Boat Landing · McKenzie River · At the Community of McKenzie Bridge
McKenzie Bridge Campground
A riverfront Forest Service campground right at the edge of town, with its own boat launch and easy trail access to the water.
On the water here
confirm ratings locally
KayakBoat launch on site; suits hand-carry paddlers more than trailered kayaks
Whitewater raftClass II-III (typical of this reach of the upper McKenzie)
Drift boatBoat launch present, though scaled to a campground rather than a dedicated trailered ramp verify
FishingCatch-and-release trout and steelhead water right from camp
CanoeDepends on current conditions; check flow before launching
PaddleboardCalmer margins near the launch, but current picks up quicklyMcKenzie Bridge Campground sits less than a mile west of the small community of McKenzie Bridge, making it one of the most conveniently placed access points on the upper river. It’s a modest, 20-site Forest Service campground with gravel parking and a boat launch built into the riverfront — small in scale, but genuinely functional, with anglers, kayakers, and canoeists using it as a put-in for local stretches of water.
It also marks the start of the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail’s 26-mile run downstream, so it pulls double duty as both a river-access point and a trailhead.
More detail
Getting there & parking +
From the community of McKenzie Bridge, head west on Highway 126 for less than a mile. The campground entrance is signed on the north side of the highway; the boat launch and riverfront sites sit toward the back of camp near the water.
Facilities & accessibility +
- Vault toilets
- Drinking water
- Picnic tables
- Fire rings
- Boat launch (riverfront)
A compact but complete campground, with the boat launch built right into the riverfront sites rather than set apart in its own lot.
River conditions & hazards +
This reach of the McKenzie carries the typical character of the upper river — cold, fast-moving water with the potential for wood hazards (sweepers and strainers) that can shift with the season. Paddlers launching here should have a plan for the water downstream and check current conditions before committing, especially at higher flows.
Nearby landings & float planner +
Sitting right at the edge of town, this is one of the easiest upper-river access points to reach without a long forest-road drive.
Fishing at this landing +
The campground is promoted for catch-and-release trout and steelhead fishing, with the river’s National Recreation Trail providing extra bank access both upstream and down.
