Ashland, Oregon is a small town located just North of the California border. Ashland is most widely known for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. However, there is a whole world of amazing art, community and scenic beauty within this unique town that makes it a true gem.
Ashland is chocked full of beautiful parks, hiking trails, creeks, lakes and more. The largest and most popular park is Lithia Park located in downtown Ashland. Lithia is a 100-acre vista of emerald lawns, pickleball courts, a sand-pit volleyball court, the Swim Reservoir at the south end of the park, picnic areas, colorful landscaping and playground. The park follows Ashland Creek through undeveloped woodlands teaming with wildlife and includes a Japanese garden, two duck ponds, groves of sycamore trees and a number of other enchanting sites. In 2014, Lithia Park was designated as one of the top ten Great American Spaces by the American Planning Association. Learn more about the history of Lithia Park HERE.
Lithia Park’s hiking trails map.
The Oak Knoll Golf Course is Ashland’s par 36, 9-hole golf course. There are several other golf courses nearby in East Medford and surrounding areas.
Only about 20 miles from town, Mount Ashland is this community’s resource for skiing and winter sport and activities. The Mount Ashland Ski Area is community-focused and operated by a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing an outstanding alpine recreation experience for people of all ages and skill levels.
Emigrant Lake, Hyatt Lake and Howard Prairie Lake are the closest lakes to Ashland. Emigrant Lake is only about 5 miles outside of town making it the closest lake. Hyatt Lake is about 20 miles from town and it has its own resort, restaurant, lodging and campsites. Howard Prairie Lake is about 5 miles past Hyatt Lake and it also has its own resort, restaurant, boat rental, lodging and campsites.
Ashland is known for its excellent schools. It’s also home to Southern Oregon University.
This little town is packed with amazing food and shopping, especially in the downtown area. If you stroll down E Main Street and Lithia Way, you’ll come across an array of restaurants, cafes, cocktail bars, and boutique retail stores.
For a list of our top recommended restaurants, bars, cafes and more, visit our Ashland Yelp Favorites page.
There are four major grocery stores in the Ashland area. Near the downtown area you’ll find the Ashland Food Co-op – a popular community hub and Southern Oregon’s first and only Certified Organic Retailer. Heading toward the south end of town, there’s Safeway, Market of Choice and Shop n Kart.
Ashland’s love for theatre is known nationally and theatre-lovers flock from far and wide to participate in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is a Tony Award Winning Repertory Theatre. Each year, the festival produces eleven plays on three stages during a season that lasts from mid-February to early November.
The Oregon Cabaret Theatre, Ashland’s other world class theatre venue, specializes in musicals, comedies and whodunits and has provided first-class entertainment and dining in the Rogue Valley for more than thirty-five years. A remodeled church located one block from OSF, the Cabaret’s venue oozes with the old school charm of the jazz era. The restaurant produces exceptional dishes and the dining pairs well with the Cabaret’s professional productions.
Deemed the “#1 Small Town to Live and Work as a Filmmaker” in Movie Maker Magazine, Ashland has no shortage of film enthusiasts. Each year in April, the Ashland Independent Film Festival (AIFF) is held at the Varsity Theater downtown. AIFF premiers independent films from all over the state, sometimes beyond. Such films as Black Road (2016) and Redwood Highway (2013) were filmed and produced in Ashland by local directors, Ann and Gary Lundgren. While other films like Wild (2014) and Coraline (2009) included Ashland in their sets.
Every Tuesday and Saturday, Ashland hosts a Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market where you’ll find local fresh-grown produce, artisan foods and handcrafted gifts while supporting local farmers and makers directly.
During the warmer months, dozens of Ashland businesses participate in “First Friday” on the first Friday of each month. Many participating businesses host sidewalk sales, live music, free food and/or tastings, and even stay open later. It’s quite a party!
Families and folks from all over the valley flock to downtown Ashland on October 31st for the Halloween Parade — a family-friendly event where folks march in celebration down E Main Street, complete with the zombie flash mob “Thriller” dance, tons of incredible costumes, and trick-or-treating at local participating businesses along the way.
Every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, downtown Ashland hosts the Festival of Lights. After a parade featuring local businesses, schools, organizations and more, attendees gather at the plaza to witness the downtown buildings light up all at once with decorated lights to usher in the holiday season.