Written by Lexi Hall
Some adventures leave you with great photos. Others leave you with a deeper appreciation for the place you’ve explored. This one did both.
Of all the day trips we’ve taken so far, this may have been my favorite. Not just because Spring Creek is one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited in Southern Oregon, but because the day combined history, culture, adventure, and some truly unforgettable scenery.
We started our morning the best way we know how, with breakfast at Ruddy Duck. An acai bowl and an iced coffee felt like the perfect fuel for a day on the water, and before long we were meeting Mike Angelee from The Ledge Outdoor Store in the breezeway at Running Y Resort.
One of my favorite things about working with The Ledge is how easy Mike makes outdoor adventure. Instead of coordinating pickups or making extra stops, he met us right at the resort with our paddle board and kayak rentals ready to go. He even helped load everything into the car. Every rental includes the essentials, from permits and life jackets to whistles and pumps, making it easy for visitors to spend less time planning and more time exploring.
Since our destination was Spring Creek, we decided to start the day with a little history.
Just fifteen minutes from Running Y Resort, the Favell Museum offers an incredible collection of Native American artifacts and Western art. Walking through the exhibits gave us a greater appreciation for the people and cultures that have shaped this region for generations.
Seeing artifacts connected to tribes from across the country was fascinating, but what stood out most was learning more about the Klamath Tribes and their connection to the land we were about to explore. As beautiful as Southern Oregon is, places like the Favell Museum serve as an important reminder that every landscape has a story.
With that fresh perspective, we pointed the car north toward Spring Creek.
The drive itself is worth mentioning. Roughly 45 minutes from Running Y Resort, the route winds through forests, open meadows, and volcanic landscapes that seem to change around every corner. We passed Collier Memorial State Park and the Collier Logging Museum, both of which immediately earned a spot on our list for a future adventure.
Then we arrived at Oux Kanee Overlook.
Standing above Spring Creek for the first time, I honestly wasn’t prepared for the color of the water. The creek below cut through the forest like a ribbon of turquoise glass, so vibrant it almost looked edited. We spent several minutes simply taking it all in before continuing toward the launch area.
A few miles farther down the road, we unloaded our gear, inflated the paddle board in less than five minutes, and headed out onto the water.
The first thing I noticed was the clarity.
I’ve seen clear water before, but Spring Creek is different. Looking down from the paddle board, it almost felt as if I were floating through the air instead of across the surface of the water. Beneath us, sand shifted and danced as cold spring water bubbled up from below, creating one of the most unique natural displays I’ve ever seen.
If you’re looking for a Southern Oregon adventure that combines outdoor recreation, local history, stunning scenery, and a little perspective along the way, I can’t recommend this one enough.
This one might just be my favorite day trip yet.
Plan your stay at Running Y Resort and make Southern Oregon your basecamp.
