The forest is named for the Umpqua Indians, one of several groups who inhabited the Umpqua area in
the early nineteenth century. They were deported in mass to the Grand Ronde and Siletz Reservations following the
Rogue River Indian wars that broke out in the fall of 1855.
The forest covers 1,600 square miles, half of which is old growth. Hikers can explore the ridges and valleys of
Douglas fir, old-growth ponderosa, and groves of oak. Rising out of these ancient forests are peaks such as
Mt. Thielsen (9,182 ft) and Mt. Bailey (8,363 ft).
The North Umpqua River provides sport for rafters and fisherman who can count on a summer run of steelhead.
The Colliding Rivers Center is located along Hwy 138 in Glide.
The Umpqua National Forest contains three designated Wilderness Areas. The Mt. Thielsen Wilderness encompasses
over 55,000 acres along the crest of the Cascades. The Pacific Crest Trail passes through the middle of the
wilderness area. The Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness includes 33,000 acres ranging in elevation from 3,200 to
nearly 7,000 ft. The Boulder Creek Wilderness encompasses 19,100 acres, 50 miles east of Roseburg. The wilderness
is composed of dense old growth forests and steep terrain.
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