In Cottage Grove, points of interest range from a bridge rooted in the history of timber transport to covered bridges, historic districts and trails by the water. When planning, it helps to first choose a focus: architectural and mining history, a bike ride, or a trail with several possible uses. The sights and trails offer different perspectives on the town’s history and the landscape around Dorena Lake.

Bridges and Traces of Local History

In 1925, lumberman J.H. Chambers had the Chambers Railroad Bridge built. Logs were transported across it over the Coast Fork Willamette River to his sawmill on the east side of the bridge. Its history directly connects the bridge with timber transport and the sawmill industry. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Cottage Grove has six covered bridges. They are easy to visit and are less than 20 minutes from the historic downtown. Cottage Grove also has a Downtown Historic District listed on the National Register. The commercial Historic District is located on Main Street. It contains the best-preserved collection of early 20th-century buildings in Lane County. Alongside the heritage of the bridges, it offers an architectural perspective on the town’s early development.

The area’s mining history is also part of the story: the Bohemia Gold Mining Museum displays photographs, tools, ore samples and other artifacts related to the region’s gold-mining history. It is located in the former Boots and Sandals Square Dance Barn, across from Bohemia Park. Check visitor information before your visit.

Bike Trails and Trail Characteristics

The Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway starts at Trailhead Park, at the intersection of 10th Street and Main Street. From there, it follows a paved, car-free trail for more than 15 miles. Bohemia Park, across Main Street from Trailhead Park, has parking and restrooms. Check local information about these facilities before your trip.

The Row River Trail also starts at Trailhead Park, near downtown Cottage Grove. It is 15.6 miles long and is a multi-use trail for cyclists, horseback riders, joggers and walkers. A five-mile section runs along Dorena Lake.

The characteristics specifically noted for each trail are useful when comparing them: the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway is described as paved and car-free, and as more than 15 miles long. For the Row River Trail, the different user groups and the section along the lake are specified. Both start at Trailhead Park; their described features offer different points of reference when choosing a trail.

Mining History and Bohemia Mining Days

Bohemia Mining Days is a Cottage Grove tradition that celebrates the heritage of gold and silver mining. The festival includes live music, vendor booths, children’s activities and historical demonstrations. Individual offerings may change from year to year. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates and program for that year before making plans.

Cottage Grove offers both historic sites and trails with established names, as well as a festival with a changing program. You can plan your stay around the topic that interests you most: bridges and town architecture, mining history, or one of the routes described here.

Discover more destinations: Fall Creek, McKenzie, Springfield, Florence, Vida, Junction City, Eugene, Creswell.

For the main travel overview: Lane.