Learn how Willamette Valley reservoir levels may be impacted by court-ordered measures.
A man stands in front of his bicycle on the Row River Trail.

Willamette Valley Recreation

The Willamette Valley is a 150-mile (240 km) long valley in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The entire valley is in the state of Oregon. There is no shortage of natural wonders with 18 state parks, 3 state forests and 3 national wildlife refuges. The Willamette Valley is a natural playground for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure-seekers.  Whether hiking to waterfalls, biking through covered bridges, white water rafting or kayaking, the Willamette Valley is full of adventure.  

The Portland District invites you to visit us in one of our many Willamette Valley, Oregon locations: Big CliffBlue RiverCottage GroveCougarDetroitDexterDorenaFall CreekFern RidgeFosterGreen PeterHills Creek, or Lookout Point.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers implemented an alcohol ban at Cottage Grove and Dorena lakes. The alcohol ban aims to enhance the overall recreational experience for visitors by creating a safer, more family-friendly atmosphere. By prohibiting alcohol, the Corps and Lane County Parks aim to reduce incidents of impaired judgment, unruly behavior, and alcohol abuse, which can create safety hazards for both the public and law enforcement officers.

The Oregon Cascades and Willamette Valley birding trails offer some of the most spectacular bird watching opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. Along the trails, birders can expect to see everything from majestic bald eagles and ospreys to colorful western tanagers and hummingbirds. The region is also home to several rare and endangered species, such as the Oregon spotted frog and the Fender's blue butterfly. 

Oregon Cascades Birding Trail
Big Cliff Dam and Detroit Dam are designated stops along the Mt. Jefferson section of the trail. 

Cougar Dam and Hills Creek are designated stops along the Three Sisters section of the trail.  

Willamette Valley Birding Trail
Cottage Grove Lake and Dorena Lake are designated stops along the Big River Loop. 

Dexter Lake is a designated stop along the McKenzie Loop of the trail. 

The Fern Ridge Loop is also an excellent location for birding boasting Oregon’s largest breeding colony of purple martins. Thousands of acres of emergent marsh support summer breeding habitat for a variety of water-bird species. Read more about purple martins: Corps reservoirs benefit Willamette Valley Swallows.

 

The project office is located at the Eugene, Oregon Federal Building, 
211 E. 7th St., Ste. 480
Eugene, OR 97401-2773
Office hours are 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

General: 541-684-4300
Recreation: 541-942-5631

Email us! 

Big Cliff Recreation

Big Cliff Dam is located three miles downstream from Detroit Dam, and is a designated stop along the Mt. Jefferson section of the trail. This trail is a self-guided auto tour of nearly 200 prime birding destinations in the Oregon Cascades. Large trees and snags along the shoreline provide roosts for osprey, while hardwood forests around the reservoir provide for neotropical migrant songbirds.

*The boat ramp at Big Cliff Reservoir is permanently closed to vehicle traffic.

Blue River Recreation

Mona CampgroundLookout Creek Boat Ramp and Park, and Saddle Dam Boat Launch are operated by the U.S. Forest Service. 

 

For more information call the McKenzie River Ranger District Office at 541-822-3381.

Cottage Grove Recreation

Cottage Grove Lake is a designated stop along the Big River Loop. This trail is a self-guided driving tour that includes 138 birding hotspots. Visitors can see rare birds like the purple martin, the willow flycatcher and the yellow-breasted chat near Cottage Grove Lake. Osprey and purple martins nest in structures maintained by the Corps.

Pine Meadows developed campground:
This developed campground has 85 campsites, paved roads, flush toilets, showers, dump station, campfire rings, picnic tables, gate attendants, children's play area and a marked but unsupervised swim area. No hookups available.

Pine Meadows primitive campground
This is a minimally-developed campground with 15 individual campsites, vault toilets, drinking water, gravel roads, picnic tables, fire rings, no hookups and no showers (primitive sites are reserved as Pine Meadows Campground sites A-O).

Cottage Grove Lake has four day-use only parks operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has no associated fees.
Open: mid May - mid Sept. and are closed daily from dusk until 8:00 a.m. 

