The Rafting
The rafting portion of this grand escape takes place on the McKenzie river, which features fun, playful class III rapids, clear and clean mountain water, classic alpine scenery, and more! These trips are led by friendly, talented and licensed professional guides and feature state-of-the-art rafting gear and safety practices. The McKenzie is located between Bend and Eugene. For first timer and seasoned rafters alike the rafting portion of this trip offers enjoyment at every turn.

The Drafting
Destination Wilderness is proud to work with one of Oregon's finest microbrewery as part of this grand getaway. Please note that the draft portion of this trip is designed to provide insights about beer making as we taste different specialties, and is not a beer drinking party.

The Casting
The second day of activities on this classic outdoor vacation feature complete fly fishing lessons in the morning and a chance to land a big one in the afternoon. All of the fly fishing gear and a one-day Oregon fishing license is included. The morning instruction takes place on land in a big meadow, where casting, knot tying, and gear information is provided by our expert fly fishing guide. After learning the intricacies of fly fishing and developing casting skills you never thought you had we head to the river bank and get the line wet, in hopes of catching any number of the fish that call Oregon waters home. We use catch and release techniques on this portion of the trip.

Overnight Accommodations
Camping Option
Many people prefer camping out as part of their Raft, Draft, and Cast experience. We are proud to offer camping based RDC trips throughout the summer on the McKenzie river. On these trips we camp near the river in a scenic Forest Service campground. For a nominal fee we can provide all personal camping gear. These trips can be scheduled on an on-demand basis. Please contact us with dates that you have in mind.

Lodging Options
We have lodging options available on the McKenzie RDC trips at the Adventure River House, a place of comfort and rustic luxury just opposite the McKenzie river. Lodging options at the Adventure River House are available based on demand and availability.

The McKenzie Trip
Destination Wilderness' RDC is offered from March to October. Our trip typically takes place on a 10-mile stretch of the upper McKenzie, where the rapids come in quick succession and the river winds through stretches of roadless canyon, or on the 12-mile section of the middle McKenzie, where fun class II and III rapids are mixed with scenic calms. On all trips we stop around mid-day for a gourmet deli-style lunch, which includes sandwiches with all the fixings, fruit, beverages, cookies, juice, and more. After the break we get back on the river for more whitewater. We reach our take-out between 3 and 4 p.m. These whitewater runs on the McKenzie are great trips for those looking for lots of fun but not overwhelming rapids and great mountain scenery. One-half to two-day regular rafting trips are also available.

Our trips feature skilled, experienced and licensed professional river guides (and they are real friendly too!); the best river gear available, including self-bailing rafts, safety equipment, and Coast Guard approved life jackets; gourmet meals (one day trips include a filling, deli-style lunch, and celebration snacks and beverages at the end of the trip, and two day trips include all meals beginning with lunch on the first day); transportation from the rendezvous to put in; and all other amenities listed below for the specific trips.

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What to Bring and Wear
Shorts, t-shirts and sport sandals or tennis shoes are usually suitable for summer McKenzie trips. The water is cold, however, and days can at times be cool, especially if the wind comes up. Please also bring a sweater and wind breaker or rain gear in case you get cold. Synthetic jackets (pile) or wool sweaters are recommended. All of this clothing will get wet. Therefore, be sure to bring an extra "dry" set of clothes for after the trip. In the Spring you will need all of the clothing listed above and as well as a wetsuit, which is available to rent from Destination Wilderness. We will provide you with a complete packing list for the RDC trip.

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The Rendezvous

Typically, RDC trips meet at 9:30 am at the Adventure River Center. The Adventure River Center is located approximately 10 miles east of Vida and fifteen miles west of the town of McKenzie Bridge on the north side of Hwy. 126. It is just upstream from Mom's Pies, at Milepost 36 of Hwy. 126.

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Getting to the McKenzie Area
From the west and north, take I-5 South to the Highway 105/126 East exit. After passing through the town of Springfield you head up the McKenzie Canyon on Highway 126. Pass through the towns of Walterville and Vida and follow the rendezvous instructions above.

