The leaves are turning amber
spice is in the air
the beautiful valley is calling you
to find adventure everywhere!
Looking for the perfect place to sip a latte, or hike among the foliage? View our complete guide to enjoying fall in the Heart of the Rogue!
The Heart of the Rogue has your complete guide to the season ready and waiting! Whether you seek a getaway in the solitude of Crater Lake, a fireside game of cornhole, or a unique adventure in the valley's rolling hills, Medford is your launchpad to checking off your fall bucket list.
Conveniently located in the center of Southern Oregon, staying in Medford maximizes your getaway as everything in the valley is less than a 20 minute drive.
Let’s get planning!
Also known as the deepest, bluest and clearest lake - Crater Lake National Park is the perfect destination to begin your exploration this fall. Begin at Crater Lake’s rim, and enjoy over 30 overlooks along the way! From viewing Phantom Ship to getting the best views of the entire caldera, drive or bike along Medford’s most precious gem for an unforgettable fall experience.
Become surrounded by beautiful colors of yellow, auburn and orange at the beautiful Lithia Park. Just 15 minutes away from Medford, Lithia Park has over 93 acres of trails and grassy fields for you to hike and enjoy! The array of different Maple, Dogwood, Cedar, Oak, Birch, Pine, and Ash trees paint a symphony for the eyes in the autumn months. Picnic under the trees, watch the leaves fall and ducks play at Lower Duck Pond, and breathe in the ambience at Lithia Park!
Medford abounds with talented makers, growers and creators, ready to share their gifts and treats with you. Each Thursday this autumn, enjoy the Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market at Hawthorne Park. Adjacent to downtown, peruse handmade creations, seasonal delicacies and more!
For unbeatable views of the entire region, RoxyAnn Peak is the ultimate destination to discover this fall. Create your own adventure along the mountain, with over 1,700 acres of hiking, biking and equestrian trails to explore. View the valley’s beautiful colors all at once, as the leaves dance with the wind and the beautiful valley comes to life.
From the Rogue Valley Symphony to Postmodern Jukebox and Forever Young - there are plenty of theatrical performances and showings you won’t want to miss this season! Nestled into the heart of downtown Medford, the Craterian Theater offers intimate, comfortable seating and optimal acoustics in its design. Cozy up in a sweater, and delight in a night of symphonic performance, comedic laughs, or incredible dance at the Craterian!
On the hunt for a haunting good time? Pheasant Fields Farm is packed with delightfully exciting activities for you and your family to enjoy! Wander the farm fields to find your perfect pumpkin, take your little ones on the cow train, shoot “zombies” in an exciting paintball experience, and get lost in a corn maze all in one place! The farm is also offering their night time corn maze each weekend, as well as movie nights throughout the season. Be on the lookout for weather conditions, as the maze hours and opening are dependent on conditions, and discover all their exciting activities this fall!
Nothing says the leaves are falling like a hazelnut or graham cracker latte! Perfectly nestled at the edge of downtown Medford, immerse yourself in the taste of the season at Forage Coffee Company. Their shop is filled with lovely plants, gifts and cozy seating, with a beautiful mix of natural light and ambience from their industrial garage-style doors.
Just down the road, a new addition to downtown is Solid Ground Coffee Company. Taste the raw flavors in their house-made syrups, and discover their newest additions at their cozy coffee shop. From their caramel apple cider to their maple cinnamon latte, be sure to stop by and taste test their lovely lattes!
Carving and painting your very own pumpkin is a staple of the season. Head out to the fields for some fall festivities, and choose from a selection of specialty pumpkins, winter squash, and gourds! Growers at each farm around the valley are delighted to serve you the best the region has to offer, from Bingham Farm’s wonderful local patch to Fort Vannoy Farms in Grants Pass.
With over 90 acres of delicious, organic produce, Fry Family Farm offers an incredible variety of seasonal vegetables and farm-to-table dishes for you to enjoy. Take a look at their events calendar for specially prepared dishes, or visit their retail store on Ross Lane for ready-to-eat goodies.
Delighting in double-gold wine while dining amongst golden autumnal vineyards? Like any endeavor you choose to partake in, Medford offers experiences that are nothing less than rogue! Discover lovely outdoor and indoor tasting rooms overlooking valley vistas at the following vineyards! In the heart of Medford, enjoy the outdoor ambiance of Hummingbird and DANCIN vineyards. Just North of that, sip wine in the Applegate area at Red Lily or Schmidt Vineyards, or head South to Weisinger and Irvine!
Rich with deep history, stories and creepy fun - your bucket list wouldn’t be complete without visiting one of Southern Oregon’s famous ghost towns. Abandoned in the mid-19th century, Buncom in Jackson County is a great place to begin your journey. Founded in 1851 by Chinese miners after gold was discovered in Jacksonville and Sterling Creek, the town once bustled with people and big dreams. In addition to gold, the mines contained silver, chromite and cinnabar. The bunkhouse, post office and cookhouse are protected and preserved by the Buncom Historical Society, ready for you to view.
Cozy up and hit the rink for an exciting game of hockey! The local team, the Rogue Valley Royals, plays against teams from several different states, just minutes away from downtown. Grab a seat in the bleachers, or snuggle up to the fire at the RRRink's intimate viewing area. Feel the frost of the coming season, enjoy the coziness of autumn and the thrill of watching the game - be sure to catch a game this season!
The Village at Medford Center has several hidden gems and local creators, ready to fill you with some autumnal joy. From Ella Lane Boutique to Timber & Tonic and Simply Sharpe Boutique, refresh your look or find a sweet gift for a loved one. Also at the center, delight by the fire at Tap & Vine, catch a movie or play at Hawthorne Park, just adjacent to the shopping center!
There is nothing that quite speaks of fall than waking up to the crisp, fresh air. Tee it up at Centennial Golf Course for spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, or travel Northeast to Stone Ridge Golf Course’s beautifully manicured greens and slopes.
From Pheasant Fields Farm to Bingham and Fort Vannoy, Medford’s local farms host exciting harvest festivals throughout the fall season. Just 10 minutes away, LongSword Vineyard also hosts a fantastic festival - complete with what they call “pumpkin’ chuckin’’! Family owned in the heart of the Applegate, discover the many harvest festivals held around the valley this year.
Kick off the harvest season by visiting 18 beautiful tasting rooms, each with delectable wine and perfect pairings. This exciting endeavor includes a self-guided tour of the Applegate Valley Wine Country, where you will be lured from one winery to the next. Meet some of the latest releases, and receive an appetizer and wine tasting at each location. Take advantage of perusing each location, and maybe even find the perfect gift for the upcoming winter season!
Honor the legacies of the talented chefs and makers of the region this November 9-15 at this exciting culinary event! Many makers come together around the region to showcase their skills. Taste delightful combinations and creations from some of the world’s best chefs, and enjoy specials you won’t find anywhere but the Heart of the Rogue.
Interested in beer, cider or even more delicious wine? Discover unique offerings and fun yard games at our local brewery and cideries. Walkabout, HRL and Common Block each have fire pits for you to cozy up by, with large outdoor and indoor spaces and, of course, cornhole for you to enjoy! Sip on a cold one, warm yourself by the fire, and enjoy a unique experience at Medford’s incredible breweries.
When the leaves are falling the summer is over - you know that the fun has only begun here in the rogue. Check off each item on our bucket list, and plan for a season full of fun!
