19 Adventurous Things To Do In Eugene Oregon

Eugene, Oregon, the second biggest city in the state of Oregon. Home to the University of Oregon, many breweries, beautiful hikes, and more!

Eugene and Springfield are neighboring cities, both with restaurants and hiking trails, making the city of Eugene span further.

Summer is the best time to visit Eugene Oregon because of the lack of rain like it does 6 months out of the year. Keep in mind that is when Oregon tourism is highest, so plan accordingly!

I’ve lived here the last decade and know the area very well! From places to eat, things to do, and the best nature spots to explore close to Eugene. Let’s get into it!

This is the most popular trail to hike in Eugene Oregon, so keep that in mind when you plan your hike. Especially on warm days, the trail can get quite busy in the afternoon. There are quite a few ways to the top of Spencers Butte through the Ridgeline Trail System. If you want the main trail, that is 1.6 miles round trip with 731 feet of elevation gain with beautiful views of the city below.

Just an hour from Eugene Oregon is this popular and stunning hiking trail out on the McKenzie River. The hike takes you past the gorgeous blue waters of the McKenzie River to a Blue Pool that is a brisk 32 degrees year round! Keep in mind this entire area has beautiful waterfalls and lakes to visit.

Looking for a unique place to stay in Eugene Oregon? The Eugene Dome, which is a hobbit house just 15 minutes outside of Eugene is quintessential Oregon. Plus, it is located in wine country with multiple wineries in the area open year round to visit.

Eugene Oregon is home to the Oregon Ducks, who host their football games at Autzen Stadium in the fall. Tailgate, attend with friends and head to the football stadium to see what it is all about! Tickets usually at minimum are $80-$100 a piece.

Eugene is home to at least twenty breweries, making it hard to choose which ones you want to visit. Some of my personal favorites are Oakshire Brewing, Claim 52 Brewing, Arable Brewing, and Wildcraft Cider Works.

The McKenzie River is a beautiful place for rafting during the warmer months. Typically June-September is the best time to plan a rafting trip down the McKenzie River. I recommend booking through Horse Creek Lodge and Outfitters. They will provide all of the equipment and a guide to make you feel safe and comfortable.

Wine tasting in Eugene is something that you can do year round! For me, I love to visit the wineries in summertime when the sun is shining, as the flowers and vines are growing. Plus, wineries in the Willamette Valley have beautiful views! Sarver Winery, Sweet Cheeks, Silvan Ridge, and Brigadoon are some of my favorites.

Eugene is home to one of the best Saturday markets in the state of Oregon. With over 200 local artisans, food trucks, and farmers, this is great for the entire family. On the Park Blocks at  8th & Oak in downtown Eugene, the Market is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from the first Saturday in April through mid-November. The holiday market runs inside at the Lane Events Center the weekend before Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve.

Just an hour from Eugene is the Oregon Coast. Take a day trip and see the beautiful coastlines, marine life, and go crabbing! Book with a guide who will take you out to experience it for yourself. End the day with a crab boil and enjoy what you caught! Crabbing season is September-November making it the perfect fall activity.

Within an hour or two from Eugene there are many hot springs to visit! Soak your bones anytime of year in one of these hot springs. The most popular being Cougar Hot Springs! Read more on my blog to plan your trip to one of these wonders of Oregon.

Just outside of Eugene, there are quite a few wilderness areas full of backpacking trip. Mount Jefferson, Diamond Peak, Willamette National Forest are some of the best areas to look for backpacking trails. Be sure to book permits well in advance for certain trails as it tends to book up!

Arguably the best time to visit Eugene Oregon is the summertime. Less chance of rain, beautiful lush trails, kayaking, and paddle boarding! Enjoy one of the local reservoirs and hit the water by paddle board. My favorite local reservoirs are: Fall Creek, Lookout Point, Clear Lake Dorena Lake, and Foster Reservoir.

Mount Pisgah is a great place to visit year round. With hiking trails, river pathways, and breathtaking nature trails, there is something for everybody here. My favorite time to visit Mount Pisgah is April-June. Seeing the flowers come to life and the birds returning is something special to witness.

Oregon is home to many incredible tattoo artists! People travel to Portland and Eugene to get tattooed year long, making it a great place to get a tattoo. Trusted and inclusive tattoo shops in Eugene are: Wild Rose Tattoo, Super Electric Tattoo, and Sad Devils Tattoo Club. Keep in mind some of these artists book 6-12 months in advance!

If your visiting Eugene in the spring, the gardens are a spectacular thing to witness. The best garden in Eugene is Hendricks Park near the University of Oregon. With hundreds of native plants and the oldest rhododendrons in the city, its best in April and May. The garden has been a staple to Eugene since 1906!

With over 400 varieties of roses in this garden, its a spectacular master piece to witness when in full bloom. April are when the cherry blossoms start, early May for the rest of the roses in the park. While your here, take a walk down the Willamette River and finish your day in the Whitaker Neighborhood at a local brewery.

Depending on how much time you have in Eugene, taking a scenic drive to Bend Oregon is always worth it. Take HWY 126 or HWY 58, get views of the Cascade mountains along the way. Stop to see waterfalls, take a hike, or go for a swim. If it’s summer I advise you drive along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway into Bend if you have more time!

You don’t have to travel to Mount Hood or Mount Bachelor to go skiing in Oregon. Hit the local mountains, Willamette Pass or Hoodoo, both under 2 hours from Eugene. These smaller, locally ran ski hills are a great place to take the entire family skiing.

The Cuthbert is an outdoor amphitheater in Eugene that flushes up against the Willamette River bank. Get the full experience and take your bike to a concert. It’s truly a beautiful venue to see music. Sit on the grass or pack a lawn chair with the entire family.