Generated illustration of a natural swimming setting; not a photograph of this location
QuarryOR

The Quarry

By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated

Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.

See reviewed photos of The Quarry near Ashland and learn what to confirm about access, swimming permission, parking and camping before planning a visit.

Water type
Quarry
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Current admission, parking terms and operating hours not verified; do not assume free access.
Best season
Confirm whether a visit is authorized before choosing a date
Nearby towns
Medford, Ashland
Water body
Quarry Pond Associated With The Saved Rock Quarry Record Near Keno Access Road Outside Ashland; Not Howard Prairie Lake

Location

Map & Directions

OR
Nearby towns
Medford, Ashland
Access location not verified
42.2675, -122.4192
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.

Sources & checks

This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.

Swimming rules
Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check with the land manager before entering the water.
Access location not verified
The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
Record updated
· This is a data update, not a field visit.

Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.

The Quarry near Ashland: what the photos show and what remains unverified

The historical listing describes a quarry pond near Keno Access Road off Dead Indian Memorial Road outside Ashland. The saved Rock Quarry place record aligns with that location, but a map listing is not permission to enter. This is a different destination from Howard Prairie Lake.

Check ownership and permission first

We have not established the current owner, responsible land manager or public swimming policy. The former assertion that the site is on national forest land has been withdrawn. Confirm authorized access and parking before planning a visit, and respect gates, fences and signs. A Google operational flag does not authorize swimming or camping.

Read the gallery as historical scenery

The reviewed collection shows a pond with wooded banks and a separate exposed rock bank. Neither image establishes present water quality, depth, a usable exit or a legal public viewpoint. Photos of visitors on ledges and a gear-filled clearing were not selected. The gallery is not a cliff-jumping guide.

Do not rely on the old driving or camping advice

The historical turn distances, gravel turnout and looping perimeter-road route have not been verified as a legal current approach. We have retired them from visitor instructions. References to informal campsites are not campground authorization. No current fee, opening hours, facilities or maintained water-entry route has been confirmed.

Separate water appearance from water safety

The Oregon Health Authority's recreational advisories explain that many waterbodies are not monitored. An attractive photograph or absence of an advisory is not a site-specific water-quality clearance. Oregon's cold-water guidance also warns that warm air does not make immersion safe. These are statewide resources, not quarry access rules.

A useful next step for trip planning

Before using this location for an outing, establish who controls the property, whether visitors are allowed, where parking is authorized and whether swimming is permitted. If those answers cannot be confirmed, choose a managed destination with published visitor rules. Do not jump or dive from the quarry edges.

Getting There

The historical listing places this quarry near Keno Access Road off Dead Indian Memorial Road outside Ashland, separate from Howard Prairie Lake. The old 18.5-mile drive, quarter-mile turnout and perimeter-road instructions have not been verified as a current legal approach and should not be used to enter the site. Confirm ownership, access permission and authorized parking before departure. The retained historical pin is not a confirmed public entrance or swimming entry. Respect barriers and do not use informal roads or roadside spaces as proof of permission.

Access Notes

Saved September 2026 Google data identifies Rock Quarry near the historical pin, but no owner or land-manager access policy was established. Our former national forest ownership assertion is withdrawn. No verified opening or closure determination is made.

Plan Your Visit

Parking & Access

Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.

Regulations & Fees

Confirm the owner or responsible land manager and current rules before entering. Do not cross gates, fences or posted restrictions. This review does not establish permission to swim, jump, dive or camp. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.

Seasonality & Flow

Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.

Nearby Facilities

Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.

Map data retrieved 2026-06-15

Emigrant Lake County Campground

Campground

12.7 mi 4.3 (29)

12 Campground, Ashland, OR 97520

Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water

Ashland's Creekside Campground and RV Park

Campground

13.3 mi 4 (347)

5310 OR-66, Ashland, OR 97520

Ashland RV Park

RV park

13.4 mi 5 (31)

2925 OR-66, Ashland, OR 97520

Ashland Welcome Center - Travel Oregon

Visitor center

13.8 mi 4.7 (571)

at milepost 12.7 (Northbound Access Only Latitude: 42, 1678 Longitude: -122.6527, Ashland, OR 97520

Restroom

Garfield Park Restrooms

Public bathroom

15 mi

Ashland, OR 97520

Public restroom (Ashland Dog Park)

Public bathroom

15.5 mi

880 Perozzi Street, Ashland, OR 97520

Ashland Public Parking

Parking lot

15.8 mi 3 (3)

130 N Pioneer St, Ashland, OR 97520

Travel Ashland Oregon

Visitor center

15.9 mi 4 (4)

110 E Main St, Ashland, OR 97520

Restroom

Frequently Asked Questions About The Quarry

Is The Quarry near Ashland open to the public?

Current public access has not been verified. The saved Google record does not establish landowner consent or visitor rules.

Is The Quarry the same as Howard Prairie Lake?

No. The historical listing describes a separate quarry pond near Keno Access Road. Do not transfer lake facilities or permissions to it.

Can I camp around the quarry?

Camping authorization has not been confirmed. Old campsite descriptions and photos of visitor gear are not proof of a permitted campground.

Do the photos mean the water is safe for swimming?

No. Historical scenery does not establish current water quality, depth, temperature, submerged hazards or a usable exit.

Should I follow the old turnout directions or jump from the rocks?

No. The old approach has not been verified as a current legal route, and we do not recommend jumping or diving from quarry ledges.

Highlights

Reviewed quarry pond and rocky-bank photos
Separate identity from Howard Prairie Lake
Clear distinction between a map record and access permission

Location & Area Map

Safety Information

Important Safety Tips

  • Do not jump or dive from quarry ledges
  • Photos cannot establish depth, submerged hazards, stable footing, temperature or an exit route
  • For a separately authorized water outing, use a properly fitted life jacket and do not treat strong swimming ability as protection against cold water

Cultural & Historical Context

Historical Background

The site's quarry identity is recorded in historical directions and saved place data. Ownership, operating history and reclamation details have not been independently established.

Photography Guide

Photo Opportunities

Two historical photos from the matched Rock Quarry collection show a wooded pond and exposed rocky bank. They are not evidence of legal public viewpoints, present conditions or safe water entry.

Conservation & Ethics

Protect This Place

Respect property boundaries and closures. Do not create access paths, leave waste or assume an informal fire ring or campsite is authorized.

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At a Glance

Best Time to Visit
Confirm whether a visit is authorized before choosing a date; no current visitor hours verified.
Difficulty Level
Current authorized approach and water-entry difficulty not verified. An old moderate rating is not an access assessment.
Fee
Current admission, parking terms and operating hours not verified; do not assume free access.
Facilities
Do not rely on this listing for toilets, drinking water, lifeguards, maintained paths or rescue services. Their presence or absence has not been independently established.
Activities
Destination research and trip-planning checks; no verified swimming or camping recommendation.
Phone
No verified site operator or visitor information phone established.

Safety & Access Notice

This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.

You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.

Camping Information

Camping authorization not verified. Historical descriptions of campsites and photos of visitor gear do not establish a designated or permitted campground.

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Safety & Access Notice

This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.

  • Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
  • Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
  • Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
  • Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
  • Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
  • Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.

You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.

J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes

Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.

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