Curtin: Trails, Covered Bridges, and Local History

Curtin can be explored through two themes for a trip: trails in the surrounding area and the town’s history. The Row River Trail and the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway differ in length and trail character; historic traces range from covered bridges to former facilities on Pass Creek. For planning, it helps to consider these routes separately from places with a clearly historical context.

Pass Creek and the History of Curtin

Pass Creek County Park & Campground was located at 201 Curtin Park Road in Curtin. As a day-use park and campground on Pass Creek, it permanently closed on September 30, 2024. Before closing, the park included a reservable pavilion, a playground, a restroom, and a pond. The former campground had 30 sites with full hookups, as well as showers and restrooms. This describes the park’s former facilities and is not a current camping option. Curtin was named after Daniel Curtin, who operated a sawmill there in the early 1890s.

Trails in the Surrounding Area

The nearby Row River Trail is a 14-mile paved, multi-use trail along the Row River and Dorena Reservoir. Parking and restrooms are available along the trail at intervals of 2 to 3 miles. The nearby Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway is significantly longer at 37.8 miles and connects regionally with Cottage Grove. It is mostly flat, family-friendly, and has light traffic; road conditions can change, so check them before riding. The routes therefore differ in more than just length: the Row River Trail is characterized by its paved surface, multi-use access, and facilities along the route, while the Scenic Bikeway is characterized by its terrain, traffic, and family-friendliness.

Covered Bridges and Historic Traces

The nearby Mosby Creek Covered Bridge was built in 1920 and extensively restored in 1990. The nearby Chambers Bridge was built in 1925; local residents saved it in 2011. It is believed to be the last covered railroad bridge west of the Mississippi. The two bridges therefore have different histories: the Mosby Creek Bridge’s timeline includes its construction and restoration, while the Chambers Bridge’s also includes its rescue by the local community. They were built five years apart.

A 1953 newspaper account described nearby Comstock Cemetery as being on a high hill overlooking the Pass Creek Valley. The cemetery contains the grave of a Cherokee War veteran. The history of commerce is also part of the local story: Chuck and Dorothy Booher ran the Curtin Store for decades.

Explore more destinations: Reedsport, Myrtle Creek, Umpqua, Winston, Sutherlin, Canyonville, Tenmile, Roseburg

For the broader travel overview: Douglas.