Wonderful Whistler’s Bend: Camping near Roseburg, Oregon and Wildlife Safari

We recently went camping near Roseburg, Oregon. Whenever I posted or shared a photo of our trip, the response was the same: “That looks gorgeous. Where is it??” This question doesn’t surprise me because this absolute paradise of a spot, Whistler’s Bend, is so off the radar, nearly no one knows about it.

Whistler’s Bend is a county-operated park 20 minutes east of Roseburg, OR. The North Umpqua River makes a horseshoe bend here, encircling the park on three sides.

My kids confirm Whistler’s Bend is an outdoor playground—for all ages. Floating the river, playing the five-star rated disc golf course, or simply relaxing in the quiet campgrounds: You can’t go wrong camping here.

Don’t believe me? Read on for all the campground details, things to do and nearby attractions. I’m certain you won’t be disappointed.

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Camping near Roseburg, Oregon

Roseburg is an hour south of my hometown, Eugene, Oregon, and three hours south of Portland. One thing I love about camping near Roseburg, Oregon is that it’s so much less crowded than other more populous areas of the state.

Case in point: If you go camping near Portland or along the Oregon Coast, you’ll need to work hard to snag a camping spot early. Plus, many campgrounds are busy once you get there.

Not so with Whistler’s Bend.

This campground near Roseburg is off the beaten track. As I said, it’s not a well known camping destination. (It’s most popular with locals and disc golfers, but that’s about it!) So if you’re looking for a laid-back place to go camping near Roseburg, OR, this is it.

Whistler’s Bend Campground

Whistler’s Bend is by far the best of the campgrounds near Roseburg, Oregon. Why?

• Campsites are large. We comfortably fit six tents plus a canopy between two adjacent sites.
• Facilities are clean and up to date. Flushing toilets and hot showers for the win!
• Whistler’s Bend is out of the way. You won’t get a ton of people passing through. Most of the folks in the park are camping there, so there isn’t much day use traffic.
• The campground is fairly remote. A 20-minute drive from I-5, you won’t hear much, if any, traffic noise.
• The natural setting is unbeatable. If you’re into floating rivers, spotting bald eagles dive for fish or watching breathtaking moonrises, Whistler’s Bend campground is for you.

The park also has several group sites.

Fees for campsites start at $25 a night. Checkin is at 2:30 pm. Make reservations for Whistler’s Bend campground here.

When you book your site, you can choose between two sections of the Whistler’s Bend campground. This is important: Book a site in the Lower Loop. This section of the campground is riverside, and the sites are much, much more private.

The Lower Loop of Whistler’s Bend campground includes:

• 26 non-hookup sites
• Flush toilets and restrooms with hot showers
• Vault toilets
• 2 rustic yurts
• Easy access to the North Umpqua River

This area of the campground is partially shaded by enormous oak trees. The shade is so welcome during the hot summer! It’s not unusual for temperatures to reach the 90s here, with occasional jumps into the 100s. You’ll appreciate the trees!

What’s more, this area of the Whistler’s Bend campground is alongside the North Umpqua River. The shore is a few minutes’ walk away, and you can hear the river rushing at night. A boat ramp at the far end of the loop has a wonderful sand beach and a calm swimming hole that’s great for families.

If you’re looking for full hookups, though, choose the Upper Loop.

The wide open loop means you can see clear across the campground, including every tent and RV in between, but it’s your best bet for hookups. The Upper Loop includes:

• 13 full hookup sites
• 16 non-hookup sites
• 1 rustic yurt (this one overlooks the river from atop the cliff—beautiful!)
• Flush toilets and restrooms with hot showers
• Access to the day use area

Campsites include a picnic table and fire ring. Like most, if not all, Oregon campgrounds, pay attention to burn bans. Whistler’s Bend is located in an area that is prone to wildfire, so you may not be able to light campfires, especially in late summer.

Whistler’s Bend Day Use Area

You don’t have to camp at Whistler’s Bend to enjoy this gem. You can also take advantage of the day use area.

Use requires a $4 fee.

The day use area includes many shaded picnic tables, vault toilets (no flushing facilities), a playground, a developed boat ramp and river access.

If you’re doing the long float on the North Umpqua (more on that below!), you’ll jump in the water here. Always remember to wear your life jacket/PFD. Even strong swimmers can drown here.

Campers can take advantage of the Whistler’s Bend day use area, too. If you’re camping in the Lower Loop, drive to the parking lot of the day use area. From there you can walk down to the river.

The riverbank in the day use area is rocky, so step carefully. The rocks get very slippery in the water! You’ll find plenty of room to spread out—no feeling crowded among oodles of people. Calm spots make for great swimming holes. Keep an eye out for crawdads and tadpoles!

Things to Do at Whistler’s Bend

One of the things I most love about Whistler’s Bend: You can spend all your time chilling out—or all your time doing the many, many things to do!

