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Natural Area, this wondrous natural phenomenon is the tuff ring of an
ancient volcanic crater, soaring 325 feet high into clear blue desert sky.

Explore the rock’s inner outcropping on a moderate 1.7-mile loop hike,
where you can see subtle changes each season from scarlet paintbrush
wildflowers in summer to golden rabbitbrush in autumn. In advance,
book an Oregon State Parks guided tour of Fort Rock Cave, where
archaeologists discovered several 9,000- to 11,000-year-old sagebrush-
bark sandals, including a pair believed to be the oldest known shoes in
the world.
Photo by Instagram User @jary.s_outdoor_adventures

a tiny campground with spectacular views of the surrounding cinder
cones, lava flows, and ethereal high desert sunsets. Other lovely places
to stay in town include Lakeside Terrace and Christmas Valley Desert
Inn Motel.
SILVER LAKE AREA: REMOTE FIRE LOOKOUTS, BACKCOUNTRY
TRAILS, COWBOY CULTURE, AND RUSTIC CABINS
If you’ve ever dreamed of sleeping in a lookout, the remarkable Hager
Mountain Lookout in the Fremont-Winema National Forest is one of
four open in this forest for rental between November 15 and May 15,
during the winter months and early spring. The 14-by-14-foot glass
Photo by Jak Wonderly/ Travel Southern Oregon room sits at an elevation of 7,195 feet and, on clear days, boasts pano-
ramic views all the way to Mt. Hood and Mt. Shasta. Only accessible by
Encounter pioneer life on a self-guided walking tour of Fort Rock foot, snowshoes or cross-country skis, this off-the-grid wonder calls to
Homestead Museum, a collection of historical buildings and gardens the heartiest of adventurers.
that includes an authentic one-room schoolhouse, a church and a mer-
cantile. Grab comfort food and a nostalgic root-beer float at Fort Rock
Restaurant and Pub, or join locals at the popular Waterin’ Hole Tavern
for a classic pizza pie. Head 20 miles out of town for RV and tent camp-
ing at Rockhorse Park at Horse Ranch, which has an on-site market
featuring local produce, bulk-food staples, and craft beer and wine.

CHRISTMAS VALLEY AREA: GEOLOGIC WONDERS, HIGH-
DESERT LAKES, STARGAZING, AND SAND DOMES

Skirt past juniper-speckled plateaus and sagebrush prairie on the Oregon
Outback Scenic Byway to reach Crack in the Ground. An ancient vol-
canic fissure that formed thousands of years ago, this unique 2-mile trail
spans along the bottom of the fissure, at times dipping more than 30 feet
below ground offering a cool respite from the sun-drenched terrain.
Photo by Jak Wonderly/ Travel Southern Oregon
For an ever-shifting landscape, check out Christmas Valley Sand Dunes,
an expansive 11,000 acres of Sahara-like sand domes, some higher than In summertime, active travelers can catch wildflowers along the Hager
60 feet. Composed largely of ash and pumice that blew into the area Mountain Lookout via 160 Trail (7.3 miles out and back) for a satisfy-
over 7,000 years ago when Mt. Mazama erupted and formed Crater ing day hike. If a two-wheel trek beckons, North America’s premier
Lake, the windswept dunes are open for hiking and biking, as well as long-distance mountain bike route, the 670-mile backcountry Oregon
ATVs by permit only. Timber Trail, runs through the area, with the Fremont Tier being one of
the most challenging and exhilarating sections.
On the southeast side of the sand dunes, you can channel your inner
Indiana Jones while exploring Fossil Lake, a dry lakebed where fossils of At the end of the day, bring your appetite to the legendary Cowboy
mammoths, dire wolves, giant beavers and more than 100 other species Dinner Tree, where an authentic home-on-the-range setting and signa-
have been found. Fuel up on house-made soups and daily specials like ture feast of extra-large steaks, whole roasted chickens, hearty bean
the bacon-apple-cheddar melt at the cozy Farmhouse Café and Bakery. soups, and old-fashioned sweet yeast rolls bring bucket-list diners.
Don’t miss their signature bundt cakes, famous among locals—and Dinner reservations are required in advance for this spirited cowboy-
rightfully so. culture experience. Plan ahead and stay the night in one of the on-site
rustic cabins. Or opt for the forested Silver Creek Marsh Campground,
For a night of unrivaled stargazing, head to Green Mountain Camp Site, flanked by meadows, marshland and a popular fishing hole.
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