The Cow Creek Back Country Byway follows Cow Creek as it winds through a steep, forested canyon in Southern Oregon. The creek is a tributary of the South Umpqua River and was an important placer gold producer in Southern Oregon during the gold rush era.
Cow Creek's gold-mining history dates back to the early 1850s, when prospectors moving north from California discovered placer gold in the creek’s gravels. The canyon soon filled with small mining camps, simple sluices, and hand-worked claims, and for a time, Cow Creek was one of Southern Oregon’s more productive placer districts.
Railroad construction in the late 1800s connected the canyon to regional mining and logging. Remnants of the old grades, cuts, and trestles are still visible along the creek today.
Although much of the gold was mined long ago, fine gold, small flakes, and heavy black sands remain in the creek gravels, along with quartz, agate, jasper, and serpentine.
Most of the lower Cow Creek corridor is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, but active private claims still exist, so always watch for posted signs and claim markers before prospecting.
Cow Creek Gold Panning and Rockhounding
Cow Creek is an excellent spot for both gold panning and rockhounding in a single location. In late summer, when water levels are low, more of the creek bed is exposed, making it easier to see and collect rocks as well as pan for gold.
During this time, you may find agate in shades of white, gray, or light orange; clear or milky quartz; jasper in red, yellow, or brown; and greenish serpentine with a smooth, sometimes waxy feel. Moving slowly along the creek and scanning the wet gravels is helpful, as wet stones show their colors more vividly than dry ones.
The Cow Creek Back Country Byway includes several accessible rockhounding and gold-panning spots, allowing visitors to enjoy a short outing while taking in the creek’s natural beauty.
Cow Creek Gold Panning Area
The Cow Creek Gold Panning Area is the primary public stretch for recreational gold panning and rockhounding. Located about 21 miles southwest of Riddle, this site includes roughly 1,300 feet of creek where the BLM allows non-commercial gold panning and casual mineral collecting.
GPS: N 42°49.776' W 123°37.082' | 42.829600, -123.618033
You park at a gravel wayside along Cow Creek Road and follow short paths down to the water.
Here, fine gold and small flakes often concentrate in dark, heavy black sands—especially along inside bends, behind large boulders, and in bedrock cracks.
At Cow Creek Recreational Mining Area, you can use hand tools like gold pans, shovels, and small sluice boxes. Use of small suction dredges is allowed only in certain situations, so check with the BLM before operating one.
Island Creek Day Use Area
Island Creek Day Use Area is about 8 miles southwest of Riddle and is one of the easiest family stops. The site sits along in a gentle bend of Cow Creek and has a picnic table and a vault restroom.
GPS: N 42°54.743' W 123°28.874' | 42.912383, -123.481233
Short paths lead from the parking area to the water’s edge, where a rocky riverbank and a mix of shallow and deeper pools provide easy access. This is an ideal spot to combine swimming, picnicking, and gold panning.
Other Rockhounding Access Along Cow Creek
Along the Cow Creek Back Country Byway, there are several additional access permitting public entry. These include areas near:
Union Creek: N 42°52.002' W 123°34.567' | 42.867, -123.576
Iron Mountain Creek: N 42°54.241' W 123°32.023' | 42.904, -123.5337
Squaw Creek: N 42°55.239' W 123°26.960' | 42.92065, -123.4493
However, you will see mining claim markers along many parts of Cow Creek.
At the time of our visit, no private claim markers were observed at the specific locations listed above, but conditions can change.
Always check for updated postings and avoid clearly marked claims.
Beyond the Rocks: Cow Creek Back Country Byway
The Cow Creek is a fantastic spot for swimming, picnicking, wading, and camping.
You can still see the 1869–1882 railroad with the bridge, and the former town of West Fork. The railroad is still active. Freight trains roll through the canyon several times a day, following the same corridor that served early mines and logging camps.
Cow Creek Gold Panning and Rockhounding | Facts
Material: Fine gold, small flakes, quartz, agate, jasper, serpentine
Tools: Pan, sluice box, geology pick
Land type: Forested creek canyon
Best time to visit: Late summer
Land manager: Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Fees: None
Location: 20 miles southwest of Riddle • Oregon • USA
Road access: Any vehicle
Places to Stay near Cow Creek
There are multiple spots to camp at Cow Creek. Skull Creek Campground has about 5 first‑come, first‑served sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. There are no hookups, showers, or drinking water, so you need to bring all supplies and pack out all trash.
BLM dispersed camping is available at small pullouts and clearings along Upper Cow Creek and West Fork Cow Creek. These informal sites usually have only a rock fire ring and a flat spot for a tent or small trailer. There are no developed restrooms or water, so you must be fully self‑contained and follow Leave No Trace guidelines.
If you are looking for more comfortable lodging, Canyonville has plenty of hotels and rentals to choose from.
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