With summer winding down, a student’s last chance to make the most of his or her vacation time before late September is quickly approaching.
Eugene has a lot to offer for outdoor recreation and fun. Any time of the year is a good time to get outside and enjoy all that Track Town USA has to offer.
Biking, swimming, fishing, hiking and rock climbing are some of the staple outdoor past times in Eugene and the following are some of the best places to enjoy these activities.
University students are fortunate to live near two of the best spots in the country to go fishing, the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. Both rivers run through Eugene and are ideal for trout fishing. The McKenzie also offers ample salmon and sturgeon. Steelhead, bass and bluegill can be found in the Willamette almost year-round. Fishing with spinners, bait or fly can be done at either river, but with the weather staying warmer in the late summer and early fall, there is no better time to try shade fly fishing, which can be done at the South Bank by the Autzen Footbridge or wherever you can find rock patches in the water. For more information on fly fishing you can visit the Caddis Fly Angling Shop Web site at www.thecaddisfly.com.
The Willamette and McKenzie are also great for boating, whether it be by canoe, kayak or raft. Both rivers are ideal for beginners, but for more advanced boaters seeking white water, try the Deschutes, Rogue and Umpqua rivers. Power boating, jet skiing or sailing can be done nearby at Fern Ridge Reservoir and Dexter Reservoir.
Regardless of weather, cycling in Eugene can be fun any day for exercise or just getting out of the house. A variety of lengthy cycling loops run in and out of Eugene heading as far as Junction City and Cottage Grove. The Oregon Cycling Club favors five particular routes, the longest of which is the 50-62 mile Lorane Cottage Grove loop. This 10-stage route starts near Hilyard Street and winds through Spencer Creek Road to Fox Hollow Road, to Lorane, Cottage Grove, Cloverdale, Pleasant Hill and back to Hilyard.
A shorter route, known as the Gimpl-Lorane Loop, has seven stages completed in 23 miles. This loop starts on Agate heading south to Bailey Hill Road then to Gimpl Hill Road, Spencer Creek Road, Lorane and the homeward leg of East 24th Street to Agate Street. Other routes preferred by the Oregon Cycling Club can be found online along with maps and directions.
For mountain biking, formidable areas are less than an hour off campus. Local bike shops in Eugene offer the best advice for finding safe and challenging locales. The city offers bike maps for planning commutes in a traffic-free network. Keep in mind that some of the best cycling loops are those you make yourself. Oregon Cycling coach Jeannette Rose believes that the key to becoming a better cyclist is gradually increasing the challenges of your route.
“Start slow and build up a little more each week,” Rose said. “After a few weeks, try riding a little faster for short periods and gradually increase the time you can ride at a faster pace each week. As you get better, add more challenging terrain as well.”
Consult eugenegears.org for more information on local cycling.
Rock climbing is a popular hobby in Eugene, and one of the safest exciting places to climb is at the recreation center on campus. Students can sign up for rock climbing classes, or scale the rock wall on their own. Eugene is home to Skinner and Spencer Buttes, which attract climbers of all skill levels. Also in Eugene is the Crux, a popular rock climbing gym. Mountains stretch across the state including the Oregon Cascades spanning the northern and southern borders. The Cascades offer some of the best climbing locales in Oregon. Volcanic peaks formed by the Cascades are fit for climbing and line the coast with the most popular climbing spot, Mount Jefferson.
Aside from rock climbing, Spencer Butte is prime for backpacking and hiking. Toward the south end of Eugene is the Ridgeline Trail, which is home to a view of the Willamette Valley from every angle. There are also trails alongside the McKenzie.
Swimming can be chilly in the Pacific Northwest, but in Eugene students can enjoy a dip in a heated pool at the recreation center. You can challenge the elements just an hour out of town on the sandy beaches of Florence. The 80-mile trip to Florence is beautiful, but plan on bringing a wetsuit or jacket if going in the water. Florence is a nice area for surfing, which can be done almost anywhere along the Oregon coast. Oregon’s surfing club sports team is the best to consult for surfing information, but for forecasts just check the Oregonian weather page. Swimming can also be done in local reservoirs found in Eugene.
In winter, snow in the Willamette Valley means superb skiing and snowboarding conditions an hour and a half east of Eugene at Willamette Pass. For a longer drive, try Mount Bachelor, Hoodoo or Mount Hood. Also consider Ski Bowl, Timberline, Copper Spur and Mount Ashland.
Much can be done in Oregon’s great outdoors any time of the year. For more information on outdoor recreation or for equipment rentals, group trips or just advice, visit the University of Oregon Outdoor Program.

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