The North Santiam Canyon is a 670-square mile area east of Salem that includes the towns of Lyons/Mehama, Mill City, Gates, Detroit and Idanha, as well as the communities of Breitenbush, Elkhorn, Fox Valley, Marion Forks and Niagara. The area is home to some of the state’s best hiking and biking trails in the Santiam State Forest and Willamette National Forest, as well as water activities (fishing, boating, kayaking) on the North Santiam River and Detroit Lake.

In September 2020, the Beachie Creek and Lionshead fires ravaged the area – making it one the largest combined wildfires in Oregon’s history. The fires claimed five lives, destroyed more than 700 homes and businesses and resulted in severe damage to many popular outdoor recreation sites.

For the past 4 years, community members, alongside government and agency partners, have been working around the clock to rebuild, re-open retail operations and restore recreation sites.

TRAVELING THROUGH THE SANTIAM CANYON REGION

Hwy 22 (between Salem and Bend) is open to through traffic in both directions. Many retail operations - including gas stations, convenience stores, cafes and restaurants - have re-opened and are eager to welcome visitors back.

Please note that you may experience minor traffic delays as restoration efforts continue along Highway 22. Please be patient and allow for extra time. Travelers should also be aware that cell service is limited in parts of this region. Carrying an Oregon Road Map is recommended.

Visit Tripcheck for up-to-the minute traffic conditions and alerts or learn more about traveling in wildfire-affected areas >>

RECREATION IN THE SANTIAM CANYON

Many of the most popular recreation sites in the Santiam Canyon are open, including Detroit Lake State Recreation Area, Detroit Flats Day Use Area & North Santiam State Recreation Area. Key access points for the North Santiam River are also open, offering lots of opportunities for fishing and kayaking. You can check with the Detroit Ranger District about which put-in and take-out locations are open.

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While there is still a lot of work to be done, previously closed trails have been restored in the Santiam Canyon area since 2020 including Shellburg Falls, which re-opens in May 2024. French Creek Road 2023, from Detroit and leading northward, may reopen late summer 2024. That would open access to the upper Dome Rock and Tumble Lake trailhead, a popular site for day-hiking and backpacking.

To find out the status of specific trails or recreation sites, check out the Willamette National Forest Recreation Status Map (scroll down to the Recreation Conditions Report for a list of trails and campgrounds that are open and closed). Staff at the Detroit Ranger Station can also provide you with maps, permits and up-to-the-minute information about what areas and trails are open.

It is important to note that one of the most popular hiking destinations in the area, The Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area, burned extremely hot and access to that area won’t be restored for two to three years, according to the Detroit Ranger District.

Parks

Starting May 15, 2024, North Fork Park and Bear Creek Park will be open for day-use, adding to the array of recreation options available in the Santiam Canyon alongside Packsaddle Park and North Santiam Park.

Salmon Falls, Minto and Niagara Parks will remain closed for the 2024 summer recreation season.

Camping & Lodging

Campgrounds are in different stages of recovery throughout the region but all of the campgrounds that are part of the Detroit Lake Recreation Area are open. Santiam Flats Campground is also open and The Piety Island Campground and day use area re-opens early June 2024. The Lodge at Detroit Lake has been fully restored as have the cabins at Breitenbush Hot Springs. Nearby RV parks include Sweetbrier Train & RV Park, Lakeview RV Park and River Mountain RV Park.

Check out this article by Travel Oregon for more information about how to recreate in the Santiam Canyon area.

MORE WILDFIRE INFO & RESOURCES

• Oregon Wildfire Response
• Oregon Travel Alerts
• State of Oregon Fires & Hotspots Dashboard
• Oregon Air Quality Index
• Marion Country Wildfire Recovery Information

HOW TO HELP

If you’d like to help those affected by wildfires or assist in the restoration, go here:

• Oregon Community Rebuilding Fund
• The American Red Cross, Cascades Region
• Cascade Volunteers
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Travel Salem makes every effort to ensure information is up-to-date and accurate, however, changes may occur quickly that we are not immediately aware of. If you have specific questions, please call our Visitors Center at 503-581-4325 or email information@travelsalem.com.