McKenzie River Field Guide

A weekend on the McKenzie

Our family’s cabins sit right on the McKenzie River, about an hour east of Eugene on Highway 126. Here’s what’s close by, from hot springs and waterfalls to rafting a mile down the road.

The McKenzie River curving past the cabinsThe river right outside the cabinsThe tiny home above the whitewater

Getting here

About 1 hr from Eugene, about 50 miles
About 1 hr 50 min on to Sunriver, through Sisters
54 mi to Sisters

On the water + in the woods

1 mi
Whitewater rafting
High Country Expeditions runs trips right down the road.
About 15 mi
Blue Pool + Tamolitch Falls
The turquoise pool at the end of an easy forest hike.
About 20 mi
Sahalie Falls
A powerful waterfall on the upper McKenzie.
27.5 mi
Dee Wright Observatory
A lava-rock lookout over the Cascade peaks.
Out back
Fishing
The river Jordan’s dad taught him to fish on.

Soak + play

6.9 mi
Belknap Hot Springs + Lodge
Hot springs pools and a lodge, and a popular wedding venue.
About 11 mi
Cougar (Terwilliger) Hot Springs
Natural pools in the forest, about 20 minutes away.
1.8 mi
Tokatee Golf Course
About 2 minutes by car.
35 mi
Hoodoo Ski Area
Winter skiing up the pass.

Eat + stock up

1 mi
McKenzie General Store
Groceries and the basics.
1 mi
Obsidian Grill
A local favorite for a meal out.
1 mi
McKenzie Station
Restaurant, bar and coffee.
1.9 mi
Blue Sky Market + Gas
Gas, snacks and movie rentals inside.

Weddings nearby

1.5 mi
Loloma Lodge
A popular McKenzie wedding venue.
6.9 mi
Belknap Hot Springs
Weddings with the hot springs and gardens.
Good to know
  • The river is beautiful but not for swimming. Keep a close eye on small kids near the water.
  • Wi-Fi is a mountain connection. It usually works, but download shows before you come.
  • The cabin driveway is steep gravel and can be slippery in ice or snow.
  • Limited firewood is provided. Please buy more nearby if you need it.
  • Fire pits are used as weather and fire rules allow.

Where to stay

More field guides

McKenzie River Field Guide

A weekend on the McKenzie

Our family’s cabins sit right on the McKenzie River, about an hour east of Eugene on Highway 126. Here’s what’s close by, from hot springs and waterfalls to rafting a mile down the road.

The McKenzie River curving past the cabinsThe river right outside the cabinsThe tiny home above the whitewater

Getting here

About 1 hr from Eugene, about 50 miles
About 1 hr 50 min on to Sunriver, through Sisters
54 mi to Sisters

On the water + in the woods

1 mi
Whitewater rafting
High Country Expeditions runs trips right down the road.
About 15 mi
Blue Pool + Tamolitch Falls
The turquoise pool at the end of an easy forest hike.
About 20 mi
Sahalie Falls
A powerful waterfall on the upper McKenzie.
27.5 mi
Dee Wright Observatory
A lava-rock lookout over the Cascade peaks.
Out back
Fishing
The river Jordan’s dad taught him to fish on.

Soak + play

6.9 mi
Belknap Hot Springs + Lodge
Hot springs pools and a lodge, and a popular wedding venue.
About 11 mi
Cougar (Terwilliger) Hot Springs
Natural pools in the forest, about 20 minutes away.
1.8 mi
Tokatee Golf Course
About 2 minutes by car.
35 mi
Hoodoo Ski Area
Winter skiing up the pass.

Eat + stock up

1 mi
McKenzie General Store
Groceries and the basics.
1 mi
Obsidian Grill
A local favorite for a meal out.
1 mi
McKenzie Station
Restaurant, bar and coffee.
1.9 mi
Blue Sky Market + Gas
Gas, snacks and movie rentals inside.

Weddings nearby

1.5 mi
Loloma Lodge
A popular McKenzie wedding venue.
6.9 mi
Belknap Hot Springs
Weddings with the hot springs and gardens.
Good to know
  • The river is beautiful but not for swimming. Keep a close eye on small kids near the water.
  • Wi-Fi is a mountain connection. It usually works, but download shows before you come.
  • The cabin driveway is steep gravel and can be slippery in ice or snow.
  • Limited firewood is provided. Please buy more nearby if you need it.
  • Fire pits are used as weather and fire rules allow.

Where to stay

More field guides