Adventure Town: Klamath Falls, Oregon

Pop. 21,305
GPS: 42°13'N 121°46'W

Quiet K-Falls has shed its lumber town origins and become a high-desert getaway on Upper Klamath Lake’s bottom lip. Ride or hike the OC&E Woods Line State Trail, a 95-mile (153-kilometer) protected path (and Oregon’s longest state park) through pine forests, deep valleys, and juniper- and sage-covered ranchlands. Then hit the Upper Klamath for more than 30 rapids, up to Class IV—the state’s most rollicking white-water run.

PLAY

The OC&E Woods Line State Trail is a classic combo of industrial and natural terrain. It begins as a paved trail, where steam engines used to chug through in the early 1900s, then converts into a lush path surrounded by woods, rivers, and ranchlands. Both parts of the dichotomy are great for biking and hiking. Grab two wheels at Hutch’s Bicycle Store ($30 a day; +1 541 850 2453). Through summer and fall, the Ashland-based Momentum River Expeditions leads one and two-day rafting trips along the Upper Klamath ($149 for one day and $359 for two days; www.momentumriverexpeditions.com).

EAT

Green beer is not just for St. Patty’s Day. The brews at Klamath Basin Brewing Company are made by heating hops over natural geo-thermal hot springs (www.kbbrewing.com). They also serve upscale takes on bar food, like “drunken mussels,” steamed in a broth of orange juice, tomato, garlic, parmesan, and their own Hogsback Hefeweizen.

SLEEP

CrystalWood Lodge LLC, a cozy B&B about 40 minutes outside of town, is built around a renovated homesteader’s 1892 post office, aid station, and schoolhouse (doubles from $95; www.crystalwoodlodge.com).