Santiam a forest of towering STATE FOREST Douglas-firCome anddiscover hemlock trees. Catch the mist on a hot day from a high waterfall as it plunges to a punchbowl of broken basalt. Feel the wind sweep over you as you stand on a rocky peak with the snow-capped Cascades towering in the distance. Relax at your camp near a clear lake ringed with rhododendron. The may be one of Driving forest roads the best-kept secrets in the foothills of the northern Cascades. It’s easy to miss Most of the recreation sites on the forest are reached over the tucked-away forest for busy travelers maintained gravel roads, but drivers should be aware that gravel heading up Highway 22 to more popular roads require more caution and slower speeds. Carry a forest destinations. The fact that it is largely map, water, check your spare tire, and be alert for log trucks and unknown can be a plus for visitors other vehicles. Stay to the right and expect a vehicle around every seeking a more primitive, corner. but highly scenic experience. If you’re looking for more specific information or a detailed The Oregon Department of Forestry forest map, visit our office one mile east of Mehama on Hwy 22 invites you to stop and visit the or click through our website at oregon.gov/odf. Santiam State Forest, located about 30 miles east of Salem. Spread over Stay current on forest updates 47,000 acres of prime forest lands Camping fees and sites that require fees may be subject to ranging in elevation from 1,000 to 5,000 feet, the forest is carefully change. Trails, roads, and campsites are subject to closure due to eather on the forest weather, maintenance, and active timber sales. To view closures managed to provide a range of W is generally warm and dry and other updates, visit oregon.gov/odf. benefits from wood products to wildlife habitat to recreation in the summer. The bright Forest Contact Information: opportunities. Visit our office autumn colors and glowing on Highway 22 near Lyons for sunshine of early fall give Santiam District Office information and maps and come way to steady rain at the Oregon Department of Forestry ready to explore. 22965 North Fork Road SE lower elevations by late fall. Be prepared to venture off the Lyons, OR 97358 At higher elevations, snow Phone: (503) 859-2151 beaten path and travel gravel roads to find the best this forest has blankets the forest and often to offer. A little exploration will stays until June. reveal secluded picnic spots, high mountain vistas, scenic waterfalls, tranquil lakes, and trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

3/17 Shellburg Falls Rhody Lake Campgrounds in the Forest Legend rivate timber companies harvested most of the forest in the Santiam P Campsites are available on a first-come, History Canyon between 1880 and 1930. By the 1930s and 1940s, with the land first-served basis; no reservations. either logged over or burned by wildfire, many of the timber companies that Restrooms Camping Picnic Site Limit per site: 8 people, 2 vehicles owned the land saw little value in the forest. Some of these landowners let Maximum stay: 14 days their land return to the counties for delinquent taxes while others sold it to Fees: $15/night drive-in sites Horse Trail OHV Drinking Trails Water the county for a minimal amount. $10/night walk-in sites The Forest Acquisition Act, passed in 1939, encouraged counties to deed the $5/night extra vehicle Hiking Mountain Fee foreclosed lands to the Oregon Department of Forestry in exchange for a All pets must be on leash. Trail Bike Trail share of future timber harvest revenues, giving rise to the state forest system Shellburg Falls Recreation Area we have today. Since then, the Oregon Department of Forestry has managed the land. Shellburg Falls Recreation Area offers a small, developed campground nestled in a moss-draped forest of Douglas-fir and hemlock. The scenic Shellburg Fairy slipper By the time the state took ownership, much of Falls Trail passes behind the waterfall, which plunges 100 feet from the edge of the forest was already naturally restocked with a basalt cliff into a foamy pool. Nearby, you will find six miles of trails open to a native mix of seedlings. The only part of the mountain bikes, horses, and hikers. Santiam State Forest that was planted by the Department of Forestry was the area burned Season of use: Walk-in access year round; vehicle access May – November by the 1951 Sardine Creek Fire, which burned Elevation: 1,500 feet Shellburg Falls approximately 21,400 acres northeast of Detroit Number of sites: 7 Lake.

