Cascadia State Park

Cascadia State Park is a wooded area along the South Santiam River featuring Lower Soda Creek Falls and multiple trails for hiking. The landscape consists of dense Douglas-fir forest with streams and natural spring water sources throughout the property.

A resort built in 1896 operated here under George Geisendorfer, who promoted the mineral spring waters as a health destination. The state of Oregon purchased the property in 1940 and converted it into a public nature preserve.

Indigenous Molalla and Kalapuya peoples relied on this place for food and water, making it part of their regular routes through the region. The river and surrounding lands provided resources that shaped their way of life here.

The park offers over 20 camping sites during the warmer season, with some available on a first-come-first-served basis and others requiring advance booking. Access is convenient from Highway 20, making it straightforward to find and reach.

Carved wagon ruts remain visible near Soda Creek, marking a route that early settlers created to bypass difficult terrain with horse-drawn carts. These grooves show how the land was actually used and traveled by people over time.

Location: Oregon

Website: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=150

GPS coordinates: 44.39820,-122.47300

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:04