Fall Creek Lake - Your Gateway to Water Adventures

Fall Creek Lake (also known as Fall Creek Reservoir) is a man-made lake within the Fall Creek Recreation Area, surrounded by the lush Willamette National Forest. Created by Fall Creek Dam, a rock fill structure built in 1966, the reservoir helps with water retention, flood control, irrigation, and recreation. It holds 115,100 acre-feet of water and manages runoff from 184 square miles of drainage area.

Sturdy bridges span Fall Creek, including one near the small town of Jasper. The lake’s cool waters attract swimmers, divers, and kayakers, especially in summer. Nearby campsites allow visitors to extend their stay while picnicking and fishing are also popular activities.

The 13.7-mile Fall Creek National Recreation Trail winds through stunning forests, emerald pools, and rushing rapids. Along the way, hikers will find old-growth Douglas firs, ferns, rock outcrops, Slim Creek Cave, and remnants of the 2003 wildfire. The transition from lush forest to burnt landscape is striking, but the area is steadily recovering.

Water Activities

Fall Creek Reservoir is perfect for swimming, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, water skiing, and jet-skiing.

Swimming areas are available at several day-use sites, including Fall Creek Lake – North Shore Day Use, Fall Creek Lake - Lakeside 1 & 2, and Winberry State Recreation Area.

Additionally, the Scenic Fall Creek Corridor features numerous natural swimming holes.

Fishing

It is typically stocked in April with thousands of legal-size and trophy trout, making April through June the best time for fishing.

Rockhounding

Rock and Mineral Collecting is not allowed in the vicinity of Fall Creek recreation areas managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

North Shore Day-Use Area

Located near Fall Creek Dam on the north side of Fall Creek Lake, North Shore is a day-use area with both high-water and low-water boat ramps, picnic sites, and vault toilets.

Access allowed: May 1 - September 30
Amenities: Picnic sites, boat ramp, vault toilets
Day-use fees: None

Fall Creek Lake - North Shore Day Use

Free Meadow Day-Use Area

Free Meadow is a day-use area located 2.8 miles east of the North Shore day-use site.

Access allowed: May 1 - September 30
Amenities: Picnic sites, boat ramp, bucket toilet
Day-use fees: None

Lakeside I and Lakeside II Day Use Areas

Lakeside I and Lakeside II Day Use Areas are located 0.4 miles of each other and approximately 5 miles east of the North Shore day-use site.

Access allowed: May 1- September 30
Amenities: Picnic sites, boat ramp, vault toilets
Day-use fees: None

Fall Creek Lake - Lakeside 1 & 2

Winberry Day-Use Area

The largest day-use area, Winberry, has a two-lane boat ramp, swimming area with a dock and beach, picnic sites with fire rings and barbecues, flush restrooms, and potable water.

Access allowed: May 1 - September 30
Amenities: Picnic sites, boat ramp, swim area, flush restrooms, drinking water
Day-use fees: Yes or Parking Permit for State Parks

Winberry State Recreation Area - Exploring Fall Creek Reservoir

Cascara Campground

Cascara Campground and Fisherman's Point Group Camp are located on the upper end of the Fall Creek Arm. The rustic campground has 39 campsites, vault toilets, potable water, a ramp, and a swimming area.

Access allowed: May 1 - September 30
Services: Vault toilets, potable water, a ramp, and swim area
Accommodations: 39 campsites
Camping reservation: First-come, first-served

Fisherman's Point Group Camp

Located across the road from Cascara campground, Fisherman's Point Group Camp is a reservable RV group camp with potable water and portable toilets. The camp offers eight sites, up to 8 persons per site.

Access allowed: May 1 - September 30
Services: Vault toilets, potable water, a ramp, and swim area
Accommodations: 8 group sites
Phone (reservation): 800-452-5678

Open: Most day-use areas and campgrounds are open from May 1 to September 30
Managed by: Oregon State Parks and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Amenities: Picnic sites, boat ramps and moorages, swim area, restrooms, RV and tent campgrounds
Activities: Camping, hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, and boating
Day-use fees: Free except for Winberry Park

Elevation: 839 feet (256 m)

Fall Creek Lake is located:

22 miles east of Eugene
81 miles northeast of Roseburg
83 miles southeast of Salem
127 miles southeast of Portland.

Type: Reservoir
Surface area: 763 ha (1,820 acres)
Depth: Varies throughout the year
Dam length: 5,100 ft (1,555 m)
Dam height: 205 ft (55 m)

2 Comments

Why is it that mineral and rock collecting is not allowed in this area? Is it because of the potential to be collecting native American “artifacts” instead of just rocks or minerals? Well I guess it’s the same thing, but it’s all I can think of. And so how about searching for rocks or minerals? Then once found, say I pick it up to observe it for a moment. A bit of catch and release. Maybe snap a picture. How about that? Is that within the parameters of these regulations? Can I reorganize the rocks by color ? As long as I leave them there? What if I come across some more recent native American artifacts??? Like the bottle caps or fishing lures left behind from the natives of maybe 10 years ago!
I’m gonna need an incredibly solid answer on this issue if I’m going to be able to accept that someone I’m this world actually believes they posses the authority to tell everyone that they may not pick up a rock of the damn ground! So let’s hear what you got!

Michael J Halsell

December 20, 2023


1. Author
  
  Rock collecting is prohibited within US Army Corps of Engineers property boundaries.
  
  To gather additional information, it is advisable to reach out to officials from the US Army Corps of Engineers. They can provide insights, details, and answers to any specific inquiries you may have. Initiating communication with the appropriate personnel will help ensure that you receive accurate and relevant information regarding your concerns or interests.
  
  v.harp
  
  December 21, 2023