What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Shadow Falls Trail
Located in the Umpqua National Forest, this trail is ideal for hiking or mountain biking and is open all year.
Length: 1.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
Wolf Creek Falls Trail
This gorgeous trail follows along Wolf Creek and passes through dense forests, making it perfect for spotting wildlife.
Length: 2.3 miles
Intensity: Easy
Susan Creek Falls Trail
This trail ends at the Susan Creek Falls, but visitors can continue to view the Susan Creek Indian Mounds.
Length: 1.5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Grotto Falls Trail
This short trail offers stunning views of the landscape and is particularly beautiful in the fall.
Length: 0.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
Yellow Jacket Loop
This trail bursts into stunning color during the spring months when wildflowers are most abundant.
Length: 5.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Fishing and Boating
Cow Creek is a fantastic location for swimming or fishing. Anglers can often catch walleye, steelhead, and smallmouth bass. Visitors can also pan for gold in areas that do not have an active mining claim. The nearby North Umpqua River is also a popular spot for fly-fishing and kayaking.
Climbing
The Terra Nova area to the west of the Cow Creek Back Country Byway is the best local area for rock climbing. There are several locations within the area that offer different climbing options. For example, Chockstone Gorge and the Spotted Owl Wall each feature eight sport climbs. The location known as Emerald City offers 13 sport climbs of varying difficulty.
Wildlife Viewing
Visitors can often spot wildlife as they drive along the Cow Creek Back Country Byway, but the nearby Umpqua National Forest also offers amazing wildlife viewing opportunities. Native species include shrews, quail, elk, beavers, bats, rabbits, black bears, rattlesnakes, coastal tailed frogs, painted turtles, mountain lions, and a range of birds.
Picnicking
The Island Creek Day Use Area, which is located along the byway, is a beautiful place to stop for a picnic. The Fish Lake Picnic Site in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is also a good option. The site offers tables, restrooms, and drinking water, and larger groups can rent a covered picnic area with grills.