Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway
Encyclopedia
The Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway is a National Scenic Byway
in the U.S. state
of Oregon
. It provides a tour of the environs of the North Umpqua River
, the High Cascades, and the Upper Rogue River
.
on OR 138, at the junction with Interstate 5
, the scenic byway travels eastward. Near Glide
, it begins to parallel the North Umpqua River
. It continues roughly eastward until it meets Diamond Lake
, where it turns southward along the east shore of the lake. Near the southern tip of the lake the scenic byway turns west and then southwest on OR 230. Here it follows the Rogue River
, eventually merges with OR 62 near Union Creek
. On its last leg the route meets up with OR 234 and passes near Upper and Lower Table Rock
. The byway's terminus is at Gold Hill
. The entire scenic byway is 172 miles (276.8 km) long.
National Scenic Byway
A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for its archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. It provides a tour of the environs of the North Umpqua River
North Umpqua River
The North Umpqua River is a tributary of the Umpqua River, approximately long, in southwestern Oregon in the United States. It drains a scenic and rugged area of the Cascade Range southwest of Eugene, flowing through steep canyons and surrounded by large Douglas-fir forests...
, the High Cascades, and the Upper Rogue River
Rogue River (Oregon)
The Rogue River in southwestern Oregon in the United States flows about in a generally westward direction from the Cascade Range to the Pacific Ocean. Known for its salmon runs, whitewater rafting, and rugged scenery, it was one of the original eight rivers named in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act...
.
Route description
Starting from RoseburgRoseburg, Oregon
Roseburg is a city in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is the county seat of Douglas County. The population was 21,181 at the 2010 census.-History:...
on OR 138, at the junction with Interstate 5
Interstate 5 in Oregon
In the U.S. state of Oregon, Interstate 5 traverses the state from north to south, passing through the major cities of Portland, Salem, Eugene, and Medford.-Route description:...
, the scenic byway travels eastward. Near Glide
Glide, Oregon
Glide is a census-designated place in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,690 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000,...
, it begins to parallel the North Umpqua River
North Umpqua River
The North Umpqua River is a tributary of the Umpqua River, approximately long, in southwestern Oregon in the United States. It drains a scenic and rugged area of the Cascade Range southwest of Eugene, flowing through steep canyons and surrounded by large Douglas-fir forests...
. It continues roughly eastward until it meets Diamond Lake
Diamond Lake (Oregon)
Diamond Lake is a lake in the southern part of the U.S. state of Oregon. It lies near the junction of Oregon Route 138 and Oregon Route 230 in the Umpqua National Forest in Douglas County. It is located between Mount Bailey to the west and Mount Thielsen to the east; it is just north of Crater Lake...
, where it turns southward along the east shore of the lake. Near the southern tip of the lake the scenic byway turns west and then southwest on OR 230. Here it follows the Rogue River
Rogue River
Rogue River may refer to:* "Rogue River" , an episode of Jericho and the eponymous place* Rogue River , a river in Michigan, USA* Rogue River , a river in Oregon, USA* Rogue River, Oregon, a city in Oregon, USA...
, eventually merges with OR 62 near Union Creek
Union Creek (Rogue River)
Union Creek is a tributary, about long, of the Rogue River in the U.S. state of Oregon. Beginning west of Union Peak in the Cascade Range, it flows through the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest to meet the Rogue at Union Creek and the Union Creek Historic District.The creek begins near...
. On its last leg the route meets up with OR 234 and passes near Upper and Lower Table Rock
Upper and Lower Table Rock
Upper Table Rock and Lower Table Rock are two prominent volcanic plateaus located just north of the Rogue River in Jackson County, Oregon. Created by an andesitic lava flow approximately seven million years ago and shaped by erosion, they now stand about above the surrounding valley...
. The byway's terminus is at Gold Hill
Gold Hill, Oregon
Gold Hill is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, in the United States. As of July 1, 2009, the population was 1,080 people.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
. The entire scenic byway is 172 miles (276.8 km) long.