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    • William Finley Wildlife Refuge (members only)
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    • Wild Rogue Loop
    • Mt. Thielsen
    • The Watchman
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    • Lower Table Rock
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  • Eastern Oregon
    • Painted Cove
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  • Oregon PCT sections
    • PCT: OR-58 to Charlton Lake
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  • Tips & Tricks
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  • Reviews
    • Outdoor Herbivore Backpacking Food Review
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  • Adventure Stories
    • Hiking The Rae Lakes Loop
    • 110 Miles on the PCT
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    • Jefferson Wilderness
  • Home
  • *Store*
  • About the author
  • How to use this site
  • Resources
    • Wildflowers
    • Videos
  • Best Oregon Hikes
    • 20 Epic Oregon Wildflower Hikes
    • Top 10 Oregon Spring Hikes
    • 20 Best Oregon Waterfall Hikes
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    • 5 Weekend Backpacking Trips in Oregon
    • Top One Night Backpacking Trips in Oregon
    • Top Fall Foliage Hikes In Oregon
    • Top 10 Oregon Summer Hikes
    • Top 10 Swimming Spots In Oregon
    • Top 10 Oregon Fall Hikes
    • Sno-Parks In Central Oregon
    • Top 10 Oregon Winter Hikes
    • Top Low Elevation Winter Hikes
  • Oregon Sno-Parks
    • Maxwell Sno-Park
    • Potato Hill Sno-Park
    • Ray Benson Sno-Park
      • Brandenburg Shelter
    • Santiam Sno-Park
    • Three Creek Sno-Park
    • Virginia Meissner Sno-Park
      • Meissner Shelter Loop
      • Nordeen Shelter
    • Gold Lake Sno-Park
      • Westview Shelter to Eagle Rock Overlook
      • Marilyn Lakes Loop
  • Portland
    • Powell Butte
    • Forest Park
    • Hamilton Mountain
    • Latourell Falls
    • Multnomah/Wahkeena Falls
    • Dog Mountain
    • Coyote Wall
    • Mitchell Point
    • Table Rock
    • Tamanawas Falls
    • Trillium Lake
    • East Zigzag Mountain (members only)
  • Salem
    • Abiqua Falls
    • Silver Falls State Park
    • Marion Lake to Marion Mountain
    • Jefferson Park
  • Sweet Home
    • Crescent Mountain
    • Iron Mountain
    • McDowell Creek Falls
    • Middle Santiam River (members only)
    • Lower Soda Creek Falls (members only)
    • Rooster Rock (members only)
  • McKenzie Bridge/Blue River
    • Macduff Mountain
    • Proxy Falls
    • Clear Lake
    • Sahalie/Koosah Falls
    • Blue Pool
    • Erma Bell Lakes
    • Olallie Mountain
    • Horsepasture Mountain
    • Tidbits Mountain
    • Castle Rock
    • East Fork Trail (members only)
    • Rainbow Falls Overlook (members only)
    • Frissell Point (members only)
    • Chucksney Mountain (members only)
    • Substitute Point (members only)
  • Sisters/Santiam Pass
    • Coffin Mountain
    • Trappers Butte and Scar Mountain
    • Black Butte
    • Tam McArthur Rim
    • Black Crater
    • Scott Mountain
    • Obsidian Trail
    • Three Fingered Jack Loop
    • Square Lake
    • Canyon Creek Meadows
    • Patjens Lakes
    • Craig Lake (members only)
    • Chush Falls (members only)
