Great experience on all accounts. Highly professional and knowledgeable guide (Brian). Tremendous staff communication. Reasonably priced. Of course best of all the rafting brought incredible views and thrills. Can't recommend enough for entire family. read more

Tommy was an exceptional guide! He started with an enthusiastic hello, made sure my specialized needs (mobility and diabetes issues) were handled seamlessly, was knowledgeable about the river and nature, kept a raft full of boy scouts engaged all while keeping us safe and having lots of fun. Highly recommend this trip for nature lovers of all ages!! read more

Beautiful ride down the river with kind, expert guides. Leah, Toby and Dan were knowledgeable about the local geography and history, were amazing navigating the river and made the whole trip a delightful experience. The Helfrich McKenzie company were easy to work with, had great equipment and made our day a fun adventure! Definitely recommend! read more

The 2.5 hour afternoon float was the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Toby was an excellent guide. Highly recommend!

This was amazing intro to white water rafting experience. From the start Jonnie was very communicative and responsive. My kids and husband had not done it before and were anxious of the unknown of what it was all about. We were provided clothing to keep us warm but could get wet. Josh was a wonderful guide. Jonnie made homemade lunch including delicious devils eggs and coleslaw. It was a beautiful scenic route and saw a couple of bald eagles along the way. Highly recommended especially for beginners read more

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Jonnie was very helpful and accessible. She explained and provided all the details of the river rafting experience and the different options. It was easy to book and she provided driving instructions and recommendations for after rafting. The rafting trip itself was amazing, highly recommended. We had so much fun. We would definitely not hesitate to book again with these guys as it was awesome! My kids had never been before and this was a highlight of the trip. Much appreciated! read more

Unfortunately, my out of town visitors canceled, so we didn't actually make a trip, but they were super responsive and helpful when I was trying to schedule. I will definitely keep them on my short list for favorite Oregon entertainment. read more

Aaron is an excellent guide, engaging and has infinite patience making his clients the highest priority. If you want to fish in the Eugene area, Aaron is your man. We caught over 50 fish in one day. read more

Helfrich McKenzie Rafting - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Springfield, Oregon

June 2023 Trip: Amazing. Exciting. Safe - Helfrich Outfitters are the oldest and most respected guides in Oregon. 4 generations of Helfrich's on US rivers - now run by Mother/daughter pair! The experience was just the right amount of challenges for rafting newbies! First time rafting for family - ages 21-70, including a mom who couldn't swim! Got questions or concerns? Talk to owner Jonnie Helfrich - she'll educate you! Affordable and all equipment supplied. Great value for the money! I would do any kind of trip with them again! read more

What a fun tufting experience ! Jonnie and Nate were awesome ! Fun, exciting and lots of great memories :) Highly recommended !! read more

Helfrich McKenzie Rafting - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Springfield, Oregon

Took A McKenzie wooden Drift Boat down the Willamette from Clearwater with Aaron and what a delight. This is the boat that was designed and built here in Springfield, Oregon. Aaron grandfather was one of the original designers and builders of these boats that have been copied and run all over the world. The Mckenzie Drift boat has a shallow draft yet is very stable and easy to maneuver down the river. Aaron and Jonnie are delightful people. read more

I have had multiple trips with Aaron and crew but wanted the next level:). I set up a 3 night trip for 7 on the John Day river. From the minute we rolled up they started working. Got all our gear situated, discussed safety and the rules then loaded up to start fishing. We averaged 120 fish per boat+- finding holes as we went down river. By the time we rolled up for lunch, it was all unloaded, set up and ready for us. We set up a few chairs, they did everything else masterfully. After lunch, we fished a few more hours until we hit the camp site. Again, everything set up (tents, cots, pads, kitchen, toilet, drinks) and anything else we needed. Dinners were amazing, we had a wide selection to choose from for each night cooked to perfection. In the morning coffee was ready at 7, great breakfast at 8 and fishing right after. Once we left, their team rolled everything up to sprint down to the next campsite. This was the routine every day. It definitely shows their experience as there was nothing more that we wanted or needed. This was an investment of time with very good friends and Helfrich pulled it off with ease. If you are on the fence about a multiple night trip I can assure you it will be a great memory. Normally you can think of something to improve on, unfortunately I don't have anything:). This will be a high standard for any guide to meet. A+ from our team. read more

