Looking for more fun places to explore on the North Oregon Coast?
Check out Sitka Sedge for a great easy beach hike, or climb the rocks at beautiful Winema Beach.
LOCATION
The Kilchis River Day Use Area is located at the end of Kilchis River Road, six miles northeast of the Tillamook Creamery on Highway 101.
WE WERE THERE
August, 2022
SWIM
The Kilchis River flows lazily through the forested hills of the Coast Range as it winds its way to Tillamook Bay. The water of this quiet river is clear and cold, and genuinely refreshing on a hot day. And yes, the Oregon Coast does see warm weather from time to time. Take advantage of it when you can!
The Kilchis River is relatively shallow, but pools into luminous green swimming holes, perfect for a quick dip or a lazy float. Make that extra lazy — this is one slow moving river. Even a gentle breeze can push you back upstream. There are many good places to enter the water, so explore a little and find one that fits your style. This also helps thin out the crowds. You may even find a little solitude, especially early or late in the day.
A few boulders dot the shore, and a rope swing dangles above the swimming hole near the day use parking area. Is it safe? I wasn’t going to test it to find out! Generally, the river is too shallow for diving or cliff jumping, but there are a few spots where you can take a short jump off a boulder — if you can manage to climb the slippery sides of the rock, that is.
The shoreline and river bottom are rocky — not great for bare feet. Wear hiking sandals or water shoes, ideally some with good traction. Underwater rocks can be slick with algae, so watch your step.
As always, use care in and around the water. Slow moving as the Kilchis River usually is, conditions can change. Keep a close eye on children, stay safe, and have fun!
PADDLE
Aside from the lovely swimming holes, the Kilchis River can be quite shallow and rocky, so it isn’t a great place to kayak or canoe. It is, however, a great place to float lazily in a tube, or take out a small rubber raft or stand up paddle board. You may not go very far, but why not relax and enjoy the view?
CURRENT INFO
Information about the Kilchis River Day Use Area and Campground is found online on the Tillamook County website. Campground reservations and day passes are available online. You can also pay the $10 day use fee on site.
GOOD TO KNOW
- There is a $10 parking fee for the Kilchis River day use site.
- Toilets, garbage bins, picnic tables, and fire rings are available. There are flush toilets at the Kilchis River Campground and port-a-potties in the day use area.
- Getting down to the river is a little rocky. It’s not especially difficult, but isn’t exactly accessible, either. Those with mobility limitations may need assistance.
- Speaking of rocky, I recommend hiking sandals or water shoes with traction. Your feet will thank you.
- Water is available from spigots in the campground.
- The Kilchis River Campground also features a playground, sand pit, horse shoe pits, and playfield. Day use parking is available by the playfield as well as by the river.
- Pets on leash are allowed.
- The Kilchis River Campground is quite popular, but in our experience the swimming holes weren’t too crowded. This may be because many campers head to the beach, or just hang out at their campsite. Also, the fact that there are several swimming holes along this short stretch of the river makes it easy to spread out.
HIGHLIGHTS
Surrounded by the forested hills of the Coast Range, the cold emerald water of the Kilchis River is a joy to experience on a hot summer day. Considering its proximity to the Kilchis River Campground, we were surprised that is wasn’t more crowded on a sunny summer Saturday. Stake out your spot on the rocky riverbank and enjoy a refreshing dip.
THE KIDS’ TAKE
Bring out the water guns and float tubes! The Kilchis River is great for a day of play on the water. Our kids enjoyed swimming and exploring along the rocky shoreline. Don’t forget the water shoes, snacks, and water bottles. They’ll work up an appetite, and a picnic or barbecue dinner is the perfect way to end the day for everyone.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE
The Kilchis River day use area is adjacent to the Kilchis River County Campground, a nice place to spend a few nights with easy access to Tillamook and the Oregon Coast. Speaking of Tillamook, it’s only a 10-minute drive from the swimming hole to the Tillamook Creamery, one of the most popular stops along Highway 101 in all of Oregon. Come here for delicious ice cream, cheese samples, and a peek into a working cheese factory.
South of Tillamook, there is much more to see and do. Drive the Three Capes Scenic Loop and check out more hikes. We especially like the easy yet variety-packed hike at Sitka Sedge State Natural Area. Winema Beach is another fantastic beach to explore.
We arrived at the Kilchis River Campground in the early evening, giving us just enough time to check out the river before dinner. A gravel path led downhill to the stream, where the golden evening glow danced across the water.
The next afternoon, we donned swimsuits and inflated our float tubes, then headed down to the Kilchis River once more. The sounds of laughter and splashing drifted up from the swimming hole near the day use area. Happy sounds, to be sure, but we hoped to find a little more privacy. After taking the short trail from the campground to the day use parking area, we turned left and followed the trail as it led upstream.
Not far past the campground, a muddy path led a few steps down to the riverbank. To the left, beyond a tangled mass of exposed tree roots, lay a rocky beach. Beyond that, the beautiful Kilchis River shimmered in the sunlight.
The translucent green water was inviting, and the kids couldn’t wait to take the float tubes out for a spin. As they paddled out, we discovered something unexpected. Rather than drift downstream, the float tubes continued upstream, against the current. One lone tube without a rider was already upriver, leading to a wild chase to catch it. The Kilchis River was apparently so slow moving that even a lazy summer breeze was stronger than its current.
Once we retrieved the errant tube, it was time for some serious fun — a water gun fight! Mom stayed a good distance away as the boys battled it out, although Dad decided to join in the fray. The cold water was a bit of a shock at first, but we soon adjusted. What a treat on a warm summer day!
Leaving the water fight behind, I decided to grab a tube of my own and go with the flow, letting the breeze take me where it would. Rounding the boulders on the opposite bank, I soon found myself in a shady emerald pool staring up into a riot of green leaves overhead. Michael and J pulled ashore, and Buddy the dog happily swam over to join us.
While Michael and J determined the best way to navigate the river, T decided to do some on shore exploring. He searched through the rocks, seeking out the most interesting specimens, and waded in the shallows. T also discovered that no beach is too rocky for a little relaxation in the sun, at least not when you can use your life vest as a pillow.
I wandered further upstream, where the Kilchis River meanders through a series of water-worn boulders and narrow stony channels. It’s a beautiful section of the stream, but too shallow for swimming.
Back at the swimming hole, Michael, my brother, my sister-in-law, and J had devised a plan. They hitched the tubes together and prepared for an epic float downstream. With the four of them working together, what could stop them? Laughing, they slowly drifted downstream and eventually out of sight.
It wasn’t long before I saw them again on their return trip. My brother, Sam, was convinced that their legs could serve as sails and catch the breeze, enabling them to float back upstream with little effort. How effective was this technique? I’m not sure, but it produced a lot of laughs as they gradually made their way back upriver.
By this time, our family was ready to head back up to our campsite. Dinner time approached and the temperature cooled as the sun sank lower over the Coast Range. We toweled off and carried the tubes back up the hill and through the campground, tired and happy from a wonderful afternoon on the Kilchis River.
