Community Gems: Vines, Vortex & Ziplines

Set along I-5, with a population of less than 1,500, Gold Hill, Oregon, definitely classifies as a hidden gem. Some people may know that the town was an important destination for Gold Rush settlers, but not everyone realizes that there are still exciting events and opportunities in Gold Hill today. Whether zipping above the trees, daring to ride the Rogue River’s rapids, sipping fine wines, or confronting distorted realities, Gold Hill has something for everyone’s tastes.

The Oregon Vortex, the location of the legendary House of Mystery, is one of Gold Hill’s oldest tourist attractions, dating back to the 1930’s and the popularity of ‘Roadside America’ activities for the family. Most visitors will explain away the vortex’s mysteries as optical illusions, but some accounts tell of Native Americans calling the area ‘forbidden ground.’ Pilots know better than to go near the vortex, because even from the air, their instruments receive strange readings. Brooms stand up on their own, marbles roll uphill, and people change in height while visiting this strange Southern Oregon attraction. Yet whether you leave as a skeptic or a vortex believer, the House of Mystery remains a fascinating place for a quick excursion.

Have you ever been ZipLining? Perhaps a visit to Gold Hill will be your opportunity to try out “the most thrilling ZipLine in the Pacific Northwest,” as stated by Rogue Valley ZipLine Adventure. ZipLine tours are run by certified guides and include hours of excitement and history, like a visit through a replica gold mining town. The Zip, Dip, and Sip Tour offers even more fun—as visitors go from a ZipLining adventure, straight into a rafting tour, and then a relaxing wine tasting at the Del Rio Vineyards nearby.

Started in 1997, and now one of the most popular wineries in the Rogue Valley, Del Rio Vineyards’ goal is “to capture the essence of [their] history and dedication to excellence.” The company uses the 1864 Rock Point hotel as the main tasting room, though recently, the business acquired more field space, and another historic property: the Birdseye Ranch, built in the 1850’s. Throughout the year, but especially during summer evenings, the Del Rio Vineyard hosts live concerts and outdoor dinners—frequently with special prices on wines.

So, whether wine-tasting, ZipLining, rafting, hiking, visiting the Vortex, or even just driving, Gold Hill has plenty to offer. As the gateway to the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, and the only place in the nation with such impressive rapids within fifteen minutes of an interstate, there is a lot of significance in such a small town. “Recreation is what Gold Hill has to offer,” says city manager, Rob Lowe. “We are a getaway from the big cities. And that has a lot of potential.”

Thanks to the newest addition to our SOREDI team, our SOU alum, Abigail Skelton, we will continue to feature some of the popular attractions located in our Southern Oregon communities. We consider each one of our towns and cities to be “jewels in the crown” that makes up Southern Oregon. If you have a story idea sparked by an inspiring local attraction, please e-mail our Communications Manager, Codi Spodnik and maybe Abigail will be giving you a call to follow up.  If you are a SOREDI Member and you have some great news, please e-mail it to Codi so we can share it in our newsletter.

Additional Sources:

Butler, Grant (2012). ‘Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files’ investigates Oregon Vortex. The Oregonian. Website: https://www.oregonlive.com/movies/2012/06/fact_or_faked_paranormal_files.html

 Del Rio (2019). Del Rio Vineyard Estate. Website:https://www.delriovineyards.com/

 Oregon Vortex (2011). The Oregon Vortex. Website: http://www.oregonvortex.com/

Rogue Valley ZipLine Adventure (2019). Website: https://rvzipline.com/