Big Cliff

**Access Details & Current Status:** Big Cliff is a walk-in portage access point on the North Santiam River near Detroit. The boat ramp is **permanently closed to vehicular traffic**, so you'll need to carry your kayak, canoe, or small boat to the water. While the ramp itself no longer meets public accessibility standards, walk-in access remains available. If you're towing a boat trailer, several alternative launch points are located within a few miles along Detroit Lake and the North Santiam River corridor.

**Nearby Resources:** The Detroit area offers excellent support for your paddling trip, including three reservable campgrounds within 10 miles—Hoover, Santiam Flats, and Humbug—making it convenient for multi-day excursions. Fishermen's Bend Recreation Area nearby provides full-service amenities. The North Santiam River in this section offers scenic paddling through the Cascade Range with access to both the reservoir and free-flowing river sections downstream.

**Trip Planning Tip:** Given the walk-in nature of this access, consider your boat's portability and the distance you're comfortable carrying it. For easier trailer-accessible launches, check nearby alternatives in the Detroit area before your trip.