From the south, take I-5 North to Highway 126 east, and follow the directions above.

From the east, take Highway 126 and Highway 20 through Sisters and on to Santiam Pass. Head south on Highway 126 after going over Santiam Pass. You will pass Sahalie Falls and Olallie Campground before reaching the Hwy. 242 junction and McKenzie Bridge. Paradise Campground is approximately three miles east of the town of McKenzie Bridge. The Advenure River Center is located 15 miles west of McKenzie Bridge.

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What We Provide
Professional, skilled, experienced and licensed river guides (and they are real friendly too!).

The best river gear available, including self-bailing rafts, safety equipment, and Coast Guard approved life jackets. We also bring along inflatable kayaks on many trips!

Gourmet meals. All one-day trips include a filling, deli-style lunch and celebration snacks and beverages at the end of the trip. Two-day trips include two great lunches, happy-hour hors doevres and beverages, a gourmet, multi-course dinner, and a steaming hot breakfast.

Shuttle between the rendezvous and river.

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Why Choose Destination Wilderness For Your RDC Trip?

Destination Wilderness offers the most complete McKenzie trips available. We have a store and office near the launch point and are proud to be a member of the McKenzie Valley community and Chamber of Commerce. Consider all that we provide on this great river:

• Secure Parking Areas. Since we meet at our store and office your vechicle need not sit on the side of a lightly used highway. You can also store valuables in our office.
• Indoor Changing Room and Bathroom. Our store provides space for you to change into and out of your river wear. In addition, you have full access to our bathroom.
• At Least Two Boats and Two Guides Per Trip. On all of our McKenzie trips we always have at least two licensed guides on the water. We believe that the safest possible trip starts with appropriate staffing. Therefore, we always have at least two boats and two guides on each trip.
• Photograph Viewing Area. While you are on the river we snap digital photos as you head down through the rapids. At trips end you can see first hand in our McKenzie river store your whitewater thrills.
• Full Safety Orientation and Gear. Before each McxKenzie trip we provide a thorough safety presentation. As part of our full safety gear ensemble when needed wetsuits and paddle jackets are provided.
• Shuttle Options from Central Oregon and Nearby Resorts. Our base in Sisters and on the river allows us to provide transportation for groups from nearby resorts and communities. Please contact our office for details.
• Lodging and Multi-Activity Vacation Options. In conjunction with our affiliate company, the Adventure River Center, we offer vacation home rental lodging and a full plate of outdoor activity options such as rafting, mountain biking, hiking, fly fishing, and more!

Simply put, we believe we offer the finest McKenzie trip available.

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Trip Itinerary and Cost

RDC McKenzie River Camping Trip
This RDC trip begins on the morning of the first day. We meet you at the Adventure River Center at 9:30 am. After changing into rafting wear we head up to the launch point, participate in a thorough safety orientation, and head down the river! We stop midday for an expansive deli style lunch and tackle more rapids in the afternoon. After the rafting trip we head to our camping area, enjoy a fireside gourmet dinner and participate in the microbrew tasting facilitated by a brewery representative. We sleep under a blanket of stars. The next day, after a steaming hot breakfast, we head to our meadow for a morning of fly fishing instruction. This afternoon we return to the McKenzie river to try our luck fly fishing from the river bank. At the end of the trip we salute two great days of fun and learning with celebration snacks and beverages.

This trip includes two lunches, one gourmet dinner and steaming hot breakfast, guides, gear, camping, shuttles, and the above activities. Does not include personal camping gear. This can be rented from Destination Wilderness for a nominal fee. The minimum age for this trip is 21 years old unless accompanied by a parent. In these cases the minimum age is 12.

Price*:
$390 per person.

Dates: Scheduled on demand. Please contact our office to inquire about dates you prefer. Please note that private charter trips of groups of six or more can be scheduled any time.