Boat Landing · McKenzie River · At the Goodpasture Covered Bridge, near Vida
Goodpasture Boat Landing
A paved ramp under the shadow of Oregon’s second-longest covered bridge, where the canyon’s whitewater eases toward Leaburg Reservoir.
On the water here
confirm ratings locally
Kayakpopular put-in/take-out for the canyon run above
Whitewater raftClass II-III
Drift boatclassic guide stop
Fishingbank and boat access both
Canoecurrent above the landing runs quick
Paddleboardbest downstream toward the reservoirJust off Highway 126 near Vida, this paved ramp sits close enough to the Goodpasture Covered Bridge that you can watch drift boats slide past its Howe-truss silhouette while you rig up. Built in 1938 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Goodpasture is the second-longest covered bridge in Oregon and one of the most photographed in the state — a scenic bonus most boat landings can’t claim. The landing also marks a meaningful line on the river: it’s reported as the upstream boundary past which motorized boats aren’t allowed on the mainstem verify, so everything above here stays paddle- and oar-powered.
Between the bridge overhead and the canyon water just upstream, it’s a popular put-in for kayakers and a working take-out for drift boat guides finishing a morning float.
More detail
Getting there & parking +
From Highway 126 near milepost 25.3, follow signs to the Goodpasture Covered Bridge and Goodpasture Road; the landing sits at the river’s edge just below the bridge, with paved parking on site.
Facilities & accessibility +
- Boat ramp
- Vault restroom
- Paved trailer parking
No fee and no fuss — just a ramp, a restroom, and one of the best backdrops on the river.
River conditions & hazards +
The water above Goodpasture still carries the upper canyon’s character — cold, fast, and studded with boulders — so paddlers coming from upstream should already be comfortable with Class II water. Below the landing the river begins to settle as it nears Leaburg Reservoir, but expect the usual snowmelt chill and changeable flows after storms.
Nearby landings & float planner +
This is the last stop before the river backs up behind Leaburg Dam, so it’s a natural place to end a paddle or start one.
Fishing at this landing +
Both bank and boat anglers work this stretch for trout, salmon, and steelhead, with easy highway access making it one of the more convenient spots on the upper river.
