Destination Downtown

McMenamin’s Roseburg Station and Pub

Your insider’s guide to Roseburg’s downtown dining destinations.

Story by Brittany Arnold Photos by Jonathan Cummings

Backside Brewing Wrappin and Rollin

Brix | Grill & Chill

Whether you are road tripping through town with hungry kids or are in need of nourishment before heading up to Crater Lake, downtown Roseburg offers an array of pit stops whose offerings are sure to pass the high standards of your taste buds. 1. Backside Brewing Co.: Off Hwy 138 on the way to Diamond and Crater lakes, just a few blocks away from the downtown core, Backside offers a casual atmosphere catering to those who want to enjoy great pub fare, including wood-fired pizza and beer brewed on site. In addition to indoor seating, Backside offers an outdoor picnic area with cornhole and other games. Facebook @ backsidebrewingco. Casual, indoor/ outdoor family dining. Pets welcome. 2. Dino’s Ristorante: Cozy atmosphere with classic Italian food. Perfect for a comfortable, date-night. Facebook @DinosRistorante. Indoor, intimate and family dining. 3. Brix Grill | Chill: Offering casual fine dining adjacent to a contemporary neighborhood bar and grill (21 and older). Tasty cocktails; delicious and diverse menu to appease adults and children alike. During warm weather months, Brix features Roseburg’s only rooftop bar (also 21 and older).

Facebook @brixgrill. Indoor/warmweather outdoor casual fine dining.

Kids welcome. 4. North Forty Beer Co.: A fun pub atmosphere, offering great grub and craft beer brewed on site.

Northfortybeer.com; family friendly pub fare. 5. Salud Brewery Bar and Food

Truck: Laid back, garage bar with delicious Latin-inspired food, craft brews and full cocktail menu, including delicious margaritas.

Come for happy hour, take-out some tacos or dine in. Facebook @saludfoodtruck. Indoor/outdoor.

Kids and pets welcome. 6. Old Soul Pizza: Unique, fresh woodfired pizza and a great beer selection.

Facebook @oldsoulpizza. Indoor/

Outdoor. Kids welcome. 7. True Kitchen + Bar: Cozy date atmosphere with top-notch cocktails and fine, American fare. Indoor, intimate setting, but kids welcome.

Facebook @truekitchen+bar 8. Little Brothers Pub: Casual, family friendly pub with great sandwiches, burgers, salads, craft brews and full bar. Facebook @littlebrotherspub.

Indoor. Kids welcome. 9. Wrappin and Rollin: Fresh and local vegetarian and vegan food.

Perfect for a quick lunch or take out for your summer hike.

Wrappinandrolling.com. Indoor.

Kids welcome. 10. Mariachi Loco: Family style

Mexican fare. Facebook @ mariachiloco. 11. Alexander’s Greek Cuisine:

Authentic traditional Greek cuisine for the whole family.

Casual cafe atmosphere. www.alexandersgreekcuisine.us. 12. Catch 22 Fish and Chips: Britishstyle fish and chips located in a 100-year-old church. Full bar.

Facebook: @Catch22FishNChips.

Kids welcome. 13. McMenamin’s Roseburg Station and Pub: Oregonians love this family-owned chain, which pays homage to the Pacific Northwest.

Eclectic, casual atmosphere.

Comfort food, craft beers brewed on site and full bar. www.mcmenamins. com/roseburg-station-pub-brewery.

Indoor/outdoor. Kids welcome. 14. The Parrott House: From its bourbon bar to its gorgeous setting in and around a beautiful historic

Victorian, the Parrott House is a oneof-a-kind restaurant. With delicious and extensive food and beverage menus, this is a great spot for a date if you’re staying in town. Take your time and enjoy all it has to offer your senses. www.parrotthouseroseburg. com. Indoor/outdoor casual fine dining. Kids welcome.

OFF THE BEATEN PATHS

Last summer’s Archie Creek fire closed some of the Umpqua Valley’s most popular hiking trails, but there are countless other paths to follow.

