Oregon Camping: Little River, North Umpqua River, and Diamond Lake

North Umpqua is a premier fishing river full of trout and salmon, as well as a source of excitement for white-water rafters who shoot the rapids. Learn more about where to camp when visiting this stunning region, including information on pricing and amenities.

View of the shore of a placid lake with the verdant shore and reeds reflecting in the water.
Lake of the Woods in the Little River watershed. Photo © Tracy Fox/123rf.

Little River Campgrounds

Camping is popular on the North Umpqua. Several alternatives are nearby, up the Little River south of Glide. Cavitt Creek Falls (541/440-4930, May-Sept., $8) has water and vault toilets at a small waterfall with a swimming hole at its bottom. To get to the campground, head east of Roseburg on Highway 138 to Glide, take Little Creek Road (County Rd. 17) for seven miles, then continue three miles down Cavitt Creek Road.

Other small campgrounds, with water and vault toilets and suitable for tents and small RVs, are up Little River Road and managed by the U.S. Forest Service (North Umpqua Ranger District, 541/496-3532, mid-May-late Oct., $10-15): Wolf Creek (5 miles from Glide); Coolwater (15 miles from Glide), with good hiking trails nearby, including Grotto Falls, Wolf Creek Nature Trail, and Wolf Creek Falls Trail; White Creek (17 miles from Glide, then 1 mile down Red Butte Rd.), at the confluence of White Creek and Little River, with a good beach and shallow water; and Lake in the Woods (27 miles from Glide, last 7 miles gravel), along the shore of a four-acre artificial lake at 3,200 feet elevation. Motorized craft are not permitted in this eight-foot-deep pond. Two good hikes nearby are to Hemlock Falls and Yakso Falls.

North Umpqua River Campgrounds

Set along the bank of the North Umpqua River 15 miles east of Roseburg a little ways north of Highway 138 is Whistler’s Bend (541/673-4863, $17), with reservable sites. Picnic tables and grills are provided at this county park, as are piped water, flush toilets, and showers.

About 30 miles east of Highway 138 is Susan Creek (541/440-4930, reservations www.recreation.gov, mid-Apr.-late Oct., $14), with water, showers, and flush toilets. This campground has 31 sites for tents and RVs up to 20 feet. In a grove of old-growth Douglas fir and sugar pine next to the North Umpqua River, the campground is enhanced by the presence of a fine beach and swimming hole as well as nearby trails.

Within easy access of great fly fishing, rafting, and hiking, Bogus Creek (541/496-3532, May-Oct., $15), with flush toilets and water, offers the real thing. As the campground is a major launching point for white-water trips and within a few miles of Fall Creek Falls and Job’s Garden Geological Area, it’s good to reserve a site or get here early.

About 38 miles east of Roseburg on Highway 138 near Steamboat and good fly-fishing is Canton Creek (541/496-3532, May-mid-Oct., $10), with water and flush toilets. Take Steamboat Creek Road off Highway 138 and proceed 400 yards to the campground. Horseshoe Bend (541/496-3532, mid-May-late Sept., $15), with water and flush toilets, is 10 miles east of Steamboat. There are 34 sites for tents and RVs up to 35 feet, with picnic tables and grills. In the middle of a big bend of the North Umpqua covered with old-growth Douglas firs and sugar pines, this campground is a popular base camp for rafting and fishing enthusiasts.

Diamond Lake Campgrounds

Campgrounds surround beautiful Diamond Lake (elevation 5,200 feet); boating, fishing, swimming, bicycling, and hiking are among the popular recreational options. The trout fishing is particularly good in the early summer, and there are also excellent hikes into the Mount Thielsen Wilderness, Crater Lake National Park, and Mount Bailey areas. Reservations (877/444-6777) aren’t required, but these campgrounds fill up fast, so reservations are advised.

With over 200 sites, Diamond Lake campground (mid-May 15-Oct., $16), with water and flush toilets, is on the east shore of the lake with easy access to the north entrance of Crater Lake National Park. Numerous hiking trails lead from the campground, including the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. Boat docks, launching facilities, and rentals are nearby at Diamond Lake Resort (Diamond Lake, 541/793-3333).

Other large Diamond Lake campgrounds are Broken Arrow (mid-May-Labor Day, $15), with water, showers, and flush toilets, on the lake’s south shore; and Thielsen View (mid-May-mid-Oct., $15), with water and vault toilets, on the west side of the lake, with picturesque views of Mount Thielsen. Contact the Diamond Lake Ranger District (541/498-2531).


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