With crisp mornings, cool evenings and daytime forecasts that call for layers, autumn is the perfect time of year to head to Eugene, the largest city in the southern Willamette Valley. From here, it’s an easy drive east to fall mountain bike rides and hot springs in the Cascade Mountains, or west to the scenic dunes and fresh seafood of the Oregon coast. Whether your ideal fall getaway calls for active adventure, embracing culture or just luxuriating in ocean views, here’s how to make it happen in Lane County.
See a Show in Downtown Eugene
With daylight hours waning, let the bright lights of Broadway pull you into Eugene’s theater scene, which punches far above its weight for a city of modest size. Flagship downtown venue Hult Center for the Performing Arts books everything from touring Broadway shows to local theater, dance and comedy. Check the online calendar of events to book your ticket.
Lodging options in Eugene are as unique as the city itself. Guests can walk straight from the Valley River Inn to the beloved Ruth Bascom Riverbank Path System along the banks of the Willamette for riverside walks and pedals.
The luxe Inn at the Fifth welcomes guests with a free glass of wine upon arrival, and guest rooms stocked with custom Italian linens and in-room fireplaces. It’s right in the center of the action, so you can borrow a free cruiser bike to pedal your way through Eugene’s downtown shopping and dining district. Don’t miss the 5th Street Public Market, a chic hub for local and gourmet foods. Nearby, the Campbell House Inn bed and breakfast is surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds that give the impression of a charming English garden oasis.
Want to embrace the season at a pumpkin patch or corn maze? Head about 20 miles south of Eugene to Cottage Grove to find Sweet Springs Family Farm. This 9-acre working family farm offers several unique lodging options, including a cottage that sleeps four and a restored 1980s Volkswagen Vanagon Camper. Start the morning right with a farm-style country breakfast delivered to your door. Kids will adore the friendly farm animals and play structures.
Venture into the Cascades
Fall colors seem more spectacular against the verdant backdrop of the Willamette National Forest. You can take a scenic drive to the mountains from Eugene on either the McKenzie Highway (Highway 126) or the Willamette Highway (Highway 58), which are named for the rivers they follow. Whichever you choose, you’ll find road signs marking parks, pullouts and trails along the way.
About 30 miles east of Eugene on the McKenzie Highway, you’ll find Wayfarer Resort in Vida. With amenities like horseshoes, tennis and volleyball, it’s a self-contained haven for families and small gatherings. Warm your body at the riverside fire pit and feed your soul watching leaves quietly break the glassy surface of the private fishing pond.
From Vida drive 25 miles east into the thick canopy of Douglas fir and Western red cedar trees, and listen for the muted backdrop of Class II and III rapids. Proximity to whitewater is one of many reasons to rent a cabin or book a room at Loloma Lodge in McKenzie Bridge. A 5-mile drive from the lodge is Belknap Hot Springs, where a soak in the mineral hot springs pool is an excellent reward for mountain biking the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail single-track.
On the Willamette Highway, Office Covered Bridge — the longest covered bridge in Oregon — separates the beloved Westfir Lodge & Mountain Market and the Alpine Trail trailhead. It’s known as the crown jewel of the Oakridge mountain bike trails, and it rewards adventurous hikers with views of Diamond Peak on its 9-mile route. Gear up appropriately and a little rain is no barrier to getting outside.
Spot Wildlife and Savor Seafood on the Coast
About 60 miles to the west of Eugene is Florence, a coastal hub that’s the gateway to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, the largest coastal sand dunes in North America. Experience this otherworldly landscape for yourself on a guided dune-buggy tour, or rent an ATV for a more extreme adventure.
Afterwards, enjoy terra firma with a stroll through Historic Old Town Florence, which is packed with antique shops, restaurants, gift shops and plenty of coastal charm. Grab a dockside table at Novelli’s Crab & Seafood to warm up with clam chowder and crab cakes while you spot harbor seals and watch boats troll into and out of the marina. Then head for your room at the River House Inn, where you’ll find amenities like private balconies and EV parking.
Families looking to capture the last swim, fish or paddle of the season have options in Florence. While each room at the Florentine Waterfront Hotel is unique, all feature stunning views of Siltcoos Lake. Bring your boat or rent a kayak to get out on the water, then warm up by the fire pit at the end of the day. Or reserve a warm and cozy yurt complete with lights and electricity at Jesse M. Honeyman Memorial State Park for a cool-weather-friendly camping experience. Be sure to pack your sandboard or your paddleboard, and take advantage of the short walk to the dunes and Cleawox and Woahink lakes.
