Smith Homestead & Jones Creek Day-Use Areas – Wilson River Recreation in Oregon

Smith Homestead and Jones Creek Day-Use Areas are popular recreation sites located within the Tillamook State Forest boundary along the Wilson River.

The 364,000-acre Coast Range Tillamook State Forest is the largest in Oregon. This coastal forest offers a wide range of educational and outdoor activities.

If you drive along the Wilson River, stop in at the Tillamook Forest Center to learn about the unique flora and fauna of the Tillamook Forest, as well as fascinating local history, including the remarkable forest recovery after the Tillamook Burn, a series of devastating fires between 1933 and 1951.

The visitor center offers educational programs, interpretive exhibits, and field trips.

Situated on the southern bank of the river, Smith Homestead is a historic site and a must-visit place with its own remarkable history.

In 1886, early homesteaders Walter and Alice Smith moved here and staked one of the first homestead claims at this location, now known as the Smith Homestead Day-Use Area.

This site offers easy access to the river and has picnic tables, restrooms, and a large shelter that can be rented for events or educational programs.

Jones Creek Day-Use Area is located on the northern bank of the river, approximately 0.5 miles from Smith Homestead.

The Wilson River is a popular summer swimming spot in the Oregon Coast Range, offering a mix of shallow, gentle sections and deeper pools.

The shallow areas are well-suited for children and casual wading, while deeper stretches provide space for stronger swimmers. Like many coastal rivers, it tends to warm up faster than rivers in the Cascade Mountains, making it especially comfortable during the summer months.

Besides Smith Homestead and the Jones Creek Day-Use Area, there are also a few additional swimming spots, including Wilson River Footbridge,, Wilson River at Keenig Creek, and Mills Bridge.

Cautions: Slippery rocks as well as cliff and bridge jumping are associated with risks, please use caution and make safe decisions.

Smith Homestead and Jones Creek are beautiful destinations offering hiking and mountain biking opportunities.

The moderately difficult Wilson River Trail winds through the forest for about 21 miles between the Elk Creek and Keenig Creek areas, with access points including the Jones Creek Trailhead.

The trail can be accessed from several locations, including the Jones Creek Day-Use Area, where trail signage is posted.

From the Footbridge Day-Use Area, the Wilson River Trail follows the river corridor and connects with nearby access points both upstream and downstream.

One popular section runs from the Footbridge area downstream toward other access points along the river.

Longer hikes toward Elk Creek Trailhead can be accessed from multiple entry points along the Wilson River Road corridor.

Jones Creek Campground, one of the largest in the Tillamook State Forest, features 42 first-come, first-served campsites and one reservable group site. The Wilson River Trail passes through the campground, providing access to swimming holes at Jones Creek Day-Use Area, Smith Homestead, and the Tillamook Forest Center.

For those seeking more comfortable accommodations, lodging is available in Tillamook, just 22 miles away.

Lodging in Tillamook

Affordable vacation rentals for short and long term stay

Open: Year-round from sunrise to sunset
Managed by: Oregon Department of Forestry

Amenities: Toilet, garbage service, picnic sites, picnic shelter, drinking water
Activities: Swimming, fishing, hiking

Distance from the parking: Short
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: None

Elevation: 400 ft (122 m)

Smith Homestead is located:

22.3 miles northeast of Tillamook
51 miles west of Portland
90 miles northwest 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: River rocks and rock formations
Water T° (summer): Cool to warm