McKenzie River Trail
McKenzie River Trail
5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
14 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
2
Average
0
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0
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0
Shirley G
Springfield, OR1,773 contributions
Jul 2020
One of my favorite hiking trails because it is close to the river, wide trail and manageable by almost all hiker abilities.
I hiked in July when the wild flowers were in bloom. I suggest going on a week day when the trail is less occupied. Take a lunch, plenty of water and of course your camera.
I have never had a problem parking in a trail head area. However, as always never leave valuables visible in your vehicle.
Check for ticks after your hike and consider bug repellant of some kind.
I hiked in July when the wild flowers were in bloom. I suggest going on a week day when the trail is less occupied. Take a lunch, plenty of water and of course your camera.
I have never had a problem parking in a trail head area. However, as always never leave valuables visible in your vehicle.
Check for ticks after your hike and consider bug repellant of some kind.
Written 14 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doxysmile
Albany, OR38 contributions
Apr 2022
A MUST do Oregon hike!
The trail is well maintained; but warning, in some parts there are several roots growing up through the middle of the trail -toe catchers.
Note, it is a 4.2 mile hike, in & back. There is a slight increase in elevation, yet it felt gradual. Making this hike for me, a moderate hike. Definitely a good one to bring my hiking stick & water.
The trail is well maintained; but warning, in some parts there are several roots growing up through the middle of the trail -toe catchers.
Note, it is a 4.2 mile hike, in & back. There is a slight increase in elevation, yet it felt gradual. Making this hike for me, a moderate hike. Definitely a good one to bring my hiking stick & water.
Written 4 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jimi C
Portland, OR12 contributions
Aug 2019
Beautiful trail. Single track all the way with only one highway crossing. Gnarly lave rocks in mid section but we just walked it; it hurts to fall on that stuff. Bring plenty of water. 26 miles tired me out but loved it.
Written 18 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce M
Central Point, OR79 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
We hiked the 4-mile+ round trip from the trailhead to the blue pool in about one hour and 5 minutes each way. Not bad for age 70 or so with no recent hiking experience. The first third of the trail is nice and easy along the river, the next third starts to get a bit rough and climbs a bit and the last third is definitely rough and climbs over a large basalt formation with lots of twists and turns, rock outcroppings narrow passages and fewer river views. The pool itself is beautiful and well worth the hike but don't expect to cool your feet in the (very cold) water unless you're game for another 40 minutes to hike across and down to the pool. Lots of foot traffic on this popular and well known trail so I was surprised to see a number of trail bikers along the way. Mostly they were walking their bikes because of the rough and narrow trail but one large group of 6-8 was riding fast near the bottom and almost knocked my wife off the trail because she did not hear them coming. Question whether trail bikes should be allowed on this section of the trail because there are so many hikers and the users range from children to seniors.
Written 9 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PAHWestfield
Westfield, IN313 contributions
Aug 2022
Very scenic and long trail. Amazing. River and trees along the trail are superb! Wonderful trail and very worth your time if you are in the area.
Written 1 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chuck M
11 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We stayed at Belknap Hot Springs Lodge, but got Sliders, french fries and onion rings at Obsidian Grill in the McKenzie Market. THEY were 5 stars, as were the hot springs and trails. The Lodge is about a 3 star place. More rundown than rustic.
Written 17 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cyberaamaa
Seattle, WA19 contributions
May 2019
I went for a hike along this trail in various places. It is popular, even mid-week there were many cars at trailheads. The forest is lovely to hike through, and being next to roaring river is magical.
Written 12 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth B
Carmel Valley, CA4 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
This is a beautiful 26 mile stretch of trail that follows the McKenzie River. We hiked some of it with family and did several runs ranging from 3-15 miles. Although the scenery is amazing, the trail is quite technical in places (rocks, roots, lava rock) and we needed all of our attention on the trail itself. For our long run, we drove to the trailhead at the top of Clear Lake and ran South 15 miles. We had family pick us up and drive us back to our car. Be aware that there are only a few places where the trail runs on the same side of the river as the road. Do your research and make sure you have access to a river crossing where you want it. There are also shorter hikes/runs all along the trail that are easily accessible (and therefore, much more crowded).
Written 9 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff L
Ken Caryl200 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
You will the McKenzie River trail on almost all top 10 trails list & this is legit. I recommend this as a bucket list trail for several reasons:
1) Scenery : lakes, waterfalls, the river, old growth forest (endless), lava flows
2) Variety : smooth , duffy sections, steep technical sections, lava flow sections (rolling technical sections), log bridges, climbs, etc.
3) Challenge : Even though this is net downhill, there is very little of the trail that doesn't demand your attention - lots of little chicane turns around trees, little rooty, rocky sections, big drop offs / very steep cross slopes , tight tree chokes, etc. The first 10 miles aren't entirely technical, but when they get technical, it requires big efforts if you want to try cleaning those sections. The flattish downhills require pedaling - so you are pedaling most of the ride- unlike many rides which are pedal the uphill, no pedal the downhill - this takes its toll on your legs over the hours.
4) Point to point - which makes it epic!
5) Put it all together & it is the reason most of us ride - not to be missed.
Be prepared for a big ride. We had 9 in our shuttle. 3 of us made it in about 4.25 hours. As a point of reference, all 3 of us race in the west - not at a high level but are fit. This was considered "fast". We had beer on the porch for over an hour before next next 2 showed up. I left after another 0.5 hours & the rest in the shuttle still had not showed up. The driver of our shuttle said typical ride time ranges from 4 to 7 hours
1) Scenery : lakes, waterfalls, the river, old growth forest (endless), lava flows
2) Variety : smooth , duffy sections, steep technical sections, lava flow sections (rolling technical sections), log bridges, climbs, etc.
3) Challenge : Even though this is net downhill, there is very little of the trail that doesn't demand your attention - lots of little chicane turns around trees, little rooty, rocky sections, big drop offs / very steep cross slopes , tight tree chokes, etc. The first 10 miles aren't entirely technical, but when they get technical, it requires big efforts if you want to try cleaning those sections. The flattish downhills require pedaling - so you are pedaling most of the ride- unlike many rides which are pedal the uphill, no pedal the downhill - this takes its toll on your legs over the hours.
4) Point to point - which makes it epic!
5) Put it all together & it is the reason most of us ride - not to be missed.
Be prepared for a big ride. We had 9 in our shuttle. 3 of us made it in about 4.25 hours. As a point of reference, all 3 of us race in the west - not at a high level but are fit. This was considered "fast". We had beer on the porch for over an hour before next next 2 showed up. I left after another 0.5 hours & the rest in the shuttle still had not showed up. The driver of our shuttle said typical ride time ranges from 4 to 7 hours
Written 17 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PadgettS122
Portland, OR22 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
Great hike to the blue pool with a seasonal waterfall. 4 miles r/t. Dog friendly hike. Slight elevation gain on this out and back hike
Written 23 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Which is the best part to do for a 3-4 mile hike?
Written 2 June 2017
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