Umpqua National Forest
The Umpqua National Forest is nestled on the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains. Explosive geologic events shaped the distinctive landscape on the 983,129-acre forest, and provide spectacular scenery as well as an abundance of natural and cultural resources. Visitors discover a diverse place of thundering waters, high mountain lakes, heart-stopping rapids, and peaceful ponds. The Forest is characterized by its many waterfalls, including the 293-foot Watson Falls on the North Umpqua Highway.
Umpqua National Forest Facts...
- High Cascades glaciation, whitewater rapids and explosive volcanic events have shaped the spectacular scenery and abundant natural resources of the Umpqua National Forest.
- The lands were included as part of the Cascade Forest Reserve in 1893. In 1908, Congress designated close to a million acres as the Umpqua National Forest.
- The headwaters of the North and South Umpqua rivers and Row River begin on the Forest. Verdant stands of hemlock, true fir, Douglas-fir and cedar transition to lower elevation forests of mixed conifers and hardwoods. The waterways and diverse landscapes of the Forest create desirable habitat for many species of fish and wildlife in addition to providing outstanding recreational opportunities to our local communities and visitors.
Centennial Information
The Umpqua National Forest celebrated 100 years of caring for the land and serving people in 2008. As part of the celebration, we developed an area of our forest web site to include our history, as we know it, complete with historic photographs.
The Lands
- Douglas County 821,252 acres (84%)
- Lane County 151,249 acres (15%)
- Jackson County 10,628 acres (1%)
- Total 983,239 acres
- The Forest has four ranger districts (numbers exclude private and BLM lands)
- Cottage Grove 87,038 acres
- Diamond Lake 316,629 acres
- North Umpqua 256,404 acres
- Tiller 325,909 acres
The Dorena Genetic Research Center is located near the Cottage Grove Ranger Station. The Forest is also the home of the Wolf Creek Job Corps Center, near Glide.
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