Discover Roseburg: River, Culture and Nature

Roseburg combines urban discoveries with river landscapes, parks and nature experiences in the surrounding area. The South Umpqua River flows through the city center, while the Douglas County Museum, public art, markets and the Historic Downtown Roseburg Walking Tour appeal to different travel interests. This allows you to choose your holiday apartment in Roseburg based on whether you primarily want to experience culture, walks, regional specialties or excursions into the countryside.

Walking Trails, Parks and Rivers

A good introduction to the city’s landscape is Stewart Park. The regional park covers 236 acres and has a 2.6-mile loop trail. It leads through the park and around the golf course, ending at the Roseburg Duck Pond. Take the length into account when planning your day and combine the trail with time in the park.

The city parks also offer various opportunities for a varied break: They include walking trails, playgrounds, disc golf courses and viewpoints. If you are traveling with children, you can include the playgrounds in your daily itinerary, while other family members choose a walk or a viewpoint. During the warmer months, the Umpqua River offers opportunities for swimming, rafting, floating, sunbathing and picnicking.

For longer excursions, the North Umpqua Trail is located nearby. The hiking or cycling trail is 79 miles long and runs along the North Umpqua River. East of Roseburg, the Umpqua National Forest is also nearby, with Douglas firs, wildflowers, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, streams and hiking trails. These destinations complement a stay in which you want to plan larger nature experiences in addition to exploring the city.

Culture and History in Roseburg

The Douglas County Museum displays Oregon’s largest natural history collection. The “Wagons West & The Oregon Trail” exhibit includes pioneer wagons and a fully stocked general store. This gives you concrete insights into natural history and the history of the Oregon Trail without requiring you to devote your entire day exclusively to outdoor activities.

The free, self-guided Historic Downtown Roseburg Walking Tour begins at the intersection of Jackson Street and Douglas Avenue. Another way to explore downtown is the Experience Roseburg Mural Project. The Mural Tour can be completed in any order and at your own pace. This makes it easy to incorporate public art into a stroll through the city. The free “Music on the Half Shell” concert series takes place at Stewart Park every Tuesday from mid-June through August.

Wine, Markets and Regional Impressions

In the historic Hansen-Chevrolet building downtown, Paul O’Brien Winery offers a relaxed wine tasting. The tasting room is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you are interested in regional products, the Umpqua Valley Farmers' Market is another established part of the city: It takes place year-round every Saturday in the 500 block of Jackson Street in downtown Roseburg. Organic fruit and vegetables as well as handmade arts and crafts are offered there.

To help you prepare for your stay, the Roseburg Visitor Center offers visitor guides, local maps, themed itineraries and restaurant recommendations. Clothing and souvenirs are also available there. This can be helpful if you want to divide your stay between downtown, the river, parks and excursions into the surrounding area.

Which Location Suits Your Trip?

If you want to focus on historic buildings, murals, the museum, the market and wine tasting, accommodation connected to Roseburg’s city life has much to recommend it. For a stay centered on walking trails, paved paths and river landscapes, the parks and the South Umpqua River can shape your daily itinerary. Those looking for longer hikes or bike rides can also include the North Umpqua Trail and the Umpqua National Forest in their travel plans. Your choice of holiday apartment should therefore primarily match the rhythm you want for your trip: changing urban experiences, relaxing days by the water or extended routes through nature.

For more places to help with orientation, see Reedsport, Winston, Canyonville, Sutherlin, Tenmile, Umpqua, Curtin and Myrtle Creek.

For the higher-level travel overview: Douglas.