Heart of the Dunes 2009

Gardiner, Smith River

Published: Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 Gardiner, Smith River Looking for a little relaxation? Try the Smith River Falls. The Smith River is great for fishing and the falls offer kids a respite from the summer heat.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management campground offers a peaceful setting along the Smith River and provides the opportunity to setup camp in the shade of towering trees. The site is complemented by a fantastic view of the river nearby.

Smith River is about 75 miles long. Its origin is the Oregon Coast Range near Cottage Grove, unlike the Umpqua, which originates in the Cascades. However, as it winds its way through the Coast Range and through the Siuslaw National Forest, it dumps into the Umpqua near Gardiner before flowing into the Pacific Ocean. Tides affect the lower part of the river and it makes for great fall Chinook salmon fishing for anglers. Fishermen also fish for steelhead in the winter, stripers in the spring through summer, shad in May and June, and searun cutthroat starting in August. Anglers should note that it also has wild coho salmon — fish that are listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act and should be released.

The BLM campground is past the falls themselves, has eight tent or trailer sites, vault toilets, but no water.

To get there: The Smith River is paralleled by aptly-named Smith River Road for much of the way, then by Douglas County Road No. 48, which is mostly gravel past the falls. for most of its length. Hwy 101 crosses the Smith River at Reedsport, Oregon.
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