The canyon was known in pioneer days as Umpqua Canyon. The railroad finally selected ascended Cow Creek from Riddle and joined the old stage road not far from Glendale. The stage route for many years continued up Canyon Creek and today travelers over I-5 may see where there have been earlier routes through the canyon. The total descent from the pass at the head of Canyon Creek to Canyonville is nearly 1,300 feet, most of which occurs in the south part of the canyon.

Difficulties have continued here in modern times, for on January 16, 1974 nine men working in a Pacific Northwest Bell Company relay station about a mile south of Canyonville were killed when a massive earth slide swept away the building.