Clearwater Park and Landing
Park
4.6 (1279)
2400 Clearwater Ln, Springfield, OR 97478
Cycling lanesPicnic tablesPublic restroom
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
Regional River Orientation With Unlocated Historic Bathing EntriesOR
Oakridge Willamette River Swimming Holes
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Check failed North Fork trail bridges and current road access before an Oakridge river trip. Packard Creek is a separate swimming option closed for the 2026 season.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
Respect failed bridges, closures and current road conditions. Do not ford an impassable creek, improvise river descents or use a campground's swimming permission at a different water body.
Water type
Regional River Orientation With Unlocated Historic Bathing Entries
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
No exact historical river-entry fee or free-access status established. Packard Creek's published $10 day-use fee applies to that separate facility when operating, not an invitation during closure.
Best season
The North Fork page warns of four failed bridges between Roads 1912 and 1919, with difficult or impassable creek crossings. Road 19 is not winter-maintained. Packard Creek is explicitly closed for the 2026 season, with a planned summer 2027 return
Nearby towns
Eugene, Dexter, Westfir, Oakridge
Water body
North Fork Of The Middle Fork Willamette River; Separate Hills Creek Reservoir Alternative
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Eugene, Dexter, Westfir, Oakridge
Access location not verified
OAKRIDGE, OR
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check with the land manager before entering the water.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Oakridge and North Fork Willamette
The archive reaches Westfir's covered bridge and North Fork Road but does not identify six bathing entrances. Current Forest Service information confirms North Fork trail access with failed-bridge warnings. Packard Creek's reservoir swimming is a separate managed option, currently closed for the 2026 season.
The covered bridge is orientation, not six entrances
The preserved route stops after setting an odometer near Westfir. The Forest Service's Segment 1 trailhead directions identify a current hiking approach, not a recovered bathing pool or a surveyed riverbank parking point.
Four failed trail bridges need an actual route decision
The current North Fork trailhead page warns of four failed bridges between Roads 1912 and 1919 and potentially impassable creek crossings. This is a scoped trail warning, not a blanket closure of all Oakridge recreation. Contact Middle Fork Ranger Station before choosing a route; do not substitute a hazardous ford.
Packard Creek is a different, seasonal swimming destination
The Forest Service explicitly supports swimming at Packard Creek on Hills Creek Reservoir, but its September 23, 2026 page is marked closed for the season with a planned summer 2027 return. Its water, toilets, boat-ramp/swim-area parking and camping belong to that facility. They do not establish services or permission along the archived North Fork river route.
Check this destination before travel
Getting There
Use the current North Fork Trailhead Segment 1 approach via Westfir and the Office covered bridge for lawful hiking. Do not invent river pull-offs from the old odometer instruction. Check actual Forest Road 19 conditions.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Use the current North Fork Trailhead Segment 1 approach via Westfir and the Office covered bridge for lawful hiking. Do not invent river pull-offs from the old odometer instruction. Check actual Forest Road 19 conditions.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Respect failed bridges, closures and current road conditions. Do not ford an impassable creek, improvise river descents or use a campground's swimming permission at a different water body. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Swiftshore Park
Park
4.5 (54)
25461 Swiftshore Dr, West Linn, OR 97068
Kelley Point Park
Park
4.4 (1654)
N Kelley Point Park Rd, Portland, OR 97203
Woodsy park features a picnic site, a canoe launch, hiking trails & a vista point with water views.
Barbecue grillCycling lanesPicnic tablesPublic restroom
Walsh's Landing Trailhead
Hiking area
4.6 (108)
Salem, OR 97303
Pengra Access Willamette River Greenway
State park
4.6 (5)
Willamette River Greenway, Dexter, OR 97431
Dexter State Recreation Site
State park
4.6 (628)
Dexter State Recreation Site, Dexter, OR 97431
Barbecue grillPicnic tablesPublic restroom
Dexter Shores RV Park
RV park
4 (189)
39140 Dexter Rd, Dexter, OR 97431
Picnic tablesPublic restroomPublic showerRestroom
Lowell State Recreation Site
State park
4.6 (425)
850 Shore Line Dr, Lowell, OR 97452
Barbecue grillPicnic tablesPublic restroomSlides
Frequently Asked Questions About Oakridge Willamette River Swimming Holes
Does the archive identify six Oakridge swimming entrances?
No. It reaches the Westfir covered bridge and North Fork Road orientation but does not preserve six actual water-entry directions.
What is the current North Fork trail warning?
The Forest Service warns of four failed trail bridges between Roads 1912 and 1919 and potentially impassable creek crossings. Confirm a route with the ranger station.
Does that warning close every Oakridge recreation site?
No. It is a specific trail condition. Other roads, sites and facilities need their own current status checks.
Can we swim at Packard Creek now?
Its current Forest Service page explicitly says closed for the 2026 season, with a planned summer 2027 reopening. Do not enter based on a published fee or past camping visit.
Are Packard Creek's facilities at the North Fork river holes?
No. Packard Creek is a separate Hills Creek Reservoir facility. Its toilets, water and parking do not transfer to unidentified riverbanks.
Can we drive Road 19 throughout winter?
Do not assume so. The Forest Service says it is not maintained for snow and ice and sections may be impassable. Check actual conditions.
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Avoid jumping, diving, natural slides and high or rising flow
- A recreation listing or clear appearance is not a water-quality or depth guarantee
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Historical directions are retained separately; use current manager instructions for travel.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Photograph only from currently lawful viewpoints; no exact water-entry photograph is approved here.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Follow current manager routes and fire restrictions, respect private parcels and pack out waste.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
The North Fork page warns of four failed bridges between Roads 1912 and 1919, with difficult or impassable creek crossings. Road 19 is not winter-maintained. Packard Creek is explicitly closed for the 2026 season, with a planned summer 2027 return.
Difficulty Level
Use the named current lawful approach. No guaranteed shallow pool, easy creek descent or surveyed accessible bathing entrance is asserted.
Fee
No exact historical river-entry fee or free-access status established. Packard Creek's published $10 day-use fee applies to that separate facility when operating, not an invitation during closure.
Facilities
North Fork Trailhead lists no potable water and does not establish restroom availability. Packard Creek separately lists toilets, drinking water and picnic tables during operation, not at every riverbank.
Activities
Named land recreation and separate water-access context as described; no exact current historical bathing entrance established.
Phone
541-782-2283
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
No camping authorization at unspecified historical swim entries. Packard Creek camping is separately managed and currently seasonally closed.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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