Facility · Oregon ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Middle Santiam Research Natural Area (Research Natural Area) · Restricted Access
Ranges from steep slopes, high peaks, and ridges at the higher elevations to gently sloping and benchy terrain in the lower elevations. The most prominent features are Chimney Peak, Donaca Lake and the Middle Santiam River. Native fish populations thrive in both river and lake.
Much of this wilderness is forested with mature stands of old-growth Douglas-fir, western redcedar and western hemlock at lower elevations and true firs near ridgelines.
View larger mapAccess 1: From Sweet Home, Oregon travel east on Highway 20 to Quartzville Scenic Byway (Forest Service Road 11), to Forest Service Road 1142, to McQuade Creek Trail #3397; Road 2041 at Mid-Santiam River, Trail #3382;
Access 2: From Sweet Home, Oregon travel east on Highway 20 to Quartzville Scenic Byway (Forest Service Road 11), to Forest Service Road 1152, follow FS Road 1152 to Forest Service Road 640, follow FS Road 640 to the junction with Forest Road 642. The trailhead is at the junction.
Access 3: From Sweet Home, Oregon travel east on Highway 20 to Soda Fork Road (Forest Service Road 2041), follow FS Road 2041 to the junction with Forest Service Road 646. The trailhead is at the end of the road.
44.52881, -122.25552 · 44°31'43.7"N 122°15'19.9"W
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 16.8 | 12.4 | 13.3 | 10.7 | 6.6 | 4.3 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 4.1 | 10.0 | 16.7 | 18.8 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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