Wallace Marine Park to Wheatland Ferry

  • Skill Level Beginner
  • Duration 1 Day
  • Total River Miles 12
Safety Alert: Approach the Ferry crossing with caution and only cross it's path while it is docked and/or loading vehicles.
  • Starting Point Wallace Marine Park - RM 84
  • End Point Wheatland Ferry - RM 72
  • Why this Trip

    Lincoln Access, Windsor Island, and Wilamette Mission State Park all provide an abundance of scenery, wildlife and history, all with easy access from the city. You can also find a couple of nice campsites on this stretch.

  • Conditions and Equipment

    The river is mostly wide and gentle, with only Keizer Rapids providing a bit of current and strong eddy lines here and there. Good for canoes, kayaks, and drift boats. There can be a strong headwind in the afternoon.

  • Amenity Highlights

    Wallace Marine Park has free day parking, but be mindful of what you leave in your car. Parking at the first lot for the non-motorized boat launch seems better than the boat ramp parking area at this time. A paddling partner or a cart to get your kayak or canoe to the water is helpful at this location.
    Unfortunately the restrooms had to be closed at this park.

  • Trip Description

    At Wallace Marine Park, launch from the large gravel bar, known as “the old boat ramp” beneath the pedestrian bridge. This is a scenic paddle that is accessible from the heart of Oregon’s state capital! You can poke up Willamette Slough tucked behind Minto Brown Island, or head straight downstream. There are a few backchannels that you might explore (always with caution and at your own risk due to the potential presense of wood strainers) on river left (such as behind McLain Island and Darrow Bar). The gravel bar below Keizer Rapids Park as well as Spongs Landing, both on river right, make for nice mid-trip lunch breaks.

    When you take out at the Wheatland Ferry on river left, your shuttle back to your vehicle is appriximatley 20 minutes on mostly one road (Hwy 221).

  1. Wallace Marine Park

      1. Boat Ramp
      2. Picnic Table
      3. Restrooms-Portable Toilet
      4. Vehicle Access/Parking
      • River Mile 84-83
      • Latitude 44.94672
      • Longitude -123.04343

    LoadingThere is a paved boat ramp that is extremely popular with powerboats. The portable restroom is up from the boat ramp. The gravel bar launch site downstream is preferable for…

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  2. McLain Island

      1. Hiking
      2. Wildlife
      • River Mile 83
      • Latitude 44.9634
      • Longitude -123.03726

    LoadingThis island provides relative quiet. The island makes for a good lunch stop.  The image above is on approach to the island (which lies in the center of the river),…

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  3. River’s Edge Park

      • River Mile 82
      • Latitude 44.97023
      • Longitude -123.03563

    LoadingAlso known as “Wallace House Park,” this city park is an undeveloped greenway. In recent years, local authorities have come to believe that this was once the site of Wallace…

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  4. Sunset Park

      1. Picnic Table
      • River Mile 81.25
      • Latitude 44.98439
      • Longitude -123.03621

    LoadingThis small park has a grassy bench that looks out toward the river. The park is nested among the suburban riverside residences of Keizer. (Possible launch, although only street parking.)

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  5. Palma Ciea Park

      • River Mile 80.5
      • Latitude 44.98976
      • Longitude -123.04054

    LoadingA small, undeveloped site in the middle of the city of Keizer. A small, grassy bench overlook could make a good lunch stop.

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  6. Keizer Rapids Park

      1. Boat Ramp
      2. Picnic Table
      3. Public Dock/Transient Use
      4. Restrooms
      5. Trash Can
      6. Vehicle Access/Parking
      • River Mile 79.5
      • Latitude 44.9907
      • Longitude -123.05498

    LoadingKeizer Rapids Park… has no actual rapids folks! There is no longer a campsite at this park, but there are new amenities not featured on the first edition Water Trail…

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  7. Darrow Rocks Landing

      • River Mile 79
      • Latitude 44.99541
      • Longitude -123.06887

    LoadingAn undeveloped site near the rocks with a small gravel beach.

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  8. Darrow Bar Island

      1. Camping
      2. Wildlife
      • River Mile 78.5
      • Latitude 45.00629
      • Longitude -123.07245

    LoadingAn island with a nice back channel. Watch the pilings at the entrance to the back channel. Camping is on the main channel side of the island on the gravel…

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  9. Darrow Bar Access

      1. Hiking
      2. Vehicle Access/Parking
      • River Mile 78
      • Latitude 45.01076
      • Longitude -123.07644

    LoadingPeaceful site with pleasant river views. Small parking lot.

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  10. Spongs Landing

      1. Boat Ramp, Rustic
      2. Picnic Table
      3. Restrooms
      4. Water
      • River Mile 78
      • Latitude 45.01474
      • Longitude -123.07301

    LoadingA county park with picnic shelters and a grassy bench overlooking the river. The park makes a good lunch stop on trips from Salem to Wheatland.

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  11. Private: Spongs Island

      • River Mile 77
      • Latitude 45.02838
      • Longitude -123.0752

    LoadingA long, undeveloped gravel bar island. Primitive camping allowed. (no amenities)

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  12. Lincoln Access

      1. Camping
      2. Hiking
      • River Mile 77
      • Latitude 45.02717
      • Longitude -123.07499

    LoadingA peninsula, at most levels with willows and a shoreline of sand and gravel. Named after President Lincoln, this early-day town was a principal community on the Willamette, with warehouses…

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  13. Windsor Island Access

      1. Hunting
      • River Mile 75
      • Latitude 45.04852
      • Longitude -123.0655

    Loading

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  14. Spring Valley Access

      1. Boat Ramp, Rustic
      2. Restrooms
      3. Vehicle Access/Parking
      • River Mile 74
      • Latitude 45.06743
      • Longitude -123.06785

    LoadingAccessible to nearby road traffic, this OPRD Greenway park is not recommended for camping. There is permanent pit toilet.

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  15. Willamette Mission State Park

      1. Camping
      2. Restrooms
      3. Vehicle Access/Parking
      4. Water
      5. Wildlife
      • River Mile 74-72
      • Latitude 45.07224
      • Longitude -123.06546

    LoadingOne of the hidden treasures of the OPRD system, this large park was once the home of Jason Lee’s Methodist mission. A ghost structure stands today to mark the approximate…

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