EXPERIENCE LANE COUNTY Exploring Creswell and Cottage Grove

ExperienceLANE COUNTY Fall Road Trip

CRESWELL AND COTTAGE GROVE

BY JULIA VOIGT

ESCAPE INTO A DELIGHTFUL, undiscovered world of Willamette Valley farms, small towns and waterfall hikes. Start your trip on Highway 99 paralleling Interstate 5 just south of Eugene. You will arrive shortly in the charming communities of Creswell and Cottage Grove and encounter alpacas, movie landmarks and outdoor murals along the way.

Here are a few highlights you’ll want to put on your list of things to do in Creswell and Cottage Grove:

1GET A TREAT FROM CRESWELL BAKERY. All road trips in this direction must include a stop at Creswell Bakery – ask any local and we’re betting they’ll say the same. Expect awesome breakfast treats, sandwiches and meat pies baked with farm-to-table devotion.

2VISIT GARDEN LAKE PARK. Just east of I-5 you’ll find a natural haven in Garden Lake Park. Spot a variety of birds, including osprey, bald eagles, blue herons, and other critters like turtles and beavers. Educational signs will give you and the kids the opportunity to learn about our native species. The pond is stocked for catch and release fishing and there is even a disc golf course to try your hand at. Bring some snacks from the bakery to enjoy in the picnic area.

3MAIN STREET SHOPPING IN COTTAGE GROVE. This small town’s Main Street is lined with interesting shops and one-of-a-kind items.

4CHECK OUT FUN! COMPANY. Everything you need all in one spot! From the Hot Spot Cafe with a family-friendly menu to a well-stocked gift shop, gear rentals and even guided tours, the crew at FUN! are well equipped to help you make the most of your visit.

5MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT AN ALPACA FARM. Hum Sweet Hum and Aragon Alpacas raise alpacas for their soft fleece, but also welcome visitors by appointment to meet the alpacas and learn about the farm.

6TAKE A MOVIE BUFFS TOUR. Cottage Grove’s charming look first caught Hollywood’s attention in 1926 when Buster Keaton filmed “The General” here. Today, pay tribute to movie classics like “Animal House” and “Stand By Me” with visits to filming locations around town.

7RIDE THE ROW RIVER TRAIL. Part of the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway, this bike path encircles Dorena Reservoir and passes several of Cottage Grove’s historic covered bridges. Bring your own bikes or rent them at FUN!

8WATERFALL HIKES. Drive up into the hills to discover a cluster of waterfalls: Moon, Spirit, and Pinard Falls. Moon Falls is a half-mile hike rated easy that is great for younger kids, while Pinard (another half mile) and Spirit (a third of a mile) are rated difficult for being steeper and a better fit for older kids or more experienced hikers.

WHERE TO STAY

Both Creswell and Cottage Grove make a good base camp for exploring this area. Grab a spot at Baker Bay Campground, find a local bed & breakfast or check into a local hotel. Visit EugeneCascadesCoast. org for more information. ✦

JONI KABANA / EUGENE, CASCADES & COAST JONI KABANA / EUGENE, CASCADES & COAST

MELANIE GRIFFIN / EUGENECASCADESCOAST.ORG