Myrtle Creek, known as the “Gateway to the 100 Valleys of the Umpqua River,” promises adventure in the dozens of streams that flow through the undulating landscape. The town comes by its name honestly, with Oregon Myrtle trees lining the banks of the creeks. Local artists turn this wood into souvenirs of the heart of timber country. Millsite Park, where an old planing mill once stood, harbors one of the area’s signature covered bridges.
Planning a visit? Stay at Tri-City RV Park.
Easy access to Interstate 5 leaves all of Southern Oregon—Coos Bay to the west, Roseburg to the north, Crater Lake to the east and Medford to the south—within easy reach from Myrtle Creek. Or remain in the Tri-City area (Riddle, Myrtle Creek and Canyonville) for Nevada-style gaming at the Four Feathers Casino.
The town traces its past to the Applegate Trail, which dates back to 1846. Jesse Applegate traversed the area to blaze the first route south from the Willamette Valley to California. It was mostly gold hunters that used that trail through the walled canyon of the South Umpqua River. Today amateur panners are still finding traces of that gold as well.
joannie rodriguez
where can I go into a goldmind to dig for gold