The Best of Roseburg
As much as I love travel and exploring new places, I am in equal parts a homebody who loves local adventures, especially when I can share them with out-of-town friends and family. Today I am sharing some of my favorite places and activities for impressing out of town guests in and around Roseburg.
The Umpqua River: No summer trip to Roseburg would be complete without spending some time in or on the Umpqua River. Of course there is fishing year round, but the snow-melt water is too cold to swim in except during the hottest days of summer. Whether you float the relatively calm parts of the river, hang out with friends to cool off on a sunny day, schedule a rafting trip, take a guided fishing tour, or simply enjoy the view, no trip to the area is complete without enjoying the river in some form or fashion.
Hiking: Time outdoors is a must here. Seriously, Brandon makes fun of the fact that I say “It’s so beautiful here” every single time we are outdoors. Every. Single. Time. There are so many amazing hikes that it is impossible to truly narrow down my favorites, but one of my favorite nearby hikes is North Bank Habitat. The five mile loop is challenging, but the views from the top are unmatched. This is also a popular spot for horseback trail rides. Other trails I recommend are Fall Creek Falls (although the area is still closed following the Archie Creek Fire in 2020, the trail is being actively reconstructed and will hopefully reopen soon), Toketee Falls, and Watson Falls. The 79 mile North Umpqua Trail is comprised of several sections along the river that can be hiked individually or all at once on a multiple day backpacking trip. Twin Lakes is also a place we keep going back to, even if there is that one time I got stuck in the snow trying to get there.
Winter Fun: Speaking of snow, one of the things I love about living here is that I get the best of both worlds - this Southern girl doesn’t have to shovel snow or drive in snow or wear clothes appropriate for snow on any sort of regular basis, but we can go play in the snow anytime we want all winter long. We usually cut down our Christmas tree from a snowy mountainside each December. There’s skiing within a few hours, if that’s your thing. Otherwise, there is snowmobiling, snowshoe trails, and even a snow tubing hill at Diamond Lake Resort, which is also a great place for year round outdoor recreation. In some places, the snow doesn’t melt until summer.
Wine Tasting: The Umpqua Valley is increasingly known for wine production. From downtown tasting rooms to idyllic countryside vineyards, the wine scene here focuses on small, family run vineyards that manage to be relaxing and approachable while offering fantastic wines. Some of my recommendations are Abacela, Spire Mountain, Cooper Ridge, and Melrose Vineyards. If you’re coming to the area, check for local events - many host concerts and chef series dinners.
Wildlife Safari: This is a favorite of Harrison and basically any child (and many adults) we’ve taken there. Wildlife Safari features a drive through safari and small walk through zoo and petting zoo. The animals are, of course, the main attraction, but you can also host events here. The park has world-renowned cheetah breeding program that focuses on releasing cheetahs back into the wild.
Oregon Coast: Whenever I am having a difficult time - feeling overwhelmed or stressed out - this is where I go. From Roseburg, there are several places along the coast that can be enjoyed as a day trip. My top recommendations are Florence and Bandon. Both towns are charming coastal towns with great restaurants and cute shops to go along with the seaside views. One of my all time favorite hikes, along the coast or otherwise, is at Cape Blanco. Just check the weather forecast before you go.
Jet Boats: If you come visit me in the summer, chances are I will try to convince you to take a jet boat trip down the Rogue River with Hellgate Jetboat Excursions. This is a little further south, in Grants Pass, but it is so much fun. This is always a highlight of anyone’s trip.
Crater Lake: I may have saved the best for last. Crater Lake National Park is a place you should see at least once in your life. It defies words. It is open year round, although many roads and facilities are closed for much of the year due to snow. Hiking is best July through September and I have had fun snow shoeing in May. This place is worth every effort to get here. Like with a day trip to the coast, always check the weather before you make the trek to the park.
Whether you’re a southwest Oregon local or visiting from out of town, hopefully you will have a chance to visit some of my favorite spots in and around Roseburg. There is so much to see here and I always love sharing such a special place with those I love. What have I missed? What are your southern Oregon favorites? More importantly, have I convinced you to come visit yet?