South Umpqua Swimming
Swimming Hole at Dumont Creek Campground

• Plenty of swimming spots are located along South Umpqua River

A major tributary of the Umpqua River, the South Umpqua River runs approximately 115 miles from its headwaters in the high Cascades, about 20 miles northeast of Crater Lake. It flows through the Umpqua National Forest and the communities of Tiller, Milo, Days Creek, and Canyonville before entering the South Umpqua Valley.

The river then passes Tri-City, Myrtle Creek, Winston, and Roseburg, where it joins the North Umpqua River at Singleton Park to form the Umpqua River.

The South Umpqua River offers a wide range of recreational opportunities, including camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, rockhounding, swimming, fishing, kayaking, and rafting.

The upper section of the river features lush woods, scenic canyons, native wildflowers, and abundant wildlife.

Clear green pools with segments of rapids, underwater ledges, basalt cliffs, waterfalls, and massive bedrock at South Umpqua Falls – all of those attract large numbers of visitors each year.

Access to the upper South Umpqua River is available via Douglas County Highway 1 from Canyonville, followed by South Umpqua Road through Tiller.



South Umpqua Swimming Holes

The water of the South Fork of the Umpqua warms up quickly during the summer months. The beautiful river, with numerous swimming holes and ample camping opportunities, makes the South Umpqua extremely popular in the summer months.

Bridge at Days Creek

South Umpqua River SwimmingThe South Fork of the Umpqua River at the Days Creek bridge is a perfect roadside swimming hole. The beach and swimming area are located under the bridge on the west bank.

You can access the beach by a short trail that starts at the southwest side of the bridge and leads down under the bridge to the riverbank.

South Umpqua Bridge at Days Creek - Roadside Rockhounding & Swimming



South Umpqua River – Rest Area

The rest area is located on the riverbank, 4 miles east of Milo between mileposts 24 and 25 (24.2) on the south side of the road.

A short, steep trail leads down to the pebble riverbank, which has both deep and shallow swimming spots. The water warms in summer, reaching about 70–75°F in August.

This site also offers a vault toilet and picnic tables.

N 42°55.942' W 122°59.494' | 42.93237, -122.9916

South Umpqua River - Rest Area

Three C Rocks Campground & Day-Use

Three C Rock CampgroundTucked away in the lush Umpqua National Forest along the South Umpqua River, Three C Rock Campground and Day-Use Area is an excellent destination for camping, picnicking, hiking, and swimming.

A 300-foot-long channel provides a great place to swim, with bright green water so clear you can see underwater ledges and stones along the river bottom.

Three C Rock - South Umpqua River Recreation Area



Dumont Creek Campground

Dumont Creek Campground in Oregon: The picture "Dumont Creek Campground in Oregon – river with mossy rocks and dense forest backdrop" shows a flowing river bordered by moss-covered boulders and thick vegetation, with evergreen trees rising up steep hillsides and a blue inner tube floating in the water.

A small, primitive campground sits in a peaceful corner of the Umpqua National Forest, about 12 miles south of Tiller.

It features a rocky beach and shallow river, making it well-suited for wading, splashing, and tubing.

The campground is on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted.

Dumont Creek Campground - Secluded Retreat on the South Umpqua River

Swimming Hole at Dumont Creek Campground

If you head downstream from Dumont Creek Campground, you will find the deeper swimming hole. A cliff wall rises along the opposite bank, and the water there flows slowly, creating a deep, wide swimming area.

Small rapids mixing with calm pools are ideal conditions for tubing and floating.

Directions to Dumont Creek Campground and Swimming Hole



Boulder Creek Campground

Boulder Creek Campground in Oregon: The picture "Boulder Creek Campground in Oregon – calm creek reflecting forested hills" features a quiet creek with glassy, clear water reflecting the surrounding greenery, including thick shrubs and towering evergreen-covered hills in the background.

The campground is located in the shaded area of  of the Umpqua National Forest. The campground gives direct access to the river. The beach area is rocky and pebbly rather than sandy, so bring river shoes.

Here you will find both shallow spots for wading and deeper areas for cooling off on hot days.

If you are not planning to camp overnight, take the right spur road near the entrance, which leads directly to the riverbank.

Boulder Creek Campground - Quiet Retreat along the South Umpqua River

 

Ash Flat Campground

Ash Flat Campground in Oregon: The picture "Ash Flat Campground in Oregon – mossy rock cliffs and forested river bend" shows a scenic river curve with clear water, bordered by large moss-covered rock cliffs on the left and lush green forested hills in the background.

Ash Flat Campground is a great summer spot along the river, tucked into a mixed conifer forest. With just four campsites, Ash Flat stays quiet and peaceful all season.

A short trail from the campground leads to the river beach.

Upstream, the swimming area has underwater ledges and a small channel between them. Downstream, you’ll find rapids, a large basalt rock, and a swimming hole at the base of the rock.

Ash Flat Campground - Year-Round Escape to the South Umpqua River



South Umpqua Falls

South Umpqua Falls SwimmingSouth Umpqua Falls is a scenic destination in the Umpqua National Forest with a waterfall and a unique natural bedrock water slide.

The shallow river above the waterfall has small pools in the bedrock where you can dip on a hot summer day. There are plenty of places for swimming and wading downstream just below the waterfall.

South Umpqua Falls - Hidden Falls with a Natural Waterslide

Camp Comfort Campground

Hike 0.25 miles via Camp Comfort Trail #1586 from Camp Comfort Campground to the confluence of Black Rock and Castle Creek Forks, the spot where the South Umpqua begins. A flat rocky outcrop with ledges along the channel makes this place great for picnicking and swimming.

A trailhead of a short and steep 0.1-mile Deer Lick Falls Trail #1568 is located 2 miles north of Camp Comfort. This is a swimming hole with a small waterfall cascading down into a deep and cold pool of Black Rock Fork.

Managed by: US Forest Service
Services: Vault toilet, garbage disposal
Accommodations: 5 campsites with picnic tables and fire pits, on a first-come, first-served basis

GPS: N 43°06.391' W 122°35.733' | 43.106511, -122.595547

South Umpqua River Rockhounding

South Umpqua River Rockhounding in Oregon: The picture "South Umpqua River Rockhounding in Oregon – close-up of polished stones in shallow creek" shows a variety of smooth, wet river stones in shades of green, brown, red, and white scattered on the creekbed, with water covering some of the rocks and sunlight highlighting their colors.

The South Umpqua River has extensive gravel bars, especially in the lower and middle sections between Days Creek and Tiller.

These spots are easy to reach and offer excellent rockhounding. Sugary quartz, clear agate, and jasper are common, with occasional finds of carnelian, petrified wood, quartz crystals, and sparkly schist.

South Umpqua River Rockhounding - 30 Miles of Gravel Bars

Adventures Nearby



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