Klamath Falls News - Locally owned news brand, reporting stories affecting citizens of the Klamath Basin.
Wikipedia defines Retail Therapy as shopping with the primary purpose of improving the buyer's mood or disposition. I think we all might need that once in while. Whether it is a new art piece, kitchen gadget, or trinket for the bathroom - it is nice to get out and spend a little cash once in a while.
Read MoreWhen the weather outside gets cold athletes head inside to practice and workout. One of those locations is Mikes Fieldhouse, located at the Steens Sports Park in Klamath Falls.
Read MoreHome to Over 350 Bird Species, the Klamath Basin is unmistakably bird country. It is one of the top birding locations in the nation, and is one of the largest migratory stopovers for birds in the western United States.
Birding in Klamath is a year-round activity with natural high-elevation valleys surrounded by mountains. The region contains diverse habitats from desert lakes, wetlands and rivers to rain forests along the edges of the Cascade Mountain range making this area a birder’s paradise.
Read MoreCelebrating on New Years Eve is not just for the adults. Here are 3 kid friendly events happening in the Klamath Basin for children of all ages.
Basin Adventures is brought to you by the Klamath Falls KOA, your adventure hub of the Klamath Basin.
Read MoreOld Man Winter has his grip on the Klamath Basin, it is both beautiful and cold. What better way to enjoy winter than to get out and explore with the family. Here are 10 winter activities you can do with your family today. Basin Adventures is sponsored by the Klamath Falls KOA Journey, the adventure base camp of the Klamath Basin.
Read MoreCrystal Ice Cave contains some of the most spectacular ice formations among Lava Beds' many caves. Because of the sensitive nature of this cave's formations and its cold environment, Crystal Ice Cave is open to park visitors only on small ranger-guided tours during the winter months.
Tours of no more than six visitors (ages 12 years and older) are offered every Saturday at 1:00 pm from January through March and last 3+ hours.
Read MoreThe Ross Ragland Theater, a renovated 1940’s movie theater, is a year-round, multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary arts center serving South Central Oregon and Northern California. The theater, with near-perfect sight lines and acoustics, provides the perfect venue for a wide array of touring performing artists as well as local productions. Since its opening in 1989, the theater has hosted Grammy Award winners, world-renown classical, jazz and blues musicians, repertory theater tours, opera, drama, comedy, musicals, tribute bands, indie-rock, southern-rock, Christian-rock and alternative-rock bands, acapella groups, acrobats, dancers, children and family shows, and more!
Read MoreThe tradition of ice skating out-of-doors in the Klamath Basin began in the early 1900s when the city created a community ice rink near Moore Park along the south shore of Upper Klamath Lake. This natural sheet of ice was a popular winter recreation site. However, in the 1970s, due to changing climate and city budget constraints, the rink was forced to close. In the 1990's, Bill Collier, a local retiree and former hockey player, began to personally renovate the historic site. He spent cold winter nights and early mornings spraying the dirt patch with water from a fire hose to create the sheet of ice.
Read MoreCrater Lake National Park is pleased to announce that our popular ranger-guided snowshoe walks are about to begin for the 2017-18 winter season. The walks will start on Friday, November 24 and will be offered every Saturday and Sunday (and on holidays) through April 29, 2018. Walks will also be offered daily from December 16 through January 1 (except on December 25).
Read MoreThe Klamath Basin is known to be a mecca outdoor enthusiasts – the basin lies with so many adventures within a few minutes’ drive of anywhere. One of those adventures can be on horseback. The basin offers many trails, campgrounds, and facilities geared to equestrian expeditions. Here are 5 locations, where you can get out and ride today.
Read MoreSnow has already left a mark in the Cascades near pass levels. It will not be too long until measurable snow falls on the basin floor. Once it does, there are hundreds of places to go and play in the snow. Here are 5 locations you can play in the snow this winter. Basin Adventures is brought to you by the Klamath Falls KOA Journey – Your adventure base camp of the Klamath Basin.
