McKenzie River

Where to Eat

Dining options along the highway corridor are often seasonal and spread out. It is best to plan ahead, but you can rely on Blue Sky Market (Rainbow) and McKenzie General Store (McKenzie Bridge) to fuel up on provisions. There are delicious sit-down meal options at the Obsidian Grill at McKenzie General Store (and sometimes evening entertainment) and at family-friendly Takoda's in Rainbow. Smaller roadside cafes and food trucks may be open in the summer.

McKenzie River Events

The McKenzie River communities host some very special events every spring and summer. The Wooden Boat Festival takes place in the spring at Eagle Rock Lodge on the banks of the McKenzie River. The festival also includes the Wooden Drift Boat Parade on the "wild and scenic" designated river. 

In the summer, smell the sweet scents of the Lavender Festival at the McKenzie River Lavender farm. The region is also host to the McKenzie River Solstice Arts Festival where wood carvers create intricate masterpieces using chainsaws. In the winter, the scenic covered bridges glow with holiday light displays.

McKenzie River Lodging & Campgrounds

About McKenzie River

The famous Wild & Scenic McKenzie River is named for Scottish explorer Donald Mackenzie who enthusiastically traversed this watershed in the early 1800s. The Oregon Trail brought settlers to the region starting in 1843. Gold was found, but lumber and livestock later became the primary industries. 

In the 1870s the McKenzie River's hot springs and fishing lodges started to draw tourists, and this increased when the road was paved in the 1900s. Cruising the scenic routes became a popular pastime, and in the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps built the Dee Wright Observatory along a former 1860 wagon route over the lava beds (Hwy 242).

McKenzie River Drift Boat

This highly maneuverable boat was crafted specifically for navigating the McKenzie River in the 20s. For an authentic Northwest boating experience, several river guides offer fishing excursions using the McKenzie River drift boat.