COE Dorena Reservoir Schwarz Campground, near Cottage Grove, Oregon, is a solid choice for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with a touch of comfort. The campground offers spacious sites with picnic tables and fire pits, perfect for gathering around the fire after a day of adventure.

Visitors rave about the clean restroom facilities and the nearby access to Dorena Lake, which is great for swimming and fishing. One camper highlighted the “fantastic amenities” and the “breathtaking natural setting,” making it an ideal spot for families looking to unwind and connect with nature. 

If you’re into outdoor activities, you’ll find plenty to do here. The campground is close to trails for hiking and biking, and there’s even cliff jumping for those seeking a thrill. Plus, the friendly staff is always ready to help with local tips and information, ensuring you have a great stay. 

While some sites are near the road, the overall atmosphere is peaceful, allowing for a relaxing getaway. Whether you’re camping in a tent or an RV, COE Dorena Reservoir Schwarz Campground has the essentials for a memorable outdoor experience.

## Overview

 Schwarz Campground is located below Dorena Lake in Oregon's Southern Willamette Valley. The campground is approximately five miles from the city of Cottage Grove. A variety of recreational opportunities are available, including fishing, boating, swimming and hiking. A number of historic covered bridges can also be found in the area.
## Recreation

 Dorena Lake is a great location for boating, water skiing, fishing and swimming. Nearby Baker Bay County Park offers a boat ramp and marina. The Row River Trail stretches 14 miles from downtown Cottage Grove, past the Dorena Dam and along the entire north side of the lake. This popular path is open tor hiking, biking and horseback riding. The Cottage Grove Scenic Byway Tour meanders past seven historic covered bridges in the area. The bridges were built in the 1920s and 30s, and some are still in use today.
## Natural Features

 Dorena Lake is situated in the low foothills of the Calapooya Mountains. The campground is surrounded by a diverse mix of marshland, coniferous forests and grasslands. The weather is generally mild during the recreation season with temperatures ranging from the low 50s to the upper 90s. Chances of precipitation are high from May through mid-June.
## Charges & Cancellations

 Reservation changes or cancellations can be made through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Cancelling/Changing a Reservation \_\_A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation (see below). Late Cancellations Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Group Facility: Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. No-Shows A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until 2pm on the day following the scheduled arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first nights recreation fee for a campsite. Early Departures If a customer departs prior to the scheduled check-out date, they may be eligible for a partial refund. Please notify staff at the facility if you depart early to allow others to use the site. Customers may notify the call center to request a refund of remaining unused nights. If a customer requests a refund for an early departure after the facility check-out time has passed, the customer will not be refunded for that night and is eligible for a refund on any additional nights that will not be used. Refunds Customers may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Customers may also initiate a refund request through the call center at any time after their reservation has ended. Debit or Credit Card Purchases: Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original card used to pay. Check or Cash Purchases: Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. You may update the address at the time you request the refund. It may take up to 6-8 weeks for the Treasury check to arrive. Please make sure your address is up to date in your customer profile.

COE Dorena Reservoir Schwarz Campground

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Cottage Grove, OR has a lot to offer. Cottage Grove is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Cottage Grove. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Cottage Grove

The Best Camping Near Cottage Grove, Oregon

**PROS**

The campsite was great. There aren't many trees between the campsite, so privacy is limited. The bathrooms and showers were clean and not too crowded. Nice creek near by and plenty of grassy area to throw a ball.

**CONS**

I didn't like the host. My family arrived before I did and had already paid for everything, including the extra vehicle. I didn't know that until I paid for my vehicle and got to the campsite. When I went to the host to ask for my extra vehicle fee back, he said it would "Cut into his profits." Now it was only $5 or $7 (This was a few years back), but the issue is that our party paid for the extra vehicle twice. The host knew this and still wouldn't return the money. He explanation just straight pissed me off. I haven't been back and never plan to.