Story by Brian Staffield Photos by Jonathan Cummings

Last September, the Archie Creek fire burned more than 130,000 acres of forest land and 109 homes along the North Umpqua River. The fire ravaged some of the most beautiful and beloved sections of the Umpqua National Forest, closing popular hiking trails such as Susan Creek Falls, Fall Creek Falls and sections of the North Umpqua Trail. While the devastating event hasn’t revealed many silver livings, hikers may now find more motivation to go off their regular beaten path (they may have to) and seek out other trails in the area. There are still plenty of them to explore, with the payoff often being the discovery of new breathtaking views or a stunning waterfall. The BLM Wildlife Management and Hiking Trail on North Bank Road, just north of Roseburg, offers hikers a workout with a view. This 7.4-mile loop provides a stunning view of rolling hills and the North Umpqua River. The long trek provides a great workout and leads to the top of beautiful rolling hills that are a familiar feature of the Umpqua Valley landscape. It’s not uncommon to encounter equestrians riding their horses along the way. This is a great hike for those who don’t want to venture too far from Roseburg, and more close-in trails could soon become a reality. The City of Roseburg has plans for a new hiking area at Sunshine Park off Diamond Lake Boulevard at the east end of town. “We do have a preliminary concept plan to expand the trail system at Sunshine Park with approximately 3 miles of hiking and biking trails,” says Kris Ammerman of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. He says the city plans to apply this spring for a Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant administered by the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department (OPRD) to partially fund the project. “Our bid for a grant last spring was denied, but we will try again this year,” Ammerman says. “The best-case scenario would be a successful RTP bid this year with construction to begin sometime in 2022.” While the Archie Creek Fire scorched many popular hiking trails, there are still plenty of trails and world-class scenery to be found. There are short trails, trails that end at Instagram-worthy waterfalls, hidden gems around sapphire-colored lakes…even treks for those looking for a little “Dread and Terror,” a 13-mile trail that is anything but dreadful and terrifying. Toketee Falls is a stunning local attraction that is well worth the 0.9 mile hike along the North Umpqua River in to it. Its basalt rock formation and triple-tiered falls is a feature on Instagram feeds far and wide. If you only have time for one hike while you’re visiting the Umpqua Valley, this one will not disappoint. Less than three miles from Toketee Falls is Watson Falls, another favorite hiking destination, and several sections of the renowned North Umpqua Trail (NUT) are also nearby. The Deer Leap section is to the west and the Hot Springs section, to the east, leads to Umpqua Hot Springs. Further east on the NUT is Dread and Terror, a section that was clearly named after something other than the beautiful waterfalls and vistas that are its highlights. Nestled in the mountains between the North Umpqua and Little rivers, the Twin Lakes are a bit off the beaten path, but they are worth the long drive on a graveled road to reach them and the panoramas of the Umpqua National Forest they offer. Twin Lakes Mountain sits between the two ponds, offering waterfalls and caves for hikers to explore and the various trails that snake their way around them. Several camp sites are available around the lakes for those who enjoy backpack camping. The Little River area offers a variety of hiking trails. A determined hiker could easily hit four waterfalls in one day while exploring the area. Wolf Creek Falls trail is a local favorite. The 1.2-mile hike through beautiful forested areas leads to a stunning 75-foottall waterfall. Hiking this trail in spring or early summer will ensure there’s plenty of water flowing over the falls. Follow Little River further upstream, turn left at Lookout Mountain Road and travel the gravel road to Grotto Falls Trail, a short, steep hike that leads to the backside of Grotto Falls. Head back down to Little River Highway and travel further east until Lake in the Woods is on the right. There, two great hikes start on either side of the lake. Yakso Falls and Hemlock Falls both offer hikers moderately inclined hikes that end in stunning waterfalls. Though some local favorites are temporarily closed, now is a great time to discover the scenic rewards offered along, and at the end of, the countless other trails leading through the incomparable Umpqua National Forest.