Boat Landing · McKenzie River · East of Leaburg
Silver Creek Landing
Where the current picks up and the canyon walls close in — a working put-in with a river-runner’s welcome.
On the water here
confirm ratings locally
KayakPopular put-in
Whitewater raftClass II–III
Drift boatGuide take-out
FishingWild trout water
CanoeExperienced only
PaddleboardMoving water — not idealTwo miles east of Leaburg, a short gravel spur drops off Highway 126 to a concrete ramp where the McKenzie tightens into its first real whitewater of the lower canyon. This is Silver Creek Landing — a working access point more than a destination in itself, and locals like it that way. Drift boat guides use it as a lunch stop and take-out; kayakers use it as the put-in for one of the river’s liveliest short runs; and anglers wade the gravel bar at the ramp’s edge before the current picks up speed downstream.
It isn’t fancy. There’s a ramp, a gravel lot, and the sound of the river doing what it does best. That’s most of the appeal.
More detail
Getting there & parking +
From Leaburg, head east on Highway 126 for about two miles. The landing turnoff is marked with a small BLM sign on the river side of the highway; the gravel access road drops steeply for a couple hundred feet to the lot.
Facilities & accessibility +
- No restrooms on site — nearest public restroom is at Leaburg County Park
- No picnic tables or shade structures
- Ramp is a fixed slope, not ADA-graded verify
- No potable water
This is a bare-bones access point. Pack out what you bring in, and plan a stop in Leaburg for facilities before or after.
River conditions & hazards +
The run below the landing carries the McKenzie’s first sustained whitewater, generally rated Class II–III depending on flow confirm current rating. Boaters should be comfortable reading water and self-rescuing before putting in here. Flows change quickly with upstream releases — check current gauge readings before launching.
Motorized boats: check current regulations for this stretch before running a motor verify.
Nearby landings & float planner +
Most parties use Silver Creek as either a mid-run break or a take-out from Finn Rock — running further downstream from here strings together more of the canyon’s whitewater before easier water resumes.
Fishing at this landing +
Wild redside rainbow trout are the main draw on this stretch, with the gravel bar at the ramp giving bank anglers a rare easy entry point on an otherwise steep-banked run. Regulations on the McKenzie change by stretch and season, so always check the current rules before you fish.
