Whitely Landing to Marshall Island

  • Skill Level Intermediate
  • Duration 1 Day
  • Total River Miles 6
Safety Alert: Recommend experience on meandering channels with strong current. Look for wood especially around RM 173. The river has cut a channel through the middle of this island and it is can be choked with wood. Proceed with caution: when in doubt, scout it out!
  • Starting Point Whitely Landing - RM 175
  • End Point Marshall Island Access - RM 169
  • Why this Trip

    You can view one of the Willamette’s most dynamic areas and get a sense of what backchannel habitat used to look like along the river.

  • Conditions and Equipment

    This put-in is a long a shallow backchannel that during low-water months is best suited to canoes and kayaks. Watch for gravel and occasional strainers. These channels can change with the seasons; new river features, such as logs, can appear one day and be gone the next. Remain watchful as you travel by paddle craft.

    You will find more than one channel about a mile from where the Whitley side channel enters the mainstem. Stay attuned here for wood debris and strong current in places.

  • Amenity Highlights

    Free parking at Whitley Landing, free at Marshall Island. Pit toilets at both locations (though the one at Whitley is usually pretty unappealing).

  • Trip Description

    Shortly after entering the mainstem, you will pass part of the Green Island property owned by McKenzie River Trust on river right. This is a scenic and dynamic reach of the river. Enjoy, and be sure to keep looking downstream for hazards such as wood strainers.

  1. Whitely Boat Ramp

      1. Boat Ramp
      2. Picnic Table
      3. Restrooms
      4. Vehicle Access/Parking
      5. Wildlife
      • River Mile 175.5
      • Latitude 44.11685
      • Longitude -123.10887

    LoadingWhile this access is not fancy by any means, it is fairly tranquil and is situated on a wonderful small Willamette River backchannel. In summer flows, the channel is typically…

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  2. Rogers Bend Landing

      • River Mile 174.5
      • Latitude 44.12881
      • Longitude -123.11361

    LoadingRustic site (no amenities).

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  3. Beacon Landing

      1. Camping
      • River Mile 173
      • Latitude 44.1453
      • Longitude -123.13148

    LoadingThis large OPRD parcel offers an opportunity to camp or just stop to enjoy the river. You can pull your craft over at multiple places along the gravel shore. Keep…

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  4. Marshall Island Access

      1. Boat Ramp
      2. Picnic Table
      3. Restrooms
      4. Vehicle Access/Parking
      • River Mile 169.0
      • Latitude 44.18784
      • Longitude -123.14698

    LoadingThis OPRD park has a newly improved boat ramp as of the fall of 2012.  Paddlers will also appreciate the enlarged eddy to launch into before hitting the current.

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Comments

  1. Robert Jorgensen Apr 27, 2014

    Whitely Landing is no longer FREE to park at it now has a $4 fee for all parked cars and there is no where on site to pay the fee and get permit

  2. Kate Ross Apr 28, 2014

    Correct, you should have a Lane County Parks permit to use this parking lot. The permits are $4 and can be picked up at the Bi-Mart or REI in Eugene, as well as through the Lane County Parks Office (541-682-2000). Though it has improved in recent years, this somewhat remote location is not ideal for leaving your vehicle for an extended period of time due to break-ins.

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