Santiam State Forest Today Santiam Horse Camp The forest is divided into several large blocks of The Santiam Horse Camp rests among the shade of Douglas-fir trees and is land and numerous smaller parcels. The largest the starting point for a system of non-motorized trails for horses, bicycles, and block of forest is in the Rock Creek Basin, hikers. Horse campers will find ample room for trailer parking with corrals located south of Highway 22 near Mill City and stock water for their animals. Trail users can travel through 12 miles of and Gates. This area includes the Rock Creek diverse forest on the Monument Peak trail system. campsites and the Santiam Horse Camp, where a growing network of non-motorized trails is Season of use: May – October available. Elevation: 1,700 feet Number of sites: 12 Santiam Horse Camp Another sizable piece of the Santiam State Forest lies just north of Highway 22 in the Niagara Road area. It includes the highest points on the forest and features trails to Rocky Top Rock Creek Campsites and Natural Rock Arch. Three campsites are spread out along Rock Creek offering a great spot to The other large block of Santiam State Forest is camp, picnic, or cool off in the stream during a hot summer day. located in the Butte Creek Basin and is reached A non-motorized trail network is being developed in this area providing by driving south of Highway 213 through Scott’s access for hikers, horses, and mountain bikers. Mills and the Crooked Finger Road. Explore the Season of use: May – October High Lakes Recreation Area and Butte Creek Elevation: 1,300 feet Falls in this area. Number of sites: 3 View from Rocky Top Swimming hole at Rock Creek Campsites Scott’s Mills Maple Grove Road N 213

Silverton

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Crooked Finger Trailhead and High Lakes Recreation Area Natural Rock Arch Trail Rocky Top Trail Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) Area Campground The High Lakes Recreation Area is a lightly The Natural Rock Arch is an impressive geologic This rugged, half-mile trail climbs to the 5,000- The Crooked Finger OHV Area offers 6 miles of Discover two beautiful waterfalls in less than visited area that includes Rhody Lake and Butte formation that stands 50 feet tall and 40 feet foot summit of Rocky Top, which was once the OHV trails which travel through diverse forest. one mile along the Butte Creek Falls Trail. Upper Lakes. This series of small lakes is nestled among wide. After hiking the steep half-mile trail, you location of a fire lookout. On a clear day, the There is a staging area with ample parking for Butte Creek Falls splashes over a 20-foot rock thick patches of rhododendron at an elevation of stand under the huge arch and can almost feel the spectacular view includes Mt. Jefferson, Three trailers and most of the trails are moderate in ledge into a deep, cold pool. Follow the trail to its 3,500 feet. Beginning near Rhody Lake, visitors weight of the rock hanging above. Explore around Sisters, and Three-Fingered Jack. Don’t forget to difficulty. end at a rocky precipice where you can view the can hike between the lakes on a 1.5 mile trail that the base of the arch to discover numerous small look down for delicate flowers, such as the fiery 80 foot high Lower Butte Creek Falls. Butte Creek passes through grassy meadows and marshes caves in the fractured rock. red paintbrush and thick bunches of bear grass Season of use: Year-round (seasonal closures finally ending at Butte Lakes. A small primitive Campground is located one half-mile upstream Season of use: May – November (depending clinging to rocky crevices. during fire season) campground and picnic area is located near of the trailhead. on snow level) Elevation: 2,300 feet Rhody Lake. Season of use: June – October Season of use: May – October Elevation: 3,800 feet (depending on snow level) Season of use: May – November (Gates may close seasonally.) Elevation: 5,000 feet Crooked Finger OHV Area Elevation: 1,900 feet (depending on snow level) Number of sites: 3 Elevation: 3,500 feet Natural Rock Arch Number of sites: 3

Rhody Lake

Upper Butte Creek Falls Rocky Top