McKenzie River Trail Backpacking Guide

Quick Facts

• Distance: 27 miles (one way)
• Days Needed: 2-4 days, varies
• Type: Shuttle or out-and-back
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,750 ft
• Best Travel Time: Spring-Fall (Mid-April through November, depending on weather)
• Permits: You’ll need a Northwest Forest, local, or Interagency Pass to park at trailheads in the Willamette National Forest. There are also day-use fees in some of the campgrounds along the route.
• Difficulty: Easy

Highlights

• Crystal-clear blue lakes, springs, waterfalls, and rivers
• Dramatic lava beds
• Quiet old-growth forest
• Impressive log bridges
• Easy hiking/plenty of water sources
• Lots of entry/exit points
• Campground amenities (fire pits, pit toilets, showers, boat ramps, etc.)
• Hot springs resort on route
• Well-maintained trails with excellent signage

Lowlights

• Limited primitive camping opportunities
• At popular times, you’ll have to share the trail with mountain bikers
• Blue Pool and waterfall viewpoints can be crowded
• Campgrounds can be busy and costly
• Belknap Hot Springs is developed (check prices for a soak and campsite)
• A shuttle or hitchhiking is necessary unless you hike out and back

Best Time to Travel

The McKenzie River Trail (MRT) has a long hiking window due to its low elevation. That means you can backpack it anytime from mid-April through the fall in most normal snow years. Snow can linger through April at the upper end of the trail, but a bit of residual snow isn’t much of an issue since the trail is so well defined. For the best experience, we recommend hitting the trail mid-spring (catch the rhododendrons in peak bloom May-July) or in the fall when you’ll have more solitude (pressure from rafters, mountain bikers, and tourists decreases). In the shoulder seasons, you’ll also have agreeable temperatures for a luxurious hot spring dip. During the summer months the campgrounds will be open so you’ll have to pay more fees. Waterfall viewpoints will also be more crowded, but the old-growth forests and waterfront havens are still a great refuge from the heat.

Difficulty

• Total Distance: 27 miles
• Total Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,750 ft.
• Overall Difficulty: Easy

Difficulty depends on your experience, physical fitness, pack weight, & weather conditions. We would categorize this hike as easy since the trail is well maintained with good signage, the path is well worn, and there are only a few small climbs and descents along the way. It’s a great fit for beginners and families, but it’s also an excellent hike for intermediate to experienced backpackers looking for a short trip that’s not too physically demanding. As always, the heavier your backpack is, the harder your hike will be. So do yourself a favor and pack light.

Permits

No permits are needed to hike the McKenzie River Trail, but make sure you have a Northwest Forest Pass or equivalent to park your car without issue.

Getting There

The McKenzie River Trail is essentially between the populated areas of Sisters/Bend and Springfield/Eugene, Oregon…which means there are LOTS of awesome dining/brewery options pre and post-hike. The drive to the Trailhead is straightforward and scenic, especially if you take the backroads. There are many places to enter and exit the McKenzie River Trail since Highway 126 loosely follows the entire path. If you want to do all 27 miles, we recommend starting at the Upper McKenzie River Trail Trailhead.

• The drive from Portland takes about 2.5 hours. Take I-5 down to Salem, then take Highway 22 East. At Santiam Junction, hop on OR-20 W/ 126 S McKenzie Highway and turn left at NF-2627 to find the Upper McKenzie River Trailhead at the end of the road.
• Start at the Trail Bridge Campground and head south for a shorter, more leisurely trip. The lower half of the MRT has more great riverside campsites, and the best old-growth forest scenery is there. If you choose this shorter route, make sure to drive up and check out Sahalie and Koosah Falls on your way out.

Shuttle Services

• Horse Creek Lodge & Outfitters
• Cog Wild
• McKenzie River Resort

Maps & Guidebooks

We recommend downloading the Gaia phone app. and downloading the area map that encompasses the Mckenzie River Trail. You can also print or buy maps through the following links:

• Forest Service Topography Maps
• Discover Your Northwest: Green Trails Map #620
• USFS McKenzie River National Recreation Trail #3507
  

Regulations

We are always diligent about Leaving No Trace when outdoors to protect ourselves, others, wildlife, and the environment. That said, there are a few hard-set rules for camping in this part of the Willamette National Forest. For a section along the lower McKenzie River Trail, camping is restricted to developed campgrounds, and campfires should be contained to established fire rings when burning is allowed. For more information about the management of this wilderness, call or visit the McKenzie River Ranger Station, or visit the Willamette National Forest trail information page for conditions, closures, and restrictions.

Water

There are plenty of water sources along the McKenzie River Trail, including the river, springs, and lakes, so you can fill your water bottle as you go and keep your backpack lightweight. All campsites have water sources nearby, so carrying 1-2 liters of water at a time is all you’ll need. There is a three-mile section between Carmen Reservoir and Tamolitch Falls (Blue Pool), where the river disappears underground for much of the year. We recommend topping up your water before you traverse that section since harvesting water from the beaver marsh isn’t very appealing.

Caution: The McKenzie River is turbulent and dangerously cold. Use caution if you choose to cool off in the water, even during the summer months.

Food Storage

Bear canisters aren’t required on the McKenzie River Trail, but it’s always a good idea to store your food properly for peace of mind. We used an Ursack to keep rodents from getting their paws on our goods at night.

Belknap Hot Spring Resort

Belknap Hot Springs Resort is a great way to end (or begin) your McKenzie River Trail backpacking trip. The naturally heated mineral hot spring water is piped into two pools. If you tent camp ($40 a night for two guests), you can soak from 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Walk-in pool guest hours are 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ($10 for an hour pass). There are other hot springs off of the McKenzie Highway, and this one is a classic.

Good things to pack if you plan to visit the hot springs:

• Small, packable towel (towels are also available for rent at the front desk)
• Ultralight camp shoes (for the showers/changing rooms)
• Swimsuit or an extra pair of underwear/bra to wear in the pool
• Small dry bag or sealable plastic bag (for wet clothes)
• Hair tie (sleeping with wet hair will make you cold)

For more info on what to bring on your next trip, check out our Ultimate Backpacking Checklist.

McKenzie River Trail Photo Gallery

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Boaters, anglers, hikers and mountain bikers all enjoy exploring the McKenzie River. – photo credit: heather eldridge (cleverhiker.com)

The Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 is comfortable, lightweight, & has the perfect capacity for fast & light trips. – photo credit: heather eldridge (cleverhiker.com)

trilliam and oregon grape blanket the shady forest floors along the trail. – photo credit: heather eldridge (cleverhiker.com)

You’ll visit three iconic Oregon waterfalls on this trail. – photo credit: heather eldridge (cleverhiker.com)

Not a bad idea to bring an umbrella on the this hike. – photo credit: heather eldridge (cleverhiker.com)

Big shout out to the trail crews of the Willamette National Forest. These bridges were incredible backcountry designs. – photo credit: heather eldridge (cleverhiker.com)