Boat Landing · McKenzie River · At EWEB’s Leaburg Dam, near Leaburg
Leaburg Dam Pole Slide
Not a boat ramp so much as its rustic cousin — a hand-launch slide on the bank below a working hydroelectric dam.
On the water here
confirm ratings locally
Kayakdocumented put-in for the gentle run below the dam verify
Whitewater raftClass I-II
Drift boatnot built for trailered boats
Fishingnear hatchery water and the dam tailrace
Canoehand-carry only
Paddleboarddam structures and very cold water nearby verifyNone posted — likely matches Lane County’s no-fee ‘Leaburg Boat Dam Slide’ listing.
This one needs an asterisk. The ‘Pole Slide’ isn’t a boat ramp in the usual McKenzie sense — it’s an access point on the downstream, river-left side of Leaburg Dam, EWEB’s 1928 hydroelectric structure verify, where a slide (rather than a poured ramp) lets small craft down the bank to the water. American Whitewater lists it as the put-in for the gentle, roughly 24-mile Leaburg Dam-to-Hayden Bridge run, so it is genuinely used by kayakers and small rafts — but it isn’t built for a trailer, and it isn’t the place to back a drift boat down. Best treated as a hand-launch and a point of local interest at a working dam, not a full-service landing.
The dam itself is worth a look regardless — 1920s power-plant architecture, a fish ladder, and the head of the Leaburg Canal all in one spot — even if you’re not putting a boat in the water.
More detail
Getting there & parking +
From Highway 126 near milepost 23.8, watch for the Leaburg Dam facility on the river side of the highway; the access is on the downstream, river-left side of the dam structure, reached from a small pullout area verify.
Facilities & accessibility +
- Hand-launch slide
- Roadside pullout parking verify
Don’t expect restrooms or a maintained ramp here — this is a bare-bones access point beside industrial dam infrastructure.
River conditions & hazards +
This is a working hydroelectric facility, and the usual dam cautions apply: stay well clear of intake structures, spillways, and any posted safety zones, and never launch or linger immediately upstream of the dam face. The water here runs exceptionally cold year-round verify, even by McKenzie standards, and flows can change quickly when EWEB adjusts dam operations. This is not the spot for a first-timer, or for anyone still finding their balance on the water.
Conditions here can change with a single storm or a fallen tree — check these live sources before you head out:
Live conditions & recent trip reports — American Whitewater →
Nearby landings & float planner +
Most boaters treat this as a place to start or end a trip on the calmer water below the dam, not as a destination of its own.
Fishing at this landing +
The dam’s tailrace and nearby hatchery water draw anglers after salmon and steelhead, and ODFW tracks fish counts at Leaburg Dam as part of its run monitoring.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions +
Is there a fee to park or launch at Leaburg Dam Pole Slide?
No pass needed
None posted — likely matches Lane County’s no-fee ‘Leaburg Boat Dam Slide’ listing.
Are dogs allowed?
Not specifically confirmed for this landing. Oregon state parks and USFS/county sites along the McKenzie generally expect dogs on a leash — check on arrival. verify
Is there camping nearby?
See Nearby landings & float planner above for what’s up- and downstream. We’re building out dedicated campground listings for the McKenzie River separately — check back soon for direct links from here.
Is Leaburg Dam Pole Slide accessible, or good for beginners and families?
Accessibility hasn’t been specifically confirmed here — see Facilities & accessibility above for what we know, and call ahead if accessible parking or a firm path to the water matters for your trip. verify
When’s the best time to visit?
Late spring through fall (roughly May–October) sees the most boating traffic here; conditions are generally mild but can still shift with seasonal flow. verify
Fees, hours, and pass requirements shown here are accurate as of August 2026 and subject to change — verify current pricing before your trip.
