Klamath Falls
Around Klamath Falls
Photo: User:Yuehai1981 · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Oregon · 70k people
Klamath Falls
Locals say Klamath Basin · “K-Falls”
Basin of lakes and light
Basin GoldCrater BlueForest Green
Welcome to the Klamath Basin, where the lakes are big and the skies are wide. Whether you're here for the birds, the trout, or just the quiet, you'll find a place to call home. Come for the scenery, stay for the community.
Clubs for Klamath Falls
No clubs for Klamath Falls yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Klamath Falls. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Klamath Falls. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Crater Lake National Park Deepest lake in the US, stunning blue water
- Upper Klamath Lake Largest freshwater lake in Oregon, popular for fishing and birding
- Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges Six refuges, a key stopover for migrating waterfowl
- Moore Park On Upper Klamath Lake, with trails and picnic areas
- Link River Trail Scenic walk along the Link River between the lake and falls
- Ross Ragland Theater Historic theater hosting concerts and plays
- Outdoors Hike the rim of Crater Lake
- Outdoors Fish for trout on Upper Klamath Lake
- With kids Visit the Crater Lake visitor center
- With kids Take a wildlife refuge auto tour
- Evenings Catch a show at the Ross Ragland
- Evenings Enjoy live music at local breweries
- Locals love farm stands
- Locals love hot springs
Through the year
- Klamath County Fair July July, local agriculture and carnival
- Winter Wings Festival February February, birding and wildlife photography
- Klamath Basin Potato Festival September September, celebrates the potato harvest
- Crater Lake Marathon August August, scenic race around the lake
- Klamath Falls Farmers Market Summer Summer, local produce and crafts
High desert climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers. Best: Late spring through early fall for warm days and clear skies.
Talk like a local
- “the Basin”
- The Klamath Basin region
- “K-Falls”
- Klamath Falls
- “the Lake”
- Upper Klamath Lake
- “the Refuge”
- The wildlife refuges
Getaways
- Medford Wineries, Rogue River, and Bear Creek
- Bend Outdoor recreation, breweries, and Deschutes River
- Redding Sacramento River, Sundial Bridge, and Shasta Lake
- Crescent City Redwood forests and rugged coastline
Local flavour
Rooting for Portland Trail Blazers (NBA), Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Oregon Ducks (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Basque lamb
- Klamath Basin trout Fresh-caught from Upper Klamath Lake and the Williamson River.
- Potatoes The Klamath Basin is a major potato-growing region.
Where people go
- Crater Lake viewpoints The national park's rim overlooks are a daily draw.
- Wildlife refuges The Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges host millions of migrating birds.
- Hot springs Geothermal pools and springs dot the area, used for soaking year-round.
Heritage and traditions
Klamath Basin locals are proud of their high-desert landscape, the incredible wildlife migrations, and the deep Native American and Basque heritage that shaped the region.
This time of year in Klamath Falls
- Potato harvest Fall Fall (Sep-Nov) - The season for digging and processing potatoes.
Say it like a local: “The Link” — The Link River, a short waterway connecting Upper Klamath Lake to Lake Ewauna
Festivals
- Klamath Basin Basque Festival August Celebrates Basque heritage with music, dance, and food.
- Klamath Tribes Annual Powwow Summer Traditional dancing, drumming, and crafts.
Landmarks with a story
- Favell Museum Houses Western art and Native American artifacts, including arrowheads and baskets.
- Baldwin Hotel Museum Restored 1906 hotel showcasing turn-of-the-century life.
- Klamath Falls Downtown Historic District Late 19th and early 20th century commercial buildings.
- St. Patrick's Catholic Church Historic church built in the 1920s with distinctive architecture.
- Klamath Tribes' Chiloquin Community The Klamath Tribes' headquarters and cultural center.
Food traditions
- Basque lamb Slow-roasted lamb from the Basque sheepherding tradition, often served with beans and chorizo.
- Klamath Basin trout Fresh trout from Upper Klamath Lake, often pan-fried with butter and herbs.
- Potatoes Grown in the volcanic soil, used in many local dishes, from hash browns to potato salad.
- Basque chorizo Spicy sausage made by the Basque community, often in stews.
- Acorn soup A traditional Klamath Native American dish made from acorns, though less common today.
Music and arts
- Native American basketry The Klamath and Modoc peoples are known for their intricate twined baskets.
- Basque folk dance and music Traditional Basque dances and accordion music are part of local heritage.
- Western art The Favell Museum showcases Western and Native American art.
- Klamath Falls Symphony Orchestra Community orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
A little history
- 1872-73 Modoc War
- 1954, 1986 Klamath Tribes Termination and Restoration
- Early 1900s Basque Immigration
- 1909 Railroad Arrival
- Early 1900s Klamath Irrigation Project
Rivalries
- Klamath Union vs. Mazama High school football rivalry
- Oregon Ducks vs. Oregon State Beavers College football rivalry
- Seahawks vs. 49ers NFL rivalry
- Blazers vs. Warriors NBA rivalry
- Outdoors Birdwatch at the refuges during migration
- Outdoors Soak in a natural hot spring
- With kids Visit the Favell Museum
- With kids Explore the Baldwin Hotel Museum
Locals speak with a general Western American accent, but you'll hear 'the Basin' for the area and 'Klamath' pronounced 'KLAM-ath'. They also use terms like 'high desert' and 'the refuge' for the wildlife areas.
Only here
- The largest wintering population of bald eagles in the lower 48 states.
- The Link River is one of the shortest rivers in the world, at about 1.5 miles.
- The Klamath Basin is a critical stop on the Pacific Flyway for millions of birds.
- The hot springs that give the city its name, though the original falls are now submerged.
New here? A few tips
- Be prepared for cold winters and hot, dry summers.
- Learn about the water rights and irrigation issues.
- Pronounce 'Klamath' as 'KLAM-ath'.
- The wind can be strong, especially in spring.
- Explore the wildlife refuges; they're a big part of local life.
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Nearby
Every areaSiskiyou–ModocCaliforniaLand of living rivers and ancient peaksMedfordOregonWhere the Rogue flows through wine country.Grants PassOregonWhere the river bends and the mountains breathe.RoseburgOregonWhere the river meets the pines.ReddingCaliforniaWhere the river runs through the mountainsTrinity CountyCaliforniaGold rush history, alpine beauty, and river life.Crescent CityCaliforniaWhere the redwoods meet the sea.BrookingsOregonWhere the ocean meets the forest, and every day is a fresh catch.
Klamath Falls, OR. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.