SALEM â While Heather King saw more water-goers flock to the Willamette River this summer than ever before due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the deputy director for the Willamette Riverkeeper nonprofit organization said the waterway can sometimes be an afterthought compared to other destinations the Mackenzie or John Day rivers.
âIt is a beautiful river. Itâs a river you can take overnight trips on and never see another boat on the river depending on the trip,â King said. âPeople just donât think about it as a place to go.â
With the assistance of Travel Oregon, a collection of local organizations are hoping to change that. The Willamette Valley Visitors Association, Willamette Riverkeeper, Mt. Hood Territory and other groups are part of a steering committee created to attract more visitors to the Willamette Water Trail (a water trail mostly along the Willamette that is recognized by the National Park Service) and foster economic development.
New push to draw tourism to clean, safe Willamette River December 30 2020
Local groups working on ways to highlight the river as a travel destination with Willamette Valley Visitors Association.
While she saw more water-goers flock to the Willamette River this summer than ever before due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Heather King, the deputy director for the Willamette Riverkeeper nonprofit organization, said the waterway can sometimes be an afterthought compared to other destinations the Mackenzie or John Day rivers. It is a beautiful river. It s a river you can take overnight trips on and never see another boat on the river depending on the trip, King said. People just don t think about it as a place to go.
Making the Willamette River a main attraction
Local groups working on ways to highlight the river as a travel destination
While she saw more water-goers flock to the Willamette River this summer than ever before due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Heather King, the deputy director for the Willamette Riverkeeper nonprofit organization, said the waterway can sometimes be an afterthought compared to other destinations the Mackenzie or John Day rivers. It is a beautiful river. It s a river you can take overnight trips on and never see another boat on the river depending on the trip, King said. People just don t think about it as a place to go.