An Accessible Itinerary to Southern Oregon (Ashland, Crater Lake)

Southern Oregon feels different from the rest of the state. Here, small towns blend arts and culture with easy access to the outdoors. Ashland is known for its theaters and leafy parks, Medford has a more practical side with affordable hotels and plenty of dining, and Klamath Falls opens the door to lakes, wetlands, and Crater Lake National Park.

For travelers with disabilities, the region has a lot going for it. Paved trails, accessible theaters, and verified hotels make it easier to plan a trip with confidence. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a week, you’ll find a mix of art, food, and outdoor adventure that works for a variety of interests and energy levels.

Where to Stay in Southern Oregon

You have a few natural hubs to choose from in Southern Oregon, and each one offers something a little different. Lets go over some of the options to consider.

Ashland: arts and walkability

Ashland is the most charming base, with a compact and quaint downtown, a quiet city park, and the famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Hotels like Plaza Inn & Suites at Ashland Creek and Ashland Creek Inn put you within walking or rolling distance of restaurants, theaters, and shops. For a resort feel, Lithia Springs Resort offers mineral soaking tubs and garden paths.

Medford: affordable and central

If you’re looking for a more affordable base, Medford is just up the highway from Ashland. It has chain hotels with verified accessibility, like the Holiday Inn Express and SpringHill Suites by Marriott. Medford also has a regional airport, which makes it a practical arrival point if you’re flying in. For what it's worth, it's only about 20 minutes North of Ashland, just down the highway.

Klamath Falls: gateway to Crater Lake

For travelers focused on Crater Lake and outdoor adventures, Klamath Falls makes a good base. The Running Y Resort is the standout, with resort-style amenities, golf, and trails. From here, it’s an easy drive to Crater Lake National Park or wetlands that are popular with birdwatchers.

Our take

All three hubs work, but we'd recommend staying in Ashland. It’s scenic, walkable, and absolutely charming. Plus, it's still a short drive from Medford’s airport and within reach of Crater Lake for a day trip.

Getting Around Southern Oregon

Southern Oregon is spread out, and driving is the best way to connect the dots between towns, parks, and attractions. Medford is the main hub, with the Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport (MFR) offering direct flights from several western cities. If you need an adapted rental vehicle, check with local providers at the airport ahead of time — options are limited compared to larger cities like Portland, so planning early matters.

Distances here are manageable but not short. Ashland is about 20 minutes from Medford, Klamath Falls is roughly an hour and a half, and Crater Lake adds another 45 minutes from there. The drives are part of the experience, with mountain passes, valleys, and lakes along the way — but you’ll want your own vehicle to take full advantage.

Public transit between towns is limited, and rideshares are mostly confined to Medford and Ashland. For travelers with disabilities, it’s safest to assume you’ll need your own transportation for the majority of the trip.

A Quick Accessible Southern Oregon Itinerary

Day 1: A Classic Ashland Day

If you’re flying in, head to Ashland (from Medford airport). This small town is famous for its theaters, parks, and walkable downtown. Think leafy streets, independent shops, and the kind of restaurants where you’ll want to linger.

Start your day in downtown Ashland with coffee and breakfast. The town is full of local cafés where mornings move at a slower pace. Case Coffee and Noble Coffee Roasting have excellent coffee and pastry options. For a nice breakfast, Morning Glory Café has big portions and a warm, artsy vibe.

Make sure to spend some time in downtown Ashland. It’s compact and easy to get around, with quaint local shops, cafés, and galleries all within a few blocks of the plaza. The sidewalks are wide and accessible, and there are plenty of spots to grab a snack or people-watch before heading into Lithia Park.

From there, wander into Lithia Park, Ashland’s crown jewel. The paved Lithia Park Loop Trail begins right from the plaza downtown and meanders under towering trees, alongside Ashland Creek, and past duck ponds and open lawns. It’s peaceful, shady, and designed so that people of all abilities can enjoy it. Wheelchair users can also take advantage of David’s Chair, an all-terrain power chair program that makes it possible to roll beyond the pavement and onto dirt paths without worry.

Lunch is easy nearby at Pangea, known for creative wraps and hearty bowls, or Taqueria Picaro, a casual spot with excellent tacos. Both are centrally located so you don’t need to stray far. But there are plenty of options nearby Lithia Park, so just pick one that looks good (you can't go wrong in Ashland!)

After lunch, head over to the Schneider Museum of Art. It’s small but thoughtfully curated, with rotating exhibits that highlight regional and contemporary artists. The museum is step-free, with smooth floors, wide doorways, and accessible parking right by the entrance. Large print guides, QR codes, and even Braille materials are available for blind and low-vision visitors, and staff can assist with guiding or describing exhibits if needed. There’s also a designated accessible restroom inside. It’s an easy stop for an hour or two and a good way to experience Ashland’s creative side.

End the day with dinner at Caldera Brewing & Restaurant, where you can pair house-brewed beers with wood-fired pizza and burgers while taking in mountain views.

