Written by Lexi Hall
One of the best parts about using Running Y Resort as your Southern Oregon basecamp is realizing just how many completely different landscapes exist within an hour of the resort. Every drive seems to uncover something new, and our recent adventure to Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site felt like stepping into an entirely different world.
We started our morning the best way possible with coffee from the Ruddy Duck Restaurant before heading out on our excursion. Located about 55 minutes from Running Y, the drive itself becomes part of the experience almost immediately.
Taking Highway 97 gives you a completely different landscape than some of our previous day trips. The terrain shifts into classic Southern Oregon high desert scenery with dramatic cliffs and rugged volcanic features lining one side of the road while the sparkling waters of Upper Klamath Lake stretch out on the other. On a clear day, you can even spot Mount McLoughlin towering in the distance above the landscape.
As you continue driving along the outskirts of Chiloquin, the adventure starts feeling a little playful too. Keep your eyes peeled for the tipis off the side of the road. Spotting them somehow makes the drive feel even more memorable and uniquely Southern Oregon.
Once you pass the tipis, you’re only about 20 minutes from Jackson Kimball.
After turning into the park, a pine tree-lined road guides you in for about half a mile before finally revealing the park entrance sign. And honestly, once you park and step out of the car, the first instinct is immediate: race to see who can spot the turquoise water first.
The spring-fed water here almost does not look real.
We packed a blanket and sandwiches for a picnic and settled in right along the riverbank while monarch butterflies floated through the area all around us, somehow making the entire afternoon feel even more magical. The water is unbelievably clear, calm, and vibrant against the surrounding greenery.
After lunch, we wandered farther down the river and stumbled across one of the most enchanting little trails we’ve found yet. The path winds alongside a bubbling brook and passes wild strawberry bushes growing naturally along the shoreline. It felt quiet, untouched, and almost storybook-like in certain spots.
Eventually, we packed up and started heading back toward our Running Y basecamp, but only about seven minutes into the drive we spotted the cutest little roadside store and campground and immediately had to stop.
And thankfully we did.
The property felt almost surreal with a floating bridge, a covered bridge, towering trees, and peaceful creek access that somehow made the entire place feel frozen in time. While exploring, we even found a canoe available for campers and decided to test our skills out on the water.
Canoeing along Fort Creek ended up becoming one of the highlights of the entire day. Floating quietly through the crystal-clear water surrounded by forest scenery was one of those moments that reminds you just how beautiful and underrated this region truly is.
After finally docking the canoe and beginning the drive back toward Running Y, the scenery somehow still managed to surprise us. On clear days along this route, you can catch views of both Mount Shasta and Mount McLoughlin in the distance, making for the perfect ending to the adventure.
And honestly, that’s what makes these day trips from Running Y feel so special. You can spend your morning chasing turquoise springs, canoeing through hidden creeks, and discovering tiny roadside gems, then make it back to the resort just in time for an afternoon tee time, a spa appointment, or dinner back at the Duck.
Plan your stay at Running Y Resort and make Southern Oregon your basecamp.
