With blue skies much of the year, wild natural beauty and a range of recreation options, Klamath County is a fabulous year-round getaway destination. Ready for a change of scenery? Round up a plus-one and choose one of these four options for the coziest places to stay, eat and play.
Embrace Adventure and Romance at Lake of the Woods
Stay: Whether you’re content to chill and watch the snow fall or prefer to venture outdoors for hiking and nature watching, Lake of the Woods Resort fits the bill. Thirty-five historic cabins radiate vintage charm with beds clad in flannel sheets and Pendleton blankets. Some even include jetted tubs.
Eat: Venture no further than the Lake of the Woods Restaurant for hearty breakfasts and an extensive lunch and dinner menu ranging from seasonal salads, burgers and chili to steelhead and ribs. The Marina Pizzeria has fresh-baked pies to eat in or take back to your cabin.
Play: If weather permits, explore wooded trails around the lake and take in spectacular views of Mt. McLoughlin while you watch for deer, jackrabbits, beavers and other woodland creatures. Or time your visit for the annual Kite Festival each February to watch colorful kites flown over the frozen lake. Rent snowshoes onsite and head out on a trail to see the wintry forest up-close. Afterwards, warm up next to a lakeside bonfire or simply admire the soothing views from the lodge.
Explore Crater Lake’s Winter Wonderland
Stay: Located 23 miles from Crater Lake National Park, Crater Lake Resort makes a homey base for exploring Oregon’s only national park. Rustic cabins have kitchenettes and all the creature comforts, while creekside canvas glamping tents offer a taste of camping with the luxury of a cozy queen-size bed.
Eat: The resort’s general store is stocked with ingredients to prepare a simple meal or fashion a charcuterie board, or use the resort’s wood-fired oven to cook your own pizza. Convenient heat-and-eat options, beer and wine are also available.
Play: There’s nothing like Crater Lake during the fall and winter. Minus summer crowds, it’s easy to feel like you have the whole magical place to yourself. Time your visit for sunrise or sunset, or stay as night falls and watch the Milky Way slowly expand over the icy blue lake — it’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
Once the snow sets in, reserve a free ranger-guided snowshoe walk (snowshoes provided) or bring your own Nordic ski rentals and explore marked trails along the caldera rim. The park’s west and south entrances along Highway 62 are open late autumn through spring, as is the Rim Village Gift Shop & Café for souvenirs and grab-and-go dining.
Recharge in the High Cascades
Stay: Bask in the gorgeous natural surroundings at the historic Odell Lake Lodge & Resort. Nestled between the peaks and pines of the high Cascades, you’ll find hotel-style lodge rooms and cozy cabins with kitchens and all the comforts of home. Fun fact: Cabin 12 was built in 1912 as the lake’s original lodge.
Eat: Enjoy home-cooked meals at the Odell Lake Lodge & Resort Restaurant while taking in the lake views (watch for loons, osprey and eagles). Savor French toast in the morning and prime rib at night. Be sure to leave room for the famous marionberry pie.
Play: Groomed trails and nearby meadows beckon for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing (there are ski and snowshoe rentals on-site). Or take advantage of snowmobile rentals and guided tours, with trails winding all the way to Crater Lake National Park. Downhill skiing is just 6 miles away at Willamette Pass, as are several sno-parks and sledding hills. If you’d rather spend the day with your feet up, take a romantic sleigh ride pulled by Clydesdales, or relax with a book and a cup of tea next to the stone fireplace in the historic lodge.
Indulge Yourself With a Luxury Retreat
Stay: Running Y Resort is a peaceful oasis with breathtaking Cascade mountain views and upscale digs in hotel-style lodge rooms, vacation homes and chalets. Klamath County’s marshes and lakes attract birds and bird-watchers year-round, and Running Y’s 3,600-acre grounds are no exception. Keep your eye on the sky and you may spy one of the more than 750 bald eagles wintering in the Klamath Basin.
Eat: Floor-to-ceiling windows frame happy-hour views at the resort’s Ruddy Duck Restaurant. Cocktails, an extensive wine list and regional craft brews pair with wild-caught salmon or hearty braised beef, as well as fresh produce from the on-site farm. Downtown Klamath Falls is just a short drive away and home to restaurants, taprooms and food trucks slinging flavorful tacos, barbecue, Chinese food and more.
Play: At the Bill Collier Ice Arena, lace up your skates and take a spin around the Olympic-size rink (rentals available), or take a curling lesson. Afterward, sip hot chocolate and warm up next to the fire pits. If self-care is more your speed, schedule a relaxing massage, dry sauna or facial at Sandhill Spa.
