OutdoorsAHM BrandsSeptember 01, 2020

Cures for Cabin Fever

OutdoorsAHM BrandsSeptember 01, 2020

We’ve all waited a long time to get out and about. Here are three Umpqua Valley outdoor destinations that are worth that wait.

Story by Nate Hansen Photos by Tim Stephanos

If you only vaguely understood the definition of cabin fever before about mid-March, odds are you are far too familiar with it now. But what better way to get it out of your head than to set out through the spectacular beauty of the Umpqua Valley? Colliding rivers, piney peaks and old-growth forests give the Umpqua Valley an abundance of destinations for anyone wanting to get out of the house and into fresh air and natural surroundings.

Here are a few of UV’s favorite destinations:

The North Umpqua Trail

Serious outdoorsmen have long hailed this trail–known to many as the “NUT”—as one of the Northwest’s most scenic destinations. But what makes the NUT especially appealing is it offers something for everyone: Hiking (from easy strolls to more challenging routes), mountain biking and horseback riding are all excellent options and will provide a memorable experience, whether you’re a rookie adventurer or Bear Grylls-style outdoor warrior.

Toketee Falls

Though Douglas County is blessed with a number of incredible waterfalls, Toketee might be the most breathtaking – and most photographed. Here the North Umpqua crashes through a narrow gorge and forms a two-tier falls that plunges down a sheer face of volcanic basalt. The upper falls drops about 40 feet into a pool whose overflow supplies the 80-foot lower falls.

If one falls isn’t enough, there’s plenty more to be found within an easy drive of Roseburg.

Diamond Lake

Though not as famed as nearby Crater Lake, Diamond Lake is a scenic and recreational wonder in its own right. Nestled between two of the Oregon Cascades’ most formidable peaks —Mount Bailey on the west, at 8,375-feet elevation, and 9,184-foot Mount Thielsen on the east—Diamond Lake is the largest body of water in the Umpqua National Forest. Walking and bike trails surround the lake, and other summer recreational options include swimming, fishing and other warm-water aquatic activities. Nearby Thielsen offers a challenging hike that ends with a panoramic view. Diamond Lake Resort has overnight accommodations, but the lake is close enough to Roseburg that a day trip can be made with ease.