Highway 224 & the Upper Clackamas River - Part 8
- Tina McLain
- 13 hours ago
- 6 min read
A break down of all viewpoints, river access points, seasonal waterfalls, and hikes along the Clackamas River from Sandstone Boat Access Site to Ripplebrook.
Part 8 explores five pull-offs, one boat/river access site, one hike, and one view. All are within the national forest.
For more information on activity ideas, resources, safety, and a list of each place by category check out my Highway 224 & Upper Clackamas River - Overview post.
Recreating in Burned Areas
The majority of the Upper Clackamas River was affected by the 2020 fires. Large amounts of the area have reopened as of 2025. There are still a few areas/roads that are closed to public access.
As I’ve noted above, the majority of the Upper Clackamas River was affected by the 2020 fires. Large amounts of the area have reopened as of 2025. There are still a few areas/roads that are closed to public access.
As with any aspect of recreating outdoors, it’s important to make sure what you’re doing is legally open to the public. For up-to-date information on what is open, check out the Mount Hood National Forest website.
Another important aspect to consider when recreating in burned areas is the additional hazards and risks, such as unstable slopes/ground, flash floods, potential for falling trees/limbs, etc.
I really encourage everyone to check out the forest service page, “Safety in Burned Areas,” which discusses how to stay safe in burned areas.
Seasonal Waterfalls Disclaimer
I designate “waterfall” as any amount of water that flows or drops a vertical (or mostly vertical) rock surface. I use the word waterfall rather loosely, and I don’t use any official parameters for what is designated a “waterfall.” Basically if it appears to be falling water, I label it as a “waterfall” for ease of use.
There are a plethora of seasonal waterfalls along the upper Clackamas River. There's no way I could note all of them. So, I'm going to focus on marking those that are 1) most visible from along Highway 224, and 2) the most noticeable/my favorite ones. There are still plenty that I haven’t noted in this post. There are two that I know of that I didn’t add due to it not really being possible to photograph them. So, keep your eyes peeled for waterfalls along the way.
Some are best seen driving a particular direction (east vs. west), so I'll make sure to note which direction has the best visibility when discussing the waterfalls.
Winter/spring is usually the best time to see the waterfalls, particularly after some consistent/heavy rain. There is no guarantee the waterfalls listed will be present at different days/times of year. For the most luck in seeing waterfalls, it’s best to go after there’s been some heavy/prolonged rain along with snow melt.
All seasonal waterfalls are approximate coordinates, it gives the idea of where the waterfall is, but there is room for error on my part.
Pull-offs Disclaimer
I note a majority of the pull-offs along Highway 224, but there are some I’m sure I didn’t cover. It’s as close to being comprehensive as I could get. There is some subjectivity involved as to what constitutes a “pull-off.” So there are some areas others might consider pull-offs that I didn’t note.
There are some pull-offs that have boot paths leading to the river or river views, which I do my best to mention. Most of the photos I took are of the pull-off’s themselves since it is easier to eye that if you go driving yourself. Some places I included pictures of the river, but not in all. I think part of the fun with this list is going to those coordinates and seeing for yourself what it looks like.
Explore the map below to see where each place discussed is located.
Quick Reference
Sandstone Boat Access Site
Coordinates: 45.11534, -122.07550
Use: Small-boat launch, river access
Activity: White water kayaking & rafting
River (access, view, none): Access & view
Facilities: A trash can
Parking: There is room for at least 8 cars to parallel park along the east side of the road.
Fee: None
Managed By: PGE
Easiest driving direction for access: East (toward Ripplebrook), but can be accessed going both directions.
Sandstone boat access is off Forest road 4620, visible from highway 224. It’s the furthest east put-in point along the upper Clackamas River at an established river access site.
There’s stairs down to the shore, which is sandy. It’s a pretty decent put-in for whitewater kayaks.
Bridge 45.11621, -122.07515
Coordinates: 45.11621, -122.07515
Best Seen Driving: East (towards Ripplebrook), can also be seen from pull-off 45.11678, -122.07558 and Sandstone Boat Access Site.
