North Fork Santiam River

Category: Skinny Dipping

GPS GeoCoords: 44.797200N, 122.566800W

Just about 30 miles east of Salem lies the Little North Santiam Recreation Area and a veritable plethora of fine swimming holes (well, 10-12, actually) on the North Fork Santiam River.
AREA Willamette N.F.
SANCTION Unofficial FEE No
FACILITIES Varies, some pit toilets
ACTIVITIES Swimming, Tubeing
PHONE None
CAMPING There are several National Forest campgrounds along Little North Fork Road.
BATHING SUITS Varies
DIRECTIONS From Salem, go southeast on RT 22 about 22 miles and turn left (northeast) on FR 2209 at the signs for the Little Santiam Recreation Area onto the Little North Fork Road. As you drive out this road, there are lots of swimming holes. Some of these are: (all distances are from where you turn off RT 22 onto Little North Fork Rd):
Little North Fork Park - about 2 miles
Unknown Name - about 3.2 miles
Canyon Creek - about 7.2 miles
Bear Creek Park - about 7.6 miles
Salmon Falls - about 14 miles
Unknown Name - about 15.3 miles
If you continue on FR 2209 to FR 2207 and Spur 211, there are more swimming holes on all of these roads too.
There is also a 4.2 mile easy trail called the "Little North Fork Trail" along the river here that accesses many swimming holes. To access the trail at the first trailhead, follow FR 2209 to Elkhorn. Turn right onto FR 201 and follow to trailhead. To access the second trailhead, stay on FR 2209 to fork in road. Veer right onto FR 2207. Follow FR 2207 to western end of the closed Shady Cove Bridge. Park and walk across bridge to trailhead.
Source as of 9/30/2004