Lakeside Park is located on London Road just past the dam, Lakeside Park has paved roads and parking lots, vault toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. There is a boat launch ramp with a courtesy dock located near the entrance to the park. 

Riverside Park is located on the east bank of the river, downstream from the dam, Riverside Park is a minimally developed area with a gravel road and parking area, two picnic tables and a vault toilet. A paved path with pull-outs suitable for wheelchairs is close enough to the river for fishing. No drinking water is available. 

Shortridge Park is located on Reservoir Road just past the dam, Shortridge Park has a parking lot, vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and walking access to the lake.

Wilson Creek Park is located on Reservoir Road at the southwest end of the lake, Wilson Creek Park has paved roads and parking lots, flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, a children's play area and an unsupervised swim area. A boat launch ramp with a courtesy dock is near the park's entrance and is open on a seasonal basis.

$24 per night per site; 2 vehicles included. No extra vehicles permitted, please plan accordingly.

Cougar Recreation

Cougar Dam is a designated stop along the Three Sisters section of the trail. This trail is a self-guided auto tour of nearly 200 prime birding destinations in the Oregon Cascades. American peregrine falcons have been observed around the cliffs above the lake. encompasses almost 5,000 acres and the uplands are managed primarily through an agreement with the Willamette National Forest. 

Echo day-use areaSlide Creek CampgroundSunnyside CampgroundFrench Pete Campground, and Delta Campground are operated by the U.S. Forest Service. 

 

For more information call the McKenzie River Ranger Office at 541-882-3381. 

Detroit Recreation

Detroit Dam is a designated stop along the Mt. Jefferson section of the trail. This trail is a self-guided auto tour of nearly 200 prime birding destinations in the Oregon Cascades. This area provides songbird habitat in its hardwood stands, while osprey use lakeshore snags and trees as roosts and nesting sites and waterfowl including common mergansers nest at the lake.

Detroit Lake State Park and Mongold day-use area are operated by Oregon Parks and Recreation. Call either the park office at 503-854-3406, the State Parks Information Center at 800-551-6949 for more information. 

 

For more information, call the Detroit Ranger Station at 503-854-3366. 

Dexter Recreation

Dexter Lake is a designated stop along the McKenzie Loop of the trail. This trail is a self-guided driving itinerary that includes 138 birding hot-spots. The shoreline lands total about 1,300 acres. The northeast shoreline provides a mosaic of quality wildlife habitat that supports migratory and resident songbirds, osprey and eagles. 

Dexter has three day-use parks on the lake and two day-use parks below the dam.
Orchard Park is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has no associated fees.
Open: mid May - mid Sept. and closed daily from dusk until 8:00 a.m.
This minimally developed park is located on the northeast end of the lake and includes a vault toilet and picnic tables. There are no group picnic areas or shelters available for reservations. 

Middle Fork boat ramp is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has no associated fees. Amenities include a vault toilet and gravel boat launch. The park is temporarily closed until summer of 2026 for Dexter fish facility upgrades. Read more about the facility upgrades
Open: year-round from dusk to dawn.  The park is located downstream of Dexter Dam on the north bank of the Middle Fork Willamette River.

South Shore Park is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has no associated fees.
Open year-round from dawn to dusk. This minimally developed park is accessed through Dexter State Park.

Dexter Park and Lowell Park are operated by Oregon State Parks.

 

For more information call the Oregon State Parks office at 541-937-1173.  

Dorena Recreation

Dorena Lake is a designated stop along the Big River Loop of the trail. This trail is a self-guided driving tour that includes 138 birding hot-spots. Visitors can see rare birds like the purple martin, the willow flycatcher and the yellow-breasted chat near Dorena Lake. Osprey and purple martins nest in structures maintained by the Corps. Read more about purple martins: Corps reservoirs benefit Willamette Valley Swallows.

Schwarz Campground is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It has 82 campsites including 6 group sites, paved roads, flush toilets, showers, dump station, campfire rings, picnic tables, gate attendants and children's play area. No hookups available.
Open: mid April - mid Sept.

Baker Bay Park is operated by Lane County Parks.

 

Dorena Lake has two day-use parks operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Both parks have no associated fees and are open year-round from dawn to dusk.