Read MoreCrisp fall air has already hit the basin with some overnight temperatures falling below the freeing mark. We have even seen small amounts of snow, but those do not last long as the days still warm up nicely. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, days like these make trout fishing great as some of the best fishing of the year can happen during the cool fall months.
In this Basin Adventures we look at some of the best fishing spots in the area. Basin Adventures is sponsored by the Klamath Falls KOA, the adventure base camp of the Klamath Basin.
Several good fishing locations close November 1st, this could be the last weekend to get out and fish some of these great locations.
Read MoreFall is in full swing here in the Klamath Basin ans what better way to enjoy it than to get out and explore with the family. Here are 10 fall activities you can do with your family now. Basin Adventures is sponsored by the Klamath Falls KOA, the adventure base camp of the Klamath Basin.
Read MoreThe Klamath Basin is home to a fascinating history. From the Modoc Indian War to logging, massive fires to geological wonders – The history of the Klamath Basin has a captivating story to tell. In this edition of Basin Adventures we explore Collier Memorial State Park. Basin Adventures is sponsored by the Klamath Falls KOA, the adventure base camp of the Klamath Basin.
In Chiloquin, 30 minutes north of Klamath Falls sits the Collier Memorial Logging Museum. Located on both sides of Highway 97, where Spring Creek and the Williamson River convene. Collier Memorial State Park features a campground; outdoor museum of historic logging equipment; relocated pioneer village; and a new four-corral, primitive horse camp and trailhead. This logging museum is run by the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department and is full of rare and antique logging equipment dating to the 1880s, as well as more recent pieces.
Read MoreThe Klamath Basin is home to some great biking opportunities. Whether you like to ride roads, mountains, or trails - some of the best routes are right here in the Klamath Basin.
Basin Adventures is sponsored by the Klamath Falls KOA, the adventure base camp of the Klamath Basin.
The snows are coming and before long, recreational cycling will have to be put up for winter. Until then here are three novice level cycling opportunities you will not want to miss before winter.
Read MoreThe first snows of the season have already fallen at Crater Lake National Park, and some of the most beautiful days in the park include those fresh snows. Early fall is a great time visit the park before Old Man Winter wraps his hand around the park. Basin Adventures is sponsored by the Klamath Falls KOA Journey, the adventure base camp of the Klamath Basin.
At the time of this publication, Rim Drive is still open. However, West Rim Drive is closed weekdays for Road Construction and some of the parks amenities have already closed for the winter season. Be sure to check the National Park Service website for Crater Lake (https://www.nps.gov/crla) for any changes.
West Rim Drive and the North Entrance Roads can close anytime due to winter weather. Before they are closed for the season, here are 5 must do adventures at Crater Lake National Park before winter. (no particular order)
Read MoreCave entrances can take many forms; from walk-in entrances like Valentine Cave, to entrances that are only accessible by ladders or ropes. Kenneth Ingham (NPS)
Fall is a great time to visit the Lava Beds National Monument. The cool crisp nights and warm days make for a comfortable adventure.
Basin Adventures is sponsored by the Klamath Falls KOA Journey, the adventure base camp of the Klamath Basin.
Many of the caves are developed and contain trails, stairways and ladders. Cave Loop, a 2-mile road just south of the visitor center offers most of the developed caves in the park. A short walk from the visitor center is Mushpot Cave. A perfect first cave to visit, as this cave has lighting and exhibits explaining the features of the cave. Mushpot is the only lit cave in the park.
Before heading underground, a stop at the visitor center is required. Where you get a flashlight (if you did not bring one) and a hard hat. Yes you will bonk your head more than you think it is a must have accessory.
Caves are divided into three groups based on varying levels of difficulty in the hardest section of the cave – Least, Moderate and Most Challenging.
Some caves to check out on your first visit are – Mushpot, Sentinel, Valentine, and Skull. A complete list of least challenging caves can be obtained on the Lava Beds Website at http://bit.ly/2fzlqmg
Before you go caving there are a few things you need to know.
