The city of Roseburg serves as the seat of Douglas County in the southwestern portion of Oregon State.
Because of its massive timber production, Roseburg earned the title “Timber Capital of the Nation,” which is the city’s primary economic backbone, along with the tourism and wine industry.
The weather is ideal here. In fact, Roseburg is one of the calmest cities in the country, with a wind speed that is less than half of the national average in early November, averaging only 2 miles per hour.
Near Interstate 5 and South Umpqua River, you will find a distinct downtown that gives a small-town vibe.
Meanwhile, at Northwest Garden Valley Boulevard, a strip of large box chain shops lies on the other side of the city.
Given its ideal weather, you can enjoy lots of outdoor activities in Roseburg, along with the city’s historic districts, museums, and breathtaking landscapes that will keep you coming back again and again.
If you’re thinking of activities to try in Roseburg, Oregon, we have rounded up the 15 best things to do here:
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It’s easy to fall in love with the wild yet splendid Umpqua River, which winds 111 miles across the Cascade Range’s western side.
Fly fishing and whitewater rafting are popular in dozens of Umpqua Creeks and tributaries.
To get to the North Umpqua River Wild and Scenic area, travel north from Roseburg.
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For trout and steelhead, cast your line into the pristine waters of the river.
It’s also possible to take a guided half or full-day rafting trip down the rapids.
Many outfitters provide excursions through the end of September.
Abacela is a multi-awarded, world-class winery and viticulture facility.
Abacela is the product of a single ordinary family’s curiosity and drive, which established one of Oregon’s most beloved wineries and inspired winemaking not only in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest but throughout America.
According to its owners, Abacela was an experiment they believed would address the absence of a world-class Tempranillo wine.
They were undoubtedly not the first enophiles to question why the magnificent grape of Spain’s renowned Rioja wines inexplicably lacked from excellent wine in America.
However, they were the first to address the topic scientifically, formulate a theory, and then commit their lives to test it.
Apart from its wine tasting rooms, it also offers wine club memberships.
Each club level includes a monthly shipment of their finest wines for your cellar and enjoyment.
Additionally, you will receive complimentary wine tastings and VIP treatment at the winery.
Completed in 1969, Douglas County Museum provides a glimpse of Roseburg and Douglas Country’s history.
In a stunning contemporary structure accessible from the I-5, this museum evokes the pioneer houses and the blue mountains around Roseburg.
The extent of exhibits in this museum will amaze you.
Here, you will find unique relics, such as beaded buckskin garments, arrows, weapons, and a bullet-scarred door.
This tiny but comprehensive museum also features an old railroad station, fossils, various animals, historical figures, and automobiles.
Discovery Garden offers self-guided tours all year-round and informative excursions led by Master Gardeners.
This garden was created entirely by volunteers with the Master Gardeners, an Ohio State University Extension program.
The garden features beautifully and meticulously cultivated flowers and plants.
The Master Gardeners also offer classes on using sustainable gardening practices.
Here, you will learn about many elements of horticulture in the garden.
You will also get to witness demonstrations of ecologically appropriate management techniques and will have the chance to can prune roses and decorative and fruit trees.
Discovery Garden offers classes to anyone, no matter the age.
For individuals who have difficulty walking, this garden is easily accessible.
If you’re looking for somewhere to picnic with the whole family, Stewart Park is the place to be.
The 236-acre park is complete with facilities for all ages on the west side of town, including a playground with slides, forts, swings.
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It also has a golf course and tennis and baseball fields.
Its pavilion adorned with brilliant led lights can accommodate small and large gatherings.
Aside from the grassy areas, there is also access to the Umpqua River.
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If you’re looking to take a stroll along the river, there’s a pavilion where you can have events, and The playground has, etc.
In summer, you can also watch concerts performed on the stage roofed by a half-shell dome.
There are also parking areas and public toilets on site.
Located on the banks of the Twin Rivers, Twin Rivers Vacation Park is a peaceful property with paved roads and a variety of tent and RV sites with 20, 30, and 50 amp service.
Apart from that, it has a country shop, a clubhouse, and other amenities.
The park is lovely, clean, cheap, and shaded, and it’s a great place to relax.
It also provides discounts to active military members.
Salmon and bass fishing are usual summer activities you can enjoy here, while steelhead fishing is more prevalent in the winter.
River forks County Park is right next door, and you may fish from the bank.
Kids may enjoy the playground, swim in the river, or visit other attractions nearby.
“Oregon Pinot Noir” was born at HillCrest Winery and Distillery, the oldest estate winery in Oregon.
To this day, the winery continues to innovate and pave the way for a new generation of winemakers.
Among fifteen wineries globally, HillCrest was the only U.S. winery to be acknowledged as a global pioneer during Klosterneuburg’s 900th anniversary in 2014.
Here, you can experience excellent wine and learn a lot about it while chatting to the highly enthusiastic, fun, and knowledgeable owner.
Are you looking for a top-notch Mexican restaurant around Roseburg?
Burrito Vaquero got your back!
