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.

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.

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.

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