McKenzie River Rafting, McKenzie river whitewater, Rafting adventures near Eugene & Bend Oregon with High Country Expeditions. Oregon's McKenzie river rafting trips from Belknap Hot Springs Oregon

Rivers > Upper McKenzie River

The McKenzie River is one of the treasures of the Pacific Northwest. This Oregon gem is a classic alpine river high in the Cascade Range, with its headwaters located at Clear Lake. Cascading through a canyon blanketed in Douglas fir and old growth forest, this river is a crystal clear jewel with an abundance of dancing rapids. Its rich history and spectacular scenery make it one of the finest all-around rivers in Oregon. From picturesque waterfalls to stunning views of snow-capped mountains, this river is a fly-fishing and whitewater river rafting enthusiast’s paradise.

High Country Expeditions offers rafting trip excursions on the majority of the McKenzie River. McKenzie river rafting trips are offered within 50 minutes from Eugene & Bend Oregon

To better suit our clients needs we have broken the river down into two main rafting sections: the upper portion, which begins at Olallie campground and ends at Blue River boat ramp, and the lower potion, which begins at Blue River boat ramp and ends at Thompson Lane.

Our McKenzie River Rafting trips begin at the 2 highest possible access points. These are the only launches located in the protected and designated "wild & scenic" raft-able section of the McKenzie River. This area located below Olallie and Frissell boat launch are by far the most pristine, beautiful and exciting portions of the river. When booking your rafting trips, ask if you will be experiencing the sections above Paradise campground.

We guarantee that our McKenzie river rafting adventures are the finest and most complete from an outfitting and enjoyment perspective, as well as one of the lowest priced. The reason High Country can offer such great deals on our McKenzie River Whitewater rafting and scenic river trips, is that we are based here, and this is our "back yard". With this advantage we are able to greatly cut our travel expenses and pass that saving directly on to you, our guest.

1/2 Day McKenzie River Whitewater Rafting
The half day McKenzie rafting trip is our most popular. It is perfect for small and large groups, kids and veteran river folk alike. We offer two launch times to choose from daily. Morning and Afternoon trips meet at 9:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. in front of our McKenzie River office located at Belknap Resort and Hot Springs. (**Belknap guests receive a discount on all 1/2 day rafting trips.) In the fall, we offer trips meeting at noon to take advantage of the warmest part of the day. After the initial paper work and introductions have taken place, we pile into our vans and head up to the boat launch. Having our office at Belknap Resort gives you the advantage and increased security of leaving your car here rather than on the side of the road at the boat launch or at a campground. We provide everyone with all necessary paddling gear once we reach the boat launch. This includes paddle jackets (a nylon top with neoprene wrists and neck cuffs), splash pants (made from urethane coated nylon) and booties. These items are provided on cooler days or by request and free of charge. After a thorough safety and equipment orientation, we launch and begin our adventure. This is usually about 30 to 45 miutes. from the time we meet.
We work as a team on the river and maneuver our way through fun continuous rapids, old growth forest and engage in fun water activities (water fighting, river games and always a fun and engaging experience with your guides) while observing Osprey and Blue Herons fishing. The river is crystal clear the entire way, full of history and is a diverse river eco-system. All of our guides are well versed in the river history, flora and fauna. Most of High Country’s guides are local to the rivers they guide!

The trips are approximately 10 to 14 river miles long depending on water levels. You are always guaranteed approximately 2 1/2 hours on the river. At the end of the trip, we load the gear onto our trailers and take you back to Belknap Resort and Hot Springs. At Belknap you can soak in the relaxing 100+ degree hot springs pool, walk beautiful and lavish flower garden trails and browse our store for souvenirs, including maps, books, shirts, hats and much more.

Base half-day rates $60.00 Adults / $45.00 Kids

Discounts available for groups, corporate outings and other special occasions. Please call to get more details, or check out the specials page.

