Umpqua National Forest

The Diamond Lake Recreation Area is dominated by Diamond Lake, flanked to the east by Mount Thielsen and to the west by Mount Bailey. The Rogue Umpqua National Scenic Byway (SR 138), called the Highway of Waterfalls, parallels the North Umpqua River, providing a 172-mile scenic drive from Roseburg to Diamond Lake.

The three wilderness areas in the forest are Boulder Creek Wilderness, a 19,100-acre area important as an old-growth, timbered watershed of the North Umpqua River; the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness, a 26,350-acre area noted for its interesting geologic formations and extensive trail system; and the Mount Thielsen Wilderness, part of the Oregon Cascade Recreation Area totaling 21,593 acres. A wildfire damaged much of the Boulder Creek area in 2008; visitors should remain cautious of such dangers as falling trees on the recovering landscape.

Fishing for steelhead trout is popular in the forest's many streams and rivers. Saddle trips can be taken. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling trails are open in the winter. For further information contact Umpqua National Forest, 2900 N.W. Stewart Pkwy., Roseburg, OR 97471; phone (541) 957-3200.