Row River National Recreation Trail, Rail trail in Cottage Grove, Oregon, US.
The Row River National Recreation Trail is a paved path in southern Oregon that follows a former railway corridor alongside the Row River and the Dorena Reservoir. It connects several small communities around Cottage Grove and stays nearly flat for its entire length, making it easy to travel by foot or by bike.
The railway line that this trail follows was built in 1912 to serve gold mining communities in the Bohemia district of the Oregon Cascades. When train service ended in 1994, the corridor was gradually transformed into the recreational path visitors use today.
The trail passes through small communities where local people once relied on the railway for their daily needs. Some older structures along the route are still visible and give a sense of what life in the valley looked like before the tracks went silent.
The trail has several access points with parking areas and restrooms spread along its length, so visitors can start or finish at whichever spot suits them best. The flat surface works well for people of all fitness levels, whether on foot or on a bike.
The old trestle bridge near Harms Park was used as a filming location for scenes in Stand By Me and The General, two films that needed real railway structures. The bridge is still standing and easy to spot from the trail, making it a recognizable stop for anyone interested in movie history.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
