Revision as of 22:57, 14 November 2018

Cobbled shore of the South Santiam, River Bend County Park (bobcat)

Bench above the river, River Bend County Park (bobcat)

Gem tree on the loop trail, River Bend County Park (bobcat)

The loop trail around River Bend County Park (not a GPS track) (bobcat) Courtesy: Google Maps

• Start point: River Bend Trailhead
• End point: Old boat launch ramp
• Trail Log:
• Hike Type: Loop
• Distance: 1.4 miles
• Elevation gain: 60 feet
• High point: 710 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Seasons: All year
• Family Friendly: Yes
• Backpackable: No
• Crowded: Yes, in summer

Hike Description

This county park tucked into a sweeping bend of the South Santiam River is almost all given over to an extensive campground, and yet a leafy secondary forest offers plentiful shade, and a loop trail around the entire 76-acre park offers a measure of solitude. About half of the trail runs along a low bluff above the river, with several spurs leading down to the water. There are several swimming holes for summer visitors. The park also plays host to a rare population of foothill yellow-legged frogs (Rana boylii): Their habitat is signed and should not be disturbed.

Walk back to the entrance of the parking area. A trail sign points you towards the South Santiam River where a wide track descends between two cabins. Pass a small beach, and cross a footbridge. Cedar, hemlock, and Douglas-fir form the canopy over an understory of sword fern, salal, and vine maple. Wind through the woods above the river passing a bench overlook. Spurs lead down to the cobbled water’s edge. At a junction, keep left on a gravel trail. Across the river, a high exposed bluff is topped by conifers. Along the path, you’ll notice short numbered posts from an old nature trail.

Cross a damaged boat launch ramp, and then pass a sign telling about the foothill yellow-legged frog, a species with a sporadic distribution, mainly in California. This is its northernmost outpost. The trail switchbacks up into a dense young Douglas-fir wood. Reach an old road, and go 10 yards to the left (There is a small enclave of private property to the right). The trail resumes close to Highway 20 and heads through young Douglas-firs, thimbleberry, and sword fern. Circle around the private property, where there appears to be an abandoned motor home.

Keep left as you hike close to the campground. Pass a rotting stump that has been repurposed as a “gem tree”: Painted cobbles here can be exchanged (T1L1 = Take one, leave one). Cross the entrance road, and continue along through a carpet of trailing blackberry, sword fern, and salal. At a junction, cross a footbridge over a willow/sedge pond. At a T-junction, go right (To the left is a private camp). A long wood staircase leads down to the South Santiam. The main loop continues on the bluff above the river. After a short drop, stay left, and pass two cabins. Then go right at a third cabin to return to your vehicle.

Maps

• Maps: Hike Finder
• River Bend County Park (Linn County Parks & Recreation)

Regulations or Restrictions, etc.

• Dogs on leash
• Day use open dawn to dusk
• Picnic area, restrooms, campground
• Share trails with cyclists

Trip Reports

• Search Trip Reports for River Bend Loop Hike

Related Discussions / Q&A

• Search Trail Q&A for River Bend Loop Hike

Guidebooks that cover this hike

• Wild in the Willamette edited by Lorraine Anderson with Abby Phillips Metzger

More Links

• River Bend (Linn County Parks & Recreation)
• River Bend County Park (Oregon Campgrounds)
• “Another record income year for Linn County Parks” (Lebanon Express)
• Foothill yellow-legged frog (Wikipedia)

Contributors

• bobcat (creator)