Cascadia State Park Campground

We stayed at what is now Cascadia County Park (per signage at the park) at the beginning of September. Monday and Tuesday night there were only a couple of other campers in the park. Needless to say it was very quiet. 

Our first day we noticed a man without a shirt sitting, leaning against the bathroom exterior wall for a least an hour or so. Later that day we saw a couple who appeared to be homeless using the shower on the premises. Neither of these people caused any problems nor interacted with any camper as far as I could tell. Near the entrance at the picnic area there is a sign warning visitors to lock their cars.

This is a beautiful park, densely forested, bordered by the Santiam River. We stayed in one of the pull though sites, number 4. It was more private than most sites. We were happy to stay here to escape the smoke in Central Oregon were we live. We had reservations at Little Crater Campground, but choose not to stay there as the there were fires nearby and the area had an Evacuation Advisory - Level one and there is only one way out of the area.

Been coming here for year’s and great for kid’s and you can reserve group campsite’s down below and single site’s above are first come first serve but can try to hold a spot if you have other family or friends wanting to join so have them arriving about the same time you do or vice versa.

County run campground (despite the “State Park” in the name). It has a more natural feel, and each site has a different layout. Beautiful trees, forest-like atmosphere. Quiet and peaceful during the week. Some sites have a lot of privacy, and some are wide open. 

Site #10 was almost completely private and flat. Our 26ft class C fit in this spot. You can hear the creek from this spot and other spots but other spots also have cut throughs to the main trail so be aware of hikers coming up to your spot (except site#10). All sites are first come first serve. No reservations. Hosts on site. We arrived on a Thursday mid day and had our choice of several spots, but all spots filled up by Friday. The weekend crowd was the usual hell raising children running around all campsites, loud music and yelling. MOST people quieted down after 10 pm though. 

There are some pull through sites and sites vary in size and length of parking. Picnic table and fire pits at each site. Lots of shade and some sun throughout the day. Sign at the kiosk posted no generator use but people were using them anyway.

$17/night. No dump station here, but there are several water spigots throughout. Dumpster and garbage cans, though no recycling, as well as flush bathrooms, free showers and port-a-potties at the end of the loop. 

There is a hiking trail to the falls, though just a trickle this time of year and there were many off shoots of this trail to each camp site. Also there is a very busy river section where kids an adults played and floated in the small pools that were left from dry season. 

Two large group camp areas, day use area, and an open clearing (unfenced but natural bushy borders) for pet exercise area. 

Weak Verizon- text only, no data or voice.(cell booster did not help). 

ATT ok service, usable 1-2 bars. TMobile not available. 

NO FIRES AT THIS TIME.

Some friends and I reserved the group camp and we had easy access to the river and an entire massive meadow all to ourselves. The spot was enormous, had great tree cover and bathrooms nearby. At night we sat in the meadow and watched for shooting stars. But we spent most of our time walking the trail and find spots to swim and tube down the river. The farther we walked, the fewer people we saw and the views and pools were indescribably stunning. We were there on a busy weekend so there was one area of river that was particularly crowded, but I guess that is to be expected at this type of state park location. We drove through the rest of the campground and it's beautiful but spots seemed a little crowded. It has all the amenities to make it comfortable-flush toilets, showers, wood for sale. But if you want more privacy and a HUGE space and it's within your budget, consider the group site. It was well worth it!

I had such a great experience here. Went for 3 days and 2 nights arriving on a Thursday and leaving Saturday. We stayed at site 16. The only not great thing was that 4-5 families; each with 2-3 kids aged from 5-8~ were camped in the next 4 sites next to me. Kids were full of energy and loud as can be from the break of dawn to sunset. So -1 star :/. So chose your trip time & site wisely. Other than that it was fantastic. Sites were really nicely sized, though close together. Lots of short trails which kept my dog and I busy. Fishing was also great as there were quite a few spots to fish from. Was lucky enough to catch a few. Catch and release only; per the camp host! Lots of spots to swim aswell. Weather was amazing, water was cold, wildlife was active, and views were endless. Truly an awesome getaway. Camp host was friendly, helpful, very accommodating..RJ would frequently drive his golfcart around the grounds with his dogs running along side chatting up everyone and dropping off kindling and firewood. There were restrooms which were clean, water spigots to get water from and sink waste water disposal sites for cleaning your cooking stuff.

We had the group site B for shit 15 people and it was absolutely stunning. Plenty of room for all of our vehicles. Plenty of space for all of us to spread out with tents, long picnic tables to accommodate meals and cooking, and two fire pits. The rushing river is alongside and below the cliffside. Next door to bathrooms and a HUGE gorgeous meadow. Plenty of trails, a waterfall, and relaxation at its finest. Will definitely be returning.

Huge sites, ample tree coverage, near river and trails! All sites are walk up this season only - while transitioning to Linn County management. I’ll be back !

The campsites here are not as private as some of Oregon’s other campgrounds. That being said, it is a well maintained site that won’t disappoint!

Best for Tent/ Van/ Truck campers. No vehicles over 32 feet, because the sites are small, do have a few pull through sites, mostly design for tent camping. Has a hiking trail to see a waterfall, less than a mile walk. Also have two group site camping area that are close to the South Santiam river best for floating in July/august months. Can park at Cascadia and float a mile down to Short Cover Bridge (have a car there too). Also a day use area to run your dogs off leash. Has some history with the Soda Creek waters that help with your health. Camping open from May 1 to Sept 30, has a day use open year round. 1-800-551-6949 www.oregonstateparks.org. Park has a camp host.

Vary packed during peak summer time but it is Gorgeous! Lots of great paddles, hiking, and beautiful campsites.

By amenities, I mean all the fantastic natural amenities. This campground is just off HWY 20 and is first come, first serve. There’s plenty of shade, potable water, showers and toilets. don’t expect the sites to be vast...they’re quite quaint and most only have room for one car. However, if you pick a campsite for what the nature around it offers, you won’t be disappointed.

Two points if interest for me were the Soda Creek Falls trail that takes you up the mountain to the falls, and the South Santiam River you cross over to get into the campground and park.

The trail up to the falls is a short .75 miles but don’t think it’s necessarily an easy one. it’s a rocky, narrow trail that requires solid soles (not a well-worn pair of Toms like I mistakingly wore) and has a good elevation gain through old growth forest. The trail at the end is a bit of a scramble over the natural rock formations to get down to the base of the falls or even to the top of the trail to overlook the canyon below.

The South Santiam River provides a perfect swimming spot for hot summer days. The trees provide plenty of shade over the smooth rock beach and the river gives both shallow and deep options for wading or swimming. I found myself wishing I had my nephew with me for this trip because he would have LOVED jumping off the rocks into the river below. Future plans to return with him are in the works.

Pros: *Easy access via HWY 20 *Natural water features to explore *Fun history of the area to learn about

Cons: *First come, first serve and fills up quickly *Not ADA Accessible to get to the waterfall or the river