Umpqua National Forest is one of the lesser-visited national forests in southwest Oregon. With stunning waterfalls and amazing nature to explore, Umpqua is conveniently located near Crater Lake National Park.
We’d heard about Toketee Falls in Umpqua, but were completely surprised by how many easily accessible waterfalls there are in the national forest! If you’re looking for a great national forest experience, Umpqua National is definitely worth a visit.
With so many amazing places to explore and no crowds to worry about, it’s truly a national forest to be reckoned with. Read on for my list of 9 Must-See Places in Umpqua
All You Need To Know About Umpqua National Forest
Umpqua National Forest was established in the early 1900s. Native Americans have been living in the area of national forests for more than thousands of years. The name Umpqua is derived from the phrase “across the waters” or “thundering waters.” Parts of the Umpqua National Forest are classified as wilderness areas.
The Umpqua NF has been affected by numerous wildfires over the years. If you visit the northwest side of Umpqua NF, near Roseburg, you will likely find evidence of past fires. If you are up for the famous Umpqua National Forest camping then you should definitely visit Umpqua.
Where You Can Stay In Umpqua National Forest
There are many National Forest Campgrounds throughout the Umpqua. We stayed at Union Creek Campground on the Rogue River. However, there are many different campgrounds depending on the part of the national forest you plan to visit.
Diamond Lake Resort: Diamond Lake Resort is situated in Umpqua National Forest along the northern side of Diamond Lake. It is very close to the northern boundary of Crater Lake National Park. There are many lodging options available at Diamond Lake Resort. Cabins and motel rooms are available.
Crater Lake National Park Lodges: Because Crater Lake is so close to Umpqua National Park, it is another option to stay at Crater Lake. Crater Lake is home to a beautiful lodge, cabins, and campground. Although the main lodge is expensive, it is located along the edge of Crater Lake which is very unique.
Top 10 Things To Do In Umpqua National Forest
Now we are going to talk about the top 10 fun things you can do in the national forest of Umpqua. Here are all those fun things:
1) Visit Susan Creek Falls:
Susan Creek Falls is a surprisingly cute waterfall at the bottom of a small trail that runs through part of the Umpqua National Forest that was affected by wildfires in 2020. It’s a 1.5-mile round-trip waterfall on a relatively flat trail.
2) Go To The Fall Creek Falls:
Fall Creek Falls is a 2 tier waterfall that’s a 1.1-mile round-trip waterfall. The trail that leads to the bottom of Fall Creek Falls follows a small canyon, weaving through and around some unique rock formations. Fall Creek Falls was one of the hardest hit by the 2020 wildfires and most of the trees along the trail were blackened and felled.
3) Do Not Miss The Toketee Falls:
Toketee Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in the Umpqua National Forest. The hike to Toketee Falls is about 0.9 miles round trip. There are a lot of stairs on the trail, but it is well-maintained and groomed.
At the bottom of the trail, there is a viewing platform with a picture of the falls on it. The best time to visit Toketee is after sunset when the canyon is still lit up by the sun’s rays.
4) Spend Time In Umpqua National Forest Hot Springs:
About 0.8 miles from the trailhead is Umpqua National Forest Hot Springs, which is about 4 miles away from the trailhead. To get to the hot springs, you’ll need $5 cash or an America the Beautiful Annual Pass.
5) Go To The Watson Falls:
At 293 feet, Watson Falls is the highest waterfall in the region and the third highest in Oregon. It’s a 0.8-mile round trip to Watson Falls from the main road. The trail winds through a mossy forest, ending at a wooden bridge over the creek. Walkers can also get up close to the falls.
6) Visit The Clearwater Falls:
Clearwater Falls is also a beautiful waterfall, and it’s a 0.2-mile round-trip flat trail to the falls. It’s a magical, moss-covered waterfall that’s so easy to make a stop on your drive.
7) Go To Watch The Lemolo Lake:
Lemolo Lake is about 4 miles from the main road and has many campgrounds along the lake’s shore. It’s a beautiful lake with great views of Mount Thielsen and is a beautiful blue color. It’s perfect for kayaking or paddleboarding.
8) Do Not Miss The Diamond Lake:
Diamond Lake is situated very close to the Umpqua National Forest boundary with Crater Lake National Park. Mt. Thielsen is on one side of the lake and Mt. Bailey is on the other side. There are several campgrounds and Diamond Lake Resort (that we have mentioned above) around Diamond Lake.
9) Spend Some Time In The Rogue River Gorge:
The Rogue River Gorge is the last place we would recommend visiting in the Umpqua. Here you will find a main viewing area with paved trails and signs that explain the area. A river flows through the gorge carved out of volcanic rock. Part of the river flows through an underground volcanic cave.
10) Make A Road Trip For The Umpqua National Forest:
This is a very special place to visit. To see all of these places in order, you will need to start from Roseland Oregon, and drive east toward Crater Lake. You will take the following route: Roseland, Oregon to Prospect, Oregon. You can also do Umpqua National Forest camping.
Conclusion
To wrap it up all we can say is that the Umpqua National Forest is one of the most adventurous places with lots of surprises. If you want to take a break from everyday life then you should definitely go for a trip to the national forest of Umpqua. Hope you find this article interesting.
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