater Lake National Park. Formed by a violent volcanic eruption about 8,000 years ago, Crater Lake is today one of the most pristine and awe-inspiring places on earth.
It is the deepest lake in the United States, and because there are no rivers or streams connected to it, its water is considered to be the purest in the world. A couple of things to keep in mind if you’re planning a visit to this National Park:
- Crater Lake is not a typical lake with easy shore access and sandy beaches, although swimming, wading, and fishing are technically allowed. As an actual volcanic crater, the lake is best observed from high above by driving or hiking along the rim road and from designated lookout points. The only legal access to the shore of Crater Lake is a strenuous and steep switchback trail that descends about a mile to the lake’s rocky shoreline at Cleetwood Cove where concessionaire tour boats can take you around the lake or drop you off at a small island in the lake. Depending on snow conditions, the trail is usually only open from mid-June to late October.
- Crater Lake is the snowiest inhabited place in the U.S., receiving about 43-feet of the white stuff per year. So while technically the park is open year-round, for much of the year (roughly November through June, but sometimes longer depending on the amount of snowfall), the main road around the lake is closed to cars. When we visited on Memorial Day weekend, we were fortunate to enjoy beautiful weather, but part of the road was still closed to vehicular traffic, including the section where you’ll find the trailhead to Cleetwood Cove. July, August, and September are the best (but busiest) times to visit, although it can snow anytime of year, so always check conditions before making the trip.
Due to COVID-19, certain locations may still be closed, so be sure to check the park’s website before traveling to Crater Lake.
Getting There is Half the Fun
The roughly two-hour drive from Ashland to Crater Lake is lovely and makes for an easy day trip. You pass through quintessential Oregon – thick forests, mountain lakes, and wide meadows flush with wildflowers in the spring.
Where to Stay at Crater Lake
If you want to stay overnight near the lake, the National Park has two lodging options: The Crater Lake Lodge, which overlooks the lake at Rim Village, and the Cabins at Mazama Village, which is seven miles south of Rim Village. Reservations can be made up to 365 days in advance either online or by calling 866-292-6720.
The National Park Service also has links to various publications about the park, including accommodations, RV sites, and camping outside the park grounds.