Medford is perfectly situated in southern Oregon, within close proximity to both California and Nevada. There are many great locations that can be visited within a six-hour drive. Grab your family or friends and head on one of our favorite road trips.
1. Crater Lake National Park, OR
With just a short two-hour drive, you can visit the beautiful Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, and the water has an impressive deep blue color.
While you’re there, take your car on Rim Drive, which is a scenic route around the caldera of the extinct volcano, Mount Mazama. There are observation points and short trails along the route. If you’re lucky, you might see some native wildlife, such as pronghorns or elk.
2. Eugene, OR
Less than 3 hours north, you will find the city of Eugene, Oregon’s third-largest city and the home of the University of Oregon. Eugene has a prominent “hippie” community that has cultivated a thriving arts and outdoor culture. Community gardens, co-ops, and cultural centers can be found all around the city.
Known as “Track Town USA” thanks to Olympic distance runner Steve Prefontaine, Eugene is home to many sporting activities and teams. The University of Oregon Ducks have several notable sports teams at the school, including their football program. Jogging trails crisscross the city, where jogging was first introduced in the United States.
3. Redwood National and State Parks, CA
Redwood National and State Parks in Northern California is less than 4-hour drive away. These parks protect 45% of the remaining coast redwoods, the tallest and some of the oldest trees on earth. If you’re feeling adventurous, backcountry camping is allowed at certain locations with a permit.
There are close to 200 miles of hiking trails throughout the parks for you to explore. Some of those trails also allow horseback riding and mountain biking. If you’d rather take your adventure on the water, paddle a kayak along the coast or through one of the many rivers or streams in the parks.
4. Reno, NV
After a five-hour drive through beautiful Northern California, you can reach Reno, Nevada, the “biggest little city in the world.” Reno is known for its gambling scene, which is only eclipsed by Las Vegas. There are various hotel-casinos to choose from if you would like to test your luck.
Away from the blackjack tables, Reno is a short distance from Lake Tahoe, where you can enjoy water activities in the summer and skiing or snowboarding in the winter. A fun activity is to river raft on the Truckee River through the center of downtown Reno.
In order to enjoy these destinations, you will need a reliable car to get you there and back. If your car isn’t up for the adventure, talk to us at Airport Chevrolet GMC to find a new or certified pre-owned car to take you wherever you want to go.
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