Looking for more to explore near Steamboat Inn?
Hike to Toketee and Watson Falls, camp at Susan Creek Campground, or head to Crater Lake National Park.
LOCATION
Steamboat Inn is located on the North Umpqua River in Southern Oregon, about 45 minutes east of Roseburg on Highway 138.
PRICE
Breakfast and lunch entrees range from $10 to $17. Dinner is a fancier affair with entrees often running $30 and up. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner. We arrived mid-morning on a Sunday without reservations and were seated within about five minutes, but that may have been luck.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE
Steamboat Inn is a perfect stop if you’re in search of good food on your way to or from Crater Lake National Park via Highway 138. The North Umpqua region is also famed for its waterfalls and fishing. Enjoy short hikes to nearby Toketee and Watson Falls or a number of other beautiful falls. The Toketee and Watson Falls trails are both open, but some trails were closed due to forest fires in 2020, so check the trail status before you go. Interested in spending the night? Steamboat Inn allows you to do just that — after all, it’s an inn! Campers can overnight at lovely Susan Creek Campground.
Our Experience
I am of the belief that just because you’re camping, that doesn’t mean you have to forgo good food. Sometimes good food means hot dogs roasted over a campfire and marshmallows for dessert. Other times, well… what would you say to eggs Benedict with steelhead trout served in a lush garden, just steps away from one of Oregon’s wild and scenic rivers? This is exactly the experience that awaits at the Steamboat Inn.
We stopped by the Inn for mid-morning brunch after leaving our campsite at Susan Creek. The waitress led us through the dining room to the outdoor seating in the garden. And what a garden it was, overflowing with a riot of greenery. At our table, pale pink blossoms peeked through soft, bright green thimbleberry leaves to greet us. As we perused the menu, another local, this time a sleek, mottled grey cat, came to check out the visitors. The cat was quite friendly, and dropped by to visit several more times during our stay.
We ordered our food — the previously mentioned steelhead Benedict for me, hash for Michael, and pancakes for the boys. One thing to note: Steamboat Inn is not fast food. Slow food is a more apt description. Everything is made to order, so expect to wait a bit.
But who would complain when you have scenery like this to enjoy? Rather than sit at the table, the boys and I walked down to view the river and admire the garden. As I parent, it’s delightful to have something to occupy the kids while waiting for the food. Here, nature was all the diversion we needed. We passed quaint cabins on our way back up to the garden patio. It was easy to see why some choose to spend the night in such a lovely location. With easy access to the Umpqua, it’s a favorite spot for fishermen who want a little rustic luxury.
We returned to our table just as a few raindrops fell. Being in Oregon, no one made much fuss over a few drops, but waited a couple minutes to see if it might take a serious turn. Fortunately, within minutes the skies were once again dry and diners carried on with their brunch. Our food arrived piping hot and even smiling!
It was comforting and delicious, so much so that we even decided to spring for a cinnamon roll (beware — the cinnamon rolls are substantial!). The savory Benedict was topped with perfectly creamy, lightly lemony hollandaise, the pancakes were fluffy and tender, and the hash hearty and well-seasoned. We left Steamboat Inn happy and content, the smiles on our faces echoing the smiles of our recently devoured pancakes. The day was off to a good start, indeed.
