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The Santiam River Canyon serves as a picturesque corridor through the Cascade Mountains, leading visitors into central Oregon from the Willamette Valley. Known for its vibrant natural scenery and access to a variety of outdoor activities, this area is a prime destination for those looking to explore the rich tapestry of Oregon’s diverse landscapes.
In addition to the natural allure, the Willamette Valley is celebrated for its agricultural bounty, particularly its nationally acclaimed wines. Visitors can tour numerous farms and vineyards that showcase the region’s agricultural heritage. Nearby, Silver Falls State Park offers a multitude of hiking opportunities and splendid views, making it one of Oregon’s best-loved state parks. The nearby town of Silverton provides a quaint backdrop, with its creekside shops and restaurants inviting travelers to linger and enjoy the local flavor.
The Santiam River area is an excellent base for discovering a diverse array of local attractions. With opportunities for hiking, wine tasting, and lakeside leisure, there’s plenty to explore beyond the thrill of river rafting. Here are top activities to enrich your visit to central Oregon:
Ready to kick back after a thrilling day on the Santiam River? Whether you’re into the charm of city accommodations or the allure of a night under the stars, the area around Salem offers plenty of spots to rest up. Choose from comfortable resorts, cozy bed & breakfasts, or scenic campgrounds in the Cascade foothills.
These lodging options around the Santiam River mix convenience with local charm, ensuring you have a perfect place to recharge no matter your preference.
After a day of adventure on the Santiam River, satisfy your hunger with a variety of dining options in the area. Whether you’re in the mood for casual eats or a sit-down meal, here are some top picks:
The North Santiam River offers a great introduction to whitewater rafting. Conveniently located near Salem and Portland, it's a great river to raft year round. Our half-day and full-day options include lots of swimming opportunities, crystal clear water and mild, splashy rapids like Spencer's Hole, Carnivore and Mill City Falls. It's a river rafting trip suitable for everyone, whether they be novices or a veteran rafter.
The beautiful McKenzie River is located just East of Eugene and is one of our favorite rafting runs in the Willamette Valley. Swift, crystal clear water moves along a tree-lined river bank and is full of fun Class II+ rapids. With half-day to two-day trips available, there is plenty of great camping, hiking, fishing and whitewater to enjoy.
The Wild & Scenic Sandy River is an early season delight, as the water generally starts to drop by early June. It courses its way down the slopes of Mt Hood and drops into the Cascade foothills before joining the Columbia River. A great option to see the lesser known portion of this surprising scenic trip that is still close to town.
Oregon's #1 most popular one-day white water rafting trip. The Wild & Scenic Deschutes River rafting trip flows through high desert with consistent and exciting Class III-IV white water rapids. Suitable for beginners, your rafting trip also features world-class fishing and lots of wildlife. This river is only 2 hours from Portland and offers lots of sunshine and swimming even when Western Oregon is cloudy.
The Wild & Scenic Clackamas River is rated as one of the best rafting adventures in Oregon and is only a 45 minute drive from Portland's East side. An unbeatable combination. Three thrilling Class II or Class III+ white water rafting trips are available to choose from. Our half-day trips on the Lower Clackamas are perfect for those new to rafting or with smaller kids. The Upper Clackamas offers a more thrilling rafting adventure. The full-day Upper Clackamas Experience is the most thrilling white water rafting trip we offer. This river has it all.
Our office is open 7 days a week during the months of April–October from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We are available for reservations and customer support during these hours. During the months of November-March are open Monday through Friday.
Oregon River Experiences offers trips launching from various points across Oregon. Detailed departure information for each river trip can be found on our individual trip pages.
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