Belknap Springs, Trailbridge Campground, and Some Great Riverside Dining

On yesterday’s post I skipped our stop at Belknap Springs as I felt it deserved a post mostly on its own.  Lots of pictures here but I tried to keep them small for those who don’t have a great connection.


These places we visited are all within about 75 miles or less from Eugene.  Lots to see in a short trip.


Belknap Hot Springs is a resort and RV park about 55 miles from Eugene.  It is located right on the banks of the McKenzie River.   It’s a perfect spot for sweethearts!



Right away Laila found a cardboard box that had her name all over it!!

RARE you may be Laila, but if you’re RICH you better remember I’m your sister!!


Always plenty of places to sit by the river and relax.



The  pool is fed from a natural hot springs.  It really stinks and is a strange color but people seem to love it!  There is a breakdown of the mineral content on their webpage.  Of course in 90F weather, a 102F pool does not sound so great!!



The landscaping here is fantastic.    I don’t know how many acres are included in the property, but it’s a lot.  This is one of the lawns next to the pool area.





There are several camping areas on different levels of the property as well as different types and sizes of cabins to rent.  This RV area is just across from the lodge and right on the river.





A footbridge spans the river and connects with the Belknap forested trails.






There are miles of trails throughout the facility and the public is welcome to roam freely.  You don’t have to be a guest to wander through the grounds.





There are different spring fed pools and streams throughout the walking area and it is always much cooler along the mostly shaded paths.  Can you see Poppy’s little pink tongue about to taste that cool clear water?





We didn’t walk as far today as we have in the past.  Despite the shade it was pretty hot out there and Poppy was not the only one getting tired.





This is just one of the many cabins they rent – all sizes to choose from.



We meandered around a bit and then headed back to the main lodge.



Brian found a new friend…



…and Laila found what she was looking for inside the lodge! (first door on your right towards the pool!)
Last time we were here we looked at a room in the main lodge.  Nice enough but NO A/C and it was HOT!  Don’t know if that has changed.


There is so much to see there that I don’t have room for all the photos.  There is an outdoor courtyard with a grill and lots of carved statues.




















BTW, you can stay at a nearby forest service campground and still come here and wander around and enjoy the beauty.  They even have hourly pool fees for the non-guest. 


We also made a quick stop at Trailbridge Campground on our way back towards Eugene.  This is a primitive forest service campground on the banks of Trailbridge Reservoir.  EWEB (Eugene Water and Electric Board) has a small dam and generating plant on the McKenzie River as you enter the park. 





The entrance road is gravel and mostly one lane but it was easily accessible.  I thought this would be a place the Good Luck Ducks or Ed and Carol might like.  There is room for pretty good sized rigs and the spaces are scattered throughout the park.  Some are shaded and some are more out in the open. 








The website says this is a high use area but we didn’t see very many people there at all.  The only drawback is this sign we saw on the way out:

Oh sure, it’s “unlikely” until it happens LOL!!


One more stop on our way home…  We have had a favorite place on the McKenzie River for quite a few years.  Alas, the place closed down a couple of years ago but was re-opened this year in June.  YIPPEE – we were rarin’ to go!





This is the Finn Rock Grill and it is one of the few places where you can dine right on the McKenzie River.  We always sit out back on the deck and Poppy was allowed to join us.





I think Poppy enjoyed the view as much as we did.



Russ sure looked relaxed.



And so did Brian and Laila.



We even saw a couple of rafts floating downstream.





The burgers were delicious and it was so late in the day we scarfed them down.  I forgot to get a picture until Laila was the only one with food left on her plate.



Poppy had her lunch when we got back to the car.



And so ends another wonderful day on the McKenzie highway in central Oregon.  Perfect, just perfect!