Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Guided tours
No
Backcountry camping
No
Lodging
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Dorena Reservoir is an 1,800-acre reservoir created by the damming of the Row River as it flows from the Willamette Foothills toward Cottage Grove. Both Dorena Reservoir and Cottage Grove Lake were products of the Army Corps of Engineers’ efforts to control occasional flooding in the 1940s. Today Dorena is an incredibly popular recreational area with four public access points. Baker Bay, located along the more heavily trafficked Shoreview Drive, is a popular choice both for its many park amenities and its campground.

The park consists of three sections: the northwest section is the picnic and group day use area, the center is home to the main swimming and boating access, and the southeast area is devoted to the campground. Visitors first arrive at the fee station above the large boat ramp and marina. Abundant individual picnic tables, two capacious and reservable picnic areas with electricity and running water, large grassy fields, volleyball and horseshoe areas, and hiking trails are all off to the left. A large concession stand provides the necessities and also rents out canoes and stand-up paddleboards. Baker Bay is well known as a family-friendly swimming area, and a gentle slope into relatively shallow water is just right for new swimmers. An inflatable trampoline is moored just off shore, as well. No lifeguard is on duty here, but swimmers are easily observed from the surrounding grassy fields. Alternately, you can skip the designated swimming area for additional shoreline access that is closer to the picnic areas. Showers are located just above the boat ramp near the campground.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

General Day Use Fee

Pros

Swimming area. Marina and boat ramp. Extensive day use facilities. Rentals and concessions.

Cons

Crowds. Muddy swimming area. Potential for blue-green algae.

Features

ADA accessible
Showers
Campgrounds + Campsites
Flushing toilets
Boat ramp(s)
Potable water
Picnic tables
Covered picnic areas
Volleyball
Horseshoes
Marina
Fishing
Playground
Bird watching
Wildlife

Location

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