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Sharps Creek
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Sharps Creek Recreation Site is nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, 18 miles southeast of Cottage Grove. Located in evergreen forest, the site consists of a small, family campground and a day-use area overlooking Sharps Creek. Here, visitors will find opportunities for hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, camping, picnicking, swimming, and panning for gold. In addition to the recreational activities provided at Sharps Creek, there are several interesting attractions nearby. The Bohemia Mining District and covered bridges offer a glimpse into the area's past. Dorena Lake provides opportunities for fishing, wildlife viewing, boating, swimming, and windsurfing. Hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians can enjoy the area's remarkable scenery while traveling the 16-mile Row River Trail. This National Recreation Trail is an old abandoned railway that has been developed into a paved multiple-use recreational trail extending from downtown Cottage Grove along the shores of Dorena Lake to the small to the small community of Culp Creek.
In addition to the recreational activities provided at Sharps Creek Recreation Site, there are several interesting attractions nearby. The Bohemia Mining District and covered bridges offer a glimpse into the area’s past. Dorena Lake provides opportunities for fishing, wildlife viewing, boating, swimming, and windsurfing. Hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians can enjoy the area’s remarkable scenery while traveling the 16-mile Row River Trail. The Row River Trail is an old abandoned railway that has been developed into a paved recreational trail extending from Downtown Cottage Grove along the shores of Dorena Lake.
The Sharps Creek Recreation Site is open each year from approximately May 15 through September 30. There are no fees for day use, but visitors should call ahead for campground rates. The site contains 11 campsites (25-foot limit for recreational vehicles) with picnic tables and fire rings, and one universal accessible campsite. There are three accessible portable toilets and potable water available by way of a hand pump. The campsites do not have electricity, dump stations or shelters.
Recreational Mining
Looking to strike it rich? Visitors can enjoy recreational gold panning, sluicing, and suction dredging in Sharps Creek. The richest gold find in the Cascade Mountains was found in Sharps Creek in 1858. Recreational gold panning is allowed June 1 through September 15. Sluicing and suction dredging with hoses with a diameter of 4 inches or less is allowed July 1 through September 1 provided that the mining activity does not interfere with other recreational activities. Suction dredging requires a permit from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality located in Salem, Oregon. Please do not operate mining equipment immediately upstream when people are using the popular swimming area. Stay within the boundaries of the recreation site to avoid trespassing on adjacent private lands.
Directions:
From southbound I-5, take exit 174 at Cottage Grove. Turn left from exit ramp and follow Row River Road for about 4 miles. Continue straight on Shoreview Drive for 6.5 miles until it rejoins with Row river Road. Merge right onto Row River Road and travel for another 4 miles to Sharps Creek Road. Turn right and continue for 3 miles. The campground will be on your right, and the day use area on your left.
(Data provided by the Bureau of Land Management)