Rejoice all anglers, mountain-bikers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts from around Oregon, the country and the world, because the entrance to the 79-mile North Umpqua National Recreation Trail will remain open to the public forever.
The North Umpqua River is internationally known for its fly fishing and is a designated Wild and Scenic River from immediately below Swiftwater Park to Soda Springs Dam, 33.8 miles upstream. This same stretch is designated fly-fishing only and is accessible along its entire length by the North Umpqua Trail on one side and the Rogue-Umpqua National Scenic Byway (Hwy 138) on the other.
The Umpqua and the Rogue are the only two coastal streams in Oregon that originate from snowmelt in the Cascade Range. All other coastal streams rise in the lower-elevation Coast Range. This anomaly is what gives the North Umpqua its cold, emerald-green water and keeps the river cool, even in summer, when other regional streams can slow to a trickle and warm significantly.
The North Umpqua’s clean, cold water is of paramount importance to anadromous fish. The river supports some of the healthiest runs of wild spring Chinook salmon, threatened coho salmon and winter and summer steelhead remaining in Oregon. The river also has good numbers of resident rainbow and cutthroat trout.
In addition to its status as a world-class fly fishing destination, the North Umpqua has become nationally recognized for its mountain biking, whitewater paddling and hiking. The North Umpqua Trail is an International Mountain Bike Association designated “EPIC Ride,” one of only 71 in the world.
Zane Grey, the famous author and sportsman, maintained a camp along the North Umpqua in the 1930’s and was a strong advocate for protection of the river’s fisheries. Since then, a strong ethic of conservation and river courtesy has evolved alongside recreation on the North Umpqua, making it one of the West’s truly unique river destinations.
Today, over 250,000 people visit the North Umpqua every year, experiencing the wonders of the river and contributing to local economies.
Read about Swiftwater Park Trails at https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/oregon/swiftwater-park
For more information contact: Josh Kling Assistant Program Director Western Rivers Conservancy 503-241-0151 jkling@westernrivers.org Max Yager Swiftwater Field Manager Roseburg BLM 541-464-3388 myager@blm.gov Danny Palmerlee Communications Director Western Rivers Conservancy 503-241-0151 dpalmerlee@westernrivers.org
Photos by Tyler Roemer – Western Rivers Conservancy