1) Before entering any cave you must be screened for “White-nose Syndrome” a deadly fungal bat disease. This can be done at the visitor center. [http://bit.ly/2fyzEUo]
2) Most information you need to know is contained in the caving brochure. [http://bit.ly/2fzDltc]
3) Cave safely and softly. Conditions are dramatically different underground than they are up top. So please wear proper clothing, and leave no trace of your visit. [http://bit.ly/2fzpG5h]
Travel through the Monument is by private vehicle or commercial tour as there are no public transportation options in the park. All roads in the park, accommodate standard passenger vehicles.
Please note - Pets are not allowed on trails or in caves at the Lava Beds National Monument
For more information and to plan your trip to the Monument visit https://www.nps.gov/labe
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Basin Adventures is brought to you by the Klamath Falls KOA. Centrally located in Klamath Falls, the Klamath Falls KOA is the perfect jump-off point to visit all the spectacular recreation sites of the Klamath Basin – Crater Lake National Park, Lava Beds National Monument, wildlife refuges, hiking, biking, fishing and so much more. Visit http://koa.com/campgrounds/klamath/ for more details and to book your next adventure base camp.
We are already twelve days in to September and summer is officially coming to an end in just ten days. Yes, you read that right, ten days. Pretty soon the cool crisp mornings we enjoy will turn in to defrosting the car and scraping windows.
With the changing of the seasons come the changing leaves. Here are three of the best locations in Klamath Basin for watching the fall colors.
It has been my experience that leaves will begin to change by late September, with the peak of colors being around the 3rd week of October. However, when they change - they will change fast. By the first frost and first wind storm, many of the trees will be barren and the short season for fall colors will be over.
Basin Adventures is sponsored by the Klamath Falls KOA Journey, the adventure base camp of the Klamath Basin.
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Fall Colors in Fort Klamath - Images: Brian Gailey
Fort Klamath – One of my all-time favorite locations for fall colors, is the Wood River in Fort Klamath. Specifically, the Wood River Recreation Area located off Sun Mountain Road. This location has some of the best Aspen & Cottonwood groves in the county. It also has some flat well-maintained trails that are ADA accessible too. Also included in this location is Kimball State Park. The blue pristine waters of Kimball Park make for some amazing fall colors viewing opportunity.
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Fall Colors in Rocky Point, Ore. - Image: Point Comfort Lodge, http://bit.ly/2eUeWxq
Rocky Point – The area around Rocky Point is full of Aspen trees. A great location for viewing is at the public boat launch off Rocky Point Road near the Rocky Point Resort. The golden leaves coupled with the reflections of the lake and the lodge of the resort. Make for some postcard like photography opportunities.
Another great location is at the Pelican Guard Station and the meadow just east of Westside Road.
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Fall Colors at the Linkville Cemetery - Image: Brian Gailey
Linkville Cemetery – One of the best kept secrets in Klamath Falls regarding the fall colors is the Linkville Cemetery. The historic cemetery is home to dozens of mature oak, elm and maple trees. These leaves turn a variety of colors throughout the season.
When they fall, they make a beautiful carpet of golden leaves. However, you need to act fast. As the city maintenance crews are quick to picking up the leaves once they fall. The unique headstones of the cemetery make for some interesting photography opportunities and it’s just an overall great time to visit the grounds.
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Fall Colors at the Running Y Ranch Resort - Image: Brian Gailey
BONUS • Running Y Ranch Resort – The Running Y has some great man made landscape opportunities that offer great viewing for the fall colors. The front pond near the entrance at Highway 140 is full of leafing trees. The pond near the golf course is also a good location for fall colors as is the golf course.
Basin Adventures is brought to you by the Klamath Falls KOA.
Centrally located in Klamath Falls, the Klamath Falls KOA is the perfect jump-off point to visit all the spectacular recreation sites of the Klamath Basin – Crater Lake National Park, Lava Beds National Monument, wildlife refuges, hiking, biking, fishing and so much more. Visithttp://koa.com/campgrounds/klamath/ for more details and to book your next adventure base camp.
