Klamath County is located in the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains, bordering northern California. Klamath Falls, the fourth largest county in Oregon, is the county seat as well as the largest town. It rests on the southern shore of Upper Klamath Lake, the largest body of fresh water in the Pacific Northwest. The high, arid climate produces warm summers and variable winters. There are 4 distinct seasons. Average temperatures range from 41 in January to 87 in July with 18" of precipitation and 39" of snow. Known as "Oregon's City of Sunshine" there is an average of 290 days of sunshine each year.

Klamath Falls is best known for its wetlands, woodlands and wildlife. Klamath County is home to Crater Lake National Park and sits directly under the Pacific Flyway. Millions of migrating birds rest and refuel in the county's six wildlife refuges. The largest concentration of bald eagles in the lower 48 states winters here. The Willamson, Sprague and Sycan Rivers can be seen from Crater Lake as well as Agency Lake and Upper Klamath Lake. Upper Klamath Lake spreads nearly 30 miles long and up to eight miles wide hosting activities such as windsurfing, sailors, fishermen and hunters. The crystal clear water around Pelican Bay is home to rainbow trout. Fly fisherman from around the world catch some of the largest trout on the continent. Canoe and kayak trails meander through the marshes and waterways of Pelican Bay giving views to waterfowl, otter, mink, deer and bald eagles. The county is blessed with an abundance of deer, elk, migrating geese and ducks - a hunter's paradise! Click Here for a map of some of the many activities available in Klamath County.

Update May 2010 I made a quick trip to Klamath Fall to attend the Klamath County tax sale. It was a bit of a blustery few days with a hail storm. I have learned to not be surprised by the "four season" they can have on any given day in Klamath! I had a chance to make a few quick stops in the Sprague River and Beatty areas before heading home. The Sprague River was as beautiful as always meandering through the plush green valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Along the way home was the best part of all. As I headed back to Klamath Falls I stopped at the little park along the river to take a photo of the white geese that were nestled on the water and ducks swimming around. All of a sudden I noticed the ducks swimming away quickly and noticed some type of animal swimming with its head barely popping out of the water - an otter perhaps - first time I've ever snapped a photo of one of those! My job doesn't get any better! Enjoy! Char the Explorer : )

 

These photos were taken just north of Beatty near the Sprague River Valley Acres subdivision.                                           A few of the businesses in the town of Beatty. I love the big game mural!                                       The locals on the river just east of Klamath Falls at Stevenson Park along the Lost River - birds and an otter! I could see the otters nose sticking up out of the water and he made a huge ripple as he swam to the other side of the bank - how cool is that!                          

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Spring 2009 Update: We spent some time looking at a few pieces of land near Klamath Falls and out by Sprague River. It has been a very cold spring making it difficult to get over the mountain passes and out to explore land and we caught snow coming over the pass into Klamath Falls and more scattered fluries again the next day while out exploring land. The locals were telling me how sunny and beautiful it had been the week before and I could see the spring flowers and trees starting to bloom! As always there were lots of animals to make for a fun day!

The National Geographic Adventure magazine named Klamath Falls as one of the "50 Next Great Adventure Towns West" referring to it as a "hot bargain" in September 2008. I see the town I live beside, Bellingham, WA is also on this list!

$4 MILLION in federal stimulus money has been granted to the US Bureau of Reclamation to contract the work to study the feasibility of removing four dams on the Klamath River to help struggling salmon runs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Klamath Photo update June 2005: It was a beautiful trip around several different parts of Klamath County including my first look at Crater Lake! There were some boys headed out hunting that morning and there were birds flying everywhere! It is a beautiful place to watch the birds that migrate here on the Pacific Flyway. I was in for a real treat when I saw the pelicans along the river just east of Klamath Falls for my first time as well!  I remember seeing pelicans around town when I first visited Klamath Falls and thought it was a strange decor for the area since pelicans lived in warm water - or so I thought!! I caught several shots of beautiful birds and a few of the locals with their springtime babies! Bald eagles, pelicans, wildflowers - my job doesn't get any better! Enjoy!

                                                                                   

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Oregon Pines in the distance that sits on Tableland above the Sprague Valley.