Salmon Falls

From the junction of Interstate 5 and Highway 22 in Salem, take Highway 22 east for 27 miles, then turn left onto North Fork Road - signed for both Elkhorn Valley and the Little North Santiam Recreation Area. Follow North Fork Road for 13 1/2 miles to the entrance to Salmon Falls County Park on the right side of the road. The falls will be visible from the road shortly before reaching the park. A short path leads from the picnic area down to the river at the base of the falls.Salmon Falls is the largest waterfall along the Little North Santiam River, as well as the river's natural barrier to upstream fish migration. The falls drop 24 feet in a pair of side-by-side plunges with a fish ladder bypassing the falls on the far bank. Fortunately the ladder is more or less enclosed within the natural bedrock and only a small concrete structure is visible to indicate the presence of human interference. A small county park provides access to the falls as well as picnic facilities. As of November 2012 part of the short trail leading down to the river below the falls was heavily eroded and may become potentially hazardous without repair, so visitors are urged to exercise the appropriate cautions.