Rogue River Ranch

Although the Rogue River Ranch seems out of the way nowadays, this area by the wild Rogue River saw over 8000 years of human occupation, first by Takelma-speaking natives, and later by Athapaskans. By 1856, after wars and broken treaties, the natives were removed to reservations, and this area was settled by miners who eked gold out of the gravel. The Rogue River Ranch was the economic center of the old Marial mining community,

By 1929, the gold had played out and the original homesteaders sold their claim, and in 1970, the BLM bought the entire complex. Rogue River Ranch is in a remote location. There are no gas stations or other services available. Camping is allowed at Tucker Flat Campground or at the mouth of Mule Creek on the wild Rogue River.
 
On your Rogue River whitewater rafting trip through the wilderness canyon, you will come upon the Rogue River ranch at the end of your second day on the river. Take some time to tour the "working" museum where you can experience how the early river pioneers lived and worked on a day-to-day basis. There are also many interesting photographs from the early days of settling the area.

Southern Oregon Butterfly Pavilion

Southern Oregon newest destination encourages you to "walk among the butterflies!" It's the recently opened Butterfly Pavilion located in Cave Junction. The 2011 season justed opened on June 25 and will remain open to visitors until early October. Hours are: Friday - Sunday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Suggested donations are: Adults - $5; Youth (6 - 17) - $3; children (under 5) - Free.

The Butterfly Pavilion, a  project of  Rusk Ranch Nature Center, is focused on kids, families and visitors to the southern Oregon area.
Using native species and the help of volunteers, the Butterfly Pavilion offers an interactive learning environment for area youth.  The Pavilion also helps preserve threatened species such as the Western Monarch.

School age children are offered the opportunity to observe, learn and help with the growth and nurturing of the caterpillars and butterflies.  High school age youth are offered community service experience to act as docents and helpers for butterfly workshops through the Nature Discovery Leaders Program.
The Butterfly Pavilion is available during the visitor season as a destination activity thereby giving southern Oregon visitors a chance to experience this wonder of wonders along with the Rogue River, Oregon Caves National Monument, Kerbyville Museum and Great Cats World Park.
Visit the Butterfly Pavilion and walk with the butterflies!

Contact the Butterfly Pavilion by email or call them at 541-287-2164 for more information.

Click here to view a list of butterflies native to Josephine County, Oregon.
This list is compiled by BAMONA (Butterflies and Moths of North America).

Zach Urness Outdoor Adventures

Zach Urness is the outdoor writer for southern Oregon's Grants Pass Daily Courier. We really like his style and the fact that he digs up interesting southern Oregon outdoor adventures. He  experiences these activities first-hand and then writes about them in his various columns. One of his latest articles entitled, "Discover the Seven Secrets of Southwest Oregon," was recently published by the Oregonian newspaper.

Another interesting Zach article is "The Rogue River Trail's Best Hike."


We like his style because it comes from actual experience and he gives detailed instructions as to who, what, when, where, and why. We'll be following Grants Pass Daily Courier writer Zach Urness to the most beautiful outdoor destinations in Southern Oregon and Northern California. His website includes videos, stories and photos, along with everything you need to know about hiking, camping, rafting and fishing in this magnificent section of the West Coast.

Southern Oregon Highway WebCameras

Are you planning a trip to southern Oregon but curious about the road conditions? Here's the website to check with first: Trip Check. Trip Check is run by the Oregon Dept. of Transportation (ODOT). Trip Check's southern Oregon webcams, that ODOT has positioned along Interstate 5, really help travelers decide if weather, construction or even accidents might delay their journeys. The site also includes written information about road hazards and delays. Efficient and up-to-date...just the way we like things.

Rogue River Craft Beer & Rafting Trip

Rogue River rafting & Ninkasi Brewing & Whitewater Warehouse...the greatest vacation of ALL TIME! Still a few spaces available on the Sunday, July 17 - Tuesday, July 19 Rogue River Craft Beer and rafting trip. This is a lodge-to-lodge craft-n-raft adventure with Oregon craft beer tastings each evening. Ginger Johnson, owner of Women Enjoying Beer will be there to offer her craft beer knowledge and will explain how beers can pair well with unique foods. For more details, check out the Rogue River Craft Beer and rafting web page...or call our friendly staff at 800.214.0579.

