North Santiam State Park
One of our local bloggers, the Kid Friendly Salem Blog, was asked by a reader about local areas with clean water for kids to play and splash on a hot summer day.
One of my favorite places to take my kids on a hot day, besides Silver Falls State Park, is the Santiam River. It needs to be HOT to go here though because the water is really cold. It seems every July we get a week or so with 100 degree temperatures, and that’s when we head out to the Santiam River. The cold water feels really good then.
We jump into the Santiam river at North Santiam State Park, which has the Santiam River running through it. The Santiam River is a popular river for rafters and kayaks and it is rare when we go there to not see several people heading down river.
Also popular at the river is fishing, but I haven’t seen anyone actually catch anything yet. I’m sure they do, but the water moves pretty swiftly right by the park.
A great place for kids and families, the water level is pretty low for a ways out so kids can safely play there. It does get deep and the water moves swiftly so keeping an eye on kids is essential.
The park has
- hiking trails
- picnic tables
- fishing
- restrooms
- boat launching area/stopping area
The park is day use only at this time, with no camping allowed. From Salem it only takes 35 minutes or so to get out there, so it is a perfect day trek to beat the heat.
This park area is just one of many that folks relocating to the Salem Oregon metro area should check out.
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June 28th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Great info Melina,
We like the Little North Fork of the Santiam as well. The water in the lower streches can be a warm as 70 degrees!!
June 28th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
You know I have passed that recreational area and kept thinking we needed to go down there sometime. Warmer water sounds good to me!
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:20 am
are you sure you didn’t see anyone catching anything there?
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:58 am
Salem Man I always see people trying.