Bake Stewart Park is located at the southeast end of the lake where the Row River enters the reservoir. It is a minimally developed day use area with trails, bike racks, vault toilets, and picnic tables. A gravel trail connects the park to the paved Row River Trail managed by Bureau of Land Management.

Harms Park is a minimally developed day-use area which includes a boat ramp, paved parking area, vault toilet, picnic tables and access to the Row River Trail. There is no fee for use of the boat ramp, but ramp access is limited by seasonal water levels. 

Hiking: The Row River Trail offers more than five miles of trails bordering Dorena Lake, and is open to hiking, biking and horseback riding. The trail can be accessed near the lake at Dorena Dam, Row Point and Harms Park trailheads. The trail begins in Cottage Grove and continues for 14 miles, with several trailheads providing multiple opportunities for short trips and shuttling options. For more information, call the Bureau of Land Management at 541-683-6600.

Single Camp Site Fees: $22 per night; 2 vehicles included. No extra vehicles permitted, please plan accordingly.
Double Camp Site Fees: $44 per night; 4 vehicles included. No extra vehicles permitted, please plan accordingly.
Group Camp Site Fees: $150 per night; up to 25 vehicles per group at any one time, up to 15 of which can be camper units.

For more information, call the Lane County Parks Department at 541-682-2000.

The Baker Bay concessionaire may be reached at 541-942-7669. 

Fall Creek Recreation

Oregon State Parks operate two primitive campgrounds at Fall Creek: Cascara and Fisherman's Point campground, which operate on a first come, first serve basis. 

One campground at Fall Creek is a private camp for education purposes and special events: Sky Camp

Fall Creek Lake has one day-use park operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It  has no associated fees and is open year-round from dawn to dusk. 

Tufti Park is a minimally developed day use area with Fall Creek access, a gravel parking lot, hiking trail and vault toilet. 

Oregon Parks and Recreation operate five day-use sites at Fall Creek: Winberry Creek Park, North Shore Park, Free Meadows, Lakeside I & II. Call either the park office at 541-937-1173 or the State Parks Information Center at 800-551-6949. 

For more information on Cascara or Fisherman's Point, call the Oregon State Parks Department 541-937-1173. 

For more information on Sky Camp, call the caretaker at 541-937-3355.

Fern Ridge Recreation

Fern Ridge is an excellent location for birding. Oregon’s largest breeding colony of purple martins can be found at Fern Ridge. Thousands of acres of emergent marsh support summer breeding habitat for a variety of water-bird species. Read more about purple martins: Corps reservoirs benefit Willamette Valley Swallows.

Kirk Park is located below Fern Ridge Dam off Clear Lake Road and gives access to the Long Tom River and ponds full of fish and wildlife. There are no group picnic areas or shelters available for reservations. Kirk Park has trails, picnic tables, paved roads, fire rings and vault toilets. Kirk Park is open dawn to dusk, mid-May to early September. 

Shore Lane Park is located at the end of Shore Lane Road on the northeast shore-line of Fern Ridge Lake.  This small, rustic park has a vault toilet and it is often used for launching paddle craft.  Shore Lane Park is open dawn to dusk, mid-May to early September. Jeans Park is located on Jeans Road on the west side of Fern Ridge Lake near Veneta. This wooded park has trails, vault toilets and limited parking. It is open year-round. 

Four day-use sites at Fern Ridge are operated by Lane County Parks: Orchard Point Park, Perkins Peninsula Park, Richardson Park and Zumwalt Park.

Three day-use sites at Fern Ridge are privately operated: Eugene Yacht ClubFern Ridge Shores, and Tri-Pass Ski Club.

For more information on Orchard Point Park, Perkins Peninsula Park, Richardson Park and Zumwalt Park call Lane County Parks at 541-682-2000. 

For more information on the privately operated sites, contact: Eugene Yacht Club, 541-357-6860; Fern Ridge Shores 541-935-2335; and Tri-Pass Ski Club 541-935-1495.

Foster Recreation

Linn County Parks operates two boat ramps at Foster: Gedney Creek Park and Calkins Ramp. For more information call the Linn County Parks Department at 541-967-3917 or visit their website.

