“Come on Down to Roseburg, Oregon” -Johnny Cash
Plan your visit to the small town that earned itself a spot in Johnny Cash’s song Lumberjack. There is more here than just timber! “Come on down to Roseburg, Oregon, now there’s a town for...
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Plan your visit to the small town that earned itself a spot in Johnny Cash’s song Lumberjack. There is more here than just timber!
“Come on down to Roseburg, Oregon, now there’s a town for ya…..”
If you have ever heard the Johnny Cash song Lumberjack than these words might sound familiar. However, times have changed and Roseburg has more than just Paul Bunyon and his big blue ox in it these days. Its no longer a “rough” crowd, but gives more of a Main Street vibe. From breweries & wineries to golfing & a drive-thru zoo, there is plenty to experience in Roseburg. This article will discuss the top spots that you don’t want to miss when visiting Roseburg.
Where is Roseburg?
“….on Friday night we go to Eugene and by Sunday morning our pockets are clean.” Roseburg is located just an hour south of Eugene, home of the Oregon Ducks. If you are coming from California, its about 2 hours north of the California border. It’s also just one hour from the Oregon Coast and just over an hour away from Crater Lake National Park.
The town of Roseburg is nestled into the Umpqua Valley which buts up the beautiful Umpqua National Forest. The Cascade Mountain range runs along side the town and is filled with timber.
Fun Fact: If your house is wooden, there is a pretty good chance the wood came from Southern Oregon. Roseburg Forest Products ships their products all around the globe.
Roseburg also has two rivers that run right through town, the North and South Umpqua, before they join together on their journey to the ocean. This town is a dream destination for the outdoorsman in your life.
Things to Do in the Area
Crater Lake National Park & the Highway of Waterfalls
One of the primary reasons that people visit Roseburg is because its on the way to Crater Lake National Park. When you go through Roseburg to access the North entrance of the park, you also get the opportunity to visit countless waterfalls along Highway 138E, also known as the Highway of Waterfalls.
Fishing on the North Umpqua
Outdoorsman frequent the area for the fishing. This area is filled with salmon and steelhead. People coming in from out of town often will book with one of our countless river guides in the area to have the best shot at landing a big one. There is also a flyfishing only section along the North Umpqua.
Wildlife Safari
This Drive-Thru Safari is located just outside Roseburg in the town of Winston. “Where you are captive and they roam free” is their slogan since you remain in your vehicle and drive through the park to see the different animals. Best part? This Zoo is dual accredited with the AZA and ZAA, meaning they take great care of their animals and there is nothing unethical happening here.
Go Golfing
Roseburg has 3 different golf courses. The first one is Stewart Park Golf Course, located in the middle of town, and is open for the public. The second course is the Roseburg Country Club who hosts countless events each year. Finally, is Bar Run Golf Course & RV Resort, which is the newest course to join the group. Bar Run is the most popular as they have a lazy river available for club members to swim in.
Visit Seven Feathers Casino Resort & the River Rock Spa
Just a short drive away heading south is the Seven Feathers Casino Resort which also hosts the River Rock Spa. This casino is known for having big names come to play there throughout the year. When they aren’t doing concerts, they host other events such as The Price is Right, Magic Mike Traveling Show, Midget Wrestling, and more.
The spa is a full service spa equipped with a sauna, steam room, and salt bath. I personally visit the spa to get pedicures and massages about once a year and highly recommend them.
Go Wine Tasting with Experience Umpqua
The Umpqua Valley is filled with wineries, including one that the tasting room is inside of a cave. Don’t want to worry about driving after you have a few sips? Have Tristyn at Experience Umpqua drive you around for an afternoon of fun!
Explore the Area
There is truly so much to do and see around Roseburg, from concerts at the park to classic car shows to ax throwing. There is something for everyone to enjoy. So, don’t be afraid to ask around about what’s going on in the valley cause there is always something.
Where to Eat
There are so many great places to grab a bite to eat in Roseburg, so I’m only going to name a few otherwise we would be here all day.
Blac-n-Bleu Bistro
Amazing breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This restaurant is one of the best steaks you can get in town, some of the best biscuits and gravy too!
Casey’s Restaurant
If you are looking for a place to grab a good homestyle breakfast, stop into Casey’s. If its the weekend, there will most likely be a wait before you can get a table, but I promise its worth the wait.
Backside Brewing Co.
Firebaked Pizza and delicious sandwiches here. Into craft beer? They have some of the best in town!
Jackson Street Provisions
This small shop in the downtown area has the best sandwiches. They also have different meals you can purchase for dinner that just require popping it in the stove. (P.S. I LOVE the Red-Headed Step Child Salsa that is only available at their store.)
Old Soul Pizza
This little pizza joint downtown puts a unique twist on their pizzas. They have signature combinations that you cannot get anywhere else.
Los Dos Amigos
This family operated Mexican restaurant has been in the valley for over 20 years. They are the ones that introduced me to Mexican food.
Where to Stay
There are countless hotels in the area, however, we recommend checking out this AirBnb.
Roseburg Relax Inn is located in a quiet neighborhood on the West side of town. They have stellar reviews, boasting the family friendly atmosphere and the tranquil backyard. You can learn more about the stay on their website or by visiting their listing on AirBnb to see their reviews.
Start Planning Your Visit to Roseburg
As you can see, a lot has changed since Johnny Cash was here which is why you should consider planning a visit to this small town today and check out the beautiful landscape of the Umpqua Valley.
Need help planning your trip? Shoot me an email at [email protected]
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