Mountain-Lodge Resort with Golf Course, Spa, and Town Center

When golf legend Arnold Palmer was asked to choose a favorite from the many courses he has designed, he picked not one but 16. The signature course at Running Y Ranch was one of them—Palmer liked the way it showcases the meadows and wetlands of the Oregon outback against the backdrop of the Cascade Mountains. It’s the only Palmer-designed course in the state and was recently ranked one of _Golf Digest_’s 100 Greatest Public Courses in America. Whether or not you hit the fairways, you can enjoy the lush landscape of the Klamath Falls area during a stay at Running Y Ranch. Secluded on 3,600 acres of wooded hills, the resort offers horseback riding, canoe rentals, and 8 miles of paved hiking trails.

The property’s timber-framed lodge echoes its natural surroundings with flagstone floors and wood furniture. Not far from the fireplace in the lobby, you’ll find the entrance to The Ruddy Duck, where you can dine on hearty meals of oven-baked mac 'n' cheese and pot roast. The mountain-lodge ambiance extends to the golf-view guest rooms, some of which come with a balcony overlooking the fairways.

Directly adjacent to the lodge is Running Y Ranch’s village, a miniature town center complete with a market and shops selling local wines and microbrews. There are dining options here, too, including a café and ice-cream parlor. To work up an appetite, you can hike to nearby Upper Klamath Lake or hit the onsite sports center.

Klamath Falls, Oregon: Wildlife Refuges amid High-Desert Terrain and Wetlands

Located near the California border, the city of Klamath Falls sits in the heart of a vast expanse of mountainous woodlands, lakes, and desert. This photogenic landscape was a popular haunt for noted naturalists John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt in the early 1900s. It’s still a paradise for lovers of the outdoors, especially around the Klamath Basin. This complex of wildlife refuges is home to one of the largest concentrations of wintering bald eagles in the United States. Visitors come here from around the globe every February to take part in the Bald Eagle Conference, the nation’s oldest birding festival.

In warmer months, you can take a self-guided driving tour through the basin or paddle along some of the miles-long canoe trails through the area’s marshes. Fishing is another popular pastime here; the native trout of Klamath Lake are legendary for their size.

The town itself is fairly simple—farming and ranching drive the local economy. It’s worth spending some time downtown to check out the historic buildings and learn some local history from the city’s three museums. The Favell Museum stands out for its collection of Native American artifacts, including baskets and bone and shell work. During the summer, you can ride a restored 1906 trolley from the Klamath Falls visitors' center to the museums and other downtown sites.

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