This bridge is best viewed from the gravel pull off at 45.11678, -122.07558. I can’t find any information about a name or even an unofficial name. So I’m just going to stick with the coordinates for referencing it.
Pull-off 45.11404, -122.07310
Coordinates: 45.11404, -122.07310
Use: Parking and sitting in car
River (access, view, none): None
Facilities: None
Parking: Room for 5-6 cars
Easiest driving direction for access: East (towards Ripplebrook)
This pull off is just past bridge 45.11621, -122.07515, on the west side of the road. It’s a paved, wide shoulder/pull-off. It’s not so much a place to view or access anything. It’s just a pull-off.
Pull-off 45.10610, -122.07049
Coordinates: 45.10610, -122.07049
Use: Parking and sitting in car; view of cliffs/hills
River (access, view, none): None
Facilities: None
Parking: Room for multiple cars
Easiest driving direction for access: East (towards Ripplebrook)
This pull-off is on the west side of highway 224. It’s just a wide paved shoulder. Has some views of the cliffs/hills to the south & west. When there's snow on the hills during the winter it's absolutely beautiful and worth stopping to look at.
Pull-off 45.09331, -122.07164
Coordinates: 45.09331, -122.07164
Use: Parking and sitting in car, letting other cars pass
River (access, view, none): None
Facilities: None
Parking: Room for only 1 car, maybe 2 if parked well.
Easiest driving direction for access: East (towards Ripplebrook)
This pull-off is small and paved. It’s on the west side of highway 224. It doesn’t provide access or views to anywhere. Simply a place to stop and maybe figure out where you’re going lol.
Pull-off 45.08363, -122.05695
Coordinates: 45.08363, -122.05695
Use: Sitting in car or let cars pass
River (access, view, none): None
Parking: Room for 2-3 cars.
Easiest driving direction for access: East (towards Ripplebrook)
This pull-off is right before a left turning corner on the west side of highway 224. It’s before Alder Flats trailhead. It doesn’t have access to places or views of anything. It’s probably used more for letting people pass.
Alder Flat Trail #574
Coordinates (Trailhead): 45.08066, -122.05629
Activity: Hiking
Access: Trail
Distance: 2.06 miles (round trip)
Facilities: None
Parking: There is room for at least 10 cars
Managed By: Forest Service
Resources: Forest Service
Other Posts: For more detailed information check out my post on Alder Flats Trail #574.
Alder Flats Trail is one of the shortest trail options along the Upper Clackamas River. The trail now goes through heavily burnt forest to the rivers edge. This trail has received trail maintenance since the 2020 fires and is able to be followed. Pre-fire this was a popular swimming hole, I’m unsure if it is post fire or not.
Ripplebrook
Coordinates: 45.07903, -122.05276
Point of Interest: Ripplebrook Store
Facilities: Bathroom
Parking: There are multiple parking spots in front of the Ripplebrook store. I have yet to ever see the lot full.
Managed By: Bagby Preservation
Easiest driving direction for access: Can be easily accessed driving either east or west.
Ripplebrook is an unincorporated community located at the end of Highway 224. The main place to see is the Ripplebrook Store located along highway 224.
The Forest Service website notes that “The Ripplebrook Camp Store seasonally offers camping supplies, food, maps, and souvenirs to forest visitors. The store is located about 0.7 miles from the Ripplebrook Campground near the junction of Highway 224 and Forest Road 46. The store was heavily damaged in the 2020 Riverside Fire, but reopened in 2024.”
There is an outhouse within the same pull-off as for the store, and on the other side of the highway is a fire danger sign.
My Wild Adventure is not responsible for your safety, any possible injury, or anything that happens if you choose to follow anything on this website. Maps are not intended to be used for navigational purposes, but to give an overview of the route taken. By going outdoors you are solely responsible to know your strengths and limitations, be aware of current conditions and proceed with the appropriate caution. My Wild Adventure is not responsible for your choices and the outcome. Reference my disclaimer for more information on being responsible outdoors.
