Whistler’s Bend

Set along the bank of the North Umpqua River 15 miles east of Roseburg on Route 138 is Whistler’s Bend (541/673-4863, $15). Picnic tables and fire grills are provided at this county park, as are piped water, flush toilets, and showers. The fishing is good here, and even though it’s fairly close to town, it doesn’t usually get too crowded.

Susan Creek

About 30 miles east of Route 138 is Susan Creek (Bureau of Land Management, 541/672-4491, May–late Oct., $11). This campground has 31 sites for tents and RVs (up to 20 feet) with picnic tables and fire grills. Flush toilets, piped water, and firewood are also available. Situated 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.

Bogus Creek

Within easy access of great fishing (fly-angling only), rafting, and hiking, Bogus Creek (North Umpqua Ranger District, 541/496-3532, May 1–Oct. 31, $11) offers you the real thing. Here you’ll find 5 tent sites and 10 sites for tents or RVs (up to 30 feet) with picnic tables and fire grills. Flush toilets, iodinated water, and gray wastewater sumps are available. As the campground is a major launching point for white-water expeditions and within a few miles of Fall Creek Falls and Job’s Garden Geological Area, it’s good to get here early to make sure you get a campsite.

Canton Creek

About 38 miles east of Roseburg on Route 138 near Steamboat is Canton Creek (North Umpqua Ranger District, 541/496-3532, mid-May–late Oct., $7). Take Steamboat Creek Road off Route 138 and proceed 400 yards to the campground. This campground features 12 sites for tents and RVs (up to 22 feet) with the standard picnic tables and fire grills, plus piped water, flush toilets, and gray wastewater sumps. Close to good fly-fishing on the North Umpqua, this site gets surprisingly little use.

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend (North Umpqua Ranger District, 541/496-3532, mid-May–late Sept., $11) is 10 miles east of Steamboat. There are 34 sites for tents and RVs (up to 35 feet) with picnic tables and fire grills. Flush toilets, piped water, gray wastewater sumps, a laundry, and a general store are also available. Located in the middle of a big bend of the North Umpqua covered with old-growth Douglas firs and sugar pines, this is a popular base camp for rafting and fishing enthusiasts.