Luckiamute Landing State Natural Area

Rivers, paddles, ponds and trails - Luckiamute Landing is nature's water park.

The Luckiamute River meanders through the 615-acre north tract, flowing into the Willamette River from the west and just a stone's throw from the Santiam River confluence from the east. Travelers paddling the Willamette Water Trail can camp at the boater access only site. If you don't have a canoe or kayak, the North Trailhead opens nearly 3 miles of hiking trails along a meadow and through a riparian hardwood forest of Oregon ash and bigleaf maple.

The 300-acre south parcel is a great place for wildlife viewing and fishing (although the pond is not stocked). Park at the South Trailhead and make the 1/2 mile trek to the West Pond. See if you can catch a glimpse of Western Pond Turtles at the north end. The pond is an old gravel pit, but good habitat for turtles. An Oregon native, the turtle is dark green or brown with cream and brown flecks on its neck and head. The population of western pond turtles is declining because their native habitat is disappearing. The turtles are included on Oregon's Sensitive Species List.