Nestled in the Beautiful Rogue Valley
Southern Oregon University is situated between the Cascade and Siskiyou Mountain Ranges. With mild winters and warm dry summers, the Rogue Valley is an outdoor wonderland in all seasons. The picturesque campus is within walking distance of extensive trail systems for hikers and bikers and several world-class Whitewater rivers are only a short drive from Ashland.
Crater Lake National Park
The deepest lake in the United States, with a depth of 1,943 feet, this intensely blue lake is fed entirely by rain and snow. Offering up various hiking, sightseeing and outdoor adventures you can experience yourself or with the Outdoor Program, Crater Lake and the surrounding old-growth forest can be enjoyed year-round within a 90-minute drive from Ashland and SOU.
Rogue River National Forest
The SOU campus is connected to the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest via an extensive trail system almost 1.8 million acres in size. The forest extends south into California and nearly to the ocean to the west. Among other features, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest contains the Pacific Crest Trail and the Rogue River.
Rogue & Klamath Rivers
Students at SOU regularly take advantage of the extensive river systems located throughout Southwestern Oregon and Northern California. World-class whitewater on the Rogue, Klamath, Illinois, and Cal-Salmon provide opportunities for rafting, kayaking, and SUP enthusiasts. You can take advantage of this with the local rafting companies or the Outdoors Program.
Sky Lakes Wilderness
The Sky Lakes Wilderness is located at the base of snow-capped Mt. McLoughlin within the Fremont-Winema National Forest. This designated wilderness area contains over 100,000 untouched acres of forest and lakes offering unique opportunities for hiking, backpacking, wildlife viewing, and relaxation.
Cascade – Siskiyou National Monument
Consisting of 62,000 acres of BLM land, the monument is a convergence of three geologically distinct mountain ranges resulting in an area with remarkable biological diversity and varied landscape. Experience mountain vistas on a day hike.
Mt. Ashland Ski Area
The Mt. Ashland Ski Area is located in the Siskiyou Mountains only 30 minutes from the SOU campus. Students enjoy 4 chair lifts, 23 runs, and outstanding backcountry experiences. SOU offers scheduled trips to the mountain or you can hop on the shuttle that runs from campus to the ski area.
Lithia Park
Designated one of the top ten Great American Spaces in 2014, Lithia Park stands as the crown jewel of the City of Ashland. This 93 acre park boasts an amphitheater, Japanese garden, hiking, tennis, playgrounds, fountains, swimming, picnic areas, and more. During the tourist season that runs from Spring until late Fall, the park is bustling with live music, street performers, and artists.
