South Umpqua Swimming

• There are plenty of South Umpqua swimming spots along South Umpqua Road
• Water warms up quickly during the summer months



A tributary of the Umpqua River, the South Umpqua River runs 115 miles from its source in the high Cascades, located about 20 miles northeast of Crater Lake. The South Umpqua flows through the Umpqua National Forest, towns of Tiller, Milo, Days Creek, Canyonville and enters the South Umpqua Valley, passing Tri-City, Myrtle Creek, Winston, and Roseburg before it joins the North Umpqua at the Singleton Park to form the Umpqua River.

The South Umpqua offers multiple recreational opportunities including camping, hiking, wildlife watching, rockhounding, swimming, fishing, kayaking, and rafting.

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

The upper South Umpqua River can be accessed via Douglas County Highway 1 from Canyonville and then South Umpqua Road in Tiller.

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



Rockhounding

Minerals may be found on gravel beds along the banks of the river. Look for agate, jasper, and petrified wood. Find pullouts with the riverbank access.

Always check rules and regulations before you collect any minerals.

Fishing

The South Umpqua River is home to the significant run of winter steelhead from December to April. Trout is available for catch-and-release only from May to September. Smallmouth bass is present in the lower part of the South Umpqua River.

Always check the current ODFW regulations before fishing.



South Umpqua Swimming Holes

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.

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South Umpqua River – Rest Area

The rest area is located on the bank of the river 4 miles east of Milo between milepost 24 and 25 (24.2). A short trail leads to the pebble river bank. There are deep and shallow swimming areas. The water is warm in summer.

South Umpqua River - Rest Area

Open: Year-round
Managed by: Douglas County
Services: Pit toilet
Day-use fees: None

GPS: N 42°55.942' W 122°59.494' | 42.93237, -122.99157

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 is an absolutely beautiful destination…

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Turnout

South Umpqua Swimming

A great place for swimming and tubing. Accessible from the parking near the road. The water is deeper near a cliff wall that lines the opposite side of the river.

GPS: N 43°01.178' W 122°49.050' | 43.0196, -122.8175

Dumont Creek Campground

A small secluded campground is located 300 feet above the Dumont Creek mouth. A short trail leads to the rocky beach and shallow wading area.

The deeper swimming hole is downstream in a place where Dumont Creek enters the South Umpqua. The small rapids and quiet water allow kids to enjoy the fun of tubing. If you have no intention to camp here, park your car on a turnout a few hundred feet before the campground entrance.

Dumont Creek - South Umpqua River

Managed by: US Forest Service
Services: Vault toilet, garbage disposal
Accommodations: 3 campsites with picnic tables and fire pits, on a first-come, first-served basis

GPS: N 43°02.147' W 122°48.692' | 43.0358, -122.8115



Boulder Creek Campground

The campground is located in the shaded area of a mixed lush forest. The beach is rocks and pebbles. There are shallow and deep spots.

If you do not plan to stop in the campground, take the right spur road to the bank of the river.

Boulder Creek Campground - South Umpqua River

Managed by: US Forest Service
Services: Vault toilet, drinking water, garbage disposal
Accommodations: 7 campsites with picnic tables and fire pits, reserve through Recreation.gov

GPS: N 43°03.162' W 122°46.884' | 43.052700, -122.7814

Ash Flat Campground

A great summer destination along the South Umpqua River, Ash Flat Campground is hidden in a mixed conifer forest. A short hiking trail leads from the campground to the beach. The swimming area upstream features underwater ledges and a channel between them. Downstream, there are rapids, a huge basalt rock, and swimming hole near the rock base.

South Umpqua - Ash Flat Campground

Managed by: US Forest Service
Services: Vault toilet, garbage disposal
Accommodations: 4 campsites with picnic tables and fire pits, on a first-come, first-served basis

GPS: N 43°02.681' W 122°43.970' | 43.044683, -122.732833



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…

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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

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