YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO KLAMATH COUNTY’S GOLFING AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SCENE
If you love playing in the outdoors, then Klamath County has some wonderful experiences waiting for you. The area is well known for the terrific hiking, kayaking, and fishing but did you know that south-central Oregon also has several incredible golf courses?
If you don’t want to miss out on all the outdoor sport opportunities Klamath County has to offer, here are three day trip ideas to satisfy the outdoorsman in you.
TRIP IDEA #1: GOLF & RELAXATION AT THE RUNNING Y RANCH RESORT
Hole #3 at the Running Y Ranch Resort. Photo courtesy of Kamrin Nielsen Photo Video
The first trip on the list is a stay and play at one of the region’s top resorts, the Running Y Ranch Resort. Featuring one of the state’s more delightful golf courses, the Arnold Palmer Signature Course, the resort has plenty of outdoor options to entertain a family on a vacation or a couple looking for a weekend getaway.
Starting with the golf, what will amaze you about the Signature Course is how natural the layout feels when you are playing. The course is so naturally integrated with its surroundings that you’ll never believe that Palmer and his team were able to create this little slice of golfing magic among the wetlands and meadows that inhabit the area all around the resort.
If you bring the kids along, there is even an enjoyable mini golf course on the grounds that will engage the entire family. And after you put up the sticks, don’t forget about their paved bike pathway that allows all riders to bike freely without worrying about oncoming traffic. Plus, the scenery alone is worth a stroll on one of the resort’s bikes.
After a long day at the course, feel free to take in a massage at the resort’s Sandhill Spa. And the best part of getting a spa treatment at the hotel is that it comes with access to their Sports and Fitness Center, indoor pool, hot tub, and dry sauna.
If you want to leave the resort and explore, then Crater Lake National Park is less than an hour away. Do yourself a favor and head over to Rim Village which gives a complete view of the lake. If you plan to head over the park, check ahead to make sure that conditions are clear as snow from the spring can still be present in some areas.
TRIP IDEA #2: LINKS-STYLE COURSE & CAMPING AT COLLIER STATE PARK
Paddling on Spring Creek. Photo courtesy of Real Oregon Experience
If you are a golf lover, who enjoys a links-style course, then Klamath County has a great layout at the Harbor Links Golf Course, located next to the sumptuous Klamath Lake. Come with your cart and enjoy a nice day in the sun at this magnificent golf course.
What locals love about Harbor Links is the attention to detail that shines at the course. From the manicured tee boxes to the immaculate greens, the course is always in perfect shape for a round.
When you prepare for your round at Harbor Links, you’d be wise to pay attention to the how the holes are crafted around the course’s bodies of water. You’ll especially love the 8th hole, a short par-3 with an island green that embodies the spirit of the famous 17th hole at the TPC Sawgrass.
Affordable and very entertaining, Harbor Links is a beautiful place to start your trip.
After golf, take Highway 97 North to Collier Memorial State Park for an afternoon of hiking, fishing or water sports like kayaking. Spring Creek runs through the park and offers visitors a chance to jump in a kayak for a relaxing paddle along the slow running waters of the creek.
During the downtime between activities, the park does a terrific job at recreating the rustic lifestyle of early settlers as Collier Memorial is home to a Logging Museum that pays tribute to the first railroads that brought people to the area.
If you feel like spending a night among the stars, the park offers several camping sites for your family to enjoy.
TRIP IDEA #3: WORK ON YOUR GOLF SWING AT SHIELD CREST & PRACTICE MOUNTAIN BIKING ON SPENCE MOUNTAIN
A spectacular view of Mt Shasta from a trail on Spence Mountain. Photo courtesy of Kamrin Nielsen Photo Video
Our third suggestion for a terrific trip in Klamath County begins with a golf club that is unfairly overshadowed by some of the higher profile courses, but provides excellent entertainment for the visiting golfer. Perfect to work on your swing with your new clubs while enjoying the surroundings. As a matter of fact, the Shield Crest Golf Club in Klamath Falls offers top-notch golf and amazing views of the nearby Mount Shasta and the Klamath Basin.
If you like a long course that demands your best, then Shield Crest will present quite the challenge. Carved from the natural terrain, Shield Crest provides an engaging layout that rewards accuracy.
Measuring around 7,000 yards from the tips, the course offers several tee options for differing skill levels. Locals love Shield Crest because it doesn’t draw a lot of tourists and the golf course has an endearing charm that resonates on each hole.
If you are looking for a fun excursion for your trip that is budget friendly, then place Shield Crest high on your list because it is affordable and laid back.
After your round, get in the car and head 15 miles northwest of Klamath Falls for a scenic hike along the famous Spence Mountain Trail. Over 7,500 unspoiled acres await you on the mountain with over 28 miles of trails to enjoy, perfect for mountain biking, walking and running.
The Spence Mountain Loop measures just under ten miles long and is considered to be a fast track that rates on the intermediate level. What sets the trail apart from other trails in the area is that a dirt company maintains the trails throughout the year to keep them pristine after the weather of the winter months take their toll.
If you are interested in hiking the loop, you can expect about 1500 feet in elevation change and some truly breathtaking views of Upper Klamath Lake, the nearby Mountain Lakes Wilderness and, of course, Mount Shasta.
IT’S TIME TO MEET ME IN KLAMATH!
If you are headed to Klamath County and you want to have a truly unique sporting experience, then heed our advice and enjoy some of the best majestic outdoor locations that the area has to offer. Feel free to download our guide on Klamath County!
