Climbing 2,062-foot Spencer Butte has been a lifelong pastime for recent University graduate Ahren Zimmerer-Mazza, who estimates he climbed Spencer Butte 60 times during his four years at the University.
“[Spencer Butte is] like a big mountain in that it has a perfect tree line and a rocky point, but you can climb it in a day,” Zimmerer-Mazza said.
Most other well-known outdoor pursuits in Eugene are simply a matter of setting. The McKenzie and Willamette rivers flow through portions of Eugene, and nearby Fern Ridge Reservoir and Skinner Butte offer other outdoor opportunities.
Like most urban rivers, the Willamette offers an assortment of recreational activities. It is not uncommon to see University students floating the river, jumping off footbridges or reading along the river banks. However, the most commonly used riverside amenities are probably Alton Baker Park, South Bank Field and the 11.82 miles of barked running trails.
Hiking Spencer Butte and spending time near the Willamette River are popular excursions for University students because of their proximity to campus, but the McKenzie River is also easily accessible with a University identification card and Lane Transit District bus No. 91.
“There is both fly-fishing and conventional fishing on the McKenzie, I would say Eugene is one of the better cities in Oregon for fly-fishing,” University student David Gartman of the Caddis Fly Angling Shop said.
The steelhead, rainbow trout and Chinook salmon available in the McKenzie River differ from the occasional catfish that can be caught in Fern Ridge Reservoir. While the
reservoir is fished, it is widely used for west Eugene boating access.
Fern Ridge Reservoir is also accessible through LTD via bus No. 93, but some locals choose more ambitious forms of transportation.
“Eugene has about 12 to 15 miles of off-street (unpaved) bike paths, 20 to 33 miles of paved paths, and 68 miles of paved bike lanes,” Eugene Parks Planner Philip Richardson said.
Traversing these bike routes can lead to anything from skate parks to nature preserves, from covered basketball courts to dog parks. These are just a few examples of what Eugene’s 75+ public parks have to offer.
Another outdoor alternative is the oldest weekly open-air crafts festival in the United States, otherwise knows as the Eugene Saturday Market. This reliable event features a variety of locally cooked and crafted items.
The City of Eugene Outdoor Activities program, called Riverhouse, offers many alternative options for students.
“Along with sailing classes run through the University, we offer outdoor classes for rock climbing, kayaking, rafting, canoeing, snow shoe lessons and cross-country skiing lessons,” Outdoor Programs Manager Craig Smith said.
Whether it is the trees, the grass or the temperate climate, students at the University can find plenty of reasons to play outside.

Toshio Suzuki is a freelance reporter for the Emerald.