Harrisburg to Peoria

  • Skill Level Intermediate
  • Duration 1 Day
  • Total River Miles 19.5
Safety Alert: Recommended experience with strong current and woody debris. The boat ramp at Harrisburg can be slippery, and it changes with the seasons/ river level. The river at Sam Daws Landing has changed it's course slightly since the 1st edition Water Trail Maps were printed. Sam Daws and Buckskin Mary are essentially one and the same campsite now. Also, the take-out at Peoria is tucked back in an alcove, and not easily visible from the mainstem, so be on the look-out!
  • Starting Point Harrisburg - RM 161
  • End Point Peoria Park - RM 141.5
  • Why this Trip

    You can get a great view of Mary’s Peak to the west and you pass Norwood Island, Harken’s Lake, a nice DSL Island, and Buckskin Mary Landing. All of these sites have rustic camp sites. Norwood and Norwood East are owned and managed by Willamette Riverkeeper. Norwood propper has some nice walking trails. There are ample Greenway sites along this stretch, including the parks listed above, and there is an abundance of forest, backwaters, side channels and overall beauty. In the summer this stretch can be busy, but there is also quite a bit of room to spread out.

  • Conditions and Equipment

    This stretch works well for canoes, kayaks, and drift boats. There is occasional woody debris (presenting a strainer hazard) and strong current.

  • Amenity Highlights

    Harrisburg Park has free parking, restrooms, and running water. Peoria Park has free parking and pit toilets.

  • Trip Description

    This is a scenic stretch of the Willamette!

    Peoria boat ramp is nestled up the backwater after a long willow coated peninsula on river right, so it can be easy to miss if you are not observant. There are several riverside houses the you will see as you approach Peroria after a long stretch without, and the backchannel of Hoacum Island comes in on river left. Approximately 500 meters downstream of the Hoacum backchannel confluence, you’ll see the alcove opening to Peoria’s boat ramp on river right.

  1. Harrisburg Park

      1. Boat Ramp, Rustic
      2. Picnic Table
      3. Restrooms
      4. Vehicle Access/Parking
      5. Water
      • River Mile 161.0
      • Latitude 44.27302
      • Longitude -123.17401

    LoadingThis park has a boat ramp, flushing toilets, water, picnic tables, and grass. There are two small grocery stores only three blocks away. There is also a parking area next…

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  2. McCartney Park

      1. Boat Ramp
      2. Restrooms
      3. Vehicle Access/Parking
      • River Mile 156.5
      • Latitude 44.31708
      • Longitude -123.21639

    LoadingThis park provides a pit toilet, day-use parking, and a boat ramp. Watch for the sharp eddy line at the edge of the ramp and possible strainer below this ramp!

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  3. Harkens Lake Landing

      1. Camping
      • River Mile 153.5
      • Latitude 44.34197
      • Longitude -123.22916

    Loading This site is quiet and feels remote; camping is on the mainstem side on the gravel bar. Be sure to explore up the back channel here before you head…

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  4. DSL Island 152

      1. Camping
      • River Mile 152
      • Latitude 44.35611
      • Longitude -123.23416

    LoadingThis gravel bar island (RM 152) offers a paddle-in-only alternative to camping at Irish Bend, just downstream, and is owned by the Department of State Lands. In higher water flows,…

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  5. Irish Bend

      1. Camping
      2. Restrooms
      3. Trash Can
      4. Vehicle Access/Parking
      • River Mile 151.0
      • Latitude 44.36293
      • Longitude -123.22037

    LoadingThis is a large gravel-bar park. The most private camping is on the upper portion where you can camp on flat ground with shade. The pit-toilet is located in the…

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  6. Norwood Island

      1. Camping
      2. Fire Ring
      3. Hiking
      4. Wildlife
      • River Mile 148.5
      • Latitude 44.3829
      • Longitude -123.24693

    LoadingWillamette Riverkeeper was able to purchase Norwood Island from a private land owner in 2014. Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Long Tom Rivers (RM 149), Norwood’s 90 acres of…

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  7. Norwood East

      1. Camping
      2. Wildlife
      • River Mile 148.5
      • Latitude 44.38543
      • Longitude -123.24373

    LoadingNorwood East is a wide gravel bar located on river right, directly across the river from Norwood Island. Due to the low gradient of the gravel bar, this spot is…

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  8. Buckskin Mary Landing

      1. Camping
      2. Wildlife
      • River Mile 145.5
      • Latitude 44.41668
      • Longitude -123.22674

    LoadingThis property provides a good rustic campsite with a fair degree of solitude (no amenities). Note that as of 9/16/20 Sam Daws and Buckskin Mary Landing are essentially one and…

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  9. Peoria Park

      1. Boat Ramp
      2. Picnic Table
      3. Restrooms
      4. Vehicle Access/Parking
      • River Mile 141.5
      • Latitude 44.45402
      • Longitude -123.21009

    LoadingThis makes a good starting point for a half-day paddle to Corvallis or a day paddle to Albany.  If you are taking out here, it can be easy to miss…

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