McKenzie River Trail
Willamette Valley, OR
Description
The McKenzie River Trail is a quintessential ride in the Willamette Valley, offering stunning views as it follows the river for most of its length. However, it’s important to note that the trail may not be the best option for adaptive riders. During my recent ride, I tackled the lower fifth of the trail. While much of it is rideable, there are two hard stops along our route—narrow bridges—and I required significant assistance along the way.
If you're an adaptive rider planning to visit the McKenzie River area, I suggest camping at the Paradise Campground and riding the final three miles of the trail from there. While you might need some help navigating this section, it won’t be too much and you can make it into a six-mile loop by returning on the road. Once you're done, take a break and cool off in the water! The campground features an accessible boat ramp, perfect for a relaxing dip or float.
The area also offers plenty of other water activities, with numerous lakes ideal for paddling. Plus, an exciting new development is on the horizon: a fully accessible ADA pathway to the Blue Pool is in the works, making this beautiful spot even more accessible for all!
For those looking for more riding options, I highly recommend exploring the Old Santiam Wagon Road and King Castle. Stay tuned for upcoming blogs and videos that will cover these rides in more detail!
Staging
If you are riding from the campground then you just stage straight from your campsite.
Route
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