Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway
Umpqua National Forest is arguably the most beautiful section of Oregon, and with good reason. The waterfalls lining the highway, the diverse wildlife, and the expansive sea of trees makes for a scenic yet mysterious place to stay.
One of the best ways to get an overview of everything the forest has to offer is by taking a ride through it all. The Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway is your ticket to exploring the highlights in our forest paradise. This is your guide to the must-know info on the trail.
These three sections are shown below, with their highlights and info listed.
North Umpqua Segment
Roseburg to Clearwater
Distance : 59.4 miles
Drive Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
This section of the drive is where Umpqua’s Last Resort is located, the North Umpqua Segment has many attractions that we highlight in our Attractions Guide! Umpqua Hot Springs and the North Umpqua Trail make for interesting diversions from the overall drive. Learn more about those on our website!
Colliding Rivers
This shortstop will guide you to a bridge where you can look at three separate rivers merging below. It’s a fascinating sight, and is a great place to start your Rogue Umpqua journey.
Swiftwater Park
This park is a great place to walk through the creeks, take in the fresh air, and find different kinds of flora and fauna. This park is also incredibly close to both Umpqua’s Last Resort as well as the North Umpqua Trail’s Swiftwater section.
Rock Creek Hatchery
For a look into a fish’s life, you may want to visit the Rock Creek Hatcher, where different kinds of trout are bred to maintain the population. You can take a tour of the facility, or just spend time looking at the beauty of nature. It’s a unique, fascinating stop on the drive.
High Cascades Segment
Clearwater to Crater Lake Area
Distance: 46.7 miles
Drive Time: 50 minutes
Highway of Waterfalls
We go into more detail on this one in our Waterfalls article, but the High Cascades is often called the Highway of Waterfalls. There are dozens of beautiful columns of water for you to explore, hike to, and take pictures of.
Diamond Lake
While often overlooked compared to Crater Lake, this one is still a great experience! There’s 11 miles of bike and hiking trails around the lake, and it makes for a fun fishing stop, which is more limited in Crater Lake.
Mount Bailey Trail
Want to get a magnificent view of the forest, the Mount Bailey hiking trail will make you king of the world! It’s only for the most serious of hikers, as it’s labeled as a difficult 10 mile hike. You may want to try this hike separate from your Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway experience.
Crater Lake
Obviously the grandest sight in the forest, Crater Lake should be on your bucket list. If you’re looking for what you can do in a short time span, check out our Crater Lake guide for more information. It’s THE thing to see in Umpqua National Forest.
Upper Rogue Segment
Crater Lake Area to Gold Hill
Distance: 57.4 miles
Drive Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Crowfoot Falls
If you want to explore waterfalls that are close to the road, Crowfoot Falls should fit the bill! They are quaint falls that people seem to love toward the end of their Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway experience.
Lost Creek Lake
If you’d rather fish later in the day, Lost Creek Lake is a massive option that offers its own selection of trails to explore.
For more information on the Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway, check out
this document supplied by the state. It’s filled with extra tidbits of info that we weren’t able to cover. This area is naturally beautiful, and we hope you get a chance to experience it all.