Decent Camping with Crooked Host

Schwarz campground is located just past Cottage grove, right on the Row river. I hadn't realized, until I took a nice little walk, it's located just below Dorena reservoir. It has about 60 sites and a few larger open group sites. The inner sites don't offer much for privacy or shade, but found that the outer had a little more privacy and tons of shade from the oak and pine trees. There are many sites with riverfront views and a couple have private access; with public access at the end of the row. The water is slow and shallow, but still very cold. Great place for families and kids, just be on the lookout for poison oak. There are clean showers and restrooms although they are kind of outdated and could have used another, as it gets busy at peak hours. There are also drinking water bibs, recycling and jr. ranger programs, I didn't seem to see wood sales.

**PROS**

*   Short easy 1 mi. trail(good for kids)
*   River adjacent
*   Family friendly

**CONS**

*   Outdated facilities(too few)
*   Poison oak at sites

Paddling on the Row 

Okay 

This campground has a ton of space for group camping and some gteat spots along the river. It’s close to several great fishing holes and beautiful covered bridges. During the summer, the Army Corp of Engineer Rangers give a tour of the Dorena Dam every Saturday. I highly recommend going if you can!

Great fishing near park

One option when looking for a campground last minute during the summer close to Eugene, Oregon. This one is not usually very busy during peak season in my opinion.

This is a primitive campground so no hook ups for your rv. Bring the generator if your needing a power source during the day.

There are restrooms/ showers on site along with drinking water, a playground, and an rv dump station. Picnic tables and fire pits at each site. Trails are nearby along with a beach/ swimming area at Dorena Lake. Watch for signs of Algae or Swimmers Itch as it has been present the past few years at Dorena Lake.

Overall its a great last minute campground not far from town ( Cottage Grove- Eugene), but doesn't make my list of top 5 if I can make reservations a head of time.

Quiet campground, but watch for Algae

Only stayed a night! Spots are easy to find and it’s a super quiet campground. Only downside is some spots are right next to the road. Really nice and clean spot!!

Really cute & quiet

Accessible lake, good fishing and skiing. Lots of good forest to walk in.

Pretty amazing campground

We’ve recently had the pleasure of staying at a five-star campground (twice now and headed back this weekend) that exceeded all expectations. The amenities provided were fantastic, offering everything my family needed for a comfortable stay. From clean and well-maintained restroom facilities to spacious picnic areas, this campground had it all.

One of the standout features of this campground was its ideal location. Situated in a breathtaking natural setting, it provided easy access to various outdoor activities, including cliff jumping. The thrill of jumping into the refreshing waters is always an exhilarating experience for my children and husband adding an extra layer of excitement our stay.

What truly made this campground exceptional was its staff. The friendly and helpful team went above and beyond to ensure that our stay was enjoyable. From providing valuable local tips to assisting with any inquiries, their dedication to customer service was evident throughout our visit. The presence of a knowledgeable ranger further enhanced the overall experience, as they provided insightful information about the surrounding area.

Lastly, the peace and tranquility offered by this campground were unparalleled. The serene surroundings allowed us to unwind, unplug and connect with nature on a deeper level. Whether it was sitting by the campfire or taking a leisurely hike through the nearby trails, the sense of serenity was truly rejuvenating.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this five-star campground to anyone seeking a remarkable outdoor experience. With its excellent amenities, superb location, friendly and helpful staff, and proximity to cliff jumping, it is the perfect destination for family of adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Prepare to be captivated by the peaceful and awe-inspiring atmosphere that this campground offers.

Everything you need, plus some! 

Close to Cottage Grove, COE spot accepted the Passport for half priced camping. 

  

The campground roads can be tight if you have a big rig so be careful. Because there is no power in the sites people were running generators for hours, even the tent campers.

  

Large groups were utilizing the group areas when we stayed, lots of children having fun. 

  

It would not be a destination place but okay for an overnight stay. 

  

Alchol ban in the park but based on the trash bins it was not enforced.

Photos of COE Dorena Reservoir Schwarz Campground

Real photos from real campers