This weekend itinerary takes you from serene lakefront cabins at Lake of the Woods to scenic fairways at Running Y and Harbor Links, topped off with kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, and stargazing. Cap it all with steam-powered nostalgia at Collier Memorial State Park, where Oregon’s logging past comes alive. It’s a weekend filled with clear lakes, deep laughs, and the kind of quality time that dads deserve.
The drive winds through tall pines and mountain air as you leave behind the pace of everyday life. By early afternoon, you pull into Lake of the Woods Resort — where the lake glistens and cabins dot the shoreline like old friends waiting to welcome you home.
The kids race toward the water. You? You take a moment. Breathe deep. The smell of pine, the lapping of water, the slight chill that promises a perfect campfire night.
Before the sun dips behind the Cascades, you're gliding across the lake in a rented kayak — paddles gently slicing through water, sunlight dancing on ripples. Take this moment for yourself or bring the family along and make a memory.
Dinner is at the Lake House Restaurant — burgers, smoked ribs, cold beer, and laughter shared over stories from long ago. As darkness falls, the stars appear, more than you've seen in years. You lean back in a camp chair beside the fire and think: This is what Father’s Day should feel like.
Saturday – Fairways, Forests & Fly Rods
The next morning starts early — golf clubs clinking in the trunk as you wind down to the Running Y Ranch Resort, home to the only Arnold Palmer-designed course in Oregon.
The fairways are exquisitely maintained and framed by ponderosa pines. You and your crew tee off under clear skies, the silence of the forest interrupted only by the soft thwack of a well-hit drive or a shared laugh over a hack. It’s not just a game — it’s a chance to reconnect, laugh, and maybe even win a few bragging rights. Lunch waits just steps away at The Ruddy Duck, with burgers piled high and cold drinks of all flavors.
Or tee off at Harbor Links Golf Course, where the shimmering waters of Upper Klamath Lake provide a breathtaking backdrop to your game. With 15 of the 18 holes featuring ponds, this scenic course offers a tranquil yet challenging experience for golfers of all skill levels. Enjoy the serene ambiance, diverse wildlife, and panoramic lake views as you navigate the well-manicured fairways of this Southern Oregon gem. Harbor House Restaurant features yummy dishes and cold drinks, served with a smile!
Afterward, there’s time to breathe again — no rush, just the road back toward the lake and a casual stop for a light hike or exhilarating MTB around Spence Mountain. Enjoy sweeping views of Klamath Lake, and home to a large resident population of bald eagles.
As afternoon settles in, you tie a fly and cast a line into the slow-moving waters of the Williamson River, or drift a spinner in Lake of the Woods. The fish are biting. Your patience is rewarded. Local tip: Research public access to the Williamson or seek out a friendly local guide service. A few we recommend are Yamsi Fly Fishing, ROE Outfitters, and Woody’s Guide Service.
Back at camp, the grill sizzles and stories spill as easily as the bourbon. A second fire. A second night under stars. And a sense that this day — this whole trip — is already becoming one of your favorites.
Father’s Day morning brings a coffee by the lake that tastes better simply because it's here.
But there’s one more stop. You pack up and head 30 minutes north to Collier Memorial State Park, just in time for a once-a-year tradition: the historic logging equipment comes to life.
You wander past steam-powered machines and massive saws, guided by the voices of volunteers who know their history by heart. The kids are wide-eyed as 1930s-era logging trucks sputter and rumble to life. There's something beautiful in how the past comes alive — a reflection of the legacy you're building, just by showing up.
A riverside picnic by the crystal clear Spring Creek closes the day. One last hike along the Williamson River Trail — slow, simple, filled with laughter and the smell of pine needles warming in the sun.
You head home with sun on your skin, tall tales of the fish you caught, and memories that won’t fade any time soon.
%20Large.jpeg)
