North Umpqua River: Logistics and Details
| How to Sign Up | What's included |
| Where and When to Meet | River Shuttles |
| What to Bring | Pre and Post Trip Lodging |
| Fishing | Nearby Attractions |
| Comment on your river trip |
How to sign up
Call us (at 503-563-1500, or toll-free at 1-800-827-1358), or use our web-based reservation system.
Trip includes
- The services of our professional guides and staff.
- Transportation to and from our meeting place.
- A hearty lunch on our one day trips, and all meals from lunch on day one through lunch on day two or three on our two and three day trips. Meals are freshly prepared by our guides from the highest quality ingredients. Special dietary needs may be accommodated with advance notice.
- Durable, professional quality rafts and river running equipment, including U.S. Coast Guard Approved lifejackets.
- Waterproof river bags for your personal gear.
- Camp chairs (on two and three day trips).
Where and when to meet
We meet at 10:00 AM on the day your trip begins at the Gravel Bin boat ramp, which is approximately 40 miles east of Roseburg, Oregon on Highway 138. You'll find the boat ramp about 3/4 mile upstream from Steamboat Creek, roughly midway between highway mileposts 39 and 40. see our maps page for more information.
One day trips typically end by approximately 4 PM. Two and three day trips typcially end by around 3 PM the last day of the trip. (Many factors influence our timetable, including water levels, winds, and the needs and preferences of our guests. Please consider these times approximate.)
What to bring
When you sign up for your river adventure we will send you a complete list of what to bring. This list is also available online. In general you'll need to simply bring only your own clothing. For 2 and 3 day trips you'll also need to bring a sleeping bag, pad and tent, although you may rent them from us for a nominal fee if you prefer.
Pre and post trip lodging and camping
Lodging is available at the Steamboat Inn (800-840-8825) in cabins and deluxe cottages. Other good options include two bed and breakfast lodges near Glide (roughly 20 miles from Steamboat): Steelhead Run (800-992-8942) and Idleyld Lodge (541-496-0088).
Umpqua National Forest campgrounds are numerous and beautiful. we recommend Horseshoe Bend campground in particular.
Fishing
The North Umpqua is renowned for its outstanding steelhead fishing. This is one of the nation's top steelhead streams. If you would like to try your hand at fly fishing, bring your gear and an Oregon fishing license, which may be purchased at Oregon sporting goods stores or online at outdoorcentral.us. Fishing is permitted from shore only.
Pre and post trip river shuttles
Shuttle specifics vary by day and group. If you are joining us for a one day trip you will leave your car at our meeting place and ride in an ORE vehicle to put-in. If you're staying for additional days of rafting you probably still leave your car at our meeting place for the day, although alternatively we may first carpool to our camping spot then transport you by van to our put-in location (and back to camp at the end of the rafting day).
Gratuities
Our guests sometimes ask whether it is appropriate to tip the guides. Tipping is optional, but if your guides did a great job then feel free to thank them with a gratuity. The amount is up to you, but tips between 8% and 20% of trip cost are typical. (In general, gratuities are best presented to your paddle raft guide on day trips. Gratuities are customarily presented to the Lead Guide on two and three day trips, and will be shared equally among all guides on those trips.)
Nearby attractions
While in the area consider including a hike on the Umpqua
River Trail in your itinerary. Or visit a few of Umpqua National Forest's
numerous waterfall, including picturesque Toketee Falls (highway 138,
milepost 59), or Watson Falls (milepost 61), the third highest falls in
Oregon. Another enjoyable side trip is a visit to Umpqua Hot Springs. For
information about these recreational opportunities contact the Umpqua
National Forest at 541-672-6601.
Slightly further a field but still easily within reach is world-famous
Crater Lake National Park. (It is approximately a 50 miles drive from our
meeting place near Steamboat to Crater Lake.) Visit
a Crater Lake Website for
more information, or call the Park at 541-594-2211.
Comment on your river trip
Did you recently complete an O.R.E. river trip? If you'd like to comment on your experience then please visit our comment page.