Jonnie was very hospitable. She made us all comfortable on a fun float down the river. We enjoyed her knowledge of the wildlife and area along the McKenzie. Good time - thanks! read more

We booked a rafting trip last week, and it was amazing! Taking 8 crazy ladies out for a full day in a single raft was very brave for our guide Nate (or Tater as he is fondly known.) We were out for some sun, adventure and fun, and we got all three. After thoroughly reviewing the safety rules, off we went down the McKensie. Tater pointed out all the wildlife and prepared us well in advance of the rapids. We played our music, sang along and Tater did a good job of pretending to enjoy our playlist. Halfway through the trip, we stopped for a scrumptious lunch of fried chicken, pasta salad, homemade biscuits, fresh fruit and even a cake! It was a highlight of our weekend, and we will definitely book again on our next visit! Thank you Jonnie and Nate for making such a beautiful memory for us read more

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Had a full day trip with Aaron and the World Famous Billy Pruitt on 9/2 and it was perfect. They were able to adapt to our schedule and meet a little later in the day as we were traveling from Portland. Met right on time and drove up to the put in spot where we met Billy. Got right in the water with two boats and proceeded to catch fish for 6 hours. I was fly fishing with my wife while there were able to adapt with the rest of the crowd to throw some spinners and the action was non-stop. Shore lunch was great and we got back to the car and the time we requested. If you want to get into some fish, give them a call and you won't be disappointed. We will be with them again soon. read more

We all love the rafting trip. The owner is so sweet and helpful. They provided perfect service. Definitely we will come back again when my 2nd kid grows up. read more

Our rafting trip with Helfrich exceeded all expectations. Jonnie led our small group, expertly handling my concerns about safety alongside my 20-year old guests' desires for exciting rapids! The rapids on the upper McKenzie seemed ideal. We got splashed (such sweet water!) but stayed nice and dry with fleece and rainwear provided by the outfitter. In addition to the fabulous ride, we appreciated the safety instruction and gear, the snacks at the rest stop, and Jonnie's commentary along the way. My guests said it was the best experience of their five days in the Eugene area. read more

I went on a rafting trip with Jonnie Helfrich as my guide and had a great experience. The river is fabulous. Just the right mix of gentle river and crazy whitewater. This is my favorite way to experience the McKenzie River. My other favorite is the Waterfall Loop Trail - a 3 mile section that includes Sahalie and Koosah Falls. Best time to raft is late Spring through early Fall. She provides splash jackets. read more

We booked a half day fishing trip with Aaron over 4th of July weekend, but he was busy, so we got Tony (Aaron's brother) as our guide. Tony was just as great. This is my first time river fishing and Tony was a very good instructor. We had two lines going, my SO had the fly fishing line going, and really enjoyed it. We caught several small fish and released it back, but it was still a lot of fun. A very excellent time spent on the McKenzie River. Thanks Tony for the awesome experience. read more

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Five months early, we reserved our 3 generation, group half day rafting trip with Jonnie at Helfriech Rafting. At this time we pre-paid about a 1/3 of the cost as a deposit to secure the two rafts needed for our family. We paid the final, total amount roughly two weeks before our family vacation and rafting trip. We thought everything was set! Less than 48 hours before the rafting trip (and while we were traveling to our vacation house) we get an email stating that the rafting trip time shall be changed, so the company could "accommodate" some others at a convention in Eugene. This change however would then include a lunch since our family would now be on the river over the lunch hour. We said okay, understanding that the company had an opportunity to make some more money on that day, and we were fine with that. In addition, one of our adult family members was unable to make it rafting at the last minute. Accepting their changing of the timing, and knowing one of our family members couldn't make it- we asked about using that members money's towards gratuity or perhaps a refund. We were told that "technically, it was too late" and that "she would use part of the money towards the chicken for lunch and then divide the rest for the guides". Interesting.. now we are paying for the chicken, which was offered because SHE changed our 5 month early pre-planned and pre-paid for trip...... We were traveling, had limited internet service, and agreed it was too late, we did not respond. So on rafting day, our 3 generations arrived at the newly scheduled time, to find that our pre-paid group rafting trip had FOUR MORE ADULTS added to the trip!!!! Understandably, ONE was a river-guide-in training, who needed river hours to become an independent guide. However the other 3 were a family, and were fit onto one of our boats. This was frustrating after the change because we assumed we were booking two rafts for a family-only group trip. In addition, those other three family members that joined us made their reservations THE DAY BEFORE the trip! We received NO notice of this addition. NO phone call, NO email, NO message on a machine.... Lastly, since there were sooooooo many adults were in the rafts with the added four, there are no full face photos of our grandson's very first rafting trip which STINKS!! The guides on the raft? GREAT, and FUN. The 'planning' and business side? Not so great. The lunch you ask? Greasy, fatty, take out chicken (some people got one small piece), a small bag of chips, and a slice of store purchased cake? We love to support small and local businesses, but as we spend a decent amount of money as a family (specifically a grandma and grandpa planning and paying for this event) we are disappointed to feel shuffled around. BE AWARE and FORE WARNED if they change your plans to "accommodate others" it doesn't seem to matter how early YOU make YOUR plans....... VERY DISAPPOINTED....... read more

