Boat Landing · McKenzie River · Lower McKenzie River · east of Springfield
Hendrick’s Bridge Wayside Park
A shaded, 20-acre county park built around the site of a vanished cable ferry, now one of the lower river’s easiest and most complete put-ins.
On the water here
confirm ratings locally
Kayakcalm, wide current suits touring and rec kayaks
Whitewater raftFlatwater — no rapids, easy multi-hour float
Drift boatcommon put-in for guided trout and salmon floats down to Hayden Bridge
FishingODFW-listed access for trout, salmon and steelhead
Canoewide ramp, gentle current, room to launch multiple boats
Paddleboardflat water and a sandy swim beach right at the rampEast of Springfield, Highway 126 slides past a 20-acre county park built on the site of the old Hendricks Ferry, a cable crossing that hauled wagons and horses across the McKenzie for decades before a covered bridge made it obsolete in 1908 verify. Today the park is one of the most complete access points on the river: a real boat ramp, a shaded picnic loop, a sandy swim beach, and enough parking that it rarely feels crowded even on a summer weekend.
It’s a launch built for lingering — pack a lunch, not just a boat.
More detail
Getting there & parking +
From downtown Springfield, follow Highway 126 (McKenzie Highway) east toward Vida and Leaburg for about 8 miles verify; watch for signage directing you onto Hendricks Park Road, which drops directly into the park and ramp.
Facilities & accessibility +
- Boat ramp
- ADA-accessible restrooms
- Reservable day-use shelter (50 people, 5 tables, grill)
- Sandy swimming area
- Volleyball court
- Scenic interpretive loop trail through mixed forest
At 20 acres this is one of the larger, more built-out stops on the lower river — as much a picnic and swim destination as a launch point.
River conditions & hazards +
This stretch of the McKenzie is flat and forgiving compared to the canyon water upstream — there are no rapids to speak of here — but the current is still real. Swimmers should stay close to the marked beach area, and boaters should watch for submerged logs and debris that collect after high water, especially in spring runoff. Weekend traffic at the ramp can get busy with drift boats staging for guided trips, so give trailers room to back down.
Nearby landings & float planner +
Most guided trout and salmon floats on this reach start here and finish at Hayden Bridge, a half-day’s paddle downstream.
Fishing at this landing +
Hendrick’s Bridge is a listed Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife access point for trout, spring Chinook salmon, and steelhead, and it doubles as a put-in for guided drift-boat fishing trips heading toward Hayden Bridge.
