McKenzie River Oregon Historical Information
McKenzie River Blue River and Surrounding Area Oregon Local Destinations

The Town of Blue River, Blue River, Oregon 1966-Located 45 miles east of Eugene, Oregon.	Blue River Inn, Blue River, Oregon 1954-Located 43 miles east of Eugene, Oregon.  Currently home of Christmas Treasures, Inc. Founded in 1993.  Now home of the World's Tallest Lighted Christmas Tree over 150'.	Phils Phine Phoods (Phil's Place), Rainbow, Oregon 1950-Located 55 miles east of Eugene, Oregon.  No longer Exists
McKenzie Fish Hatchery, Leaburg, Oregon 1942-Located 20 miles east of Eugene, Oregon.	Goodpasture Covered Bridge, Vida, Oregon 1950-Located 25 miles east of Eugene, Oregon.	Ferry Crossing, Nimrod, Oregon 1924-Located 35 miles east of Eugene, Oregon. No longer Exists
McKenzie Drift Boats,  Oregon 1950-McKenzie River, Oregon	Martin Rapids,  McKenzie River Oregon 1950-McKenzie River, Oregon	McKenzie River Hwy,  Oregon 1942-Highway 126.
Finn Rock, Oregon 1946-Located 40 miles east of Eugene, Oregon.	Snow Plow,  Oregon 1955-McKenzie Pass, Oregon	Snow Banks,  McKenzie Pass Oregon 1929-Oregon
Three Sisters Mountains,  McKenzie Pass Oregon 1956-Oregon	Scott Lake, Oregon 1951	McKenzie Summit,  Dee Wright Observatory Oregon 1956-Oregon

The beautiful McKenzie River Valley is a 68 mile long corridor stretching between Sisters on the east and Springfield on the west. Renowned for fishing, the McKenzie River supports spring Chinook salmon, winter steelhead and summer steelhead as well as native rainbow, cutthroat and bull trout. The high lakes have been planted with brown and brook trout, making the McKenzie River Valley a sportsman's paradise.

Take the McKenzie River Highway (Ore. 126) for sightseeing along the valley. The first part of the valley has many nut and fruit orchards (mainly filberts, apples and cherries), berries (such as marionberry, blueberry and raspberry), mint farms and Christmas tree farms. The Leaburg Dam, in the middle part of the valley, is a good place to watch salmon and steelhead climbing a fish ladder. The Leaburg Trout Hatchery is at this location. The McKenzie Salmon Hatchery in Leaburg provides tours by appointment only. The historical Leaburg Fish Hatchery is home to the McKenzie River Chamber of Commerce and Information Center.

The middle McKenzie River is a favorite place for fishermen and drift boaters. Since mild whitewater rafting and driftboat fishing are favorite pasttimes here, there are many outfitters and local guides to help visitors experience their own adventures. The Goodpasture Covered Bridge, 165 feet long, is the second longest covered bridge standing in Oregon. Near Vida, it's easy to get to and photograph. A second and equally scenic covered bridge is the Belknap Bridge, located in the community of Rainbow. Ben & Kay Dorris Park, also near Vida, has great picnic areas and fishing holes.

The Aufderheide Memorial Drive, part of the West Cascades National Scenic Byway, has some of the most spectacular scenery in Oregon, including the popular Terwilliger Hot Springs, the Delta Old Growth Nature Trail, the Willamette River Gorge and the Westfir covered bridge. The McKenzie Pass - Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway loop road is one of the most beautiful drives in Oregon. It winds through some of the most recent volcanic flows in the state past many waterfalls, and is home to the Dee Wright Observatory. This CCC project, built mostly out of lava rock in the 1930s, has breath-taking views of Mt. Washington, Mt. Jefferson, the Three Sisters, and, on clear days, Mt. Hood.

A hiker's paradise, the area features such trails as the 26 mile McKenzie River National Recreation Trail, which is also open to bicyclists, goes through many volcanic formations, the half mile loop Delta Old-Growth Nature trail built for exploring the old growth ecosystem, and the Robinson Lake Trail, which leads to a heart-shaped lake with fishing and swimming.

As if the many recreational opportunities weren't enough, the McKenzie River Area also has golfing, the U.S. Basketball Academy in Blue River, fine dining and quality accommodations for travellers. For a truly memorable vacation, visit the McKenzie River Valley area.

Portions of the information on this page Provided by WWWelcome to Oregon

(The Man's Magazine, TRUE August 1964 this is a parade? McKenzie River)

			turbulent tossup is the 26th annual running of the "White Water Parade," a bouncing, daredevil trip down Oregon's McKenzie River.  Some 400 craft of all sorts shoot the rapids of the 20-mile course.  One of the famous local river boats (left) starts confidently with approved stern-first technique.  Boat, below, is using more common sideways, or "no-control," downriver style.
Photographed For TRUE by Don Jones			real rapid runners in survival raft (below) shift hastily when bucking raft spins in white water.  Third crew member unexpectedly fell out of what suddenly became the stern.  Sailors below are swiftly going aground in an airplane inner tube.  Thousands of warm, dry spectators cheered boatmen and inadvertent swimmers in the icy river waters.

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McKenzie River Past and History

Christmas Treasures, Scott's River Run Gallery, Belknap Lodge, McKenzie River Forest Service, Blue River Reservoir, Cougar Reservoir, HooDoo Ski and Lodge Resort, Harbick's Country Store, Holiday Farm Resort, United States Basketball Academy, Tokatee Golf Club, McKenzie River Golf Club

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