Klamath Falls has experienced a new “boom” in the past few years with several large housing developments being built and many new businesses locating in the area. The wood products industry, manufacturing, service, and technology sectors have helped develop a diversified economic base in the area.

Major local employers include: Jeld-Wen, Collins Products, Air National Guard, Oregon Institute of Technology and Merle West Medical Center.

The first Europeans to enter the Klamath Region were fur trappers who arrived in the mid-1820s. "Klamath" is the name given by early explorers to the Native Americans who inhabited the region. The city was founded in 1867 and originally was called "Linkville" after the Link River. The name was changed to Klamath Falls in 1893; the "falls" part of the name derives from a small waterfall that used to exist where the Link River flowed into the Klamath River.

Downtown Klamath Falls from across Lake Euwana

Between the coming of the railroad in 1909 and the 1930s, Klamath Falls became a playground for wealthy San Franciscans who stayed at the White Pelican Hotel and other elegant hostelries and enjoyed a variety of diversions including movies and live performances at the city's six magnificent theaters. One of these, the Ross Ragland Theater, survives today as an active center for the performing arts and a leading example of art deco architecture.

Klamath Falls is just 60 miles south of spectacular Crater Lake National Park, the only national park in Oregon

The city is the center of an outdoor recreation paradise and attracts significant numbers of visitors from Northern California, Nevada, and other parts of Oregon.

Attractions include fishing for trophy trout in famous streams such as the Williamson, Sycan and Sprague Rivers, whitewater rafting, cave exploring in Lava Beds National Park just over the border in Northern California, and bird-watching in the Klamath Basin's seven National Wildlife Refuges, which are home to an estimated 263 bird species including enormous concentrations of waterfowl and the largest colony of wintering bald eagles in the United States outside of Alaska.

Horseback riding, golf on an Arnold Palmer-designed course and other recreations in a luxury setting are available at the Running Y Ranch Resort just outside of town. For skiers and snowboarders, Mount Ashland and Mount Bachelor ski resorts are just a few hours away.

Klamath Falls' picturesque downtown invites strollers with attractive shops and restaurants as well as historic buildings and museums. And for those whose ideal recreation is taking in a top-quality production of a play by Shakespeare or a more contemporary dramatist, the city of Ashland, Oregon and its famous repertory company are only about an hour's drive away.

Crater Lake National Park In Oregon

Did you know?

Driving distances from Klamath Falls to other cities:

San Francisco: 360 miles
Ashland, Oregon: 64 miles
Medford, Oregon: 76 miles
Lakeview, Oregon: 96 miles
Bend, Oregon: 137 miles
Portland, Oregon: 279 miles
Reno, Nevada: 257 miles

To learn more about the economy and the Klamath Falls area click here, or for demographic quick facts click here.

To learn more about Klamath Falls and Klamath county, Click on the links below

Klamath County Chamber of Commerce
City of Klamath Falls
Klamath Klamath County Economic Development Association
Great Basin Visitor Association
Klamath Falls International Airport
Crater Lake National Park

For current Klamath Falls weather conditions click here