The Best Stops on a McKenzie River Road Trip
High in the Cascade Range near Central Oregon, the McKenzie River emerges quietly from the southern reaches of Clear Lake. From there, the sapphire waterway twists and turns for 90 thrilling miles before pouring into the Willamette River just outside the community of Eugene in the Willamette Valley.
Along the way, the river snakes through (and underneath) massive lava flows, briefly transforms into a pair of beloved waterfalls, and is occasionally home to some of the clearest, bluest water in Oregon. As if that weren’t enough, its banks are lined by mammoth Douglas-fir trees that can reach eight feet across, stands of hemlock and alder, and groves of western red cedar.
All that natural beauty makes the McKenzie an exciting outdoor destination, so we’ve put together an itinerary outlining some of the top sites, activities, and stays on (and near) the McKenzie River.
This particular road-trip itinerary follows Highway 126, which runs between Eugene and the Cascade Range while mostly following the McKenzie River. In the Cascades, Highway 126 connects with Highway 20, which heads east toward the charming, Old West-inspired community of Sisters. Without stopping, the drive between Eugene and Sisters (which bookend this route) takes a little more than two hours; if you’d like to turn your road trip into a weekend adventure, we’ve highlighted a few overnight stays in both communities, as well as lodges and cabins along the McKenzie River.
Whether you’re heading east from Eugene or are driving toward the Willamette Valley from the likes of Bend and Sisters in Central Oregon, here are some of the top stops along the majestic McKenzie River.
Photo by Matt Cook
Clear Lake
Photo provided by Visit Central Oregon
The McKenzie River emerges from Clear Lake, making the appropriately named reservoir an iconic site in the Cascades near Central Oregon. If you only have a few hours, consider renting a rowboat or kayak from an on-site marina—or hiking the 5.3-mile Clear Lake Loop Trail as it circles the strikingly turquoise pool.
Sahalie and Koosah Falls
Less than one mile south of where the McKenzie trickles out of Clear Lake, Sahalie and Koosah Falls are a pair of towering waterfalls that showcase the river’s might and muscle.
A few steps from the parking lot, Sahalie Falls plunges roughly 100 feet over a basalt lava shelf and is on full display from a wheelchair-accessible viewpoint. Just down a short hiking trail, the 70-foot Koosah Falls is surrounded by towering stands of Douglas-fir and can be admired from a wide-open viewing platform. For a slightly longer outing, the Waterfalls Loop Hike pairs those views with an easy hike through the old-growth forest. Visit in spring to see the falls at their thundering peak, or arrive in autumn for colorful pops of fall foliage along the trail.
Photo by Matt Cook
Tamolitch (Blue Pool)
Photo by Matt Cook
South of Sahalie and Koosah Falls, the McKenzie River turns quiet at Tamolitch Falls—also known as Blue Pool. There, the McKenzie River emerges from an underground spring that was created more than 1,500 years ago by a nearby lava flow; the turquoise-colored pool is a remarkable sight in all seasons, but it’s never more dramatic than in late winter and spring, when Tamolitch Falls tumbles over a lava bed and into Blue Pool. See it from along the 4.2-mile Tamolitch Falls (Blue Pool) Hike, which heads through a towering old-growth forest and across lava flows.
Mountain Biking Trails
A number of technical mountain bike trails crisscross the Cascades around the McKenzie River, challenging riders with serious elevation gain that pays off with sweeping peak views and well-maintained singletrack. Get acquainted with the region along the 10.4-mile Olallie Trail, where mountain views can be admired in the distance, or the 20-mile O’Leary Trail Loop—which heads through meadows covered in springtime wildflowers and forests of massive Douglas-fir. Check out our guide to outdoor recreation along the McKenzie River for other fun ideas.
McKenzie River National Recreation Trail
One trail, two epic outdoor adventures: The McKenzie River National Recreation Trail runs 26.5 miles through verdant forests, heads across rugged lava flows, passes some of the region’s top sites, and largely hugs its namesake waterway. See as much as you’d like—and as much as your schedule allows—by hiking the gently sloping trail or enjoying a fast, flowy mountain bike ride. (Outfitters like Horse Creek Lodge will help with bike rentals and shuttles.) Several trailheads make it easy to pick and choose outings of any length, numerous campgrounds line the path, and new views await around every curve in the trail.
Belknap Hot Springs
After a day of paddling around Clear Lake or hiking the McKenzie River, unwind with a nourishing soak at the historic Belknap Hot Springs. The developed resort hosts two mineral-rich hot spring pools that sit surrounded by colorful gardens, lush forests, and the McKenzie River. One pool is available for day use, while overnight guests enjoy longer hours and access to both pools. For more soaking inspiration, learn about hot springs in the Willamette Valley.
Photo by Matt Cook
McKenzie Highway and the Dee Wright Observatory
Photo provided by Visit Central
Just southwest of Belknap Hot Springs is a turnoff for Oregon Route 242—better known as the McKenzie Highway. If you're visiting between mid-June and October, when the highway is open and the road is clear of snow, consider a detour as the road winds through a peaceful forest of fir and cedar, heads past waterfalls, and ascends into the heart of the Cascade Range. There, the McKenzie Highway courses through several miles of otherworldly lava flows before descending into Sisters in Central Oregon.
Near the summit of the highway, make time for a stop at the Dee Wright Observatory. The observatory was constructed from lava rock in 1935 and today affords views of far-off forests, rugged lava flows, and more than a dozen Cascade peaks in every direction. You can walk to the top of the observatory, where a peak finder helps you identify the mountains before you, or follow a wheelchair-accessible paved path that explains the natural history of this dramatic region.
Overnight Stays Along the McKenzie River
We’ve mentioned a few overnight stays so far, but we'd be remiss if we didn’t shout out a few more favorites along (and around) Highway 126.
Whether you’re starting or ending in the Willamette Valley, a number of hotels showcase the fun and creative spirit of Eugene. The Graduate Eugene pays tribute to the hometown University of Oregon Ducks with locally inspired artwork and artifacts, while the well-appointed Inn at the 5th offers a luxurious experience in the heart of the action (and next door to the 5th Street Public Market).
A number of overnight stays line the McKenzie River, as well. The chic Loloma Lodge has been welcoming guests since the 1930s, and the McKenzie Riverside Cottages hosts rooms and cabins on the shores of the majestic river. Nearby, Belknap Hot Springs offers access to both of its on-site pools for overnight guests staying in its lodge rooms, cabins, RV sites, or tent sites.
If one day isn’t enough to see all there is to love about Clear Lake, pitch a tent or park your self-contained RV at the Cold Water Cove Campground on Clear Lake’s eastern shore. Nearly two-dozen cabins and a trio of vinyl-sided yurts are also available at the long-running Clear Lake Resort.
Photo by Cody Rheault
High in the Cascades, meanwhile, choose among a variety of lodgings to fit your style and budget. Near the intersection of Highways 20 and 126, Suttle Lodge hosts a mix of cabins and lavish lodge rooms on the shore of Suttle Lake. Further east, the long-running Black Butte Ranch pairs its uniquely decorated vacation homes and rentals with two on-site golf courses, horseback rides, and Cascade mountain views. In Sisters proper, the romantic FivePine Lodge hosts opulent lodge rooms and elegant cabins—both of which make idyllic places to relax after a session at the on-site spa. Closer to Redmond, where the ponderosa pine forests around Sisters transition to open high desert, Eagle Crest Resort hosts overnight options for groups of all sizes, as well as plenty of opportunities for rest and relaxation.
