The North Santiam flows near Stayton and past North Santiam State Park. Farther upstream is Detroit Dam and Detroit Lake and Detroit Lake State Park.
The South Santiam passes Lebanon and Sweet Home.
There is also a middle fork, which splits off behind Foster Dam forming Foster Lake and is again dammed by Green Peter Dam, which forms Green Peter Lake. Both lakes are heavily used for recreation.
The Santiam is a major source of water supply for Salem, the capital city of Oregon.
Santiam is also the trademark of a canned vegetable company which is a division of Norpac.