Go disc golfing! Float the river! Fish! Swim! Or just lounge!

No matter how you spend your time at this phenomenal campground, it’ll be time well spent.

Whistler’s Bend Disc Golf

The Whistler’s Bend Disc Golf Course winds through open meadows and oak forest. The hilly 27-hole course isn’t for the faint of heart. You’ll get a solid workout going up and down all the elevation. On top of that, the whole course length is nearly 10,000 feet.

Beginners won’t have an easy time at the Whistler’s Bend Disc Golf Course. Even Hubs, who disc golfs nearly every day in the summer, is worn out after a round.

If you do play, enjoy Hole 17, Whistler’s top of the world hole. You’ll throw from a tee pad at the tippy top of a hill. Watch your disc sail farther thank you think is possible!

Bring twice as much water as you think you’ll need when playing Whistler’s Bend Disc Golf Course. The course gets hot, and you’ll be hiking all that elevation while carrying your bag. Secondly, make sure you’ve applied a good layer of poison oak protection. Poison oak loves the climate here, and you’ll pass many bushes. This is what we use and it’s remarkable how well it works:

When you’re done disc golfing, hop in the river. The cool water will feel amazing after you’ve finished the round!

Float the North Umpqua River

If Edie had her way, she’d float the North Umpqua River 20 times every day we camped at Whistler’s Bend.

As it was, we floated “only” three times a day.

I don’t blame her for wanting moremoremore of a good thing, though! Floating down the river is one of the best parts of camping at Whistler’s Bend.

The water isn’t nearly as frigid as many other fast-moving rivers in Oregon. It’s wonderfully refreshing on a hot day.

You have two options for floats: A short one and a longer one.

Short float

For the short float, hike a bit upriver from the boat ramp at the Lower Loop (not the Day Use). You’ll walk over big rocks, so wear sturdy water shoes. (These are the water shoes/aqua socks we buy and love. They come in a ton of styles.) Then hop in the river wherever you like.

You’ll float until you reach the campgrounds in the Lower Loop. Keep an eye out for a giant boulder on river right; that’s the sign you should start swimming left, toward the campgrounds. The rocks are slippery so be careful getting out.

The short float takes about 10 minutes.

Long float

For the long float, walk or drive to the Day Use area. You can jump in the river at the boat ramp, but we like to walk upriver a bit to jump in where the current is swifter.

With the long route, you’ll go through several rapids. These aren’t scary but take you over bouncy waves.

You can take out at the Lower Loop boat ramp, where a swimming hole offers a calm spot to get out easily. You can also continue to float, getting out at the campgrounds.

The long float takes about 25 minutes.

Safety note: Wear a life jacket. Please. Even strong swimmers can have an accident.

You can go on this stretch of the North Umpqua River on a floatie, like a tube or an inflatable kayak. You can also float directly in the water while wearing a life jacket.

More Things to Do Near Whistler’s Bend

You can easily spend all day, every day of your camping trip hanging out at Whistler’s Bend. But if you want to explore the area near the park, there’s plenty for you to do.

Check out these fun things to do near Roseburg, Oregon.

Visit Wildlife Safari

The Whistler’s Bend Campground is a mere half-hour drive from Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. You and your kids will never forget this unique and family-friendly attraction!

At Wildlife Safari, you drive through an enormous park full of animals roaming around you. Wildebeest, giraffes, rhinos and so many more are free to wander, relax in the shade—or walk right up to your car!

In one section of Wildlife Safari, you can even feed animals from the open window of your car. My kids are still talking about this amazing memory!

My full review of Wildlife Safari gives you all the details you need to enjoy this destination near Roseburg, OR.

Toketee Falls and Hot Springs

An hour east of Whistler’s Bend Campground, you’ll find Toketee Falls. This waterfall hike is only a mile long, and the payoff is impressive.

Water cascades over a basalt cliff into a churning pool. The 113-foot-waterfall is one of the most iconic falls in Oregon and well worth the short trip.

The family-friendly hike is well trafficked. Stay on the trail to prevent erosion.

In 2022, follow the nearby trail to Umpqua Hot Springs. (The trail is currently closed because of wildfire damage and concerns over COVID.) Tiered pools, full of naturally hot water, slope down the hillside overlooking the North Umpqua River.

The Umpqua Hot Springs are unlike anything else I’ve ever seen. Know, though, that some people use the hot springs naked, and drug use is not unheard of.

Our Favorite Campground near Roseburg, Oregon

If you’re camping near Roseburg, Oregon, I absolutely recommend Whistler’s Bend campground. It’s close enough to Roseburg to conveniently drive into town for food or ice but far enough off the beaten path that you’ll feel fully immersed in nature.

Not to mention immersed in the North Umpqua River.

So if you’re looking to beat the bustle of everyday life in a gorgeous Oregon campground, Whistler’s Bend is the place. I’ll see you there.