Paddling, camping and more along this popular Southern Oregon Coast waterway.
Imagine tossing a pot for some of Oregon’s meatiest Dungeness crabs in the morning, paddling past playful otters in the afternoon and enjoying a stroll in the forests near a famed lighthouse. Those experiences aren’t the stuff of fantasy — they happen every day near Reedsport and Winchester Bay on the lower Umpqua River.
Though its source is more than 200 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, the river follows Highway 38 from Interstate 5 south of Eugene through the Oregon Coast Range before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Here’s how to enjoy a long weekend on and near the river.
Day 1: Fishing, Crabbing and Camping
Whether you’ve never held a rod and reel or are a veteran angler, you’ll have fun fishing and crabbing in Winchester Bay, known as the Crab Capital of Oregon. Get started with one of dozens of guides who lead fishing trips in the area. Find out what’s biting — like steelhead, salmon, rockfish and crab — by booking a trip with outfitters like J. Standifer Guide Service, Umpqua Angler or Rippin Drag Guide Service.
If you’d rather fish on your own or try crabbing from the docks at Salmon Harbor Marina, pick up gear, bait, licenses, snacks and recommendations at Hilltop Market Deli & Tackle and Salmon Harbor Tackle and Charter Service. Be sure to pick up the appropriate license when fishing or crabbing; see the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife for more information.
Afterward, get your catch cleaned and packed at Sportsmen’s Cannery & Smokehouse and pick up some local oysters at Umpqua Triangle Oysters, grown near the mouth of the river where ocean and freshwater meet. If it’s still early, have brunch at Bedrock’s on the Bay — dishing omelets stuffed with bay shrimp, Dungeness crab and smoked salmon. Later in the day, opt for sushi rolls or fresh locally caught seafood sandwiches at Blue Box Seafood Company, a summer-season beer garden with views of the marina and live music.
Spend your weekend under the stars at Half Moon Bay RV Park and Campground or at Windy Cove County Park, home to nearly 100 sites. Winchester Bay RV Resort hosts waterfront sites and nearly a dozen cabins. Another option is the family-run Salmon Harbor Landing Motel.
Day 2: River Culture and Kayaking
Start a relaxed day around Reedsport with doughnuts and cinnamon rolls at Sugar Shack Bakery, or with a breakfast burrito at Highwater Cafe & Market. You’ll be fueled up for the Umpqua Discovery Center, which sits on the banks of the Umpqua River. The museum celebrates the nature and culture of the Lower Umpqua River through artwork and immersive displays.
Spend your afternoon paddling the peaceful waters of the Umpqua River itself. Put your boat in at the upgraded Rainbow Plaza Boat Launch — featuring a wheelchair-accessible ramp next to the Umpqua Discovery Center — or farther upstream at the Umpqua State Scenic Corridor. There’s also a boat ramp with a dedicated kayak launch in Reedsport, the Bumble Bee Boat Ramp. For more about area paddling, check out this paddling guide.
After an afternoon on the water, bring your appetite to Big Fish Cafe. The popular eatery is located on a onetime research boat and serves seafood specialties like coconut shrimp and seasonal halibut and chips.
Day 3: Dunes, Views and Wildlife Watching
Make the most of your final day with a hike through the dunes or along the river. Winchester Bay sits in the heart of the 40-mile-long Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area — one of the largest coastal dunes in the world — and offers ATV rentals as well as sandy hikes.
To enjoy several diverse landscapes, depart from Ziolkouski Beach Park near Half Moon Bay RV Park and Campground for a sandy stroll along the Umpqua River and to the edge of the Triangle Jetty, where oysters are cultivated. Be sure to stop by the nearby 65-foot Umpqua River Lighthouse and its museum/gift shop. Lighthouse tours are offered year-round.
As you begin the drive home, grab lunch at Schooner Inn Cafe in Reedsport — try a seasonal Dungeness crab melt or salmon burger fresh off the grill.
Just 3 miles east as the river winds up through the Coast Range, pull over at Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area for wide-open views of the 60 to 100 Roosevelt elk that live nearby. The best time to see them is first thing in the morning and at dusk.
Top photo: Fishing the Umpqua River in Reedsport by Danny Kent Alacali