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Full Day McKenzie River Whitewater Rafting
Trips meet at 9:45 AM in front of our McKenzie River office, located at Belknap Resort and Hot Springs, unless special arrangments have been made to be picked up or to meet at the boat launch. After the initial paperwork and introductions have taken place, we pile into our vans and head up to the boat launch. Having our office at Belknap Resort gives you the advantage and increased security of leaving your car here rather than on the side of the road at the boat launch or at a campground. Once we reach the boat launch, we provide everyone with all necessary paddling gear. This includes splash tops (a nylon top with neoprene wrists and neck cuffs), splash bottoms and booties. These are provided on cooler days or by request and free of charge. After a thorough safety and equipment orientation, we launch and begin our adventure. This is usually about 30 to 45 minutes from the time we meet.

We work as a team on the river and maneuver our way through fun continuous rapids, passing through old growth forest and engage in fun water activities (water fighting, river games and always a fun and engaging experience with your guides) while observing Osprey and Blue Herons fishing. The river is crystal clear, full of history and has a diverse river eco-system. All of our guides are well versed in the river history, flora and fauna. Most of High Country’s guides are local to the rivers they guide! On our full day rafting trips we offer a wonderful and hearty lunch, served and prepared by your guides right on the riverbank. High Country Expeditions prides itself with serving the best and most scrumptious lunches. Some of our guides are well trained gourmet chefs. Our lunches are always available to be customized to your needs. We can accomodate you needs whether you are vegetarian, vegan or on a low carb. diet, just let us know ahead of time. After lunch (approximately 1 hour) we get back on the river and immediately engage in some great and thrilling class III rapids. Just before the take out we encounter “Redsides.” This is a fun and well known rapid by kayaker's. It consists of a class III set of waves. After going through the rapid your guide will give you the option to go back into the rapid and attempt to “Surf the Wave” (one of the highlights on the full day, river and crew conditions permitting.)

The trips are approximately 18 to 22 river miles long depending on water levels. You will get off the river sometime between 3:45 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. After the trip we load the gear onto our trailers and take you back to Belknap Resort and Hot Springs. At Belknap you can soak in their wonderful and relaxing 100+ degree Hot Springs Pool, walk beautiful and lavish flower garden trails and browse our store for souvenirs, including maps, books, shirts, hats and much more.

Full-day trips include a delicious 3 course riverside lunch served by your guide.

Base full-day rates $90.00 Adults / $73.00 Kids

Discounts available for groups, corporate outings and other special occasions- please call to get more details.

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Two Day Overnight McKenzie River Whitewater Rafting
Our two day overnight rafting trips allow you to see the upper and lower sections of the river with a relaxing overnight camp-out in between the two. The first day is much like our regular full-day rafting trip. But, when you get off the river, we head to one of our beautiful campsites where all you need to do is show up and enjoy the evening. All of your gear will be awaiting your arrival, and tents and camp will be fully assembled when you arrive. We customize each trip for individual needs and desires. This means you can choose a traditional campsite, or one of our more luxurious campsites at Belknap Lodge and Hotsprings, complete with showers, indoor restroom facilities and 102 degree hotspring pools. Once you arrive at camp, sit around the fire and relax, read a book, fly-fish, go for a nature walk or play cards while your guides prepare you a gourmet dinner. The next day, awake to hot tea or coffee and a hearty breakfast. After enjoying your morning meal, we will start a new adventure on the lower section of the river for another day of beautiful scenery and exciting rapids. Don't worry about packing up your tents or breaking down camp, your guides will do this for you.

One of the great things about these overnight trips is that you don't have to worry about not having your tent or sleeping gear with you because we can provide all of these things for you. We supply tents, sleeping bags (there is $15 per bag cleaning / sanitizing fee), sleeping pads, chairs, hand-washing station and all the kitchen accessories you will need for a first rate overnight trip. Just let us know when booking your trip what you will need.

At the end of the second day, we can either take you back up river to our office at Belknap Lodge so you can soak in the hotsprings and see pictures from your trip, or we can have your car waiting for you right at the take-out. The choice is yours. We are also willing to customize overnight trips to fit your schedule and needs, so call us today with your ideas!

Base 2-Day w/Overnight rates $280.00 Adults / $250.00 Kids

Discounts available for groups, corporate outings and other special occasions- please call to get more details, or check out the specials page.

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