North Umpqua River, OR

The North Umpqua is a rafting heaven tucked deep in Oregon's evergreen forest. It has more rapids per mile than any other river we run, water so clear you can count the boulders on the bottom, and a launch point 40 minutes from Crater Lake National Park.

The river

The rapids come almost nonstop, class II and III with one class IV at Pinball. Boulder Hole, Amazon Queen and the Froggers fill the upper run, and the lower section from Bogus Creek adds Wright Creek, Bathtub, Cliffside and Island. The river is boulder-strewn and shaded by old forest, with Toketee Falls, Umpqua Hot Springs and the Steamboat Creek falls a short drive away. This is the homeland of the Cow Creek Band and Upper Umpqua Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians.

Trips on the North Umpqua

Orange Torpedo Trips runs a 14-mile single-day trip from Boulder Hole, in a paddle raft or, for experienced Torpedo paddlers, an inflatable kayak. The 2-day trip adds the lower section and a night of your choosing, camping, glamping or a cabin, at places like the Steamboat Inn or Umpqua's Last Resort. Lunch is on the river and most days you are off the water by 3 p.m. Briggs and Whitewater Cowboys don't operate here, so this one is pure Orange Torpedo.

When to go

The single day runs May through early September, usually Friday to Sunday, and any day for groups of six or more. The 2-day runs mid-May through August on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Spring brings the biggest water. The permit system limits how many trips we can run each year, so the single day often sells out by early July.

Getting there

Meet at the Gravel Bin boat ramp on Highway 138, about a mile above the Steamboat Inn. Eugene is the closest airport, and it's an easy drive down from Eugene or up from Medford, which makes the North Umpqua a natural add-on to a Crater Lake trip. The Steamboat Inn and Umpqua's Last Resort are the handy places to sleep the night before.