Top Things to Do in Klamath Falls, Oregon

Explore the Gateway to Crater Lake and Klamath Basin Landscape

Klamath Falls, Oregon, is known as an outdoor recreation paradise situated in southern Oregon just east of the stunning Cascade mountains. Outside of the famous Crater Lake National Park, the Klamath Basin landscape alone offers a variety of hiking, camping, fishing, and more. The Link River as well as the many lakes in the area offer great opportunities for hiking, fishing, and boating. Upper Klamath Lake and Lake Ewauna are nearby to Klamath Falls but Lake of the Woods, Odell Lake, and Crescent Lake each offer plenty of water fun and adventure. In addition, there are numerous waterfalls to see in the area.

The Museums of Klamath Falls Are Top Attractions

The museums in Klamath Falls are the main attraction to see and learn about the rich history and heritage of the Klamath Basin area. There are three public museums within the city dedicated to preserving this unique history. The Klamath County Museum is the main historic museum for Klamath County and the surrounding area including many natural history exhibits. The Favell Museum focuses on Native American artifacts and contemporary western art. The Baldwin Museum features 40 rooms filled with unique antiques and artifacts. If you are looking to get your history fix, these museums are the place to visit. The Children’s Museum of Klamath Falls is often a hit with a younger audience, featuring exhibits for toddlers to teens.

Looking to get outside with your history? Check out the Train Mountain Railroad Museum, a miniature hobbyist railroad featuring the world’s largest private caboose collection near Chiloquin in Klamath County. Klamath and Western Railroad, located alongside the railroad museum features miniature train rides and has seasonally themed events. It is a great family attraction, that is sure to be a hit with young and old alike. Additionally, there is an outdoor museum located just north of Klamath Falls, Collier Logging Museum within Collier State Park. This logging museum features equipment used in the Klamath Basin and across eastern Oregon over the past century.

Running Y Ranch Resort

Whether you’re looking for fine dining, a friendly game of golf, or birdwatching, the Running Y Ranch Resort hosts a number of amenities and attractions. The resort, which was once a ranch owned by the Disney Family, now is home to a world-class Arnold Palmer Signature course and 18-hole putting course, homesites, vacation rentals, hotel, café, market and liquor store, local cuisine, and day spa. There are over 10 miles of paved walking and biking paths, in addition to a naturally-preserved space known locally as the Skillet Handle. In the winter months, Running Y is also home to ice skating at the Bill Collier Ice Arena. In the spring, a fishing pond at the resort is stocked with trout from area fisheries. Whether you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, a day on the course, or an opportunity to relax and unwind, Running Y offers many opportunities for fun, just 7 miles west of downtown Klamath Falls.

Steen Sports Park

Steen Sports Park, located off of Foothills Blvd, and just a 5-minute drive from downtown Klamath Falls is a wonderful place to get outside and enjoy all four seasons. Located on 140 acres, Steen Sports Park is a world-class sports facility that features 7 baseball fields, 5 soccer fields, 3 playgrounds, 6 pickleball courts, indoor batting cages, a 3+ mile cross-country fitness trail, elite skate park, and a 60,000 square- foot indoor sports complex known as Mike’s Fieldhouse. Steen Sports Park often hosts regional sports competitions as well as festivals and events, such as the Basin Brew and Q. In Spring and Fall, its wide-open fields are great for kite flying, while on a snowy day in winter, it can be an easy place for some quick cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.

Moore Park

While Klamath Falls is home to over 26 parks within the city, the must-see flagship of the City Park system is by far Moore Park. Featuring large picnic areas, barbeque pits, disc golf, wide-open green space, access to Klamath Lake, tennis courts, and playgrounds. In recent years a local non-profit, Klamath Trails Alliance has invested heavily in Moore Park’s undeveloped backcountry, building out a robust trail system for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. Be sure to pick up a trail map at Klamath County’s information center – Discover Klamath, or at Zach’s Bikes, both located in downtown Klamath Falls. In August 2021, the park celebrated a new addition – a bike skills course designed to help novice mountain bikers build their confidence and capabilities before heading out to the more challenging mountain bike trails in Moore Park and the surrounding area.

OC & E Woods Line State Trail

Another top thing to do in the Klamath Falls area is walking, jogging, or cycling on the OC and E Woods Line State Trail which is Oregon’s longest linear park. This trail is for non-motorized recreation and begins in Klamath Falls heading over 100 miles to the Sycan Marsh. This historic trail offers paved and graveled sections offering many scenic viewpoints and wildlife opportunities along the way. The 7.6 miles of trail that begin in Klamath Falls offers an easy ride on asphalt, with little incline, and is quite scenic. As the trail progresses past Olene, toward the Sycan Marsh, it transitions to gravel and takes the rider/walker through ranch and farmland into the eastern part of Klamath County.

Other Activities to Do Near Klamath Falls

There is an abundance of additional year-round activities and attractions in Klamath Falls and the surrounding area. Those new to town or looking to expand their experience are encouraged to stop by Discover Klamath’s office or website for the inside scoop on seasonal recreation or entertainment options. For insights on events and goings-on in downtown Klamath Falls, check the Facebook page for Klamath Falls Downtown Association, which helps promote business and vitality in Klamath Falls’s historic downtown space.