Outdoors
Day-use and picnic areas near Eugene on public land, from quick drives to full-day outings.
Good to know: Group picnic sites can often be reserved; fire rules change with the season, so check before bringing a grill.
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 19 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.
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.
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.
The river visitor is apt to be rewarded in delightful ways while recreating in the cool, lush corridor, home to an array of fish and wildlife, and inspiring scenic beauty.
Located in the beautiful Willamette Valley on the Middle Santiam River, Green Peter Lake provides boating, swimming and picnicking opportunities.
Vincent Creek is a small campground located along Smith River at the mouth of Vincent Creek. Camp or picnic at the site with your family and enjoy a small swimming hole under towering Douglas-fir trees.
Oregon’s Smith River forms in the Coast Range and flows about 50 miles west, emptying into the Pacific Ocean just north of Reedsport, Oregon. This site offers camping right next to the river, just above the falls.
Fawn Creek Campground is a primitive two site campground along the river with a small boat ramp providing access to the confluence of Fawn Creek and Smith River.
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, April–October. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Federal agencies including Bureau of Land Management, US Army Corps of Engineers. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.