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Willamette River Water Trail

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This information is a public record of the 2012 NRT application and may be out of date if it has not been updated by a trail manager --
check with the trail manager for updated details before visiting.
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Willamette River Water Trail

Nonprofit National Water Trail
  • Length
    217 miles
  • Elevation Gain
    --
  • Route Type
    out & back

The 217-mile water-based trail flows through forests, meadows, parks, farms, and cities large and small. The River Trail descends from the Willamette River headwaters in the Cascade and Coast ranges to Portland, Oregon, and to the confluence with the Columbia River.

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boaters on Willamette.
boaters on Willamette.
Boat launch at Armitage Park; Eugene, Oregon
Boat launch at Armitage Park; Eugene, Oregon
Coburg Railroad Bridge, Armitage Park; Eugene, Oregon
Coburg Railroad Bridge, Armitage Park; Eugene, Oregon
A misty fall morning along the McKenzie River (a tributary of the WRWT); Eugene, Oregon
A misty fall morning along the McKenzie River (a tributary of the WRWT); Eugene, Oregon
Fall along the McKenzie River (a tributary of the WRWT) at Armitage Park; Eugene, Oregon
Fall along the McKenzie River (a tributary of the WRWT) at Armitage Park; Eugene, Oregon
  • boaters on Willamette.
  • boaters on Willamette.
  • Boat launch at Armitage Park; Eugene, Oregon
  • Coburg Railroad Bridge, Armitage Park; Eugene, Oregon
  • A misty fall morning along the McKenzie River (a tributary of the WRWT); Eugene, Oregon
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Location: The trail includes 217 river miles that extend as far south as Creswell, OR and as far north as St Helens, OR. The area encompasses the entire mainstem of the Willamette River as well as portions of the Coast Fork Willamette and Middle Fork Willamette.

  • States: Oregon
  • Counties: Benton, Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion, Polk, Yamhill
  • Cities/Townships: Springfield, Eugene, Corvallis, Albany, Independence, Salem, Newberg, Oregon City, Portland

The Willamette River Water Trail highlights the mainstem Willamette River in addition to portions of the Coast Fork Willamette and Middle Fork Willamette, which join together to form the mainstem river in Springfield, OR. Ranking by volume as the 13th largest river in the U.S., the Willamette's mainstem lies entirely in northwestern Oregon, flowing north between the Oregon Coast Range to the west and the Cascade Range to the east. From its source waters to its confluence with the Columbia River, the Willamette courses through national forests, rich farmlands, quiet towns, and the state's largest cities. Seventy percent of Oregon's population enjoys the privilege of living in the Willamette Valley.

Accessibility Information

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Allowed Uses:

Boating, motorized Boating, human-powered Swimming

Other Activities

  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Heritage and history
  • Wildlife viewing / observation

Public Contact

Travis Williams
Willamette Riverkeeper
1210 Center St.
Oregon City, OR 97045
[email protected] • (503) 223-6418
 Go to the trail manager's website

More Details

  • Elevation (low): --
  • Elevation (high): --
  • Elevation (cumulative): --
  • Part of a Trail System? No
  • National Designations: National Natural Landmark; American Heritage River
  • Surface (primary): Water, slow moving
  • Surfaces (additional): --
  • Tread Width (average): 0"
  • Tread Width (minimum): 0
  • Running length (minimum): --
  • Tread Grade (average, percent): --
  • Tread Grade (maximum):
  • Running length (maximum): --
  • Cross-slope (average, percent): 0
  • Cross-slope (maximum): --
  • Running length (maximum): --
  • Certified as an NRT
    May 21, 2012
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