Reporter for The Canyon Weekly
The two Santiam Canyon campgrounds in the Santiam State Forest closed Oct. 2 for the winter season. The closures are routine and take place annually as part of the Oregon Department of Forestry’s transition to winter operations.
The closure affects the Santiam, Clatsop and Tillamook state forest. The two Santiam State Forest sites are Santiam Horse Camp and Rock Creek campground. Both are in the Cascade foothills above Gates.
Santiam Horse camp has day-use facilities for hiking, equestrian use and picnicking that will remain open, Brooke Burgess, ODF public information officer, told The Canyon Weekly.
Rock Creek does not have any day-use amenities and thus will be completely closed.
The closures are put in place primarily for public safety and are driven by seasonal staffing levels, according to a press release from the ODF.
“As we move into fall, keeping Oregonians safe in the forest is important. With snowfall, high winds, and heavy rainfall it’s essential that we close some campgrounds as conditions change and many become inaccessible,” said Joe Offer, ODF’s recreation operations manager.