Nate and Clovis were amazing guides.  I have been on many rafting trips on a number of different rivers, and they were the most fun, and also quite knowledgeable about the scenery, the area, the history of the area, and the wildlife (Clovis might be half Hawk the way he was spotting birds, and seeing a real Bald Eagle was a real treat).  Not to mention, great stories!!   We had a really amazing trip, and plan to join them on other trips in the area. I cannot think of any other way to phrase it than, "GO!". read more

Helfrich McKenzie Rafting - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Springfield, Oregon

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You want a great excursion, you book with these guys! They are organized, safe, knowledgeable and experienced. I really can't recommend them enough. Our guide Nate was well versed in rafting as well as the local area and added so much to the day. read more

We had such an amazing time today white water rafting! Helfrich was super organized and took care of everything. The scenery was amazing! The best part was our guide Tater! He really knew what he was doing and made the trip so much more fun with his amazing energy! He had us laughing all day! Would definitely go back and use this company and request Tater again! read more

Aaron is a great guide, he is patient and able to take anyone down river, no matter how experienced you are at fishing. He is also very deep knowledge of ever river he floats of both the natural history and wildlife. I would recommend him to anyone interested in a fishing trip, one of best in the industry!! read more

We had a great time on the river! Our guide Alex was awesome, as well as Wyatt, the guide for the other raft. It's not a very intense trip on the McKenzie, but our guides made it so much fun with water fights and jumping off a small rock into a swimming hole! I stood up my guide for the trip we booked like a jerk, because I got the dates mixed up, but jonnie was so understanding and accommodating we were able to book another trip for a different date. It's a very reputable well organized family business. I would highly recommend, especially for kids and beginners! It was my first time rafting and I had a blast! read more

I recently took a trip with Aaron on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River Canyon in southern Oregon. It was a three day trip,which included stays at the Paradise Lodge and Cougar Lane in Agness.I have to say,it was the best float/fish/hunt trip I have ever been on, and I have done a lot of fishing with many knowledgable guides.We harvested a fine 3 point about 10 minutes into the trip, which was very exciting right off the bat.How do you follow that up?Well,in the next three days, I caught between 80 to 100 half pounder steelhead on a 3 weight rod,which was more fun than anything I've ever done! Aaron Helfrich is a very experienced river guide,a great guy to hang out with for 3 days,( this is very important on a 3 day trip! ) and knows everything there is to know about fly fishing for steelhead and trout on all Oregon rivers, and on the Middle Fork Salmon in Idaho. If you are reading this, I have one thing to say...Just do it! read more

My daughter, 15, and I booked the half day rafting trip on the upper McKenzie River and had a blast! Our guide was Matt, and he was friendly, enthusiastic and skilled. He made the experience really exciting, and we laughed a lot. His confidence and expertise was comforting, and therefore, we never felt unsafe. Can't wait to come back with my husband and son, and will definitely use this family business again! read more

We reserved a half day trip for 6 of us (3 adults and 3 kids ages 4, 9, 11) with only 3 days notice. The company did a good job, and gave us snacks half-way through (light chips, apple, water & juice). Our male guide was in the Helfrich family and was subtly training our female guide as she was new to the McKenzie. Both guides were capable, polite, playful, and had a great sense of humor.The team (2 boats + 3 guides) worked together well. They helped us get a few of our own picture moments. Highly recommend. read more