Prescott Park is a 1,740-acre municipal open space and wilderness recreation area located at 3030 Roxy Ann Road along the eastern edge of Medford, Oregon. Established between 1930 and 1931 through a 200-acre donation from the Medford Lions Club and a 1,500-acre acquisition under the Federal Lands to Parks Act, it ranks as the second-largest city-owned park in Oregon after Portland’s Forest Park. The park encompasses the upper slopes and summit of Roxy Ann Peak, an ancient Western Cascade volcanic neck rising 3,571 feet above sea level and roughly 2,200 feet above the Bear Creek Valley floor. Hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners, and equestrians visit for multi-use dirt singletrack, oak woodland habitats, and sweeping vistas stretching from Mount McLoughlin to Mount Shasta.
What to Expect at Prescott Park
Recreation at Prescott Park centers on an interconnected network of dirt service roads and singletrack trails climbing the flanks of Roxy Ann Peak. Most visitors start at the lower Twilight Way gate or drive 2.4 miles up Roxy Ann Road to the upper gated turnabout, where vehicles must park before continuing on foot or bicycle. The wide Roxy Ann Peak Loop Road encircles the upper cone and leads to the 3,571-foot summit, which features stone picnic shelters built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s alongside communications towers and clear southern and western overlooks. On clear days, the viewpoints reveal the Rogue Valley cities of Medford, Ashland, and Central Point, framed by the Siskiyou Mountains, Table Rocks, and the High Cascades.
Beyond the main gravel service road, singletrack trails weave through Oregon white oak savannas, Pacific madrone groves, ponderosa pine stands, and open chaparral meadows. The Madrone Trail, Ponderosa Trail, Black Oak Trail, and Manzanita Trail provide varying gradients and technical rock sections favored by local mountain bikers and trail runners. Spring brings carpets of camas, balsamroot, and lupine across the open south-facing slopes, while autumn turns the oak and bigleaf maple canopy gold and amber. After heavy winter rain or snow, the native clay soils on the lower slopes become slick and adhesive, making the gravel-surfaced main loop road the most reliable route.
- Roxy Ann Peak Summit & Loop Road: A wide, 2.5-mile gravel and dirt loop encircling the upper peak at 3,571 feet, offering panoramic viewpoints over the Rogue River Valley, Table Rocks, and Mount Shasta.
- Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Stone Shelters: Historic 1930s Depression-era stonework picnic structures and walls built near the upper slopes that provide shaded rest stops for hikers.
- Singletrack Trail System: Miles of named trails—including the Madrone, Ponderosa, Black Oak, and Manzanita trails—designed for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
- Wildflower & Oak Woodland Ecology: Over 1,700 acres of protected chaparral, Oregon white oak, and ponderosa pine ecosystems supporting black-tailed deer, wild turkeys, acorn woodpeckers, and seasonal spring wildflowers.
- Challenge Course Facility: An outdoor team-building and ropes course area managed by the Medford Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department for pre-booked community and educational groups.
Prescott Park at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 3030 Roxy Ann Rd, Medford, OR 97504 |
| Neighborhood / Area | East Medford / Roxy Ann Peak |
| Operating Hours | Daily 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (upper vehicle access gate hours vary seasonally from 7:00 AM to dusk) |
| Admission / Price Range | Free admission and parking ($) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 3 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Free gravel parking lots at the Twilight Way lower trailhead and the upper Roxy Ann Road gate |
| Official Website & Phone | medfordoregon.gov | +1 541-774-2400 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
To reach the park from Interstate 5, take Exit 27 (Medford) or Exit 30 (North Medford) and follow Crater Lake Highway or Barnett Road east toward Hillcrest Road, turning onto Roxy Ann Road and climbing 2.4 miles to the upper parking turnouts. Because the upper vehicle gate is locked promptly at closing time each evening, always check the posted gate sign upon arrival so your car is not locked inside after hours. Summer afternoon temperatures in the Rogue Valley regularly exceed 95°F, so start hikes early in the morning and carry at least two liters of water per person, as there is no potable running water on the mountain. Portable toilets are stationed at the main trailhead parking areas, and dogs are welcome on leashes.
Regarding physical accessibility, the park occupies steep mountain terrain with unpaved gravel roads and rocky singletrack trails; there are no paved ADA pathways, though sturdy all-terrain strollers can manage the wide upper gravel loop road during dry weather. After descending Roxy Ann Road, visitors are a five-minute drive from RoxyAnn Winery at the base of the peak (3283 Hillcrest Road), housed in the historic 1902 Hillcrest Orchard barn and offering Rogue Valley estate wine tastings and patio seating. Downtown Medford—with its craft breweries, rogue creamery cheese shops, and Alba Park—lies 15 minutes west, while the Upper and Lower Table Rocks trailheads sit 25 minutes northwest across the valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours at Prescott Park and when is the best time to visit?
Prescott Park is open daily with standard administrative hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, though the upper Roxy Ann Road vehicle gate adjusts seasonally to stay open later toward dusk in spring and summer. The best times to visit are April through early June for spring wildflowers and mild temperatures, or September through October for crisp air and autumn foliage.
Is there an admission fee or parking pass required for Prescott Park?
Admission and parking at Prescott Park are completely free year-round. No municipal, state, or federal parking pass is required to use the lower Twilight Way parking area or the upper Roxy Ann Road trailhead lots.
How much time should I budget to hike Roxy Ann Peak?
Visitors parking at the upper Roxy Ann Road gate should budget 1.5 to 2 hours to walk the 4-mile round-trip summit road loop at a comfortable pace with stops at the overlooks. Hikers and mountain bikers starting from the lower Twilight Way trailhead should allow 2.5 to 3.5 hours to complete the full climb and singletrack descent.
Are dogs and mountain bikes allowed on the trails at Prescott Park?
Yes, both mountain bikes and dogs are permitted throughout Prescott Park, and equestrians also use the trail system. Mountain bikers must yield to hikers and horses on shared trails, and dogs should be kept under control on a leash and cleaned up after at all times.
When planning your Medford travel guide or comparing verified attractions and parks in Medford, pair this stop with standout local spots including Nappi's Restaurant, SpringHill Suites Medford, Hampton Inn Medford, and Oregon Hills Park (2.9 km away).
