Access Changing For Santiam State Forest's Shellburg Falls Effective Early Fall -08/07/20

Lyons, Ore. – Trail access to Shellburg Falls in the Santiam State Forest will be changing this fall, with primary access now through the Shellburg Falls Trailhead day use area, and closure of the Fern Ridge Road Trailhead.

As part of this change, the Shellburg Falls Trailhead and day use area will be open year-round except in cases of inclement weather. The route along Wagner Road and Ayers Creek Road to the Shellburg Falls Trailhead adds about 20 minutes of drive time from Highway 22. Shellburg Falls is about a half-mile hike from this trailhead. The campground and day use area will remain closed to camping. ODF is exploring other long-term ways to access the Shellburg Falls trail system.

Shellburg Falls is a popular destination in the Santiam State Forest, with crowds routinely exceeding capacity at the small parking area along Fern Ridge Road. This results in parking along a winding two-lane road that presents unsafe sight distance issues for visitors and drivers. This access point is somewhat unique in that the trailhead and parking area are on private property, and are unsuitable for expansion due to a nearby fish-bearing stream and topography in the area. Additionally, the property owner has experienced significant public use problems. Investing to mitigate all of these issues is not a pragmatic use of limited resources given that the state does not own the land. 

“We’re committed to maintaining year-round access to Shellburg Falls, and we’re exploring how we can develop more options to access the falls,” ODF North Cascade District Forester Steve Wilson said. “Safety and problematic public use issues had reached a tipping point. We understand this will be frustrating for many visitors, but this unique arrangement with a generous private landowner isn’t sustainable given the level of use and our inability to make access safer.”

“It is great to see families out enjoying our public forest lands, but this trailhead access to Shellburg Falls on Fern Ridge Road has outgrown itself,” Marion County Sheriff’s Senior Deputy Mark Ferron said. “Due to the increase in visitors, vehicles and hikers have been forced to park on the roadway, causing a significant hazard to themselves and other vehicle traffic. We are excited to see ODF moving the trailhead to accommodate additional visitors that can come enjoy this scenic area and park at a safer location." 

Note that the route is mostly gravel road with portions that are narrow and steep. ODF advises visitors to drive carefully. To reach the day use area and Shellburg Falls access:

• Traveling east on Highway 22 from Salem, turn left (north) onto Wagner Road, stay right and drive 2.5 miles. Pavement becomes gravel.
• At the four-way intersection, proceed straight through the intersection as Wagner Road turns into Ayers Creek Road.
• Drive one mile and turn left (west) onto AC 100 Road.
• Drive 2.8 miles and turn left (west) at yellow gate onto Shellburg Road.
• Proceed 2.6 miles to Shellburg Falls day use area and campground.
• From here, Shellburg Falls is about a half-mile hike from the trailhead.