This is one of Oregon State Park’s best kept secrets. Cascadia State Parks presents a miniature escape from the valley floor, residing within the foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range and at the head of the South Santiam River.
https://goo.gl/maps/Xgh2c7FdFU8XBSQQ6
My wife and I first ventured through this park while driving eastbound on US Route-20 during a sunny January morning. Super excited to get all the worth we could out of our Oregon State Parks Annual Day Pass that we had purchased for that year, we stopped to see what the park had to offer. Our first reaction was a thwarted sigh, as we learned that the day use area was FREE to visitors. So no pass required! For those who want an easy car camping trip, the park also offers a fee site.
The South Fork of the Santiam River flows right next to the park and is definitely the main attraction, come the warmer summer months. Since this visit, we have come back to float down the numerous chutes of water that are carved in the igneous bedrock. The park and surrounding area is very popular for water activities, but that should not deter you from visiting in the colder months.
There are ample trails to explore, all showing plenty of wear with easy grades. There are numerous historical sites within the park; including the Soda Springs and Soda Creek Falls — both of which played host to an old rejuvenation resort in the early 20th century — old wagon ruts left by the Santiam Wagon Trail, and even ancient petroglyphs.
Cascadia offers a plethora of activities and potential projects for any primary or secondary school educator.
The state of Oregon is not particularly famous for housing many ancient indigenous artifacts. Especially west of the Cascade Range, where the humidity, rain, and moisture results in higher rates of decomposition. However, the petroglyphs along the South Santiam are a testament to those people that came long before the Europeans.
There isn’t a lot known about these cave drawings. A matter of fact, there is little being done to protect and preserve these ancient drawings. However, the article below presents one of the largest collections of known information on the area and the people that inhabited it.
https://oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/cascadia_cave/#.XjTSbWhKjIU
Heart of the Valley 