There are hundreds of Sacred Sites throughout the Southern Oregon and the Rogue Valley. Crater Lake seems to be the one which draws the most travelers and is approached with a certain reverential awe. This reverence typifies our Mission across the entire region.
The views here are breathtaking…
…they have stories to tell.
Our mission is to create personal, educational, and heart-warming adventures that leave you inspired and deeply connected to this place.
To truly understand a place, you need more than a map or a lookout. You need the stories that unfold the layers of meaning: ancient geology, living ecosystems, and the human stories that bring the landscape to life. Our role is to unfold those layers, helping you understand not just what you’re seeing, but how it came to be.
Based in the Rogue Valley for over 20 years, we’re proud to share Southern Oregon’s most spectacular landscapes, cultures, history, and lore— through the eyes of those who know it best.
At ROGUETROTTER we are dedicated to the education and spiritual enrichment of our guests and our community. We understand that the ancestors of the Modoc, Takelma, Klamath and Umpqua tribes have been coming to Crater Lake for thousands of years before its ‘discovery’. Native Americans revered Crater Lake and they named it Giiwas, meaning ‘a sacred place’. It is abundantly clear that we are on sacred ground that belongs to everyone:no matter what their race, gender, creed or political opinions. Crater Lake is sacred for every person who sets eyes on it. We believe that Crater Lake holds a shared story, or Mythos, that can actually help HEAL our rampant political division. We are very concerned to convey a sense of reverential awe when treading on this sacred ground— akin to a religious pilgrimage or spiritual journey. That’s how it was for the Tribes of the Klamath, Rogue and Umpqua and that’s how it is for us.
We understand that these tribes were besieged by white settlers, horribly mistreated and then driven from their ancestral homes.
We want to learn their history and tell their story the best we can.
Meet your guide:
Nathan Dwyer, Owner/Operator
Tour guide, adventurer, storyteller, world traveler and dad. Nathan has been a guide, teacher, storyteller and world traveler. His passion is showcasing the majestic landscapes of Crater Lake, Redwood National Park, and the Oregon Coast. He has cycle toured across Europe and Scandinavia, East Asia and Canada.
Nathan has lived in Ashland on and off for a total of twelve years. After a nine year stint in San Francisco as a wine steward and guide he happily relocated with his rapidly growing family back to the Rogue Valley.
Larry Smith — A Lifetime of Exploring Crater Lake
Larry Smith spent nearly three decades as an interpretive ranger at Crater Lake National Park, where he brought the park’s geology, lore, and hidden stories to life for visitors. For the last 30 years, Larry has been a teacher in Jacksonville, Oregon, weaving natural history into classroom and field lessons that inspired generations of students. A dedicated historian and author, Larry co‑authored Crater Lake: The Story Behind the Scenery and helped compile The Smith Brothers’ Chronological History of Crater Lake National Park, a definitive record of the park’s past. He also led the charge in the Jacksonville Woodlands Project, helping protect hundreds of acres of wooded trails and cultural landscape. Today he continues guiding guests with insight, passion, and a storyteller’s touch that reveals why this region captivates so many.
Brandon Breen: Tour Guide and Bird Specialist
Brandon is an ornithologist and writer who has lived in Ashland, Oregon since 2012. Brandon has worked on numerous avian research projects throughout the USA and abroad, focusing on such species as the California and Andean condors, the gray-crowned rosy-finch, and the golden-cheeked warbler. Brandon studied turkey vultures in the Falkland Islands for his M.Sc. in Conservation Biology from the University of Minnesota.
Brandon leads backpacking and birding trips for the Sierra Club, Rogue Valley Audubon Society, and Main Street Tours. The bird Brandon would most like to see is the cream-colored woodpecker.
Robin Wagner: Writer, Naturalist, Educator
Robin Bliss Wagner is a seasoned naturalist and outdoor educator who has guided students and guests since 2004 in tracking, bird language, and deep nature connection. Drawing on years of wilderness experience — from Southern Oregon to traditional forager camps — he brings stories, ecological insight, and experiential skills to every adventure. A writer and program developer on nature connection, Robin inspires people of all ages to see the natural world with fresh eyes. Based in Southern Oregon, he guides with curiosity, skill, and a passion for revealing the hidden stories of the landscape.
URGENT UPDATE: Our beloved Robin has been involved in a tragic accident while felling trees for fire mitigation and is currently in a coma. Our prayers go out to his family at this time of crisis. There is currently a Go Fund Me to help support his family and his recovery. If you are able, please consider this an urgent plea for help- any donation would be extremely helpful.
Chris Wagenet “The Weather Man”: Tour Guide, Teacher
Chris is a registered meteorologist who is on call for KOBI-TV. He also teaches math at Crater High School. Every day off he prefers to be in the woods hiking, biking or guiding our trips. He plays a pretty tune or two on the piano as well.
Ask for him as a guide and you’ll have one of the best!
M. Kim Lewis and Ginny Billings Lewis: Founders
Main Street Tours was founded in 2005 by Kim and Ginny Billings Lewis. It is an expression of decades of love and appreciation for the rare quality of life we all share who are able to call the Southern Oregon region “home.”
Arthur Dwyer: Toddler, Intrepid Swashbuckler and Mud Puddle Specialist
Arthur has been jumping up and down in mud puddles for a couple of years now and has a goodworking knowledge of how to:
- find them,
- jump in them and
- make it look really fun.
He is thinking of going on to Phd in puddles so that he can extol the virtues of jumping in them to academics and lay persons alike.
