Caption: Great Umpqua Food Trail: Umpqua Valley Farmers Market in Roseburg, Oregon. Photo Credit: Joni Kabana.
Editor’s note: The following article was prepared by Travel Oregon.
Heading out on a Southern Oregon road trip and need a great cup of coffee, an amazing farm-to-table dinner or a tasting room with a view around Roseburg? Now you can pull out the Great Umpqua Food Trail map to find about 45 stops just a short detour off the highway that focus on local ingredients that were grown, raised, harvested or created in Southern Oregon’s “Great Umpqua” region — named for the watershed and the lush valleys through which the river and its tributaries flow.
Choose a section of the trail for a day (or week) of food adventure: wineries, breweries and farm-to-table restaurants, farmers markets, farm stands, u-pick farms, bakeries and cafes. The businesses along the Great Umpqua Food Trail share a commitment to promoting and sourcing products that are grown, raised or created in the Great Umpqua region. Find your themed route below or download the official brochure.
Rambling Rivers Itinerary:
A wild river leads through the woods to a variety of local epicurean delights.
Outdoor adventures await along the North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River east of Roseburg on the North Umpqua Highway (Hwy 138). A short jaunt to Susan Creek Falls is well worth taking, rewarded by a satisfying lunch and Oregon spirits at the historic Steamboat Inn. Save room for a slice of warm berry pie while admiring the rushing river from the patio.
Arrange a tasting at River Ranch Oregon Olive Oil, where riverside orchards yield aromatic olive varieties that are masterly captured in liquid form.
On the way back west, visit Colliding Rivers Park, where two mighty rivers converge, and Winchester Dam Fish Ladder for an underwater view of migrating steelhead and salmon. Taste the terroir at nearby boutique winery Mustard Seed Cellars while gazing hidden valleys, then raise a glass at Cooper Ridge Vineyard, perched high above the North Umpqua River.
Follow the currents to Roseburg for a slew of tasty dinner options. The wood-fired pizza is one of a kind at Old Soul Pizza, with creative toppings and cozy digs in downtown. At Backside Brewing, comfort food complements a sizable selection of craft beers, including special brews with notes of coffee and peach. Sit back and savor the flavors of this special area —you earned it.
Old Wagon Roads Itinerary
Historic markers and modern makers offer an immersion of the senses.
Start the morning right with coffee at Oregon Sunshine Espresso in Canyonville, then explore nearby Pioneer Park for details about the Applegate Trail, a mid-19th century alternative to westernmost part of the Oregon Trail. Continue along the historic route to detour for fresh–baked confections at Happy Donut and neighboring Goodog Bakery, which sells treats for both people and pets.
More history awaits at Millsite Park, where interpretive kiosks shed light on the incredible emigrant journey and historic wagon ruts remain less than a quarter mile away.
Nearby in Winston, Freed Estate Winery boasts impressive accolades and a fun tasting room atmosphere inspired by the tropics — all well worth raising a glass.
The neighboring community of Lookingglass enjoys quiet fame for its country store built and continuously operated since 1852. Celebrate modern makers on Thursdays, from spring to the holidays, at the Lookingglass Grange Farm Market, featuring an array of talented food and craft vendors. Next take the scenic roads to Kith and Kin Fermentation in Tenmile for single-batch beers rooted in Pacific Northwest flavors. Then steer your convoy west to Reston Road and the Coos Bay Wagon Road that leads to the Oregon Coast.
Sip to the Sea Itinerary
Reap the rewards of a river route that unites with the Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail.
The joyful journey begins with blueberry picking at the family-owned Estill Farms in Drain. Then delight your appetite in neighboring Elkton, where Tomaselli’s Pastry Mill & Cafe reinvents homestyle cooking with specialty sandwiches and mouthwatering baked goods like elk claw, a local favorite.
Cool coastal mountain valleys make the Elkton AVA a distinctive wine region — with three top vineyards all within two miles. Sip estate wines at Bradley Vineyards, the town’s longest-standing, family-owned vineyard, and Brandborg Vineyard & Winery, where pours can be enjoyed with a downtown patio view. Continue west to River’s Edge Winery for small-batch pinot noir and a glimpse of the winemaking process taking place just behind the tasting bar.
Before leaving Elkton, visit the enchanting butterfly pavilion at Elkton Community Education Center and grab a smoothie or pastry at the student-operated Outpost Café to fuel the next leg. A hand-hewn replica of historic Fort Umpqua is just steps away, down the trail through the native plant park.
As the Great Umpqua Food Trail ends, another one begins west at the Oregon Coast. Head towards the Pacific Ocean where the historic Umpqua River Lighthouse Museum marks the start of the Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail.
Travel Tips
The Great Umpqua Food Trail is open to visitors throughout the year and is designed to explore at your own pace — you are welcome to start and finish wherever you like. To ensure a positive experience, please check the hours of operation for each business online or by phone and note when advance reservations or appointments are required.
Before setting out along the Great Umpqua Food Trail, plan ahead by mapping your route to make it easy to navigate remote areas without cell service. Also check road conditionsand fuel up, since gas stations can be harder to find on country roads.
High season varies per business, but is typically June – October. Seasonality of key products is listed below:
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Cherries are often available June through August
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Blueberries and peaches are usually at their best July through August
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Pumpkin patches are often open September through October
The working farms along this trail provide some of the most unique and engaging experiences. We ask that you respect the invitation to enter each property and be cautious around farm animals and equipment. Children must be supervised at all times and you should be prepared to follow all site-specific rules. For your safety and comfort, be prepared with appropriate footwear, sun protection and water.
Visit experienceroseburg.com for culinary and agritourism events in the Umpqua Valley. Annual wine events in the Umpqua Valley include the Greatest of the Grape and the Barrel Tour. Visit umpquavalleywineries.org for more information. We hope your experience along the Great Umpqua Food Trail doesn’t end when you leave the area. We encourage you to bring a taste of your journey back home to share with friends and family as a reminder of the bounty available in the Great Umpqua region. Learn more at greatumpquafoodtrail.com.
