Due to damage from recent wildfires and inclement weather, popular Santiam Canyon recreational parks, campgrounds and river areas may have restricted access or be closed to visitors this season.
“We understand there will be frustration from the public,” said Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell. “However, we have to do what is right and safe for everyone.”
On March 10, the Board of Commissioners approved two orders that will restrict public access to North Fork, Gates Hill and Pioneer roads to property owners and their guests, contractors and agents. The county is additionally closing North Fork Park, Salmon Falls Park, and Bear Creek Park and Campground, and the corridor will be closed to bicyclists and non-resident pedestrians. Signs will be posted this month to notify the public of the restricted access.
“These restrictions are meant to protect people from hazards in the North Fork corridor,” Bethell said. “We hope people will have understanding and grace through the rebuilding process. For the time being, we’re encouraging people to explore Oregon’s other amazing parks and recreational opportunities.”
Public and private lands around the Little North Fork Santiam River basin were heavily damaged during the September 2020 Beachie Creek and Lionshead wildfires. The closures are meant to support rebuilding and reconstruction of wildfire damaged properties, according to Marion County.
Marion County Public Works anticipates it will take approximately 18 months to restore wildfire-damaged roads and two to three years to fully rebuild county parks. Marion County parks along the North Fork corridor sustained considerable damage with the near total destruction of vegetation and park amenities and it remains unsafe to enter the parks due to the large number of dead and standing trees that can fall with little or no warning.
A large volume of woody debris, both floating and submerged, is moving down the watershed on a daily basis making it unsafe for the public to enter the Little North Fork Santiam River at this time, according to a Marion County.
“We appreciate the public’s partnership as we begin the process of making our beautiful North Fork corridor safe for residents and visitors,” said public works officials.
The Santiam State Forest is closed due to damage from 2020 wildfires and windstorms, with no firm date for re-opening. A new map that shows the status of wildfire-impacted recreation areas can be found at visit www.oregon.gov/odf. This one-stop resource is a partnership between ODF, Oregon State Parks, Your Northwest Forests, Oregon Office of Emergency Management, Portland District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Travel Oregon.
Visitors can also check the Oregon Department of Transportation’s tripcheck.com before heading for their favorite recreational spots, including campgrounds and parks.
