Welcome To Klamath County ~ Oregon's City of Sunshine
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 : )
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!
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.
We caught snow coming over Willamette Pass by the ski slopes!
The Klamath County Courthouse with beautiful springtime flowers on the trees!
One of the beautiful buildings in downtown Klamath Falls and a look at the busy railroad yard.
These are my two favorite places to stay the night - the Olympic Inn is gorgeous inside and a brand new Holiday Inn Express has been open for about a year now and the old building is now a Comfort Inn.
This is the cute store out by Sprague River - Nutter's Market. These nice folks mentioned they were looking for a buyer - they have been in business for 25 years and offer feed, propane gas, and groceries to people in this community!
Some of the locals out enjoying the green grass!
Josh giving two thumbs up to a piece of property on Bly Mountain!
Spring of 2007:The greeting committee along Drews Ranch Road on our visit to Sprague River ! The ducks looked funny waddling cross the road and were having a difficult time trying to decide if they should cross the road in front of us. Smart ducks - they turned back!
We visited the Sprague River and Beatty areas in mid February 2006 and the snow gave us a beautiful backdrop! Below is the Srpgaue River Station offering home cooking and a country store and the Sprague River!
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!
May 2005 Springtime Update: Klamath County finds a very full Sprague River and lots of babies. If you look closely in the third picture you can see some baby ducklings behind their momma!
May 2005 Update:The six pictures below were taken as we journeyed from Nevada to Oregon through the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, about two hours southeast of Sprague. On the Nevada side we were met by a burro standing next to the entrance sign and at the entrance on the Oregon side we were met by a few horses, our greeters for the day! The refuge was filled with antelope and birds - what a beautiful drive!
An hour east of Beatty is the quaint town of Lakeview in Lake County. We stopped in for an awesome burger on our way to Beatty!
Oregon Pines in the distance that sits on Tableland above the Sprague Valley.
The river east of the town of Klamath Falls on the way to Bly Mountain with ducks and a few of the locals flying low over the farms.
We saw flock after flock of birds when we visited in April 2005!
One of the locals out enjoying a spring morning and a huge bird we saw along the way to Sprague River - I thought it was a bald eagle but can't tell for sure in the picture - any experts out there? The horse under the tree is the picture that inspired our new logo!
These beauties quickly scattered away from us and once they were far enough away turned around and posed for me - what more could I ask for on a saturday morning! : )
Beautiful views of Upper Klamath Lake and the river outside of Chiloquin.
A cowboy and his dog out hearding cattle in the Sprague River Valley. It was a beautiful sight and a perfect start to my day. In the first picture below the white streak leading up the mountain is to Tableland where Nimrod River Park is.
Views of Sprague River Valley and the town of Sprague River from the top of Tableland.
The beautiful fall colors seen in Klamath County!
Gorgeous Odell Lake in the northwest corner of Klamath county. This big lake is in the Willamette National Forest along Highway 58 southeast of Eugene. September 2005
A beautiful sunset in Klamath County over a farm in September 2005.
My job doesn't get any better than this - two younger bald eagles sitting along the telephone poles near Sprague River! September 2005
