The Heart of the Umpqua Valley

Perched at the northern edge of the county where I-5 crests the hills, Rice Hill has welcomed travelers for generations. It is a small, unincorporated community best known as a beloved stop for a scoop of ice cream on a summer drive, a little landmark that locals and road-trippers alike have loved for decades. Rolling oak-covered hills and open valley views make this the first taste of the Umpqua for anyone arriving from the north.

One of the oldest incorporated towns in the county, Oakland is a place where the past is beautifully preserved. Its brick-and-storefront downtown is one of Oregon's designated historic districts, lined with antique shops, a local museum, and a small-town warmth that feels like stepping back in time. Surrounded by rolling farmland and quiet country roads, Oakland offers a slower pace and a strong sense of heritage just minutes off the interstate.

Once an orchard town, Sutherlin has grown into one of the valley's most welcoming communities while keeping its friendly, small-town feel. Cooper Creek Reservoir sits right at the edge of town, offering fishing, boating, and quiet mornings on the water, and the surrounding hills glow gold in late summer. With a walkable downtown, community events, and room to grow, Sutherlin has become a favorite for families and newcomers looking for space and connection.

Tucked into the hills southwest of Roseburg along the South Umpqua, Winston is best known as the home of Wildlife Safari, a 600-acre drive-through animal park where lions, cheetahs, and elephants roam against a backdrop of oak savanna. Beyond the safari, Winston offers riverside parks, an easygoing pace, and a tight-knit community that punches well above its size in local pride.

Sitting just south of Roseburg between the county seat and Winston, Green is a growing residential community that blends country surroundings with quick access to everything Roseburg offers. With the South Umpqua nearby and the convenience of the interstate at its doorstep, Green is a comfortable spot for those who want a little breathing room without straying far from town.

Named for the fragrant myrtle groves that grow along its banks, Myrtle Creek is a classic Umpqua river town with deep roots in the county's mining and timber history. The South Umpqua winds right through it, and Riverbend Park offers a green ribbon of trails, fields, and picnic spots along the water. With a historic downtown and a strong community spirit, Myrtle Creek holds tight to the character that makes small-town Oregon special.

Just south of Myrtle Creek, Tri-City is a peaceful residential community set among the rolling hills and river valleys of the southern county. It offers an affordable, unhurried lifestyle close to the outdoor recreation of the South Umpqua, with the conveniences of Myrtle Creek and Roseburg both within easy reach.

Where Canyon Creek meets the South Umpqua and the hills begin to rise toward the mountains, Canyonville marks the southern gateway to the valley. It is home to the Seven Feathers Casino Resort, operated by the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, a major regional destination and employer. With a walkable historic core, a proud community, and dramatic canyon scenery all around, Canyonville blends small-town life with a lively sense of place.

Set in a quiet valley just off the interstate, Riddle is a small community with a long industrial and mining heritage and a beautiful, hemmed-in setting among the hills of the southern county. It offers a genuinely rural pace of life, close-knit neighbors, and quick access to the South Umpqua and the surrounding forest country.