Rogue-North Umpqua Scenic Byway
We are home! It was down to the
low 40's overnight at Crater Lake National Park and we had rain and
thunderstorms on and off all night - time to hit the road! We left the park
through the southern entrance/exit (at Mazama campground, actually) and took a
right onto Highway 62 to catch Oregon Highway 230 and 138. Highway 230 to 138 is
part of the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway. (A few years ago, we drove the southern
part of the byway,
read
my report and see the photos here.)
It is a beautiful drive and we really recommend it for RVs - especially if you
are heading west from Crater Lake National Park, as it would be a fairly
grueling climb heading east. (DT used the exhaust brake twice on the route
today.) It is a good, wide road with plenty of turn-outs, passing lanes and
pretty places to pull-over for a picnic or rest. There are numerous fishing
spots, boat ramps, waterfalls, hiking trails and campgrounds along the byway -
but few are Big Rig friendly, so enter at your own risk. The scenery is just
outstanding!
Map courtesy of Travel Oregon
At the north end of Diamond Lake (located at point "3" on the
map above) is the new RV-friendly Diamond Lake Viewpoint. After a steep
block-long climb up to the vista point, you are rewarded with RV parking, easy
turn-arounds, informational signs, toilets, picnic tables and gorgeous views to
Diamond Lake and Mt. Thielsen!
Come on up - there's plenty of room
Diamond Lake and picnic tables
Mt. Thielsen
ADA parking and bathroom facilities
After Tokatee Falls, the route follows the pretty North Umpqua
River for many scenic miles. The North Umpqua is a popular fly-fishing river.
There are few services, but many places to pull-over, set up day camp and try
your luck.
The North Umpqua River
Afternoon coffee break along Oregon Highway 138
Nearing I-5, we stopped in Glide to see the "Colliding Rivers"
viewpoint. Here the Little River joins the North Umpqua. (Didn't see too much
colliding through... looked like a little river joining a larger river
to me.)
Rivers collide in Glide, Oregon
Here are a few helpful/interesting links:
National
Scenic Byways Program: Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway
Travel Oregon: Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway
Travel Oregon
Oregon Department of Transportation - TripCheck
Crater Lake National Park
Douglas
County: Welcome to Diamond Lake
Diamond Lake Resort
We are home now. I hope you enjoyed our little quick tour around
Oregon. Please joins us again, and thanks so much!