The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands are dedicated to multiple uses ranging from energy development and timber harvesting to livestock grazing and recreation. If you've ever looked up "BLM camping near me," you probably found camping opportunities in your area. The BLM strives to balance opening these lands for present use while also preserving cultural, natural and historic resources for future generations. If you want a BLM spot that will enable you to truly get away from everyday daily life, then head into the foothills below the Cascade Mountains of Oregon to visit Sharps Creek Recreation Site. Sitting 18 miles southeast of Cottage Grove, this site is a haven for both day users and overnight visitors. Take advantage of the picnic area for an afternoon, or stay longer at one of the dozen campsites. There is a natural swimming hole under an overlook. However, swimmers need to use caution given the natural setting and lack of lifeguards. You can even try your hand at gold panning. Crater Lake National Park, a little over two hours southeast of Sharps Creek Recreation Site, holds America's deepest lake. Enjoy the park's miles of trails for hiking, biking and skiing. Mount Rainier National Park in Washington, four hours and 40 minutes to the northeast, looms over the Seattle skyline and towers more than 14,000 feet high. This peak is both glaciated and an active volcano, but the lower slopes feature old-growth forests dotted by meadows full of wildflowers.
Of all the counties west of the Mississippi River, Lane County has more covered bridges left than any other. The Covered Bridges Scenic Byway, is flat most of the way, and the rails-to-trails biking path takes you past a gorgeous lake sitting below the Cascades and plenty of small-town charm. Park your RV at the Community Center or Bohemia Park in downtown Cottage Grove before mounting your bikes. Along the way, you can take in the same visual aesthetics that Hollywood has used to film movies going back nearly a century. Length: 36 miles Intensity: Moderate
Dorena Lake, just 15 minutes northwest of Sharps Creek Recreation Site, has three parks on its banks. Depending on which one you visit, you can go swimming, sailing, boating, water skiing, or fishing. The lake is surrounded by rolling hill country that's partially forested.
Approximately an hour and 45 minutes north of Sharps Creek Recreation Site, the Willamette Valley features plenty of climbing routes in a section of fertile valley. This area is bordered north and south by Salem and Cottage Grove, respectively, and east and west by the Coast Range and the Willamette National Forest. Consider the Garden, Lookout Point or Eagles Rest if you want sports crags. The Garden also has good bouldering; you can find a satisfying trad if you visit Moolack.
The forest around Sharps Creek is home to a high canopy ranging from Douglas firs and western hemlocks to maples and cedars towering over the lower levels of rhododendron and ferns. The diverse vegetation set is home to many species of bird life, including the Oregon junco, northern spotted owl, pileated woodpecker and marbled murrelet. Closer to the ground, keep your eyes open for beavers, deer, elk, bears, mink and raccoons.
The day-use side of Sharps Creek has picnic spots available on a limited basis. If you're in Cottage Grove, then consider Bohemia Park. The 14-acre location has picnic shelters, toilets and drinkable water. There's a three-acre pond and a playground.
Sharps Creek offers 12 Bureau of Land Management campgrounds with running water and vault toilets. There is a fee for BLM RV camping here, and you can pay via cash or check on-site. If you would like to camp somewhere with amenities, you may want to stay at Meadowlark RV Park, 35 minutes northwest of Sharps Creek Recreation Site. Here, there are full-hookup RV sites, showers and restrooms, free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and a convenience store. At Pass Creek County Park and Campground, there are 30 full-hookup sites, restrooms, showers, picnic tables and a playground.
There are several Bureau of Land Management free camping sites in the nearby Umpqua National Forest. Rujada Campground, only 15 minutes northeast of Sharps Creek Recreation Site, features 12 campsites with picnic tables and fire pits or grills, a flush and a vault toilet, and drinking water. At Cedar Creek Campground, 20 minutes to the east, there are nine sites with picnic tables and fire pits and two vault toilets but no drinking water. Twenty minutes to the southeast, Lund Park Campground has 10 sites with picnic tables and fire pits, two vault toilets and no drinking water. There is a small fee to stay at these campgrounds so the BLM can upkeep them.
Sharps Creek Recreation Site is a remote area without cellular coverage, so pack everything you need. Also, don't do anything to make your campsite alluring to local wildlife. Keep your food in airtight containers inside your RV along with any other scented items. Wash anything you use outside immediately to minimize scents. Don't bury garbage that will get dug up, and keep your campfires and campsite clean. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Bureau of Land Management camping is a chance to enjoy unrivaled natural beauty, but it also means following certain guidelines. Avoid camping within 25 feet of water sources, and verify the fire restrictions in effect for the season you visit. Never set off fireworks, and keep animals on a six-foot leash all the time. Dispose of pet waste as carefully as you do human waste.
Travel to the area on I5, and then get off at Exit 174 for Cottage Grove. Make a left to get on Row River Road. Follow the signs for around four miles to Dorena Lake. Keep going straight when you get to Shoreview Drive, and follow that for 6.6 miles. A covered bridge on your right is your landmark to get back on Row River Road. Keep going east for 4.2 miles until you reach Sharps Creek Road. Make a right turn, and then travel 3.1 more miles. When you arrive at your destination, the day-use area is to your left, and the campground is to your right. Latitude/Longitude: 43.6659, -122.80733 Ready to visit Sharps Creek Recreation Site? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen; bathroom; and nice, soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
