• The South Umpqua Bridge at Days Creek is a perfect roadside swimming hole
• You can find excellent minerals throughout the gravels
The South Fork of the Umpqua River winds 115 miles from the high Cascades through the Umpqua National Forest canyon to Tiller and Days Creek, flows through the South Umpqua Valley at Canyonville, and joins the North Umpqua River 8 miles northwest of Roseburg. Though the scenic river offers a four-season experience, warmer months are the best for a wide range of summer activities including swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, rafting, and rockhounding.
South Umpqua Bridge Swimming
The South Fork of the Umpqua River near an unincorporated community Days Creek is a perfect roadside swimming hole. The beach and swimming area are located under the bridge on the west bank. The beach can be accessed by a short trail that starts at the southwest side of the bridge and leads down under the bridge to the river bank. The river is deep here. The turquoise-colored water is transparent. The 4-foot rock that is situated across the river is used as a jumping spot.
South Umpqua Bridge Rockhounding
A gravel bar on the northeastern bank of the river provides opportunities to find excellent minerals throughout the gravels including quartz, agate, jasper, pyrite, and schist. If you drive east, turn left as soon as you cross the bridge onto the dead-end road. You can park your car near the highway or drive to the end of the road where you will find a hardly visible trailhead between blackberry bushes. The path goes down and then turns right before it reaches the river. Follow the trail to the river gravels. The trail is very steep and can be slippery during rains, so it is not suggested for children and the elderly.
South Umpqua Bridge | Facts
Open: Open year-round
Location: Days Creek
Amenities: None
Activities: Swimming, rockhounding
Distance from the trailhead: Short
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: None
Accommodations: Lodging in Canyonville, Campgrounds in the Umpqua National Forest
Elevation (waterfall): 760 ft (232 m)
South Umpqua Bridge is located:
- 34 miles east of Roseburg
- 77 miles north of Medford
- 105 miles southeast of Eugene.
Rockhounding
Rocks & Minerals: Quartz, agate, jasper, pyrite, and schist
Tools: Geology pick
Water Characteristics
Swimming hole rating: 4 out of 5
Body of Water: River
Water quality: Transparent
Current: Light to moderate
Depth: Deep
Beach: Sand & pebble
Water T° (summer): Cool (70°F in August)
Adventures Nearby
Directions to South Umpqua Bridge
From I-5 in Canyonville,
- Take exit 98 and turn left onto 1st Street
- Turn right onto Main Street and then onto 3d Street
- Continue 6.9 miles east on Douglas County Highway 1 to South Umpqua Bridge in Days Creek.
GPS (Trailhead to the rockhounding area): N 42°58.391' W 123°10.253' | 42.973183, -123.170883
GPS (Trailhead to the swimming area): N 42°58.342' W 123°10.361' | 42.972367, -123.172683