Salmon River

Designated Reach: October 28, 1988. From its headwaters to its confluence with the Sandy River.

Classification/Mileage: Wild -- 15.0 miles; Scenic -- 4.8 miles; Recreational -- 13.7 miles; Total -- 33.5 miles.

The Salmon is one of the few rivers designated for its entire length, from its headwaters in the snowfields high on Mt. Hood to its confluence with the Sandy River. Only an hour's drive from Portland, this clear river cascades over numerous waterfalls in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness before reaching its lower forested canyons. It is known for outstanding wild salmon and steelhead fisheries, numerous recreational opportunities, and the unique Cascade Streamwatch Interpretive Area at the Bureau of Land Management's Wildwood Recreation Site.

Mount Hood National Forest
16400 Champion Way
Sandy, Oregon 97055

The Salmon River's proximity to metropolitan Portland, Oregon, makes it easy for people to enjoy the diverse recreational opportunities that the river offers. In its resource assessment, the river plan identified recreation, scenery, fish, wildlife, and vegetative communities as being outstandingly remarkable values (ORVs). To qualify as an ORV, each value must be a unique, rare, or exemplary feature that is significant at a regional or national level

Recreation. The river and its corridor offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, nordic and alpine skiing, camping and developed recreation sites. Sport fishing is also exceptional at this river, and its reknowned summer steelhead fishery draws anglers from around the state.

Scenery. The scenery of the area is both impressive and diverse. Some of the things that can be seen at Salmon River are close-up views of Mt. Hood and a narrow river canyon containing a series of 6 waterfalls within a 3 mile segment.

Fish. Along with the important and productive anadromous fisheries, there are several rare native fish species found in this river.

Habitat. The corridor of Salmon River contains a wide diversity orf wildlife habitat that is important for federally listed threatened and endangered species, and also for big game.

Vegetative Communities. Along the length of the river, from its headwaters to its mouth, are a wide variety of life and plant zones. Its meadow complex provides great ecological diversity, including several rare plant communities.

Resources

Paddling Oregon - $13.97 Oregon offers innumerable opportunities for the adventurous boater. From steep mountain creeks to desert canyons and lush scenic gorges, Oregon has something for every taste and ability. This guidebook provides everything boaters need for a safe and memorable trip: detailed information on recommended water levels to aid in trip planning; river profiles with a visual gradient for each river mile; and maps showing the general river classification, major rapids, obstructions, and access areas.

Oregon Rivers - $21.95

Fishing in Oregon - $24.95
Oregon's most comprehensive fishing guide, a directory to where, when, and how to fish more than 1200 lakes, streams, and bays. The Ninth Edition features 100 detailed maps and a gallery of big-fish photos (by some of the state's finest fishing photographers) that will make your casting arm twitch.

Canoe and Kayak Routes of Northwest Oregon - $14.95

The best available paddling guide to flatwater rivers in northwest Oregon now includes lake routes and much more. This completely updated new edition has been expanded to include 20 new routes for a total of 70 outings on northwest Oregon and southwest Washington rivers and lakes for canoe and sea kayak enthusiasts. All the details for each outing are offered, from where to launch to trip distance to points of interest to best season to go. It covers trips on the Willamette River on its tributaries, Oregon coastal rivers, the Columbia Gorge and the lower Columbia River, the Oregon Cascades, and southwest Washington. In his introduction, experienced paddler Phil Jones gives tips on equipment, clothing, safety, paddling basics, shuttling cars, tides, and ethics.
Well-organized, succinct, and accurate, Canoe and Kayak Routes of Northwest Oregon opens up miles of scenic paddling for the beginner and challenges the advanced boater to stretch skills and equipment on enticing big water routes--find a favorite route and paddle!