Copeland Creek
Second Bridge to North Umpqua(Copeland Creek)
| Difficulty | IV(V) |
| Length | 5.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 120 fpm |
| Gauge | N Umpqua River Abv Copeland Ck Nr Toketee Falls,or |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 863 cfs |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 1, 2023 |
River Description
This run is steep and active, consistently Class IV. One of the best class IV runs Oregon has to offer. There is a fun/clean 15 foot waterfall in the middle of the lower section.
Description:
This run splits conveniently into two sections.
Upper Section
Check out the description, with pictures and shuttle directions, in Jason Rackley's excellent Oregon Kayaking site. This section feels a bit more adventurous, especially if you put on high enough to add on Paul Bunyan Falls. Paul Bunyan still has wood in it, but has been run on the left.
Lower Section
Look over the put-in bridge at the first drop. This is about average difficulty of the run. You will be required to do things more difficult than this.
The next drop is not visible from the put-in and is worth a look. This is as hard as it gets (except for the waterfall and logs).
There is a good trip report from Nate Pfiefer on this section here: http://wheelsandwater.blogspot.com/2010/06/copeland-creek-060610.html
Shuttle:
To get to the take-out: Take I5 to Roseburg exit 124 and follow the signs to state highway 138 east. Go east just past MP 51 to Copeland Creek. It is well marked. Take out under the bridge or down on the North Umpqua.
To get to the mid point put-in: Go up Copeland Creek Road (USFS 28) two miles to the first bridge. Cross the bridge and park. Put in at the 'pump chance' WO 30307.
To get to the put-in: Stop at the mid point put-in and gaze at the rapid downstream. Go back accross the bridge and continue up river left on the dirt road (
...River Features
Forest Road 300 Spur Bridge, "Camp Wobegone" Put-In
Upper put-in.
Paul Bunyan Falls
Forest Road 28 Bridge, Intermediate Access Point
Access point separating the upper and lower run.
Fountain of Youth
A 17' high waterfall. Scout and portage options on river left.
Umpqua Confluence Take-Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportI saw on the Umpqua national forest web site that they are going to be adding wood to copeland creek starting at the end of august into early september to inprove spawning habitat. hope they consider boaters when adding logs to the creek!!
We did the lower section during Jan 2006 and this really is a great run--one of those 2 mile runs where you feel like you're getting 10 miles worth of rapids. There are ledges, boulder gardens, and even a nice clean 15' falls. It is one of the finest class IV creeking runs in the region. Flow for the N. Umpqua ab. Copland reading 2380 cfs which was at the lower end of the range for this run but still at a good flow and a great level for a first run or those working to hone their creeking skills. It would get a bit more pushy at higher flows.