| 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 54 minutes | 678 cfs |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 25, 2026 |
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
To reach the upper put-in, turn onto Forest Road 28 at North Umpqua Highway (Hwy 138) mile 51.0. Stop at the mid point access 2.4 miles up and take a look at the rapid downstream to make an assessment of water level. Continue up river left on the dirt road (Copeland Creek Road USFS 2801). Bear left at all intersections. After two and a half miles turn left at USFS 2801-300. Cross the bridge and park in the hunters camp. Carry down to the creek from here. A much nicer put-in is 0.2 miles downstream at 'pump chance' WO 3040.
To reach this intermediate access point separating the upper and lower run, turn onto Forest Road 28 at North Umpqua Highway (Hwy 138) mile 51.0. Follow Forest Road 28 2.4 miles upstream along river left and then take the left fork in the road to the bridge across Copeland Creek. Cross the bridge and park. Put in at the 'pump chance' WO 30307.
A 17' high waterfall. Scout and portage options on river left.
At North Umpqua Highway (Hwy 138) mile 51.0 a short pull out on the downstream river left side of the confluence where Copeland Creek joins the North Umpqua River has a social trail providing access to the river.
Jul 20, 2026
Aug 27, 2006
I 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!!
Jan 10, 2006
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.