BE WATER-SAFE • Always wear a life jacket if you’re in a boat (whether motorized or a raft, kayak, canoe or drift boat). By law, children under 13 years old must wear a life jacket. Purchase at a sporting-goods store or borrow one at a loaner station. See Boat.Oregon.gov for locations. • Know your limits. Never boat under the influence of alcohol, drugs, marijuana or inhalants. • For paddlecraft 10 feet (3 m) or longer, an Oregon Waterway Access Permit is required. Visit Boat.Oregon.gov for more information. Eugene, Cascades & Coast Visitor Center | 754 Olive St, Eugene 16 RAFT For those with a spirit of adventure, one of the best places to seek those thrills is on the Class III Marten’s Rapid of the McKenzie River. Guides from High Country Expeditions and Helfrich McKenzie Rafting will show you a safe and exciting way through the pitches and falls on day or overnight trips. The Willamette River offers a good mix of adrenaline-filled rafting and relaxed floating alike, and Cascades Outdoor Center offers tours for both along the Middle Fork. KAYAK Take in serene natural surroundings as your paddle ripples through the water. Spot birds as you kayak the Fern Ridge Float Your Boat Getting out onto the water yourself is a great way to experience the Willamette Valley, and what better way to do that than aboard your craft of choice, either on your own or with an expert guide. The region’s waterways offer calm, tranquil lakes and fast-moving rivers to satisfy a range of skills. Reservoir outside of Veneta or glide in the cold waters of Dexter Reservoir. Only electric boats under 10 miles (16 km) per hour are allowed at Waldo Lake, so you’re sure to have a magical experience. The Siuslaw Water Trail is a serene waterway with plenty of wildlife that connects Mapleton with the Pacific Ocean. For those wanting to stay in Eugene, the meandering Willamette River Water Trail offers a quick escape. Oregon Paddle Sports offers kayak and gear rentals in Eugene. JET BOAT See the Willamette River like you’ve never seen it before while learning about the waterway’s storied past on a tour with Scenic Jet Boats. You’ll get the chance to see black-tailed deer, beavers and bald eagles. Choose between the Willamette or the McKenzie River for a scenic tour with 2 Rivers Guide Service. Carving your own path in adrenaline-fueled exhilaration, these one-of-a-kind experiences may just become your favorite memory. Willamette River Water Trail WILLAMETTE VALLEY VISITORS ASSOCIATION
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