Despite a long season and relatively easy logistics this run has been overlooked by a lot of regional boaters for many years. Some of this avoidance has been justifiable as the upper portions of the run do have some knon wood hazards. Some of these hazards are natural, others are clearly the results of dubiously successful fish habitat projects from decades past. The lower South Fork McKenzie, below Cougar dam, has been the site of an incredibly successful 'Stage 0' restoration project that has created a massive spawning ground for spring chinook salmon. In the stretch above the reservoir, these wood projects from decades ago have been a navigational hazard and a barrier for some to come experience this place.
Another reason this run has been historically overlooked is because some of the best rapids have historically been hidden below the surface of Cougar reservoir. An operations change due to a lawsuit against the Army Corps of Engineers regarding their impacts upon native endangered fish has kept the reservoir level low in recent years. This change means the last few rapids are now exposed during most of the runnable season. Combine these quality rapids with access at French Pete Campground which is below the known wood hazards upstream, and the South Fork is having a bit of a renaissance.
As of 2025, the river is clear of wood from French Pete Campground and the exposed rapids under the prior reservoir level down to Slide Creek Campground. This section provides a great (albiet short) run with easy logistics and boatable flows well into May and early June. This run has a very wide boatable range and some enjoy rafting it at high flows, but hardshells, IK's and packrafts will have fun well into the low 400's on the gauge.
You can find a video of a low flow trip from 2025 on YouTube:
Additional ReferencesFull description in
Soggy Sneakers.