Mckenzie River runs for 90 miles within the Willamete National Forest, with a bright, beautiful, blue river, alongside a lush forest in Oregon. It drains from the Cascade Mouintain Range and flows into the Willamete Valley. Along this area is a rural town with beautiful outdoor adventures for all . It’s for the hikers, bikers, rafters, and relaxers.
Here’s 10 things I’d recommend doing in the area!
Stay at an Airbnb with a cowboy hot tub
Located in the town of Mckenzie Bridge, Oregon, which is the perfect central location for all the adventures. This cabin has a second cabin alongside it for bigger parties or can be rented individually. The smaller cabin where I stayed is a studio cabin that sleeps 4 with king bed and couch in the living room. There is a kitchen with appliances but be noted there is no oven. This cabin is on the front of a bustling river within the forest. In the smaller cabin, there is a cowboy hot tub that sits 2 comfortably. You feel like you’re immersed in the woods, even though you’re right in the small town. You can book this exact cabin here. The bigger cabin that you can book together or separate is linked here.
Hike Blue Pool and Tamolitch Falls
This hike is SOOO cool. You walk alongside the flowing river through dense lush forests, until you reach some elevation to climb over lava fields and lava tubes. You eventually come to an end of the trail, where you’ll see the blue pool. Yes, it’s really that blue, and even brighter blue with a fully sunny day shining on it. I went during a rainy overcast day, but it was still beautiful and blue! What makes this such a cool place is the blue pool is basically an end of the Mckenzie river due to lava flow that blocked off the flow.
According to All Trails, “This pool is actually where the McKenzie River emerges after submerging into a lava tube at the Carmen Reservoir, creating the Tamolitch Falls. Tamolitch falls is known as a “dry fall” because during especially wet rainy winters the river will flood over the lava bed and waterfall into Tamolitch Pool.” The hike is roughly a 4 mile out and back trail with 350ft elevation gain. It’s dog friendly, on a leash! More information on All Trails, linked here.
Soak in Terwilliger Hot Springs
Terwilliger Hot Springs also known as Cougar hot springs, sits along the Cougar Reservior. It’s a $10 fee to enter, ages 10 and up. You can only enter from Sunrise to Sunset. These hot springs are run by the forest service, as there was damage and crime occurring here, this has reduced that by being staffed 24/7 with a camp host. Something to note, is it’s a clothing optional hot spring, and there is lots of nudity here, so you’ve been warned. The hike in is about a one third of a mile hike to the spring, and there’s a small changing area to store your things. They are not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
Soak in Belknap Hot Springs
Belknap hot springs in a developed hot springs along the Mckenize River. They have lodging options, a garden and a large soaking pool. If you stay there, soaking is included. For a day pass, it’s and you can soak from 9:00AM – 5:00PM, they report they don’t do full day passes. It’s $12 per person for one hour or less, and you can rent a towel for $2. They are closed on federal holidays.
Soak in Bigelow Hot Springs
Bigelow hot springs is a hidden gem in plain sight, which not many people can find, even when they’re given the directions to it. It’s located within feet of Belknap Hot springs, along the same river near a popular hiking and biking trail and a forest road that’s within steps of a busy road. Of note, this pool isn’t hot year round, because it’s dependent on the river levels. This is best enjoyed in late summer, fall and early winter. You can type in “Bigelow or Deer Creek Hot Springs” into your phone app and it will lead you there. You’ll find parking on the right, cross over the road and find the pathway. Take a left at the cross and walk down the rivers edge, you’ll find it. Please respect the land, and pack in and pack out.
Drive the Scenic Mckenzie River Road
This scenic drive is beautiful and will lead you to almost all of these fun stops alongside the Mckenzie River. From small towns, to rushing waterfalls, to relaxing hot springs, this road will be your go to exploration.
Hike or Bike Mckenzie River Trail
The Mckenzie River Trail goes for 26 miles, and it’s great for hiking and biking. You can hike/bike sections of the trail or all of it. This is a very popular trail so expect some company. It’s also dog friendly. You can find more info here.
Hike to Proxy Falls
Proxy Falls is a stunning waterfall within the Willamete National Forest. This is a 2 mile loop hike that brings you over lava tubes and lush forests, until you reach the waterfall. There is an upper and lower Proxy Falls! You can find more information here.
Hike Kooshie and Sahalie Falls
Kooshie and Sahalie waterfalls took my breath away. The water from the Mckenzie River is insanely blue, and maybe you’ll get lucky and see a rainbow. You can view the waterfalls within a half mile from the main viewpoints, but I recommend doing the entire falls loop. It’s roughly 4 miles long, and not officially a loop trail but it makes a full loop when you connect the falls with part of the Mckenzie River Trail, and you can find more information here.
Check out Leaburg Fish Hatchery
If you’re into fishing, wildlife or just a different outdoor activity, check out the Leaburg Fish Hatchery. It’s a free activity located all year round, and open from 8:00am-7:00pm. You can expect to see Salmon, Trout, and Steelhead here. You can find all the update information here.
I hope you found something to do from these 10 things to do in the Mckenzie River and Willamete Forest of Oregon. I hope you enjoy your time exploring this area of Oregon, it’s beautiful and is an outdoor lovers paradise!
If you’re looking for more than 10 things to do in Mckenzie River, Oregon you can always follow along on Instagram and Tiktok for more fun adventures in Oregon and beyond!
