Sandy River

Rhododendron, Oregon

Oregon

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Watch this water

No verdict for this water

We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.

What we do know

Inside Mt. Hood National Forest
3 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.
Boundary data

What's missing

No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.

Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.

Why you'll love it

8.0 mi run

Flows year-round

2,371 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water: Flows year-round
Average flow: 2,371 cfs
Average current: 1.3 ft/s
Gradient: 351.6 ft/mi
Drainage area: 478 sq mi

Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.

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Sandy River

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Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency: Forest Service

About this water

Sandy River is an 8-mile paddling stretch near Rhododendron, Oregon. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 2,371 cfs and a gradient of about 351.6 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Where it is

Mount Hood Wilderness · Wilderness
Zigzag Ranger District · Ranger district
Mt. Hood National Forest · National forest

Managed by: Forest Service

Source: Wilderness.net boundaries; USFS EDW boundaries; USGS PAD-US 4.1

Conditions

Active alerts for Zigzag Ranger District as of Oct 9, 2026:

Tamarack Quarry closed beginning Sept. 1
caution · posted Sep 28, 2026
Bull Run Watershed Closure
information · posted Aug 24, 2026

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

BURNT LAKE NORTHHiking0.8 mi
Burnt Lake Trail #772Hiking0.9 mi
Lost CreekCamping1 mi
Riley Horse CampgroundCamping2.2 mi
French's DomeRock climbing2.3 mi
Clear CreekCanoeing4.2 mi
Zigzag RiverCanoeing4.7 mi
Kiwanis Camp CragRock climbing4.9 mi

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

Add to a trip & share

Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Photo: EncMstr, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Salmon River

~17 min drive

Salmon River is a 24-mile paddling stretch near Rhododendron, Oregon. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 302 cfs and a gradient of about 123.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Lost Lake Boat Ramp

~13 min drive

Lost Lake Boat Ramp is a boat launch in Oregon.

Lockaby

~38 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Oregon.

Photo: Cacophony, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

White River

~24 min drive

White River is a 19-mile paddling stretch near Maupin, Oregon. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 516 cfs and a gradient of about 174.4 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Beacon Rock Boat Ramp

~33 min drive

Beacon Rock Boat Ramp is a boat launch in Washington.

Armstrong

~38 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Oregon.

Photo: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Zigzag River

~8 min drive

Zigzag River is a 10-mile paddling stretch near Government Camp, Oregon. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 264 cfs and a gradient of about 309.2 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Hole In The Wall Boating Site

~37 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Oregon.

Fish Creek

~39 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Oregon.

Photo: Finetooth, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Bull Run River

~17 min drive

Bull Run River is a 12-mile paddling stretch near Corbett, Oregon. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 995 cfs and a gradient of about 209.7 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Also worth it near here