Tag Archives: crater lake

The Rogue - Umpqua Scenic Byway

The Rogue – Umpqua Scenic Byway in the Southern Oregon Cascades

Oregon has more designated scenic byways and tour routes than any other state. The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is the only State B&B Association and a welcoming inn awaits you as you travel the backroads. Thanks Travel Oregon for sharing this information, inspiring our traveling spirits.

‘Two Raging Rivers Run Through It. From Gold Hill on the Rogue River in Southern Oregon or from Roseburg on the Umpqua River 85 miles north, you’re only moments from enjoying this spectacular route.

Follow the “Wild and Scenic” Umpqua and Rogue rivers through enchanting recreation areas in the heart of the southern Cascades. Commonly known as the ‘highway of waterfalls’ we hiked and found 7 along the Umpqua River, Hwy 138 from Roseburg toward Diamond Lake. There’s more. We ran out of time and steam!

The next spring we did the second half from Gold Hill to Diamond Lake. ‘The Rogue – Umpqua Scenic Byway ascends from I-5 into the southern Cascades, tracking two of Oregon’s most storied rivers.’ The drive itself is only 172 miles, an easy day trip, but with all the waterfalls, hikes, and scenic visits, you may want to schedule a couple of days as we did.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Lodging

C.H. Bailey House, Roseburg, Oregon is an historic, luxurious “green” full service bed & breakfast set in rural Umpqua Valley. Close to Crater Lake and the Umpqua River its unique, private, air-conditioned, one-bedroom bungalow will be a perfect starting point if you decide to tour the scenic byway clockwise.

Prospect Historic Hotel and Dinner House, located in Crater Lake’s closest full service town, would be a perfect spot to refuel the body and soul while exploring Crater Lake and the Rogue – Umpqua Scenic Byway.  Built in 1888 as a stagecoach stop half-way between the Rogue Valley and Crater Lake, this Nationally Registered Historic Hotel has been restored to all of its glory. After a hearty breakfast set off to enjoy this breathtaking tour through the thickly forested southern Cascades.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Hospitality Update: Our inns are following COVID-19 protocol guidance from the Oregon Health Authority. 

Although mask guidelines are lifted:

● Some businesses may choose to still require masks.

● Some people may choose to still wear a mask.

We have all struggled through COVID-19 and could use a little kindness. Please be respectful of local businesses and their workers and most importantly kind to yourself.

Two Sand Hill Cranes feeding

It’s that Time of Year again:  Time to follow the Spring Bird Migration

The Spring Bird Migration has begun. Time to book your room, pack your binoculars and set out on your bird watching adventure to 7 superb Oregon Birding locations. Oregon’s diverse and spectacular landscape provide varied habitats ranging from sandy beaches to alpine meadows. More than 500 species of birds call Oregon home year round or migrate through, sometimes stopping to nest.

7 Superb Oregon Birding Locations
Tufted Puffin statue in Cannon Beach Oregon1. Watch surfbirds and black oystercatchers scramble over rocky headlands along the Oregon Coast birding trail.
Tufted Puffins spend months floating and diving on open seas and return each spring to Cannon Beach’s Haystack Rock to lay eggs and raise their chicks. And then there’s the wind-sculpted dunes, marshes, lush agricultural valleys and majestic rainforests.
Oregon Coast B&Bs

2. Explore the alpine meadows, picturesque lakes, mountain streams, and dense conifer forests of the Cascades in search of Lewis’s woodpecker and Clark’s nutcracker. Listen to the song of hermit warblers among majestic pines framing the snowy volcanic peaks. Mt. Jefferson, Oregon’s second highest peak.
Willamette Valley Inns and Southern Oregon Inns

3/4. The murmur of thousands of snow geese will mesmerize as they settle to rest in the tule marshes of the Klamath Basin and Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
Southern Oregon and Central Oregon Inns
Map of the Willamette Valley refuges for birding5. Salem, is a leader in urban forestry, with tree-lined streets and 40 city parks and is located in the heart of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River so no wonder there are many birding sites in its backyard.
Willamette Valley Inns

