UNION CREEK CAMPGROUND - ROGUE RIVER

About this park

The Upper Rogue River is fed by snowmelt and springs originating on the peaks of the Cascade Range, including the slopes of Mt. Mazama—the volcanic caldera that contains Crater Lake. Along the uppermost portion of the Upper Rogue, the river is narrow and shallow, but very swift. The river has, for a two-mile stretch, carved more than 200 feet down into the Mazama pumice (which was deposited about 8,000 years ago during the explosion that created Crater Lake). Downstream, the Upper Rogue passes through the narrow, turbulent Rogue Gorge of black lava and soon plunges entirely underground (into a lava tube) for about 250 feet at Natural Bridge. Interpretive trails at both of these places provide good views of the river, with signs that explain the natural history.