• Three C Rock is a perfect destination for swimming, camping, and fishing
• Here, you can swim along the 300-foot-long channel
Three C Rock Campground and Day-Use Area is an excellent destination along the emerald-green South Umpqua River, tucked into the lush Umpqua National Forest. The area is named for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which built a camp here in the 1930s.
If you’re looking for a great outdoor outing with friends or family, Three C Rock offers camping, picnicking, hiking, swimming, and even seasonal fishing.
Three C Rock Campground and Day Use - Things to Do
Swimming
The stretch of the South Umpqua River within the boundary of the Umpqua National Forest is accented by a series of swimming holes, waterfalls, and rapids. Some places have rock ledges, rocks, and cliffs that offer an exciting plunge into the refreshing water.
Three C Rock offers refreshing swimming along the 300-foot-long channel. The bright green water is transparent and clear, so you can see underwater rock ledges and rocks on the river bottom. The bank is bedrock with underwater ledges. The channel is deep, with a two-foot-high rock rising in the middle of the river that is often used for jumping.
Caution: Cliff jumping can be extremely dangerous. Variations in water levels, hidden rocks, or shifting river bottoms due to strong currents can result in serious injury or death. Always check current conditions and make safe decisions.
The 0.1-mile Cathedral Falls Trail leads to a viewing area at the base of Cathedral Falls. The 60-foot seasonal waterfall plunges into a hidden rock grotto. While the falls may disappear during the dry season, the impressive rock bluff and cathedral-window formation remain worth seeing year-round.
The trailhead is located at the junction of Highway 46 and Deadman Road, across the street and downhill from the Three C Rock Picnic Area. Poison oak is common along the trails.
Fishing
Three C Rock is the only location on the South Umpqua River within the Tiller Ranger District where seasonal fishing is permitted. Be sure to check current fishing regulations before casting a line.
Three C Rock Campground: Camping, Lodging & Vacation Rentals
Three C Rock Campground has 8 first-come, first-served campsites with picnic tables and fire pits. There are also a vault toilet and a garbage disposal.
If you are looking for more comfortable accommodations, Canyonville is the closest spot with plenty of hotels and rentals to choose from.
Three C Rock | Facts
Open: Open year-round
Managed by: U.S. Forest Service
Amenities: Vault toilet, garbage disposal, no drinking water
Activities: Swimming, hiking, picnicking
Distance from the trailhead: Short
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: Yes or Interagency Senior/Access/Military Pass
Elevation (waterfall): 1,140 ft (347 m)
Three C Rock is located:
- 54 miles east of Roseburg
- 54 miles north of Medford
- 125 miles southeast of Eugene.
Swimming hole rating: 5 out of 5
Body of Water: River
Water quality: Transparent
Current: Light to moderate
Depth: Deep and shallow
Beach: Cliffs, rock ledges
Water T° (summer): Cool (70°F in August)
Adventures Nearby
Directions to Three C Rock
From I-5 in Canyonville,
- Take exit 98 and turn left onto 1st Street
- Turn right onto Main Street and then onto 3d Street
- Travel 22.6 miles east on Douglas County Highway 1/Tiller Trail Highway to South Umpqua Road
- Turn left onto South Umpqua Road and continue 4.4 miles to the destination on the right.