Sports & Outdoor Recreation
Cycling
Scenic bike and walking paths are located throughout the city of Roseburg. Douglas County has numerous marked bike routes. In recent years, the Land of Umpqua has hosted several CycleOregon events and has seen growth in wine/cycling tourism. Not only does the area offer scenic bike paths located along the South Umpqua River and throughout the city of Roseburg, but also through the rolling valleys of rural Douglas County. Whether your preferred ride is five miles or a hundred miles, the Land of the Umpqua has it all.
Rock Climbing
The Land of Umpqua is home to over 200 climbing routes, including over 100 routes in the ever popular Callahan Mountains. Located 25 minutes west of Roseburg, with an elevation of 2,200-2,500 feet, the Callahans offer a good climbing experience year round. For occasional seasonal closures in the North Umpqua area, call the North Umpqua Ranger District. The Youtlkut Pillars, east of Roseburg, sit at elevation of 4,000 feet and offers climbers a volcanic multi-columnar crag with documented and undocumented routes. Recorded routes have fixed anchors at the top with climbs ranging from 5.6 to 5.9. The cracks of this 100 foot pillared face give climbers a chance to make their own routes or try one known to previous climbers.
Disc Golf
Roseburg also boasts three disc golf courses, each with unique fairway challenges they are enjoyable for both novice or expert. Whistler’s Bend disc golf course is considered by many enthusiasts to be one of the best courses in the Northwest. Located within 175 acre Whistler’s Bend county park, this 18-hole gem is bordered on three sides by North Umpqua River. Riverfront Disc Golf Course is centrally located in Roseburg and shares boundaries with Stewart Park and the VA grounds. Nestled alongside the South Umpqua River and the bike path and features 14 Mach 2 baskets and 4 tone poles. Green Oaks Park located in Green District along Roberts Creek, the disc golf course has 6 Mach 2 baskets with three tee pads each hole.
Golf
The Land of Umpqua offers exceptional experiences for golfers of all kinds and skill levels. In addition to 18-hole public courses in Myrtle Creek and Sutherlin, Roseburg has its 9-hole public Stewart Park Municipal Golf Course located in the heart of the city and the Roseburg Country Club, a private club. The Roseburg Country Club offers an 18-hole championship golf course. This club is reciprocal with other private member clubs.
North Umpqua Trail System
The North Umpqua Trail is one of the best ways to experience the beauty and majesty of the Umpqua National Forest. The 79-mile North Umpqua Trail in the Cascade Mountains offers hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, photography, fishing and sightseeing opportunities abound.
Hiking
Hundreds of hiking trails for the “backpacking enthusiast” are offered along the NUT, in addition to hundreds of beautiful trails throughout other parts of the Land of Umpqua. Campgrounds are located along the trail. Primitive camping along the trail is allowed but it is recommended in locations out of view from other trail users.
The North Umpqua Trail offers year-round hiking with breathtaking views, countless waterfalls and endless outdoor activities from bird watching, botanical sightseeing and photography to horseback riding. Detailed hiking maps and brochures are available at the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce.
Whitewater Rafting, Kayaking & Boating
The Umpqua Rivers provide numerous additional recreational opportunities. Two of the most popular are rafting and kayaking. Local rafting guides can provide exciting river adventures, offering half and full-day outings over Class I, II, III and IV rapids. Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on the North Umpqua River, a steep and rugged canyon with towering Douglas Fir forests. A number of guide services hold permits for the wild and scenic portion of the river.
Other activities and experiences include boating, water skiing, swimming, brilliant waterfalls and natural hot springs.
Reservoirs, lakes and rivers throughout the Land of Umpqua offer a variety of boating opportunities. The Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center has a guide which includes information on boat access points along the North, South and main Umpqua Rivers.
Mountain Biking
Hundreds of hiking trails for the “backpacking enthusiast” are offered along the NUT, in addition to hundreds of beautiful trails throughout other parts of the Land of Umpqua. Campgrounds are located along the trail. Primitive camping along the trail is allowed but it is recommended in locations out of view from other trail users.
The North Umpqua Trail offers year-round hiking with breathtaking views, countless waterfalls and endless outdoor activities from bird watching, botanical sightseeing and photography to horseback riding. Detailed hiking maps and brochures are available at the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce.
Crater Lake
Every year, Crater Lake National Park melts away months of winter snow revealing its summertime glory. For visitors during the summer months the bright sunny days at the crater rim make for the best pictures of the lake capturing an array of brilliant blue and turquoise water. Summertime activities include hiking, boat tours, trolley tours, ranger-guided programs and a number of other activities available at Crater Lake National Park. The park is open year-round and activities aren’t limited to just the summer months. Visitors during the winter months will find a winter wonderland setting for snowy adventures (see page 15 of the InUmpqua for winter activities).
The Steel Visitor Center is open every day except December 25. Open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from mid-April to early November and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm the rest of the year. The Rim Visitor Center at Rim Village is open daily 9:30 am to 5:00 pm from late May to late September. (541) 594-3000
Diamond Lake
Nestled in the southern Cascade Mountains with an incredible view of Mt. Thielsen as its backdrop, Diamond Lake is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Located just five miles north of the Crater Lake National Park access from Roseburg by the picturesque North Umpqua segment of the Rogue-Umpqua National Scenic Byway. While it certainly offers everything one would expect from a lake with a surface covering more than 3,000 acres, the area offers so much more than water-related activities.
Summer recreational activities including Rainbow Trout fishing, boating (charters for fishing, patio boats, paddle boats, bumper boats, kayaks and canoes are all available to rent) and water sports. Non-water activities include cycling on paved trails, mountain biking on single track dirt trails, horseback riding, hiking, camping with volleyball, horseshoeing and more.
Diamond Lake Resort, Oregon’s Gem of the Cascades, offers a motel, cabins and the RV park offers full hook up spaces from May to October (snow permitting). The resort also boasts a café, South Shore Pizza (seasonal—summer) and the Mount Bailey Grill & Sports Lounge.
The US Forest Service manages three campgrounds with over 450 camping sites in the Diamond Lake area, with both reserved and first-come, first-served camp sites, including restrooms, showers, drinking water and RV dump site.
Loon Lake
Between Roseburg and the coast you’ll find tranquil Loon Lake, a favorite family getaway with plenty of activities. Guarded from the coastal winds and fog by the scenic mountains of the Coastal Range, Loon Lake offers a more temperate climate than the coast and inland valleys. The calm surface of the lake from the mountain barriers makes for some of the smoothest water skiing in southern Oregon. In addition to water skiing, activities include swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding, just to name a few. Visitors will find a selection of equipment rentals are available, from pontoon boats and ski boats to paddle boards and canoes, to enhance their lake experience.
The lodge area of the lake offers a full-service deli with deck overlooking the lake, an ice cream stand, gas station, general store and a gift shop. Sandy swimming beach, snack shack, and boat docks can be found in the marina area. Loon Lake also has a sandy beach and volleyball court and summer activities planned by resort staff.
A variety of lodging options are available at Loon Lake including vacation rentals, cabins, cottages, and even yurts. For those looking for a more outdoorsy overnight option, the lake also offers RV sites and tent camping. For reservations call (541) 599-2244
