Outdoors
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Eugene, closest first.
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
5 mi west · Bureau of Land Management
On the western edge of the City of Eugene, visitors can view wildlife and restored wetlands while they walk trails, play a round of disc golf, or ride the Fern Ridge Bicycle Path through the wetlands.
11 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers
Fern Ridge Lake, a popular recreation area for sailing, power boating and water skiing, is just 12 miles from downtown Eugene.
16 mi southeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
22 miles southeast of Eugene, Dexter Lake is a popular recreation area offering year-round fishing, seasonal water skiing, sailing, swimming, picnicking and hunting.
Map of 23 places loads as you scroll.
On the western edge of the City of Eugene, visitors can view wildlife and restored wetlands while they walk trails, play a round of disc golf, or ride the Fern Ridge Bicycle Path through the wetlands.
Fern Ridge Lake, a popular recreation area for sailing, power boating and water skiing, is just 12 miles from downtown Eugene.
22 miles southeast of Eugene, Dexter Lake is a popular recreation area offering year-round fishing, seasonal water skiing, sailing, swimming, picnicking and hunting.
Looking for that motorized trail experience to enjoy with family and friends? The Shotgun OHV System offers a mix of challenges, scenic views, technical features, and amenities to satisfy the OHV enthusiast.
The refreshing location with its lush, forest setting, coupled with comforts normally associated with an urban park, blend seamlessly at this popular day-use site.
Whether you rock your lycra loud and proud, don moldy flannel, or track frequent flier miles, you are bound to find stuff to post on your favorite social media account at this popular trail system.
This scenic 1,852 acre lake is surrounded by 22 miles of forested shoreline, providing many opportunities for outdoor recreation such as boating, water skiing, hiking and wildlife viewing.
22 miles southeast of Eugene, Lookout Point Lake is a popular recreation area offering year-round fishing, seasonal water skiing, sailing, swimming, picnicking and hunting.
This 14-mile, paved, multi-use National Recreation Trail follows the route of the now-abandoned Oregon Pacific & Eastern Railroad line, along the scenic shores of the Row (rhymes with "cow") River and Dorena Reservoir.
The lake is located in rolling, partially wooded hill country. Its three parks offer boating, swimming, sailing, fishing and water skiing. Schwarz park located downstream of the dam, offers overnight camping for families and groups.
The lake and its shoreline set in the gently rolling hills of the Willamette Valley, is used for boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing, picnicking and camping.
This site, sometimes referred to as Horton Lake, Hult Marsh, Hult Reservoir, or Mill Pond, was developed in the early 1900s for logging operations.
Ivan Oakes Campground is located on Lookout Point Lake in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Recreation Ivan Oakes Campground is located on the northern shore of Lookout Point Lake in the Calapooya Mountains.
The natural bedrock slide at Lake Creek Falls is very popular and ideal for a hot summer day! A series of low cascades carved in the bedrock within a narrow gorge create this geological wonder that spills into Triangle Lake.
Clark Creek, located 12 miles northeast of Lowell, Oregon, is a fantastic group campground built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Reserve a site at Alsea Falls on recreation.gov or pay when you arrive for non-reserved campsites using the Recreation.gov Mobile App . You must download before you reach the site since there is no cell reception in the drainage.
We are working towards adding this recreation site to recreation.gov for electronic payment options with the Recreation.gov Mobile App that you must download before you reach the site.
Located outside the City of Corvallis, just off of Highway 99, William L. Finley offers unique wildlife viewing opportunities for the whole family!
Beginning in the Whittaker Creek Campground, the steep Old Growth Ridge Trail ascends 750 vertical feet over a mile’s length, topping out at a peekaboo viewpoint over the Siuslaw River.
Rujada Campground is located 21 miles east of Cottage Grove (45 minutes from Eugene) on a riverside terrace above Layng Creek.
Rujada Day Use Picnic Area is set along the banks of Layng Creek, with a large, open grassy area amidst a scattering of Douglas fir. Rujada is a perfect setting for family reunions, parties or group getaways.
Located in the beautiful Willamette Valley on the South Santiam River, Foster Lake provides boating, swimming and picnicking opportunities. The Foster Dam and Lake regulates the flow from the nearby Green Peter dam.
Located in the beautiful Willamette Valley on the Middle Santiam River, Green Peter Lake provides boating, swimming and picnicking opportunities.
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Eugene. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
An activity Short shared by Traveling Spud.
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THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
An activity Short shared by The Boutique Adventurer.
Watch on YouTube ↗
West Eugene Wetlands (Bureau of Land Management), about 5 miles west of Eugene as the crow flies. Next are Fern Ridge Lake (11 mi) and Dexter Lake (16 mi).
Based on Eugene’s average highs, September–June. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Federal agencies including Bureau of Land Management, US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Forest Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.