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.

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 a lot of opportunities for camping makes the South Umpqua extremely popular in the summer months.

Bridge at Days Creek

The 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

Three C Rocks Campground & Day-Use

Tucked 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