Destination of the Week: Eugene, Cascades & Coast
This week, Daily Travel Source is spotlighting Oregon’s gorgeous Eugene, Cascades & Coast. Daily Travel Source caught up with Connor Nolan, Destination Development Manager, Travel Lane County, to dive into what makes this area an amazing outdoor escape for families and couples!
It's very exciting to hear about Aufderheide Drive being designated Oregon's 18th Scenic Bikeway! For those not familiar with this stretch, can you tell us about this milestone and what makes this such an amazing area to cycle?
Thank you! And yes, Oregon's Scenic Bikeway program markets and promotes the best cycling routes our state has to offer — rides that immerse cyclists in scenic landscapes and outdoor, natural beauty that is unique to Oregon.
The Aufderheide Drive is loaded with spectacular views of mountains, lakes, waterfalls, creeks, and rivers. As a historic Willamette Forest Service road, riders will find old-growth forests, mountain meadows, and abundant wildlife. The Aufderheide has over five campgrounds and more than 25 trailheads along its 60-mile stretch, giving users an endless array of places to explore!
Being recognized as a scenic bikeway is important to us because the process has been a decade in the making! To be awarded this designation, we were required to garner letters of support from local governing bodies, in addition to forming a local proponent group — a collection of local hospitality businesses, cyclists, land jurisdictions, and recreation tourism professionals. This proponent group is responsible for promoting, marketing, monitoring, and improving the bikeway's infrastructure — ensuring riders get the best cycling experience possible for years to come!
For families looking for a new place to visit this summer, why should visiting Oregon's McKenzie River be on their travel wish list?
Scenic beauty and outdoor recreation are core to Oregon’s identity, and the McKenzie River is one of its recreational gems — offering world-class white-water rafting, fishing and waterfall hikes for guests to enjoy.
There's really a little something for everyone — the highway along the McKenzie River is great for a casual scenic drive if you're wanting to cruise. For those a bit more adventurous, but less so in water recreation — check out the McKenzie River Trail (MRT) off the banks of the river for outstanding hiking, trail running and mountain biking.
What are some events happening along the McKenzie River this summer that we can look forward to?
Summer is always a fantastic time to enjoy the McKenzie River, and we have great events in store! One I'll highlight is the annual McKenzie River Lavender Bloom — a festival that celebrates the beauty and aroma of lavender in full bloom along the banks of the McKenzie River. Guests are surrounded by fields of lavender, which they can u-pick their own lavender bouquet for a small fee to take home and start their own lavender patch!
Do you have a favorite outdoor location in the area that you would recommend travelers visit?
A few miles along the Aufderheide you'll find the Terwilliger Hot Springs — a short hike to six natural pools in a gorgeous waterfall set under shady trees. It's such a nice way to appreciate the outdoors — by taking a dip into nature's warm waters!
For the foodies, are there any festivals and/or new local restaurants that we should add to our bucket lists?
Foodies should check out the Obsidian Grill at the McKenzie General Store — located a few miles east off the Aufderheide in the community of McKenzie Bridge.
They serve a variety of Pacific Northwest favorites with a focus on fresh organic local meats and produce. They also have a full bar, and a wonderful outdoor patio with live music from time to time — a perfect spot to cap off your day of outdoor fun!