In this restaurant, diners have a wide variety of delicious options to select from, such as ceviche, aguachile, pozole, churrasco, and more!
Its service and employees are all very professional and put a lot of effort into meeting your needs.
In addition, the prices for the food are also quite reasonable, making sure that you won’t break the bank.
The best part is its meal servings are huge!
Your eyes will feast before the stunning masterpieces of local artists at Umpqua Valley Art Association.
The Umpqua Valley Arts Association started in 1979 as a nonprofit arts organization.
Its purpose is to develop and promote an atmosphere that encourages enjoyment, involvement, and education in the arts.
Since its inception, Umpqua Valley Arts has been the core of the city’s culture and arts.
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The nonprofit organization serves the Douglas County community via art instruction, gallery exhibits, and special events, among other things, as a valuable creative resource.
An outdoor stage and a full-sized pottery studio are among the amenities included in the historic building’s six exhibition rooms.
Inside this well-kept structure, you will find mixed media work by local artists.
The exhibits are constantly changing, so it’s worth coming back several times over a year to see what’s new.
Art experiences are provided year-round through exhibits, seminars as well as dialogues.
If you haven’t tried mead before, the Oran Mor Artisan Meadery produces small batches of artisan mead.
Mead is an alcoholic beverage made of honey combined with water and occasionally other ingredients such as fruits, spices, grains, or hops.
The meadery practices ancient traditions in producing a variety of handcrafted and tasty meads.
To visit the Oran Mor Artisan Meadery, you must arrive between noon and six on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and from noon to five on Sundays.
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Whether you’re an avid hiker or a casual one, you won’t have a hard time with this simple 0.8-mile round-trip trek with a 300-foot elevation increase to one of Oregon’s tallest waterfalls, Watson Falls.
As one of several waterfalls accessible from Highway 138, Watson Falls is a great place to stop for a brief hike through the area.
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To get to Watson Falls, you should first park at a nearby parking lot and then go up a short but well-maintained route that spans a series of bridges.
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Consider stopping here to take in the beauty of the falls and the surrounding dense green forest, and then go to your left to see the basin in greater detail several hundred feet farther down that trail.
Complete the loop back to the parking lot by returning down the side path to the junction.
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Umpqua Hot Springs is located 150 feet above North Umpqua River, near Crater Lake National Park.
If you are looking for a hot spring in the area to unwind after a day full of activities, go to Umpqua Hot Spring for a relaxing dip with a backdrop of Oregon’s lush forest.
Umpqua Hot Springs of the North Umpqua River is one of Oregon’s most spectacular hot springs.
Above and behind the main covered pool, you will find two to three circular pools.
The bigger pool has a tub-like shape due to the minerals from the spring forming a travertine mound throughout the ages that encircle the cliffside.
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Travertine stone surrounds the main pool, with the vista expanding like an arena to the people below.
One is four by five feet and has a temperature of 112 degrees F, while the other is five by eight feet and is 110 degrees F.
Pools 1 and 2 have sand floors and are around 2-3 feet deep.
Because the wet travertine is slick around the pools in this region, use caution when walking around them.
In the heart of Oregon’s wine country, The Carriage House is just a couple of hours from Crater Lake and the Oregon coast and just minutes from Wildlife Safari and hiking trails, making it a great place to stay.
This guest house is part of the Reustle – Prayer Rock Vineyards’ offerings.
This award-winning vineyard produces some of the most exquisite wines in Umpqua Valley.
Situated at an elevated area, it offers a unique approach to see the magnificent landscape that surrounds the house.
It’s worth it to drive up a wooded hill to see the vineyard from the top.
There are farm animals and a small lake, as well as an ample parking space.
There’s a quirky walk that leads from the parking lot to the wine terrace and the tasting room, which is a cave in the hillside that was recently renovated.
It also takes pride in knowing its clients by first names, even if you don’t visit very often.
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Its proximity to North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River’s emerald-green waters make Susan Creek Campground a popular destination.
It is also a short drive away from Umpqua National Woodland, which spans 984,602 acres of forest.
There are 29 campsites in the campground.
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It’s a great place to go for a hike, eat a picnic, and relax.
East and west end campgrounds have built pathways that run through thick trees, providing views of wild animals, such as blacktail deer and osprey, that thrive here year-round.
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If you plan to fish here, spring and fall are the best times to catch salmon and steelhead trout.
Aside from rafters and kayakers, the river is a hotspot for swimmers and whitewater rafters.
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For adrenaline seekers, try the trails of Mount Thielsen.
Mount Thielsen is a prominent outdoor recreation location in southern Oregon.
It has three black diamond-rated ski routes, thanks to the area’s woods and wildness.
There are alpine parks and lakes in the Mount Thielsen Wilderness area and 26 miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, named the best trek in Oregon in 2009.
In general, the city of Roseburg, Oregon, is an incredible destination to visit if you ever get the opportunity.
And with an abundance of historic neighborhoods, fascinating backstories, incredible museums, and stunning vineyards, you are sure to have some of the best fun you have ever had in this city.
See also: Best Restaurants in Roseburg, OR
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