Linn County Parks operates two campgrounds at Foster Reservoir: Edgewater County Park and Marina, and Sunnyside Park. 

 

Foster Dam has one day-use park operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Andrew S. Wiley Park is open year-round and is free to use. Amenities include vault toilets, picnic tables, barbecue grills and a paved boat ramp with access to the South Santiam River below the dam. 

Two day-use sites at Foster Reservoir are operated by Linn County Parks: Lewis Creek Park and Sunnyside Park. For more information call Linn County Parks at 541-967-3917 or visit their website

For more information call the Linn County Parks Department at 541-967-3917. 

Green Peter Recreation

Linn County Parks operates two boat ramps at Green Peter Reservoir: Thistle Creek Boat Ramp and Whitcomb Creek Park. For more information call the Linn County Parks Department at 541-967-3917 or visit their website.

Linn County Parks operates two campgrounds at Green Peter Reservoir: Whitcomb Creek Park and a group camping area - Mile Post 16, Quartzville Road, near Trout Creek.

Boat-in campsites of Green Peter Reservoir are closed except at the Upper Whitcomb Boat-in Camp Area managed by Linn County Parks.  For more information on boat-in camping, visit the Linn County Parks and Recreation website

Roadside camping has been permanently closed. Other improvements will be implemented as funding becomes available.

Foster Dam has one day-use park operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Andrew S. Wiley Park is open year-round and is free to use. Amenities include vault toilets, picnic tables, barbecue grills and a paved boat ramp with access to the South Santiam River below the dam. 

Two day-use sites at Foster Reservoir are operated by Linn County Parks: Lewis Creek Park and Sunnyside Park. For more information call Linn County Parks at 541-967-3917 or visit their website

For more information call the Linn County Parks Department at 541-967-3917. 

Hills Creek Recreation

Hills Creek is a designated stop along the Three Sisters section of the trail. This trail is a self-guided auto tour of nearly 200 prime birding destinations in the Oregon Cascades. At more than 5,500 acres, the Hills Creek Dam and Reservoir provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, including several rare species. 

The U.S. Forest Service operates the following recreation facilities at Hills Creek: Bingham Boat RampCline - Clark Picnic AreaC.T. Beach Picnic AreaPackard Creek Campground; and Sand Prairie Campground.

For more information call the Middle Fork Ranger District Office at 541-782-2283. 

Lookout Point Recreation

Lookout Point Reservoir has one day-use park and one day-use boat ramp operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Both areas have no associated fees but have varying operating time frames. 

Meridian Park is on the north side of the dam on West Boundary Road. It includes a gravel road and parking area, a vault toilet, picnic tables and a boat ramp with a courtesy dock but ramp access is limited by seasonal water levels.
Open daily from 8 a.m. until dusk, mid May - mid Sept. 

Signal Point Boat Ramp is on West Boundary Road, 4.9 miles upstream from the dam and 6.3 miles from Lowell. It includes a paved parking lot, a vault toilet, access to the Eugene to Crest Trail, and low-water-level paved boat ramp with courtesy dock. 

Dexter has three day-use parks on the lake and two day-use parks below the dam.
Orchard Park is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has no associated fees.
Open: mid May - mid Sept. and closed daily from dusk until 8:00 a.m.
This minimally developed park is located on the northeast end of the lake and includes a vault toilet and picnic tables. There are no group picnic areas or shelters available for reservations. 

Middle Fork boat ramp is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has no associated fees. Amenities include a vault toilet and gravel boat launch. The park is temporarily closed until summer of 2026 for Dexter fish facility upgrades. Read more about the facility upgrades.
Open: year-round from dusk to dawn.  The park is located downstream of Dexter Dam on the north bank of the Middle Fork Willamette River.

South Shore Park is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has no associated fees.
Open year-round from dawn to dusk. This minimally developed park is accessed through Dexter State Park.

Dexter Park and Lowell Park are operated by Oregon State Parks.

 $18 per night, per site; 2 vehicles included. No extra vehicles permitted, please plan accordingly.

For more information on Dexter and/or Lowell Parks call the Oregon State Parks office at 541-937-1173.