South Oregon Camping and Fishing |
Umpqua River
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Umpqua River
The North Umpqua River
The spectacular Umpqua
River, with it's north and south branches, provides the
backdrop for one of Oregon's most scenic drive tours - Highway 138
from Reedsport to Roseburg to Diamond Lake. Whitewater rafting,
riverside trails for hiking, horseback and mountain bike use,
steelhead, salmon, and trout fishing, hot springs, and many
spectacular waterfalls can all be found here.
The South Umpqua, nourished by Castle Rock
Fork and other streams of the Cascades, winds its way through the
Umpqua Valley. This river is a lifeline for a majority of the area's
people, who live near it or its many tributaries.
Rogue-Umpqua Wilderness
The 33,200 acre Rogue-Umpqua Wilderness area ranges in elevation from 2,800 to over 6,700 feet. The wilderness is located in southwestern Oregon, 10 miles from Crater Lake National Park. The area is characterized by timbered valleys of Douglas Fir rising to alpine meadows with stands of firs. The beautiful 90 acre Fish Lake is located in the wilderness.
Numerous trails criss-cross the wilderness. The most popular is the 31.4 mile Rogue-Umpqua Divide National Recreation Trail. This trail offers exceptional views both east and west as it weaves its way across the crest of the divide. To the west lies the irregular and deeply dissected terrain of the Umpqua drainage. To the east the traveler sees the broad, open Rogue Basin, with the peaks of the high Cascades rising above. In addition to the fine vistas, the divide features a spectacular display of wildflowers in its many meadows from mid-June until August.
Douglas County
410 SE SpruceRoseburg, Oregon 97470. (541) 672-9731, (800) 444-9584.
Stunning Natural Contrasts Grace Douglas County Douglas County, like the other counties of Western Oregon is an area of startling contrasts. Within its borders lie majestic rugged mountains and green, gently rolling hills; spectacular waterfalls and wide, meandering rivers; towering dunes and miles of broad, pristine beaches; thriving communities and unspoiled natural attractions.
The City of Roseburg, located in the center of the Hundred Valleys of the Umpqua River, is the county seat. The center of a thriving lumber industry and home to some of the area's earliest pioneers, the community is deeply steeped in the history of early Oregon. The Douglas County Museum of History and Natural History contains exhibits ranging from a prized, million-year-old saber-toothed tiger to historic artifacts, to exhibits on indigenous botany, geology and zoology.
Taking advantage of the year-round temperate climate, vineyards dot surrounding fertile hillsides. More than six wineries are located within easy driving distance of Roseburg. Blue information signs direct travelers to the winetasting route.
Highway 138, the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, is known as "the highway of the waterfalls." Eighteen miles east of Roseburg the highway reaches the Colliding Rivers Viewpoint, reportedly, the only place in the world where two rivers meet head on. The Umpqua offers great fishing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking and camping.
Further on, past more than a half dozen waterfalls, the byway reaches Lemolo and Diamond Lakes, wilderness areas and a variety of hiking trails. Diamond Lake is a full-service resort open to the public year-round at the base of Mt. Thielsen. Summer months feature hiking, boating, fishing, camping, biking and horseback riding. Winter months bring snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, dog sledding or snowshoeing. For downhill skiing, 8,363-foot Mount Bailey offers the best powder skiing in the region.
From Diamond Lake it's only a short distance to spectacular Crater Lake National Park. The lake, created when 12,000-foot Mt. Mazama collapsed thousands of years ago, is the deepest in North American. A beautiful lodge offers accommodations and dining during the summer.
Strong-legged adventurers can hike a half-mile up a steeply banked trail to reach the Umpqua Hot Springs on the North Umpqua River and then soak their tired limbs.