South Fork Alsea River is in northwest Oregon about 30 miles northwest of Eugene. It travels between Alpine and Alsea, a distance of 19 miles. It follows Alpine Road, South Fork Access Road, and CR 48200. The roads are a combination of paved and gravel roads that are suitable for all types of vehicles. Travelers should be on the lookout for logging trucks in the area. Eleven miles are officially designated a Back Country Byway. The byway’s roads are maintained throughout the year.
The South Fork Alsea River scenic byway follows the path dictated by the twisting and turning river flowing through Oregon’s Coastal Range. It passes through a Douglas fir forest where some trees may reach heights of 200 feet. Some of these old-growth trees have attained the honorable age of 400 years or more. From mid-summer through autumn, red vine maples proudly display their color. The competing wildflowers bloom much of the year and need not beg for your attention.
The beautiful waterfalls of the South Fork of the Alsea River is perhaps the byway’s main attraction. Here the water tumbles over a 20-foot series of rock steps to the pool formed below. Visitors will find a 16-site BLM campground here, all with picnic tables and fire rings. Drinking water and comfort stations are also provided. Take some time and spend a few days relaxing here. A trail nearby will lead you to the base of the waterfalls, a nice spot for reading a book or enjoying a picnic. Anglers can spend their days attempting to pull coho salmon, Chinook salmon, steelhead, or cutthroat trout from the river. Wildlife observers can enjoy the byway in search of deer or elk. Black bears and bobcats also inhabit the area but are not seen very often.
To the south of the byway is a Corps of Engineers project, Fern Ridge Lake. There are day use parks surrounding the lake that offer swimming beaches and picnic areas. There’s also a campground situated on the south shore that has campsites with hookups, drinking water, restrooms, a swimming beach, and a boat ramp. The lake is also a popular spot for sailboating, waterskiing, and fishing.