2 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents25 acres · Cottage Grove, OR**It is required that you read the FULL site description and rules before booking so you know what to expect and what is expected of you! Please do not book if you are not willing to respect this request and our standard operating procedures! If you do not follow our rules you will be flagged, Hipcamp will be notified and you will be charged-depending on cleanup costs/damage!**
SITE DESCRIPTION:
-The private and peaceful 'Royal Heart Hill' property consists of - Oak Savanna, mixed conifer woodland, camas meadow, undulating hills and a SMALL pond (No swimming or fishing! It is a man-made pond and not stocked because it is home to many rough-skinned newts).
*UPDATE: The timber acreage that borders our property- to the west and north of Overholser Road- was just harvested as of winter 2024. Thus, we no longer have that 'deep in the forest' type-feel, but it did open up some westward/sunset views.
-All guests have access to the outdoor shower, which is located by the green Dome. Please use biodegradable soap in the shower! Potable water spigots are located by the carport and at the top of the steps leading down to our platform site.
-Royal Heart Hill is in the Heart of Royal, Oregon (Cottage Grove proper) at the very end of a Dead-End road, which means no sound or light pollution from passing cars or nearby residences. Surrounded by BLM and Timber properties (please be aware of clearly marked private property/no trespassing signs at the end of the public road), while still being just under 6 miles outside of downtown Cottage Grove-the town of Covered-Bridges- with many options for shopping, dining, breweries and live music! Cottage Grove has nearby access to wineries and two large lakes (Cottage Grove and Dorena) with swimming, boating, fishing, as well as hiking and biking trails. We are 35 minutes/27 miles from Eugene.
*CAUTION! Poison oak is present! Please know how to identify, or ask and I will show you. I have done my best to clear it from main camping areas and trails. Tecnu is provided in the outdoor shower.
-There is a .8 mile loop that goes around the whole property, which we keep mowed and accessible. Hipcampers are welcomed and encouraged to use the loop to explore the property. The loop can be accessed from both campsites by walking south/downhill toward the pond signs and following the mowed path through the meadow and back up toward the road, which will take you back to your campsite. It’s a short hike, but can be made longer by taking off-shoots and exploring the pond area. I have included a screenshot of the loop as recorded by my Strava app, which is in the property photos.
-There is also nearby access to BLM property- about a half mile from both sites. Follow Overholser Road downhill until you see the sharp-right turnoff where you will find the BLM gate (it is a 4 mile (ish) hike from the sites to the end of the BLM road and back).
-The property hosts a geodesic play-dome and slack-line (during the dry months) up by the green dome/outdoor shower. Guests may play on these at their own risk and accept liability for any potential or incurred injuries- the closest hospital is 7miles/15minutes away.
RULES:
1. NO PETS! (Check in with me if you have extenuating circumstances.)
2. LEAVE NO TRACE!
Please check the site for micro-garbage before leaving.
We provide buckets for FOOD compost, DEPOSIT recycling (bottles/cans), which you may leave, as well as a trash bucket/bag, which you must take with you.
*Please be mindful of what you put in the compost bucket! This site considers compost as- food scraps (no stickers- please remove produce stickers and place in trash), egg shells, tissue paper, coffee grounds and paper filters, tea bags (no staples- please remove staples and place in trash). What we do not consider compost- glossy paper such as paper plates, food wrappers, plastic, and anything that was not mentioned above as compost. If you are unsure if something is compostable, please ask!
*Leave no trace also means leave the campsite as you found it, i.e.- if you move camp furniture, rocks, etc., move them back before you leave.
3. COMPOSTING TOILETS
There is a composting toilet at each site as well as one by the outdoor shower. PLEASE, poop only! Urinate outside and throw TP in trash or composting barrel (around back of toilet). If one feels uncomfortable urinating outside they may use the toilet by the shower, which is the only toilet with a urine diverter.
*Before use: Make sure bucket is lined with sawdust. After use: Cover waste with sawdust and dump bucket in the composting barrel around back. Replace bucket and line with sawdust. Be Courteous!
-For humanure to break down properly- urine and feces must be kept separate. This is because the urea present in urine degrades into ammonia and kills the microbes that would otherwise break down the waste.
4. CAMPFIRES
*ONLY fire-wood and starter may go into the fire- no trash, cigarette butts, food scraps/compost, etc.! Please dispose of these things in provided buckets.
All fire MUST be contained to fire-pits, with the exception of gas camping stoves/burners - no tiki torches, etc!
Fire-wood and starter is provided, but the wood is not split and is stored outside (you may wish to bring your own wood to start fires if the weather has been wet).
5. CONDUCT
Check out PROMPTLY at 2PM.
Be respectful and courteous of others- there are two campsites on the hill, so you may not be alone during your stay. My partner and I also live on-site in the Dome. We don't have "quiet hours", but please be respectful and aware that campers usually come here for some peace and quiet.
If you are looking for a place to party with a large group of your friends this is NOT it, find somewhere else. No HARD drug use and absolutely no illegal activity of any kind or you will be asked to leave immediately with no refund.
*The Hipcamper making the booking is responsible for making sure everyone in their group is aware of and follows the rules.
CAMP SITE DESCRIPTIONS-
The 'Platform' site: has a large fire pit, composting toilet (for #2 only), potable water via hose, and electric via extension cord. It is a short distance from our outdoor shower, and is accessible with 4WD during the rainy season and 2WD during the dry season (the site is not accessible with a camper/trailer). From this site one can see the top of the monolithic Dome-Home, which makes it a little less private. **If camping with a vehicle that cannot take the steep road to the site, one can park on our gravel driveway (or at the top of the hill) and walk down via steps or road.**
The 'Tent/Trailer' site: is our more secluded/private site and is available amongst our Madrone and Chinquapin tree zone. The road to this site is flat and accessible by car/camper/small trailer. There is a turn-around (somewhat tight), but trailers larger than 17ft may have difficulty using it. There are many level spaces to park or pitch a tent. Hipcampers have access to electric via extension cord, fire-pit and composting toilet (#2 only); however, potable water, and outdoor shower are all located by the Dome, which hipcampers will have to walk (short distance) or drive to. There is one spigot by the carport and one spigot at the top of the steps leading down to our platform site.
PS: Although the clearcut is an eye-sore, it is an example of what the logging industry does to our forests here in Oregon. I hope this will not put a damper on your camping experience, but it is unfortunately out of my control... On Royal Heart Hill, we do our best to mitigate any negative impact on the forest with our practices of sustainable thinning, native habitat restoration and permaculture. If you have any questions about our forest management practices- please ask!
Potable water
Toilets
Showers
