Attractions and Places To See in Douglas County - Top 20

The Umpqua River/Winchester Bay ferry service, operated by Winchester Bay Charters, offers boat rides across the Umpqua River from May 1 to September 30. To arrange a boat ride, contact Winchester Bay Charters at 541-361-0180. Winchester Bay Charters also coordinates with a variety of fishing guides in the area to provide ferry service, so it's important to be on time when the ferry arrives. Weather and other circumstances permitting, the ferry operates from 6 AM to 8 PM during the season. The cost is $40 for the first person and $10 for each additional person. If you are a hiker crossing the river on the OCT, the trip's expense is well worth it. The alternative is a considerable reroute on foot until reaching your destination at Winchester Bay, so don't miss the boat!

Deadline Falls is accessible via a short spur trail near the western end of the North Umpqua Trail. During summer and fall you can often see steelhead and salmon making their dramatic jumps over the falls as they head towards their spawning grounds further upriver.

This section of the North Umpqua Trail is the final official stretch, running from west to east. The trail follows the river through a grassy area as it enters the Mt. Thielsen Wilderness near the Tolo Creek Trail junction. As it rises in elevation, it connects Maidu Lake and Miller Lake while intersecting with the Pacific Crest Trail, crossing pumice deposits from the eruption of Mt. Mazama. The vistas along the way are stunning. To the northwest, you'll have views of Diamond Peak, Sawtooth Mountain, and Cowhorn Mountain, all fantastic spots to take a break, enjoy the scenery, and capture some memorable photos.

This 3.6-mile (5.79 km) stretch, part of the Calf Segment of the North Umpqua Trail, is beautiful, offering a bird's-eye view of the river before reaching a fantastic old-growth Douglas-fir grove with trees over 800 years old. The trail crosses the river near Wilson Creek, where you can see the Weeping Rocks spawning beds. This area, located just off Highway 138 on Forest Road 4770, is where salmon return each year from September to November. In spring, the eggs hatch, and young salmon spend only a few months in the river before heading to the Pacific Ocean. ** It is important to note that there is little shoulder on the bridge, so keep an eye out for traffic and use caution when crossing.

Toketee Lake Campground, situated at the pause of the Umpqua River, is a scenic campground on the east end of Toketee Lake. The campground has vault toilets, no potable water, and is a “pack it out” campground. The lake is an ideal spot for fishing and swimming and is home to abundant wildlife. If you're lucky, you might even spot a bald eagle while you're here. At the west end of the lake, there is a trail that leads 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to the beautiful Toketee Falls, which features a fantastic viewing platform—a must-visit if you're looking to explore the area for a couple of hours. There are 32 sites available with a fee of $10 ($15 for a group site), and reservations must be made at least two days in advance. For more information and to secure your spot, visit: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/251907?tab=info

This segment is a relatively easy, beautiful stretch of the 79-mile-long North Umpqua Trail, with little elevation gain that runs parallel to the river, including several small scramble trails leading to the water. At the 12-mile mark (traveling west to east), you'll reach the historic Steamboat Area, home to one of the earliest fish camps known in the region during the 1920s. The Mott Segment provides the only drinking water source on the North Umpqua Trail, which is located where the trail meets the Mott Bridge. Across the river is the historic Steamboat Resort if you're looking for alternative accommodation to tent camping, or you can continue your journey on the trail.

This section of the trail spans 7.8 miles (12.55 kilometers) and is part of the Swiftwater-Tioga segment that runs a total of 15.8 miles (25.43 kilometers) of the North Umpqua Trail. It is a relatively moderate hike through burn scar from the Archie fire in 2020, but it is recovering nicely. The route has little elevation change, with the exception of a slightly challenging climb over a hillside at the 4-mile mark (6.5 km) as you pass Bobs Butte. Along the way, plenty of plant life emerges from the forest floor as the landscape heals from the fire damage. Lots of wildflowers add a splash of color, and you'll also find plenty of blackberries and raspberries, perfect for a morning snack as you head down the trail.

Here, you'll find a short spur trail leading to an interpretive sign with a fantastic view of Deadline Falls. The falls themselves are less impressive than others in the area, although while you're here, you'll likely see large salmon leaping out of the water as they make their way upstream. You'll also see plenty of fish splashing in the pools below the falls, especially during migration in the summer months.