Day 2: Outdoor Adventures Around Klamath Falls

Start the morning in Medford or Ashland, depending on where you stayed the night before, and head toward Klamath Falls. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Ashland, so grabbing breakfast first is smart. In Ashland, Morning Glory Café is still a top choice if you didn’t make it there the day before. In Klamath Falls, Nana’s Tea Room is a cozy stop for coffee, scones, or a hearty breakfast plate before a day outside.

Your first adventure is at Crater Lake Zipline, about 40 minutes north of Klamath Falls. It’s an exciting way to see the forest from above, and staff are trained to support guests with different needs. That said, the tours do involve some physical effort and may not be fully accessible for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility. Because some tours involve moderate physical effort, the company asks guests with mobility needs to call ahead. Staff are welcoming and do their best to adapt so more people can join.

Afterward, stop for a casual lunch at Jo’s Organic Grocery in Fort Klamath. It’s quick, simple, and close by — perfect for refueling before an afternoon at Oregon’s most famous natural landmark.

From here, it’s only a short drive into Crater Lake National Park. Head to Rim Village, the most accessible area of the park. The Rim Village Promenade is a wide, paved path that gives you jaw-dropping views of the lake’s deep blue water. The viewpoints are accessible, and the Visitor Center has step-free entrances and accessible restrooms. Bring a jacket, even in summer — at over 7,000 feet, the weather can be surprisingly chilly. If you’re blind or low vision, stop by the Visitor Center where tactile relief maps and ranger talks give you another way to connect with the park beyond the views.

End your day back in Klamath Falls with dinner at Common Block Brewing Company. It’s casual, spacious, and has a menu full of burgers, sandwiches, and shareable plates that go well with their house-brewed beer. If you’d rather have a quieter evening, Harbor Isle Restaurant & Bar sits right on the lake with sunset views.

Stay overnight at the Running Y Resort if you don't want to drive back to Ashland. It’s a full-service resort with paved walking paths, wide-accessible rooms, and amenities like a golf course and spa.

Day 3: Ashland, Jacksonville and Wine Country

Keep the morning easy in Ashland. Start with coffee and breakfast at one of the local cafés you might not have tried yet — Noble Coffee Roasting has a loyal following for good reason, and their pastries make for a simple start.

From there, you’ve got two good options depending on your pace. If you’d like to get out of town, Jacksonville is just a 30-minute drive and makes a nice half-day trip. Its historic downtown is lined with 19th-century buildings, now filled with shops, cafés, and tasting rooms. The town is small and fairly walkable, with accessible sidewalks and curb cuts in the central area. A stop at one of the wineries nearby — such as Quady North or DANCIN Vineyards — adds a little Southern Oregon flavor to the day.

Back in Ashland, make sure to check the Oregon Shakespeare Festival schedule before your trip. The season runs spring through fall, with performances ranging from Shakespeare classics to contemporary plays. OSF is known for taking accessibility seriously: all theaters have step-free entrances, elevators, and wheelchair seating; assistive listening devices are available at every show; and many performances also feature captions, audio description, or ASL interpretation. Large-print playbills and accessible restrooms are standard across the theaters.

One thing to note is that some areas around the theaters are on a hill. The easiest access is from the Hargadine Street parking garage, which has accessible spaces and a level drop-off right by the entrance. Other routes from downtown parking involve an uphill stretch, so the garage is usually the easiest option if you’re using a mobility device.

Even if you’re not usually a theater person, the productions here are high quality and part of what makes Ashland unique.

Dinner after the show can be as simple as a late bite in downtown Ashland, where most restaurants stay open after evening performances. You could try one of the smaller bistros tucked near the plaza.

Quick Tips for Visiting Southern Oregon

• Pack for variety. Mornings can be crisp, afternoons warm, and evenings cool again — even in summer. Layers make life easier.
• Book theater tickets early. If the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is on your list, don’t wait until you arrive. Shows can sell out quickly.
• Expect some driving. Towns are close but not next door — Ashland to Klamath Falls is about 90 minutes, and Crater Lake is another 45. Having your own car makes all the difference.
• Think about elevation. Crater Lake sits over 7,000 feet, so the air is thinner and the weather cooler. Take it slow and bring a jacket.
• Accessibility tools. Programs like David’s Chair in Ashland’s Lithia Park make trails easier to access for wheelchair users. And many of the hotels, restaurants, and attractions in this guide have verified accessibility details on Wheel the World.

Plan Your Southern Oregon Trip With Confidence

Southern Oregon blends art, food, and adventure in a way that feels uniquely its own. One day you’re sipping coffee in Ashland before a Shakespeare play, the next you’re standing at the rim of Crater Lake with deep blue water stretching out below you. Add in accessible hotels, welcoming restaurants, and adaptive programs that open up the outdoors, and you’ve got a region that’s ready for more visitors of all abilities.

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