Towns Near Eugene: Cottage Grove, Oregon

You’ve decided to move to the Eugene area but you’d like a bit of a different feel? Today we are talking about Cottage Grove just south of Eugene.

If you’re looking for a place to live near Eugene with easy access and more of a small-town feel, then Cottage Grove could be the spot for you. The town of Cottage Grove is 23 miles south of Eugene right on I-5 and it takes about 25 minutes to get there.

As I write this message in March of 2024, Cottage Grove has approximately 10,500 residents living there. Even though it’s a small town there are lots of amenities available. It has everything you need locally, like medical offices, a number of restaurants, retail stores, and more. It’s home to larger grocery options like Safeway and has a Walmart Supercenter as well.

The median home sales price for the last 6 months in Cottage Grove is $378,275 as compared to Eugene’s median price of $445,000. You definitely get more for your money in Cottage Grove. From farmhouses and cottages built in the early 1900’s to new construction and everything in between. There’s something for everyone in Cottage Grove.

There are a number of outdoor and recreational activities in the Cottage Grove area. Are you into biking? Check out the Row River Trail. This 14-mile, paved, multi-use National Recreation Trail follows the route of the now-abandoned Oregon Pacific & Eastern Railroad line, along the scenic shores of the Row River and Dorena Reservoir. There are many trailheads and places to stop and enjoy views of Dorena Lake and the surrounding farm country. Several quaint, covered bridges are located nearby, as is the historic Bohemia Mining Area, which features remnants of late 1800s gold mines.

Speaking of covered bridges, the Cottage Grove area is known for them. You can take a couple of hours and take them in on a self-guided tour.

Both Cottage Grove and Dorena Lakes are also in the area where you can go boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing, picnicking, and camping.

Looking for things to do right in town? Check out one of the Concerts in the Park at Bohemia Park on Wednesdays during the summer, the downtown Farmer’s Market, play a round of golf, or you can even check out a race at the Cottage Grove Speedway.

Moving to the area with kids? The South Lane School District has a number of schools that flow into Cottage Grove High School and for an alternative high school option, there’s Kennedy High just north of town in Saginaw.

There is a real community feel in Cottage Grove that makes it a great place to call home near Eugene. I hope you found this information helpful. I’d love to hear from you. You can call, email, or leave a comment down below. I work hard to stay connected.