Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway via Crater Lake
Up the North Umpqua past columnar-basalt waterfalls to Diamond Lake and Crater Lake, then down the Rogue River past lava gorges to Medford.
- Distance
- 273 km (170 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 02 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 9
- States
- OR
- Updated
- July 13, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 273 km (170 mi) with 9 stops, from Roseburg to Medford. About 3 h 02 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Oregon
Route description
From Roseburg, OR-138 heads east into the canyon of the North Umpqua River. At Glide, about 20 minutes away, the Colliding Rivers viewpoint shows the North Umpqua and Little River meeting head-on. The highway follows the river for about 60 miles, with many forest service campgrounds and fly-fishing pools, and only a few small stores.
Toketee Falls is reached by a short side road and a 0.4-mile trail with stairs to a platform over a double waterfall framed by basalt columns; the car park is small. Watson Falls, just east, drops about 290 feet, one of the tallest in Oregon. Both are easy stops, but the Toketee access road is narrow for large motorhomes.
OR-138 climbs to Diamond Lake, at the foot of Mount Thielsen, with large campgrounds and a lakeshore path. The north entrance road to Crater Lake National Park is usually open only from about July to October. Rim Drive, 33 miles around the caldera, has many viewpoints; in winter only Rim Village is reachable, from the south via OR-62.
Leave Crater Lake by the south entrance and follow OR-62 west down the Rogue River. At Union Creek, a short path follows the rim of the Rogue River Gorge, and a few minutes south, the river vanishes into lava tubes at the Rogue River Natural Bridge. OR-62 continues past Lost Creek Lake to Medford, about 90 minutes from the park.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Roseburg
OR - 225 km
Colliding Rivers
NatureGlide, ORA viewpoint in Glide where the North Umpqua and Little River meet head-on in a rocky channel. It is beside OR-138 with a small visitor center; the collision is most dramatic at high water in winter and spring.
- 365 km
Toketee Falls
NatureIdleyld Park, ORA two-tier waterfall on the North Umpqua pouring through columns of basalt. A 0.4-mile trail with stairs leads to a viewing platform; the access road off OR-138 is narrow and the lot small.
- 45 km
Watson Falls
NatureIdleyld Park, OROne of Oregon’s tallest waterfalls, dropping about 290 feet off a basalt cliff. A short steep trail from the parking area crosses a footbridge in the spray; it is just off OR-138 east of Toketee.
- 527 km
Diamond Lake
NatureDiamond Lake, ORA high lake at the foot of Mount Thielsen, just north of Crater Lake, with a paved path around much of the shore and large forest campgrounds. Mosquitoes are fierce in early summer.
- 630 km
Crater Lake National Park
NatureCrater Lake, ORThe deepest lake in the US fills a collapsed volcano. Rim Drive is usually fully open from July to October.
- 733 km
Rogue River Gorge
NatureUnion Creek, ORA narrow chasm where the Rogue River squeezes through a collapsed lava tube near Union Creek. A short accessible path follows the rim with several viewpoints; it is right beside OR-62.
- 83 km
Rogue River Natural Bridge
NatureUnion Creek, ORA spot where the Rogue River disappears into old lava tubes and bursts out again downstream. A short paved loop with a footbridge links the viewpoints; there is a campground nearby off OR-62.
- 985 km
Medford
OR
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Roseburg → Toketee Falls · 56 mi · 1 h 00 minOn the way: Colliding Rivers.Overnight nearby, for example: Camper's Flat Campground (16 mi); Sacandaga Campground (17 mi).
- Day 2: Toketee Falls → Rogue River Gorge · 58 mi · 1 h 03 minOn the way: Watson Falls, Diamond Lake, Crater Lake National Park.Overnight nearby, for example: Union Creek Campground (< 1 km); Farewell Bend Campground (< 1 km).
- Day 3: Rogue River Gorge → Medford · 55 mi · 0 h 59 minOn the way: Rogue River Natural Bridge.Overnight nearby, for example: Holiday RV Park (4 mi); Southern Oregon RV Park (5 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. Mountain passes on this route are usually open July–October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Crater Lake Rim Drive (2,300 m). Usually open July–October; outside that window the road can be closed by snow. Alternative: The south entrance road to Rim Village usually stays open.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway via Crater Lake?
3-day road trip of about 273 km (170 mi) with 9 stops, from Roseburg to Medford. About 3 h 02 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway via Crater Lake?
We suggest 3 days: about 3 h 02 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway via Crater Lake start and end?
It starts in Roseburg and ends in Medford.
Which states does Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway via Crater Lake pass through?
Oregon.
Where can you camp along Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway via Crater Lake?
OpenStreetMap lists 146 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Holiday RV Park, Southern Oregon RV Park and Digit Point Campground.
When is the best time for Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway via Crater Lake?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
