2024-04-13 11:02:59
It’s been three and a half years since the Labor Day wildfires ripped through the Santiam Canyon, torching most of the area’s parks, swimming holes and boat ramps.
Gradually the parks have started to reopen — including a few last summer along Highway 22. But others, especially in the Little North Santiam Canyon, have stayed closed due to lasting wildfire damage.
This spring, that is starting to change. On May 15, two parks, North Fork and Bear Creek county parks, will reopen for day-use for the first time since September 2020. Day use at Elkhorn Recreation Site might reopen later in the year as well.
“We still have a lot of work to do,” Marion County Parks Supervisor Kevin Thompson said. “You take a couple of steps forward, sometimes you take a step back, but that’s (the) nature of working beautiful parks in Oregon.”
The reopening of the parks does represent progress, and a return to some recreation in what was once among the most popular summer recreation areas in northwest Oregon. But many of the other parks remain closed, and the entire Opal Creek and Three Pools area will stay blocked off this summer.
So, it’ll be a fairly limited reopening with limited opportunities.
Here’s a breakdown of the Marion County parks and others in the Santiam Canyon and where they stand going forward.
Little North Santiam Canyon parks
North Fork Park (open May 15): One of the most popular parks historically in the area, the park includes river access for fishing, splashing and swimming in the river.
Starting next week, a crew will add orange construction fencing around the edge of the parking lot down the main road. The only access visitors will have is the parking lot and a trail to the beach.
As time goes on, more pedestrian access will be allowed. It will cost $5 to park, which can be paid at a kiosk in the parking lot. Crews will add picnic tables, trash cans and a dog waste station.
Bear Creek Park (Open May 15): This park has access to swimming spots on the Little North Santiam River and will be open for day-use. Previously a campground, it will only be day-use this year before new campsites are installed next year.
Crews will add picnic tables, trash cans and a dog waste station to the park. There will be a restroom. The park will feature 20 to 30 parking spots and cost $5 to park.
Elkhorn Valley and Canyon Creek recreation sites (might open for day use later this season). The two sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management might reopen for day use later this season, officials said.
“We are currently evaluating the sites to determine what measures need to be in place to open Canyon Creek and the first loop of the Elkhorn Recreation Site safely this season,” said Amanda Hoffman, field manager for the BLM Cascades Field Office. “If we are able to open, the sites will provide parking and river access, but very little in the way of other amenities.”
Restoring camping at the sites won’t happen this year, she said.
Salmon Falls Park (Not open until at least summer 2025): The popular waterfall and swimming park will remain closed this summer.
Officials said there have been talks regarding adding campgrounds at Salmon Falls, but the immediate vision is to open it for day use. The former restroom is no longer useable, so a new one will be added. The stairway access to the river was damaged and has to be redone. Marion County will also restore the wetland to help with fish habitat.
Santiam Canyon parks (Highway 22 corridor)
Packsaddle Park (open now): The popular boat launch for the North Santiam River has been open for a few years now, opening access to the most popular whitewater floats on the stream.
Fishermen’s Bend Recreation Area (open now): The once popular campground is open but remains day-use only. It’s most popularly used as a boat launch for the North Santiam River, or for hiking around and exploring along the river. There is a day-use fee of $5 for parking. Officials said a campground will eventually be rebuilt, but there’s no timeline for its completion yet.
North Santiam Park (open now): This park has some nice patches where it hasn’t been burned, especially along the river. Hiking, fishing and hanging out along the river are popular in spring and summer. It’s open for day-use now, but a small campground will open on May 1.
Minto Park (closed now, might open this fall): The once hideaway park along Highway 22 and the North Santiam River, formally home to trails and nice fishing spots, might reopen this fall, parks officials said.
Niagara Park (not open until at least summer 2026): Once home to lush old-growth forest, nice swimming and fishing spots, and a view of the ancient dam on the North Santiam River, this park was burned severely and will need a few years before reopening.
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at [email protected] or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors.
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