8 min
Overview
NOTICE: Trails in this park were affected by the 2020 Beachie Creek Fire. Please check on current closures with Oregon State Parks before planning an outing. Arising in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness, the North Santiam River runs 90 miles to its confluence with the South Santiam 15 miles from the Santiam River’s meeting with the Willamette. The 151-acre North Santiam State Recreation Area is a forested stretch of property along the river’s lower reaches with a bottomland dominated by black cottonwoods with numerous old-growth Douglas-firs tucked into a bowl below a forested bluff. Two short loop hikes take you through the through the old-growth groves, along the riparian corridor on the river, and up to a leafy bluff. The park is a popular destination for fishers of trout, steelhead, and chinook. There’s a small walk-in campground as well. Across from the restrooms, on the east side of the parking area, the short 0.4 mile Anderson Loop begins. You’ll enter a shady mixed forest of tall Douglas-firs and big-leaf maples with sword fern, vine maple, hazel, ocean spray, and Oregon grape in the understory. Circle around, admiring more big Douglas-firs, and stay right at a junction. Drop off a low bluff, and notice a few oak trees in the mix. Reach the parking area, and head towards the kiosk at its south end. A gravel path leads through the nine walk-in campsites to reach the verge of the North Santiam River. No doubt there will be a few day visitors here fishing and enjoying the riverside ambience. Go right on a paved trail to pass into a thicket of cottonwoods, maples, alders, and Oregon ash that blocks views of the river. Several short spurs lead to the water, one of which leads to a shallow paddle pool. Cross the boat launch road, and follow the trail as it leads you closer to the river. Walk to the boat launch area to see where the North Santiam cuts into a high bluff downstream and splashes through a riffle just upstream. Return to the trail to wind around under cottonwoods and maples. At a junction, kee
Trail Stats
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42 m
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Photos
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