Santiam River in Oregon

Trip Overview

South Santiam River: Lebanon to Buena Vista

A fun overnighter for the novice canoer. Some friends and I started at the Grant St. bridge and started downstream headed for Crabtree. A lot of cool islands along the way. The water is moving pretty quick for the first 15 miles or so. This time of the year the water is pretty low so you have to watch out for some shallow spots.

We stopped for the night at a little beach that I'm sure was someones property, but we were respectful. Its a lot of fun canoing by yourself, but its even more fun when you set the canoes up like an outrigger. So stable it's ridiculous! You can stand in your canoes and make a lot more tracks because you can stretch your legs. The only rapid that is pretty good is where the forks meet right before Jefferson. Pretty calm ride from there on.

There is a big train tressle right before the Willamette that you can jump off of. Not to be mixed up with the one in Jefferson. Just be careful. Once you hit the Willamette your only about a mile or 2 from Buena Vista. You should be able to find the ramps on either side of the river. Cell phone service most of the way of the trip so you can call for a ride.

Total trip 31 miles.

Accommodations:

Bushes and River...

Fees:

none

Directions:

Downtown Lebanon and east on Grant St. If you cross the river you have gone too far. There is a park on the right before you cross bridge with a boat ramp.

Resources:

Northwest Canoe Routes