6. Supporting one of the highest concentrations of breeding hawks and eagles in North America, the Zumwalt Prairie in Eastern Oregon, is also home to falcons making this a haven for birds of prey and 17 species of grassland songbirds. The nearby Wallowa Lake has a wide variation in habitat and terrain drawing a large number of species.
Eastern Oregon B&B

7. The Mt. Hood Loop of the OCBT rises from the Columbia River to Mt. Hood and combines some of the best of the region’s birding with legendary Oregon scenery.  This loop traverses the Columbia River National Scenic Area and the Mt. Hood National Forest and visits 19 birding sites.
Mt Hood B&B

The Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild has 25 quality assured inns across Oregon. After providing a comfy bed, hearty breakfast and useful information our innkeepers will send you off on an extraordinary birding adventure.

The Guild recognizes this popular activity and has dedicated a page to Birdwatching that includes inns where innkeepers can share the best observation sites and what you might expect to see.

Making Memories on the Oregon Birding Trails

When your journey ends, your bags are unpacked, and you’re scrolling through your vacation photos you will reminisce on memories of great accommodations, food, conversation and birding in Oregon.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Hospitality Update: Our inns are following COVID-19 protocol guidance from the Oregon Health Authority. 

Although mask guidelines are lifted:

● Some businesses may choose to still require masks.

● Some people may choose to still wear a mask.

We have all struggled through COVID-19 and could use a little kindness. Please be respectful of local businesses and their workers and most importantly kind to yourself.

a very blue Crater Lake surrounded by cliffs

Located just 28 miles from Crater Lake National Park, The Prospect Historic Hotel-Motel and Dinner House can be the perfect home base when birding on the Crater Lake Loop of the Oregon Cascade Birding Trail. The Rogue River is minutes away with mature riparian habitat surrounded by mixed conifer forests. Peregrine Falcon, Calliope and Rufus Hummingbirds nest in these forests. Diamond Lake supports high concentrations of diving birds. The rich, diverse habitats on the Crater Lake Loop provide home for a large variety of birds. Crawford Creek Meadows is home to at least eight species of nesting owls.

Map of the Crater Lake Loop of the Oregon Cascade Birding trails
Prospect Historic Hotel and Dinner House

The Prospect Historic Hotel Bed and Breakfast, built in the late 1800’s, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The magnificent stage house sits on five acres with grounds great for strolling or just relaxing after a long day’s hike.

Nestled in the woods behind the main house, the 14 motel units offer exceptional privacy and convenience. The motel is accommodating to travelers with large groups.

Map of a suggested route when birding the Oregon Cascade Birding trails

Might we suggest you start, or end, your journey at C.H. Bailey House in Roseburg. Travel the Rogue – Umpqua Scenic Byway, exploring waterfalls and birding sites along way onto the Crater Lake Loop. Stop off at Prospect then head south to the Mt. McLoughlin Loop of the Oregon Cascades Birding Trail. This loop will take you along the north-western flanks of the Upper Klamath Basin and possibly the most ecologically diverse section on the entire route. With over 25 inns, The Guild makes it easy to explore Oregon, traveling through scenic and diverse landscapes and knowing a comfortable Bed and Breakfast awaits your arrival.

When your journey ends, your bags are unpacked, and you’re scrolling through your vacation photos you will reminisce on memories of great accommodations, food, conversation and birding in Oregon.

Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild is ready to share Oregon with you: it’s environment, culture, and heritage. Combine gracious hospitality with ambiance at an inspected and approved Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild member Inn.

Hospitality Update: Our inns are following COVID-19 protocol guidance from the Oregon Health Authority. 

Although mask guidelines are lifted:

● Some businesses may choose to still require masks.

● Some people may choose to still wear a mask.

We have all struggled through COVID-19 and could use a little kindness. Please be respectful of local businesses and their workers and most importantly kind to yourself.