Independent nonprofit earth-science museum

Crater Rock Museum

About 4.3 driving miles and nine minutes from the railroad park ride entrance

Explore a nonprofit earth-science and lapidary museum about 4.3 miles from Medford Railroad Park, with minerals, fossils, petrified wood, and Oregon geology.

The place

About Crater Rock Museum

Crater Rock Museum is operated by the nonprofit Roxy Ann Gem & Mineral Society in Central Point. Its roughly 12,000-square-foot public museum grew from a 1954 club project and preserves minerals, fossils, petrified wood, rocks, gems, lapidary objects, and regional natural-history stories. The museum describes earth science, paleontology, and hands-on learning as core parts of the visit.

The museum and gift shop are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with final museum entry at 4 p.m. Current general admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and veterans, $5 for students, $20 for a family of four with members older than six, $4 each for groups of ten or more, and free for children five and younger and museum members.

Guided group visits require an appointment. School and field-trip programs use a separate booking contract: reserve at least two weeks ahead, pay a $40 nonrefundable deposit that does not reduce the tour balance, budget $4 per person, and provide at least one chaperone for every ten students. Optional activity books, panning, grab bags, and docent time have separate charges. Confirm the current package directly before collecting money or promising activities.

The society's workshop has separate hours, access rules, and member programming. Ordinary museum admission does not promise workshop access, a guided tour, a school activity, or a live demonstration. The checked official pages do not publish a complete mobility route, accessible-parking specification, pet policy, photography rule, or typical self-guided duration; contact the museum when any of those details controls the visit.

What stands out

Read Oregon's geological record

Use minerals, petrified wood, fossils, and regional specimens to connect the Rogue Valley with volcanic, sedimentary, and biological history.

See lapidary craft

Look for cut, polished, and crafted stone while keeping the society workshop's separate membership and access rules distinct from museum admission.

Build a structured group visit

Reserve guided, school, or field-trip programs early and price each optional activity from the current museum terms before committing a group.

Connect machines and materials

Pair railroad engineering with earth science on separate compatible days, moving from miniature and full-size rail equipment to the stone, metals, and fossils beneath Oregon.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a Medford Railroad Park trip

The checked driving route from the public ride entrance at Medford Railroad Park is about 7.0 kilometers (4.3 miles) and nine minutes before traffic and parking. Crater Rock Museum is normally closed on Sundays, including the railroad park's scheduled Sunday ride days, so combine them on a non-ride-day campus visit or plan the museum for a separate Tuesday-Saturday outing.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • Museum and gift-shop hoursTuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; final museum entry at 4 p.m.
  • Adult admission$7
  • Reduced admission$6 for seniors and veterans; $5 for students
  • Families and young children$20 for a family of four with members over age six; age five and younger free
  • Groups$4 per person for ten or more; reserve guided visits in advance
  • School and field tripsBook at least two weeks ahead; $40 nonrefundable deposit plus current per-person and optional-program charges
  • CollectionsMinerals, rocks, gems, fossils, petrified wood, lapidary work, earth science, and natural history
  • Workshop boundaryThe society workshop has separate member access and hours; museum admission does not include it
  • Accessibility and visitor policiesA complete current mobility route, parking specification, pet rule, and photography policy were not found; contact the museum
  • Drive from railroad parkAbout 4.3 road miles and nine minutes in the checked route, before traffic and parking
  • Same-day boundaryThe museum is closed Sundays, including scheduled public-ride Sundays at the railroad park

Return to the railroad campus

Add Medford Railroad Park

Use the railroad park guide for the Berrydale ride entrance, five remaining 2026 run dates, free-admission boundary, rider rules, campus groups, and full-size equipment context.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

When is Crater Rock Museum open?

The museum and gift shop are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Final museum entry is at 4 p.m.

How much is admission?

$7 for adults, $6 for seniors and veterans, $5 for students, $20 for a family of four with members older than six, $4 each for groups of ten or more, and free for age five and younger and members.

Do groups need reservations?

Guided groups should book ahead. School and field-trip programs require at least two weeks' notice and a $40 nonrefundable deposit that does not reduce the final tour cost.

Does admission include the workshop?

No. The Roxy Ann Gem & Mineral Society workshop has separate hours, member access, and programs.

Is the museum wheelchair-accessible?

The checked official pages do not publish a complete current mobility route or accessible-parking specification. Contact the museum before travel when access controls the visit.

May I bring a pet or take photographs?

A stable current pet or photography policy was not found on the checked official pages. Ask before travel rather than assuming.

How long should I allow?

The museum does not publish a stable self-guided duration. Arrive before the 4 p.m. last-entry cutoff and ask directly if timing is important.

Can I visit after a Sunday railroad-park ride?

Not on the published schedules. Crater Rock Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, while Medford Railroad Park's public rides are on Sundays.

How far is it from Medford Railroad Park?

The checked road route from the Berrydale ride entrance is about 4.3 miles and nine minutes before traffic and parking.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-23. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.