Even with winter still holding on — and dropping a few more snowflakes! — it’s impossible not to dream about spring.
Wherever you go in the Rogue Valley, a new adventure awaits. Biking and hiking trails, lakes, rivers, zipline tours, and much more, are around every corner. And as our river guides prepare for a new season on the water, they’re recalling some of their favorite places to explore.
One of those is Union Creek Campground, an old-growth forest near the Rogue River in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Fishing, mountain biking, and hiking are popular activities there. Within a short drive, there’s also the Rogue River Gorge, Natural Bridge and scenic trails along the river.
The campground has 74 campsites for RVs, trailers and tents, but that’s just the beginning. While there’s much to see at Union Creek, the Natural Bridge Loop is one of our river guide recommendations.
Visiting Natural Bridge Loop
Just one of many thrilling sights near Union Creek, Natural Bridge Loop is a two mile trail that begins at the Natural Bridge Viewpoint parking lot. It travels upriver on the east side of the Rogue River.
When you arrive, you’re wowed by the amazing views. The Upper Rogue Wild and Scenic River dives into an ancient lava tube and runs underground, forming a natural land bridge. Along the trail, you’ll spot a variety of flora and fauna. This includes beaver ponds, birds and numerous tree and plant species. With so much to see, take plenty of photos! The paved trail is also barrier-free, and has benches to rest on along the way, making it perfect for adventurers of all ages.
Located off of Highway 62 near Union Creek, the Natural Bridge Trail is out and back and easily accessible to travelers.
There is a parking lot pull out off of the main road, with the trailhead visible in the northwest corner. The hike is also paved, with the exception of a beautiful footbridge crossing. And for the curious explorers in your group, there’s interpretive information and multiple viewpoints placed throughout the trail.
How To Get There
Natural Bridge Loop is about 45 miles northeast of Medford.
Once you reach Prospect, you’ll travel nine miles north along Highway 62. The pull out for this trail is right before Union Creek.
Discovering Union Creek & Much More
If you have spring and summer on the brain, then it’s time to start planning your outdoor adventures! You’ll find so much to do in and around the Rogue Valley — Natural Bridge Loop and Union Creek should be one of the first places you check off your bucket list.