    • Rockpile Lake (members only)
    • Santiam Lake (members only)
    • Camp Lake (members only)
    • Park Meadow to Golden Lake (members only)
  • Bend/Redmond/LaPine
    • Steins Pillar
    • Chimney Rock
    • Steelhead Falls
    • Tumalo State Park
    • Tumalo Falls
    • Tumalo Mountain
    • No Name Lake
    • Green Lakes
    • Moraine Lake
    • South Sister Summit
    • Muskrat Lake
    • Paulina Peak
    • Peter Skene Ogden Trail (members only)
  • Eugene
    • Ridgeline Trail
    • Mount Pisgah Summit
    • Mount Pisgah Arboretum
    • Shotgun Creek
    • Mount June
    • Lawler
    • Tire Mountain
    • Goodman Creek
    • Brice Creek
    • Trestle Creek Falls
    • Moon Falls
    • Elijah Bristow State Park
    • South Willamette Trail (members only)
    • Eula Ridge (members only)
    • Eagle's Rest (members only)
  • Oakridge
    • Deception Creek
    • North Salmon Creek
    • Grasshopper Ridge
    • Larison Creek
    • Bunchgrass Ridge
    • Salt Creek Falls
    • Waldo Lake Loop
    • South Waldo Loop
    • The Twins
    • Rosary Lakes
    • Fawn Lake
    • Windy Lakes
    • Divide Lake
    • Diamond Peak Summit
    • Cowhorn Mountain
    • Wall Creek Warm Springs (members only)
    • Moon Point (members only)
    • Bobby Lake (members only)
    • Lillian Falls (members only)
    • Middle Fork Willamette Trail (members only)
    • Pool Creek Falls (members only)
    • Dead Mountain (members only)
    • Larison Rock (members only)
    • Eddeeleo Lakes (members only)
    • Waldo Mountain Lookout (members only)
    • Blair Lake to Mule Mountain (members only)
    • Rigdon Lakes loop (members only)
  • Oregon Coast
    • Cascade Head
    • Drift Creek Falls
    • Sweet Creek Falls
    • Alsea Falls
    • Kentucky Falls
    • Marys Peak North Ridge
    • Marys Peak East Ridge
    • Cape Perpetua Loops
    • Hobbit Trail to Heceta Head
    • North Fork Smith River (members only)
    • Cummins Ridge (member's only)
    • Horse Creek (members only)
    • Siltcoos Lake (members only)
    • William Finley Wildlife Refuge (members only)
  • Southern Oregon
    • Fall Creek Falls
    • Watson Falls
    • Wild Rogue Loop
    • Mt. Thielsen
    • The Watchman
    • Mount Scott
    • The Pinnacles
    • Lower Table Rock
    • Pilot Rock
    • Wagner Butte
    • Mt. McLoughlin
    • Lemolo Falls (members only)
    • Fern Falls (members only)
  • Eastern Oregon
    • Painted Cove
    • Mount Howard
    • Anthony Lake Loop
    • Schneider Cabin (members only)
    • Strawberry Lake & Falls (members only)
  • Oregon PCT sections
    • PCT: OR-58 to Charlton Lake
    • PCT: Santiam Pass to Rockpile Lake
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Leave No Trace
    • Top Tips For Hiking With Infants And Toddlers
    • Poison Oak, Ivy and Sumac
    • How to dress for cold weather hikes
    • Hiker Holiday Gift Guide 2019
    • Outdoor Holiday Gift Guide 2018
    • Hiking Holiday Gift Guide 2017
  • Reviews
    • Outdoor Herbivore Backpacking Food Review
    • Osprey Aura AG 65 Backpack review
    • Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 review
    • REI Quarter Dome 1 review
  • Adventure Stories
    • Hiking The Rae Lakes Loop
    • 110 Miles on the PCT
    • The Loop Around Three Fingered Jack
    • Jefferson Wilderness

