Cooper Creek Reservoir Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fishing · Lake · Swimming · Views · Wildlife

Parking fee has been permanently removed. You can now park for free year-round. Clean full restrooms are available at the main (west) boat launch trailhead. Pit toilets are located at the other boat launch (trail end). A year-round host resides near the main boat launch. Lots of picnic areas with tables.

Just two miles outside of the small town of Sutherlin, Oregon, Cooper Creek Reservoir Trail is a well-groomed, forested, 3-4 mile out-and-back trail with the option of doing it as a loop. The trail begins at the main (west) boat launch and officially terminates roughly a half mile before shown on the map. A very clear and well-worn boot path continues from that point to the smaller (east) boat launch. After this, the north section of the trail continues, but is only roughed-out and flagged and there is a lot of poison oak. I personally don't run this final section, preferring to run the groomed section out and back, but I have hiked it a couple of times, so I know it can be done as a loop. Another option is to run the road between the boat launches to complete the loop. A local mountain biking group has plans to finish the final section and make this a real loop trail, but I don't know when or if work is scheduled. Yes, this trail is open to non-motorized biking. However, I rarely run into bikers and when I have, they've always yielded. I rated this trail intermediate, based on the criteria, but it's really a pretty forgiving little trail. A few steep inclines, some rocks and roots, and in the winter a couple patches of gnarly clay mud add to its charm. The trail was recently (1/22) logged out, so there are currently no fallen trees to navigate, though after a heavy rain, wind or snow these "hurdles" can be a feature, too. Recreational use of the area is heavier on weekends and in the summer. Motorized boats are permitted, so in the summer there is noise from boaters, water-skiers and jetskiers.

Cooper Creek Reservoir Trail provides the opportunity to view waterfowl, including kingfishers, great blue herons, and snowy egrets. A variety of raptors, including bald eagles can be seen there along with ravens and other birds. You can sometimes spot deer using the trail and the reservoir is home to some playful otters who are worth stopping for. Douglas fir predominate, with a few little maple groves and some oak trees, which are a feature of this area, supporting whole ecosystems within the moss and licorice ferns that grow on their bark. You'll also find plenty of Pacific sword fern, salal, Oregon grape and other native plants. Maidenhair ferns line several little washes along the beginning portion of the trail. Some sections of the hillside were recently clear cut, and the view is affected by that.