Marshall Island to Peoria Park

This is a gorgeous section of the Upper Willamette, full of braided backchannels, alcoves, wildlife and a number of outstanding campsites to choose from. This reach has a very natural, wild feel.

Like many of these suggestions, you can make this a 2 night or a 1 night camping adventure, depending on your preferences, and what time you are ready to launch at the put-in (and thus how many miles you can or want to paddle on day #1). Contact Riverside RV and Boat Storage (541-998-1694), the local business located just before the entrance to Marshall Island Access, if you need to park a vehicle securely overnight for a reasonable fee.

You have numerous scenic campsite options beginning with “Blue Ruin Island” which is a relatively short paddle from your launch. It can be somewhat easy to miss as it’s not a very obvious looking island as you approach it from the upstream end. Stick to the mainstem as you approach as the backchannels here are usually full of wood. You can take out pretty easily anywhere on the mainstem side of the island. A lesser known campsite, not labeled on the 1st edition WT map, is located a short distance downstream on river left. It’s an OPRD property called “Blue Ruin Greenway.”

As you approach the railroad bridge, be cautious of wood debris hung up on the bridge pilings, and anticipate some swirly water just under the bridge. Remember to keep paddling here and you’ll be much more stable!

You’ll pass two river access points as you move downstream from here, Harrisburg and McCartney Park, before you reach the next campsite option at Harkens Lake, which is the wide gravel bar on river left. Beyond here, other options include DSL Island 152, or the upstream end of Irish Bend.

Whether you camp at Norwood Island or not, this Willamette Riverkeeper property deserves a visit as there are hiking trails to explore. If you choose to paddle the back channel, be aware that there can be wood hung up on the remnants of the old bridge (marked as a hazard on the map). You may want to avoid this option during highwater when the current is running swiftly as you may have difficulty bailing out once you commit to paddling the backchannel. As with any unfamiliar backchannel, do not enter blindly, “when in doubt, scout it out!”

Norwood East is also a terrific campsite, and due to the gradually sloped gravel bar, it can be easier to unload your boats and camping gear.

As you near Buckskin Mary and Saw Daws Landing, the river has shifted compared to the view on the 1st edition WT map. The two campsites are essentially one and the same now.

Be sure to explore the alcove around RM 143 after Snag Boat Bend for a cool side trip. The Hoacum Island Landing campsite labeled on the 1st edition WT map is no longer a viable camping option. This channel is not always navigable either, so keep that in mind as well!

The take-out at Peoria Park can be easy to miss. Look for the Middle Channel confluence on river left and you’ll know that Peoria will be coming up soon on river right. The boat ramp is tucked into an alcove, and is not immediately visible from the mainstem, so be alert!