Oregon Viogniers: A Perfect Match for Oregon Cheeses

Mix Magazine (Portland's magazine of food and drink published by the Oregonian newspaper) just ran an informative southern Oregon wine and cheese article that heralds some of the region's unique cheeses and incredible viognier wines that make delightful accompaniments to these cheeses.

Photo by Motoya Nakamura

 The author of the article, Katherine Cole begins..."Ah, the mighty Rogue River Basin. Whitewater, placid pools and towering cliffs hemming in narrow canyons. Salmon and steelhead running the river below; rocky trails winding through old-growth forests above. The charming towns of Jacksonville, Ashland and Grants Pass. The orchards heavy with pears and cherries. And the vineyards..."

The article touts the southern Oregon region for one of its signature white wines: the viognier. With its abundantly fruity perfume and palate, the viognier is a wine that can tango with cheeses from Pholia Farms and Rogue Creamery, according to Cole.

Here are a few southern Oregon viognier wines that the test testing team of six food and wine pros deemed worth sipping:

CLASSIC APERITIF
2008 Valley View "Anna Maria" Applegate Valley Viognier ($22)
Available through the winery: 541-899-8468; valleyviewwinery.com

CROWD PLEASER
2009 Bridgeview Southern Oregon Viognier ($15)
Available through the winery: 541-592-4688; bridgeviewwine.com

BEST OVERALL
2009 Pebblestone Cellars "Ellis Vineyards Block 9" Rogue Valley Viognier ($19)
Available through the winery: 541-512-1704; pebblestonecellars.com

2011 Southern Oregon July Festivals

There's always something to do in beautiful southern Oregon. Multi-day whitewater rafting trips on the famous Rogue River, National Parks to visit, you can even participate in these unique southern Oregon festivals. Here just are a few July southern Oregon festivals to "wet your adventure whistle!"


Union Creek Resort's Annual Music Festival:  July 15 - 17, 2011


Southern Oregon Kite Festival:  July 16 - 17, 2011


Oregon Coast Music Festival:  July 16 - 30, 2011

 Back to the 50's Celebration, Grants Pass: July 26 - 30, 2011


A Taste of Umpqua Valley, Canyonville:  July 30, 2011

New at Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park is one of the most visited sites in Oregon. It's hard to improve on this impressive natural phenomenon but Crater Lake Park personnel seem to have done just that. Two new improvements to the park make it even more user friendly. First, there are now Crater Lake trolley tours around the lake being offered to Park guests. In 2010, the two-hour trolley tour around the lake attracted 7,000 riders in its first season of operation!


The second big change is the Plaikni Falls hike. This newest mile-long hike now offers handicapped guests a wheelchair-accessible trail. Until 2010 the tumbling 35-foot-high falls, which lacked easy access, was known as Anderson Falls. The name Plaikni honors Klamath Indians, who for generations lived in and near lands included in the park. The trail crosses a pumice flat before meandering alongside rocky bluffs. Nearly a mile into the mostly gentle walk, the trail angles uphill through a meadow and riparian area seasonally bursting with native grasses and wildflowers. Just a short distance upstream the Plaikni Trail ends, at the falls.


For this summer's newest info on Crater Lake National Park, download Crater Lake's 2011 newsletter....it's full of fun Crater Lake facts!

All-women's Rafting Trips

Just got off the Rogue River with 17 wild women on a rafting and kayaking adventure. It was an adventure transformation! Met so many cool women. Over the three river days we stayed in 2 different lodges each night after rafting and kayaking the wild & scenic Rogue River canyon. Weather was wonderful. Guides were totally cool and enthusiastic. Food and lodging second-to-none. All in all, an awesome choice for our women's rafting trip. Check out ROW and Whitewater Warehouse (WWW). WWW is now owned by ROW so you can review either website to contact these fantastic river professionals. They took care of everything; we just enjoyed the ride! Call their friendly staff at:  1-800-214-0579...for the girlfriend adventure of a lifetime.