Niagara Park Loop Hike

Overview

NOTICE: Trails in this park were affected by the 2020 Beachie Creek Fire. Please check on current closures with Marion County Parks before planning an outing. Marion County's Niagara Park verges on the North Santiam River east of Gates near the townsite of Niagara, first platted in 1890. Construction began at the end of that decade on a masonry dam that would generate power for a paper mill. Remains of the dam structure remain (You will walk over them to a viewing platform), but the enterprise was never completed and was finally abandoned in 1912. Niagara once boasted the tiniest post office in the United States, a 6' x 8' cabin that was closed in 1934. The park now offers river access to summer swimming holes at its east end and views over the last narrow chasm on the North Santiam at the west end. The Powder House Trail connects the parking area with the east end's Niagara Rocks. At the parking area, there's a map sign for the Powder House Trail detailing its less-than-a-mile length. The path heads along a forested bluff above the North Santiam River, with the gravel access road to the left. There are little plaques labeling some of the flora. The canopy here is Douglas-fir, big-leaf maple and western red-cedar with an Oregon grape, oxalis, sword fern, and salal understory. The trail passes a viewpoint now mostly blocked by trees and crosses a footbridge. Then the tread drops and levels to pass overgrown picnic sites - only the grills are left. At a junction, a trail leads up to the left past a shed (the powder house) and two outhouses to the road. Go right and head down some stone steps. At another junction, a spur leads right onto some large rocks above the river. The main trail continues past some madrones and comes out on the expanse of Niagara Rocks to offer views of the river. There are swimming holes below these rocks suitable for safe summer enjoyment. From here, steps lead up to the left back to the road. Walk down the dusty gravel road. It’s green and shady, but Highway 22 is buzzing just above

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