Overview
Cottage Grove is a small town at the southern tip of the Willamette Valley near the confluence of the Coast Fork Willamette and Row rivers. It has a historic downtown area and is also known as the filming location of scenes in a few well-known films such as Animal House and The General.
2 sights · 1 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Cottage Grove
Centennial Covered Bridge
Built in 1987 from timber salvaged from local dismantled bridges, to celebrate Cottage Grove's 100th anniversary. Walk or bike over the Coast Folk Willamette River alongside Main Street.
Oregon Aviation Historical Society & Museum
Bohemia Mining Days
Annual town festival celebrating Cottage Grove's mining history. (July)
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Oct. Summer highs reach about 67°F; winter lows dip to about 39°F. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Coos Bay)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- EUG Eugene Airport, Eugene — 24 mi away. Directions
- OTH Southwest Oregon Regional Airport, North Bend — 65 mi away. Directions
- PDX Portland International Airport, Portland — 126 mi away (major hub). Directions
There's a small airport here. BYO airplane.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Centennial Covered Bridge, Oregon Aviation Historical Society & Museum
- Lunch Buster's Main Street Cafe
- Afternoon Bohemia Mining Days
- Dinner Jack Sprats
- Evening The Axe & Fiddle
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
There's a small airport here. BYO airplane.
By bus
There are several urban LTD buses from Eugene every weekday, and a couple a day on weekends.
By car
Easy access from I-5 or Highway 99. A more scenic drive from Eugene is via Loraine Highway.
See
See Centennial Covered Bridge
Built in 1987 from timber salvaged from local dismantled bridges, to celebrate Cottage Grove's 100th anniversary. Walk or bike over the Coast Folk Willamette River alongside Main Street.
Do
Eat
Eat Buster's Main Street Cafe
Eat Jack Sprats
American comfort food. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free options. Serves beer and wine.
Drink
Drink The Axe & Fiddle
A pub and music venue
Sleep
Go next
- Dorena Lake: A reservoir not far from town is a popular place to spend summer afternoons.
- Bohemia Mountain: A ghost town about a half hour away. The road is unmaintained, a 4x4 vehicle is necessary to reach it.
- Covered Bridges: There are several picturesque historic covered bridges in the area.
Nearby
Creswell
City / town · 3 listings · 9 mi away
Lorane
City / town · 6 listings · 10 mi away
Lowell
City / town · 8 listings · 16 mi away
Eugene
City / town · 128 listings · 18 mi away
Veneta
City / town · 7 listings · 23 mi away
Roseburg
City / town · 38 listings · 43 mi away
Sweet Home
City / town · 4 listings · 45 mi away
Waldo Lake
Park · 4 listings · 51 mi away
My experience
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