The first pool features shallower waters and is ideal for wading and non-swimmers.

The parking area requires a $5 fee or Northwest Forest Pass. On summer weekends, it’s often overrun. Here, you’ll find a wilderness village and ruins of the area’s mining history. In 0.2 miles past the bridge, keep an eye out for a trailhead that’s not very well marked and turn left, climbing onto Trail 3369 .This is where the hike gets steep, climbing uphill at a steady clip, ascending 2,744 feet in four miles.After the long and grueling climb, swing left onto Trail No.

Hikes including this location: Little North Santiam Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG); Latitude: 44.8385 Longitude: -122.3097 Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps Elevation: 1390 feet Description . Three Pools Day Use Area on the North Fork of the Santiam River is an extremely popular destination, attracting over 15,000 visitors each year.
There is the possibility to cliff jump from multiple locations. We have been visiting there over the past 5 -7 years.
There are a handful of backcountry campsites in this area.The trail continues around two miles upstream to Cedar Flats, a grove of ancient cedar trees. Some of those pools are deep and used for jumping.An excellent riverside swimming location that is perfect for families can be found just before the spot where the Santiam River enters into rocky canyon of the Three Rivers site. The quieter side of Three Pools is the south bank of the Little North Santiam. Three Pools on the North Fork of the Santiam River is among the best swimming and cliff-jumping locations in Oregon. There is no place in Oregon that quite compares with the Opal Creek area. Beyond, it becomes increasingly ragged and difficult to follow as it penetrates the true wilderness. Great idea. The headwaters of Opal Creek begin at this pretty little lake that’s home to old-growth forest, trout fishing, huckleberry groves and a few camping spots.The hike is steep and rocky, but quite short, at just 1 mile round-trip. You could turn around here for a 4-mile hike.To continue, head another 0.2 miles to the start of a trail, on your right, leading to an old log bridge across the Little North Fork River. Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. The pellucid swimming holes at Three Pools have become a major summer attraction, so much so that a 90-car parking lot (Northwest Forest Pass required) was constructed to accommodate the hordes. You should cross-check against other references before planning a hike. The Bathroom facilities were dirty when we arrived, but after 2 hours there was fecal matter on the floors and all over the toilet. At 2 miles round-trip, it’s a good one for kids or on a rainy day.The main highlight is the vertical curtain of 126-foot Henline Falls, which roars all season long but is best explored in spring or fall, when bright autumn colors liven up the hike.From a small parking area, the trail begins on a mining road, originally built in the late 1800s, that’s slowly being reclaimed by nature.After a short distance, the trail enters the Opal Creek Wilderness, which was established in 1996 after a long and bitter political fight between environmental and logging interests.The old road becomes a proper trail as you pass two trail junctions (ignore them both). Anyone that enjoys jumping into cool water should definitely check this hike out.Please don't be discouraged by the water level at the bottom as the top still has plenty. Travel about 21 miles on Forest Road 2209, ignoring turnoffs for Road 2207 and Three Pools, to the Opal Creek Trailhead parking area. There are options for an even longer backpacking loop, so bring a map.The hike begins on uber-popular Opal Creek Trail, following the old road/trail for 0.6 miles to a bridge over Gold Creek. This is one of the most popular swimming areas in Oregon and for good reason.