Salmon Creek Trail North Bank

Get the printable version of this hike

Hike details:

​Mileage: 6.5 miles round trip w/ 500 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 2 hours 43 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: Medium to high on weekends depending on the weather, low on weekdays
Highest elevation: 1,537 ft. Lowest elevation: 1,305 ft.
General location: 5 miles east of downtown Oakridge - Willamette National Forest
Accessible: Year-round
(Best time to go is during the spring when everything is lush and green and the waterfall is flowing).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: No
Trail allows: Dogs, mountain bikes
Possible dangers: ​N/A
The train bridge over the Salmon Creek
Salmon Creek trail no. 4365 wooden sign on a tree

Description:

The Salmon Creek #4365 has a north and south side which, with a tiny bit of road walking, can be combined, making a 8.25 mile loop that has 1,800 ft.  elevation gain. For a shorter out and back hike you can do the Salmon Creek Trail North Bank to Salmon Creek Falls. The first few hundred feet from the parking area to the Salmon Creek Trail is nothing spectacular. You are walking right next to a railway line and there is spray paint on the wall, as well as trash in the bushes. But once you come up to the main trail, you can take a small trail to the right and go look at the impressive railroad bridge over the river. It does make for some neat photos.
Salmon Creek
​Once you hike upstream along Salmon Creek a little farther it becomes a beautiful lush green oasis. It doesn't matter how yucky the weather is, you will see people on this hike. There are lots of Oakridge residents who walk their dogs on this trail, as well as lots of mountain bikers who like to ride the loop. The great part about this trail is that you can make it as long or as short of a hike as you want to. Because it is so close to Oakridge, you are not necessarily committed to hours of hiking. And if you're hiking with small children, this trail is great because it is well maintained and pretty flat. Once you get tired of hiking, turn around and head back to town to enjoy some lunch, coffee or baked goods at the Lion Mountain Bakery. 
Salmon Creek trail
A moss covered tree along the Salmon Creek trail
The entire trail is very beautiful, however there is a mile long section where you are walking on an old gravel road. This part is farther away from the river, and you are surrounded by younger trees. This section just doesn't have as much character and there is not much to look at. But at this point you are very close to Salmon Creek Campground. If your destination is the campground, be careful, because in the early spring the high water can wash out part of the trail. Shortly after crossing a gravel road (this is the gravel road you would turn right on if you were hiking the loop, to get to the beginning of the South Bank trailhead), you will arrive at the Salmon Creek Campground. Head to the edge of the creek and see a beautiful little waterfall plunging into Salmon Creek. This is a seasonal waterfall and definitely not heavily flowing year-round. 
An old bridge along the Salmon Creek trail
(this bridge used to connect the North and South Bank trails but it never got repaired after getting washed away)
Overall, this easy but scenic hike is highly recommended. This is the perfect place to take your children and possibly even see some wildlife like bald eagles, deer and things like salamanders and huge slugs along the trail. If you are into nature photography, even just macro photos of moss, beautiful leaves, etc. there is ample opportunity for this along the trail. This hike is definitely for all ages and experience levels, and it will make anyone get out even more after seeing the beauty and strength of the river.
Salmon Creek Falls
(Salmon Creek Falls)

Directions:

From Oakridge
  • At the only stop light in the town of Oakridge turn onto Railroad Ave. which turns into Salmon Creek Rd. Head down this road for 1.2 miles until you see a pullout to your right. Here at the beginning of Flat Creek Rd. you will see signs for the trailhead.
*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*Disclaimer: The trail descriptions, mileage, GPS tracks and difficulty ratings depicted on this website are never 100% accurate. Always hike at your own risk, using your own knowledge, equipment and common sense. Franziska Weinheimer/Hike Oregon are not responsible if you or anyone in your party gets injured or lost while attempting one of these or any other hikes. 

