mdi-tent Reserve

Fall Creek
State Recreation Area

Near Eugene, Oregon, United States
mdi-tent Reserve

Park Overview

Fall Creek Reservoir is a prime recreation area surrounded by day-use parks and a primitive campground. Together these six parks comprise Fall Creek State Recreation Area.

Winberry, Free Meadow, Lakeside 1 & 2

Season: May 1 - Sep. 30

On the south side of the tree-lined reservoir, Winberry day-use area provides a two-lane boat ramp and parking for more than 100 cars and 150 boat trailers. It features flush restrooms; a swim dock and swim beach; and picnic areas with barbecue grills and fire rings.

Three other small day-use areas are on the north side of the reservoir: Free Meadow, Lakeside 1 and Lakeside 2.

North Shore

Season: April 1 - Oct. 30

North Shore day-use area, on the north side of the lake, has high- and low-water ramps as well as a picnic area overlooking the water. 

Primitive Camping

For those who want to spend the night under the stars, Cascara Campground has 39 campsites, vault toilets, a boat ramp and a swim area. The first-come, first-served sites are tucked among towering Douglas firs, many with lake views. Potable water available.

Just down the road, Fisherman’s Point Campground offers a primitive group site on the lake shore, with vault toilets and potable water. The camp has capacity for 64 people.

Water Recreation

  • Dec. 2021 Note: Efforts to improve salmon and steelhead runs in the Fall Creek basin have led to changes in the ways the US Army Corps of Engineers’ will be managing water levels in Fall Creek Lake. Details available at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website.  To check water levels, go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website.
  • Life jacket loaner stations are at North Shore and Winberry, with life jackets of various sizes available. Be aware of hidden obstructions beneath the surface. Wearing a life jacket, and making sure it fits properly, saves lives. 
  • Boaters: check ahead for obstructions on the Oregon State Marine Board's Reported Obstructions and Alerts page.
mdi-alert-outline General Advisory
mdi-alert-outline General Advisory
mdi-white-balance-sunny Open for day use May 1 – Sep 30 mdi-tent Open for camping May 1 – Sep 30 mdi-currency-usd
Day-use parking permit required
(purchase 1-day permit on site)
Day-use parking permit
(1-day purchased on-site)
Buy annual permit
mdi-cellphone Call for reservations: 800-452-5687
Call for info: 800-551-6949
Call park: 541-937-1173
Current Conditions Directions Feedback

Amenities & Features

Questions

mdi-help-circle-outline General

I see signs for Winberry, Fall Creek, and Cascara. What do these mean?

Fall Creek refers to many things in this area.  It can be confusing!  Fall Creek flows into, and out of, Fall Creek Lake.  Fall Creek State Recreation Area includes all the parks around Fall Creek Lake.  These are:

Cascara Campground-First Come, First Serve campground

Fisherman's Point Group Camp-By reservation only.  Click on the "Rates" button to the left

Winberry-Day use only fee park on the south side of the lake.

North Shore-Day use only park with a launch ramp at the North end of the dam

Free Meadow-Small day use only park on the north side of the lake

Lakeside I and II-Small day use only parks on the north side of the lake

When can I boat on the lake?

North Shore opens April 1st and closes September 30th.  It has both a high and low water ramp.  The rest of the parks on Fall Creek Lake are open May 1st through September 30th.

Fall Creek Lake is drawn down each winter for flood control and downstream fish passage.

mdi-help-circle-outline About Camping

Where can I camp at Fall Creek Lake?

Cascara campground is a first come, first serve campground open May-Sept.  It is the only regular campround on the lake.  Fisherman's Point Group Camp (click on 'Rates' to the left) is by reservation only.

 

If Cascara Campground is full, where can I camp nearby?

Cascara is the only campground on the lake.  However, there are several forest service campgrounds along Fall Creek, upstream of the lake.  On Lookout Point Reservoir, to the south and east, Ivan Oaks campground and Black Canyon campround offer access to that lake when the water level is high.

For more questions, review our statewide FAQ

History

In 1998, OPRD took part in a land exchange with local government, trading three park properties (Armitage, Hendricks Bridge State Wayside, Howard J. Morton Memorial State Park) for a 25-year lease of federal facilities at Fall Creek.  Fall Creek Lake was completed in 1965 to control flooding along Fall Creek and downstream along the Willamette River in Eugene and Springfield.

Brochures and Maps

mdi-file-pdf-box Cascara campground info and map 2018 mdi-file-pdf-box Southern Willamette Valley Parks Brochure

Photos