The Illinois Scenic River Canyon

The first 17.9 miles of the Wild and Scenic Illinois River—between the Forest boundary and Briggs Creek— is  classified as a “Scenic River Area.” It’s accessible in places by roads. In this section the Illinois River flows through the North and South Kalmiopsis Roadless Areas, the Squaw Mountain Roadless Area and the Sixmile and Rancherie unroaded areas. There’s also the Eight Dollar Mountain and Days Gulch Botanical Areas and the Hoover Gulch Research Natural Area.

On hot summer days several thousand people can be crowded into a short stretch of the river with easy access. The crowding and lack regulations brings a multitude of problems. At other times of the year, the two roads accessing Scenic Section of the Wild and Scenic Illinois River are enjoyed by sightseers, hikers, botanists, photographers and steelhead fisherman.

Eight Dollar Mountain Road Access

The Scenic River Canyon is accessed from the Redwood Highway at Selma, by the Illinois River Road (FS Road 4103), and by the Eight Dollar Mountain/Babyfoot Lake Road (FS Road 4201). The latter is also known as the T. J. Howell Botanical Drive.

Just off the highway on FS Road 4201, the Boardwalk at the BLM Eight Dollar Mountain Area of Critical Environmental Concern is an under appreciated treasure and a primer into the botanical wonders of the area. The historic Deer Creek Center and Southern Oregon State University Field Station lies at the beginning of the Illinois River Road (4103).

The two roads provide the public with opportunities to know and enjoy this beautiful river in all seasons, but have also resulted in the corridor being subject to vandalism and damage by off-highway vehicle users. During fall, winter and early spring, the Scenic River corridor is quite and peaceful. The perfect Sunday drive to watch high winter flows, the sun setting behind a snowcapped Pearsoll Peak, view wildflowers, hike year round accessible trails or tent camp along a beautiful river. However, in the summer, the area is so popular there are problems with overuse and crowding, vandalism and alcohol abuse. Early efforts to deal with these issue lacked follow-up. Then, between 2000 and 2008, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest got serious. In a long analysis and planning process, with full public involvement, the agency developed a recreation plan for the Scenic River Corridor. Over 1.25 million dollars have been spent on facilities and measures to protect the Scenic River Area and the public’s enjoyment of it and provide for public safety. While facility development was completed, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has yet to implement many of the plan’s measures designed to address the problems of overuse and public safety and to protect the taxpayers investment in the river corridor and facilities. At the same time reduced funding for staff and law enforcement is exacerbating lingering problems. On a hot summer day as many as 2,000 people can crowd on to a 4 to 5 mile stretch of the Scenic River Area. In 2012 there was one seasonal staff person to manage the crowd with occasional law enforcement and other backup. Cars jam the narrow roadway blocking emergency vehicles. Law enforcement officers estimate that at least 40% of the drivers leaving the river corridor are driving under the influence of intoxicants.[2] Visitors to the River are encouraging the Forest Service to bring in more law enforcement to address these concerns. The Scenic Canyon of the Illinois can be a sheer delight—the American Treasure Congress sought to preserve in 1984 when it added the river to the National Wild and Scenic River system. By emphasizing the river’s great beauty and the need for year-round and adequate law enforcement, implementation of the Scenic River Area Recreation Plan, limitations on the number of users and a ban on alcohol, the hope is needed changes will be made and sustained.[3]