Cascadia County Park - Swimming & Hiking | Oregon Cascades

Cascadia County Park is a beautiful forested area nestled at the confluence of the South Santiam River and Soda Creek on the western foothill of the Cascade Mountains, 14 miles east of Sweet Home. This pristine park is a unique result of landscape architecture, water-based features, and natural wilderness.

In the early 1900s, George Geisendorfer built Cascadia Mineral Springs Resort with a large hotel and a garden. However, the main attraction of the resort was the mineral water of Soda Creek. Visitors consumed the natural water believing in its beneficial health properties. In 1940, the state purchased the property and added more lands to establish the expansive park.

The area also features an 8,000-year-old Native American rock art site with petroglyphs carved on a rock face. Cascadia Cave is situated east of the park on private land. Public access is allowed by landowners and available through the reservation on Recreation.gov.

The park has a large parking lot, a perfectly maintained campground, and numerous amenities for visitors including picnic sites with fire rings, drinking fountains, and an off-leash area for dogs.

There are two reservable group picnic areas with covered kitchen shelters and electricity.

A historic covered bridge, the Short Bridge and the Cascadia Day-Use Area are just 2 miles west.

Cascadia State Park Swimming

Cascadia is ideal for families and a group of friends, which perhaps explains why it ranks as one of the most popular swimming holes along the South Santiam River. The swimming area is surrounded by lush forest along with beautiful rock formations and flat ledges beside the river making it an absolutely gorgeous spot for water activities.

The series of minor rapids are used by children to ride inflatable rafts downstream.

The water is relatively warm and calm during the summer months.

Cascadia County Park Hiking

Besides swimming, the park offers several other outdoor activities including explorative hiking through lush forests of Douglas fir, cedar and hemlock trees.

River Trail

Easy | 0.75 miles loop | 0 feet elevation gain

The 0.75-mile loop River Trail begins at the group campgrounds and runs along the South Santiam River and then back via a service road.

Soda Creek Falls Trail

Easy | 1.4 miles out & back | 350 feet elevation gain

The Soda Creek Falls Trail starts either at a campground or a road that connects the west picnic area and day-use parking lot. The trail leads hikers for 0.7 miles along the Soda Creek to 150-foot Lower Soda Creek Falls.

Soda Springs Trail

Easy | 0.6 miles out & back | 50 feet elevation gain

This 0.3-mile scenic route leads to the South Santiam River's beach and swimming hole. The trail runs through the Soda Spring site and east picnic area. The site of the former soda spring features a red pump, a drinking fountain, and picnic tables.

Cascadia Cave Trail

This 2-mile trail leads to mysterious petroglyphs dated back about 8,000 years. The cave is on private land but public access is allowed for reservation through Recreation.gov.

Cascadia County Park Camping

Nestled along the Soda Creek, the 25 single camp sites are a first-come, first-served facility with picnic tables and fire rings at all sites. Two group sites for groups up to 50 people should be reserved in advance.

Open: Year-round from dawn until dusk (day-use); May to September (campground)
Managed by: Linn County

Amenities: Drinking water, picnic sites, and a reservable picnic shelter
Activities: Swimming, hiking, fishing, and camping

Distance from the parking: Vary
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: Free

Accommodations: 25 tent sites, 2 group campsites
Affordable vacation rentals for short and long term stay at Sweet Home

Elevation: 800 ft (244 m)

Cascadia County Park is located:

15 miles east of Sweet Home
55 miles northeast of Eugene
66 miles southeast of Salem.

Swimming hole rating: 4 out of 5
Body of Water: River
Water quality: Transparent
Current: Light to moderate
Depth: Deep and shallow
Beach: Rock ledges
Water T° (summer): Cool to warm (70°F in August)