Helfrich McKenzie Rafting

Fall handiwork 🎃

I carved this pumpkin back in 2024, and I’m still pretty proud of how it turned out! This year I’m going with a good ol’ classic Jack-o-lantern for simplicity’s sake.

🎃 Halloween on the McKenzie River!

Mark your calendars! The ODFW team at Leaburg Fish Hatchery is hosting a Halloween event for folks who live along the McKenzie River!

📅 Saturday, October 31st
⏰ 10 AM–2 PM
📍 Leaburg Fish Hatchery

Come enjoy candy, games, and a raffle featuring prizes like fishing rods, tackle boxes, and other fishing gear! 🎣🕸️

We love seeing our McKenzie River community come together, and this is a great opportunity to celebrate the season, connect with neighbors, and enjoy some Halloween fun.

Grab your costumes, bring the family, and come join the fun!

Photo description: A Halloween-themed orange and black poster advertising “Trout or Treat” at Leaburg Fish Hatchery on October 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The spooky illustration features a trout, crawdad, bats, spiders, spiderwebs, a glowing yellow full moon, and a twisted, leafless tree. Text announces a family-friendly event with candy, games, and prizes, presented by ODFW.

Good company 😎

There’s something pretty special about looking around a raft and seeing a crew that’s fully committed to the adventure.

The 2026 season may be winding down, but we’re still getting boats on the McKenzie while the weather is cooperating. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect excuse to get out here, consider this your sign! 🌲

Come get one more river day in before we call it a season!

Photo description: A group of six people sits together in a bright yellow inflatable raft on the McKenzie River. Everyone is wearing orange life jackets and holding blue and yellow paddles. The group is smiling, putting up peace signs and making silly faces for the camera. Behind them, the river flows through a lush forest with green and early autumn-colored foliage.

October river time 🍁

This is Emi, who I introduced here earlier this summer, out guiding our Willamette River Float! She’s one of the many hardworking people behind the scenes (and on the river) who help make our trips such a great experience for our guests.

Our Willamette Float is a relaxed 6-mile trip along the water boundary between Eugene and Springfield, starting at Clearwater Park and ending at Island Park. It’s a calm, scenic float through protected riparian areas where wildlife and waterfowl thrive, with a few little waves. And if you’re feeling adventurous, there are spots where you can even hop in and float alongside the raft 🏊🏻‍♀️

Just $40/person with a 5-person minimum, this is an easy way to spend a couple hours outside without needing to leave town.

Photo description: A yellow Helfrich McKenzie Rafting inflatable raft floats through clear, turquoise-green water on a sunny autumn day. Guide Emi sits at the back with the oars while five guests all sit in the front two thwarts of the raft, smiling and waving toward the camera. Colorful fall foliage lines the riverbank behind them, with sunlight filtering through the trees and sparkling across the water.

A little sunshine and plenty of rafting season left ☀️

We’re still running trips, and with sunny skies and highs in the 70s in the forecast, it’s a beautiful time to get out on the water. Whether you’re looking for a family adventure, a day with friends, or one more excuse to enjoy the river before winter, we’d love to have you along!

Our season isn’t over just yet. Reach out to book your McKenzie River rafting trip while this beautiful weather lasts!

📞 Call us at 541-726-5039

Photo description: A group of six happy rafters smiles for a photo aboard our yellow raft, named Punkin, in the crystal-clear waters of the McKenzie River on a sunny fall day.