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© Hike Oregon 2022
P.O. Box 41911
​Eugene, OR 97404
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  • Home
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    • Top One Night Backpacking Trips in Oregon
    • Top Fall Foliage Hikes In Oregon
    • Top 10 Oregon Summer Hikes
    • Top 10 Swimming Spots In Oregon
    • Top 10 Oregon Fall Hikes
    • Sno-Parks In Central Oregon
    • Top 10 Oregon Winter Hikes
    • Top Low Elevation Winter Hikes
  • Oregon Sno-Parks
    • Maxwell Sno-Park
    • Potato Hill Sno-Park
    • Ray Benson Sno-Park
      • Brandenburg Shelter
    • Santiam Sno-Park
    • Three Creek Sno-Park
    • Virginia Meissner Sno-Park
      • Meissner Shelter Loop
      • Nordeen Shelter
    • Gold Lake Sno-Park
      • Westview Shelter to Eagle Rock Overlook
      • Marilyn Lakes Loop
  • Portland
    • Powell Butte
    • Forest Park
    • Hamilton Mountain
    • Latourell Falls
    • Multnomah/Wahkeena Falls
    • Dog Mountain
    • Coyote Wall
    • Mitchell Point
    • Table Rock
    • Tamanawas Falls
    • Trillium Lake
    • East Zigzag Mountain (members only)
  • Salem
    • Abiqua Falls
    • Silver Falls State Park
    • Marion Lake to Marion Mountain
    • Jefferson Park
  • Sweet Home
    • Crescent Mountain
    • Iron Mountain
    • McDowell Creek Falls
    • Middle Santiam River (members only)
    • Lower Soda Creek Falls (members only)
    • Rooster Rock (members only)
  • McKenzie Bridge/Blue River
    • Macduff Mountain
    • Proxy Falls
    • Clear Lake
    • Sahalie/Koosah Falls
    • Blue Pool
    • Erma Bell Lakes
    • Olallie Mountain
    • Horsepasture Mountain
    • Tidbits Mountain
    • Castle Rock
    • East Fork Trail (members only)
    • Rainbow Falls Overlook (members only)
    • Frissell Point (members only)
    • Chucksney Mountain (members only)
    • Substitute Point (members only)
  • Sisters/Santiam Pass
    • Coffin Mountain
    • Trappers Butte and Scar Mountain
    • Black Butte
    • Tam McArthur Rim
    • Black Crater
    • Scott Mountain
    • Obsidian Trail
    • Three Fingered Jack Loop
    • Square Lake
    • Canyon Creek Meadows
    • Patjens Lakes
    • Craig Lake (members only)
    • Chush Falls (members only)
    • Rockpile Lake (members only)
    • Santiam Lake (members only)
    • Camp Lake (members only)
    • Park Meadow to Golden Lake (members only)
  • Bend/Redmond/LaPine
    • Steins Pillar
    • Chimney Rock
    • Steelhead Falls
    • Tumalo State Park
    • Tumalo Falls
    • Tumalo Mountain
    • No Name Lake
    • Green Lakes
    • Moraine Lake
    • South Sister Summit
    • Muskrat Lake
    • Paulina Peak
    • Peter Skene Ogden Trail (members only)
  • Eugene
    • Ridgeline Trail
    • Mount Pisgah Summit
    • Mount Pisgah Arboretum
    • Shotgun Creek
    • Mount June
    • Lawler
    • Tire Mountain
    • Goodman Creek
    • Brice Creek
    • Trestle Creek Falls
    • Moon Falls
    • Elijah Bristow State Park
    • South Willamette Trail (members only)
    • Eula Ridge (members only)
    • Eagle's Rest (members only)
  • Oakridge
    • Deception Creek
    • North Salmon Creek
    • Grasshopper Ridge
    • Larison Creek
    • Bunchgrass Ridge
    • Salt Creek Falls
    • Waldo Lake Loop
    • South Waldo Loop
    • The Twins
    • Rosary Lakes
    • Fawn Lake
    • Windy Lakes
    • Divide Lake
    • Diamond Peak Summit
    • Cowhorn Mountain
    • Wall Creek Warm Springs (members only)
    • Moon Point (members only)
    • Bobby Lake (members only)
    • Lillian Falls (members only)
    • Middle Fork Willamette Trail (members only)
    • Pool Creek Falls (members only)
    • Dead Mountain (members only)
    • Larison Rock (members only)
    • Eddeeleo Lakes (members only)
    • Waldo Mountain Lookout (members only)
    • Blair Lake to Mule Mountain (members only)
    • Rigdon Lakes loop (members only)
  • Oregon Coast
    • Cascade Head
    • Drift Creek Falls
    • Sweet Creek Falls
    • Alsea Falls
    • Kentucky Falls
    • Marys Peak North Ridge
    • Marys Peak East Ridge
    • Cape Perpetua Loops
    • Hobbit Trail to Heceta Head
    • North Fork Smith River (members only)
    • Cummins Ridge (member's only)
    • Horse Creek (members only)
    • Siltcoos Lake (members only)
    • William Finley Wildlife Refuge (members only)
  • Southern Oregon
    • Fall Creek Falls
    • Watson Falls
    • Wild Rogue Loop
    • Mt. Thielsen
    • The Watchman
    • Mount Scott
    • The Pinnacles
    • Lower Table Rock
    • Pilot Rock
    • Wagner Butte
    • Mt. McLoughlin
    • Lemolo Falls (members only)
    • Fern Falls (members only)
  • Eastern Oregon
    • Painted Cove
    • Mount Howard
    • Anthony Lake Loop
    • Schneider Cabin (members only)
    • Strawberry Lake & Falls (members only)
  • Oregon PCT sections
    • PCT: OR-58 to Charlton Lake
    • PCT: Santiam Pass to Rockpile Lake
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Leave No Trace
    • Top Tips For Hiking With Infants And Toddlers
    • Poison Oak, Ivy and Sumac
    • How to dress for cold weather hikes
    • Hiker Holiday Gift Guide 2019
    • Outdoor Holiday Gift Guide 2018
    • Hiking Holiday Gift Guide 2017
  • Reviews
    • Outdoor Herbivore Backpacking Food Review
    • Osprey Aura AG 65 Backpack review
    • Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 review
    • REI Quarter Dome 1 review
  • Adventure Stories
    • Hiking The Rae Lakes Loop
    • 110 Miles on the PCT
    • The Loop Around Three Fingered Jack
    • Jefferson Wilderness