"Store Gulch Trail river access to Wild and Scenic River, Selma, southwest Oregon."

Store Gulch Trail - River Access
The Store Gulch trail is a short, fourth of a mile, access path to a popular swimming hole in the Wild and Scenic Illinois River corridor. A deeply shaded picnic area and campground near the trailhead makes this an attractive place to be on hot summer days. A short walk to the vista of the river is worth stopping to see if you don't want to take a long hike or go swimming.

Across the street from the trailhead is the historic Store Gulch Ranger Station constructed in the 1930's using the same type of cedar siding as was used on the historic buildings at Oregon Caves. This is the caretakers private residence so please do not enter the building unless invited to do so. If you want to get a closer look at a historic building similar to this you can visit the historic Cedar Camp Ranger Station located on the road to Oregon Caves National Monument.

Directions

Follow Highway 199 to Selma and look for the flashing yellow light near the large grocery store. Turn on Illinois River Road (the Post Office is on the corner where the road starts - if you turn the other way you will be on Deer Creek Road). Zero your odometer and follow Illinois River Road for nine miles to the Store Gulch trailhead and picnic area. The easiest way to find this site is to look for the historic cabin on the right. The parking area is across the street.

While driving from Selma, be aware the Illinois River Road has a section of unpaved gravel about six miles from where you start at Highway 199. This stretch of gravel surfaced road may develop wash-boards or potholes that can be dangerous at high speeds. It is recommended you slow down as you drive over this fourth-of-a-mile section of road. At seven and a half miles from Selma, the road narrows and goes down a curvy section of road with sharp drop-offs. Drive slow and watch for on-coming traffic. Pull into a turnout to let cars pass.