Notable stops along Highway 126 between Eugene and Veneta

MP 48-50 - Fern Ridge Lake:
Fern Ridge Lake is a recreational getaway generally open from April 1 through October 1. There are six parks and several remote access points around the lake offering a variety of day use recreation opportunities such as picnicking, swimming, sailing, powerboating, jet skiing, skiing, fishing, hunting and several competitive events held on the water. The lake and surrounding extensive wetlands provide habitat for several species of wildlife and waterfowl. This Wildlife Refuge is home to an assortment of fish: crappie, bass, trout and catfish, carp; over 200 varieties of birds; and a lot of beavers, muskrats, nutria, otters, raccoons, opossums, deer and ground squirrels.
Orchard Point Park is located on the northeastern side of the lake. Orchard Point offers rentals for paddle boats, canoes, inner tubes, sail boats, sail boards, jet skis, volleyball and horseshoes.
Perkins Peninsula Park is located on a small peninsula that offers an excellent view of the Fern Ridge Lake in the summer and mudflats in the winter. This is also the best place to view osprey's nests and marsh to the east and west. Picnic sites, a boat ramp and some water activities, such as swimming, water sports, and fishing, are available.
MP 50 - Applegate Trail:
1996 marked the 150th anniversary (trail blazed in 1846) of the Applegate Trail. Known as the southern route of the Oregon Trail, the Applegate Trail provided an alternative for settlers who wanted to avoid the perils of the Columbia River. Today, Interstate 5 and Highway 99 travel the same route. The Applegate was designated a National Historic Trail by the US Congress on August 3, 1992.
MP 47 - Veneta: Population 2,760:
This area was established by the extension of valley settlement. It now serves as a gateway to the Coast Range, wineries, farmlands, and Fern Ridge Lake. Each July, the eclectic Oregon County Fair, a genuine original celebration of the music, crafts, and atmosphere of the counter-culture is held here.
Willamette Valley Wineries
Just a short drive to the west, north or south brings you to some of Lane County's better known wineries including Secret House Winery, LaVelle Vineyards, Hinman Vineyards/Silvan Ridge, King Estate and Chateau Lorane.

Notable stops along Highway 126W between Veneta and Florence

MP 46.9 - Veneta:
This area was established by the extension of valley settlement. It now serves as a gateway to the Coast Range, wineries, farmlands, and Fern Ridge Lake. Each July, the eclectic Oregon Country Fair, a genuine original celebration of the music, crafts, and atmosphere of the counter-culture is held here.
Willamette Valley Wineries. Just a short drive to the west north or south from Veneta brings you to some of Lane County's better known wineries including Secret House Winery, LaVelle Vinyards, Hinman Vineyards/Sylvan Ridge, King Estate and Chateau Lorane. Turn left on 8th Street just after the intersection to see Veneta City Hall.
MP 45.3 - Oregon Country Fair Site:
This time capsule into the 1960's takes place each year in July. The location is privately owned.
MP 42.3 - East end Noti Loop:
Small community to the south, with a school, gas station, groceries and restaurant.
It was purportedly named by a Native American who was traveling with a white man with one horse between them. One would take the horse and ride ahead a distance, tie the horse and proceed on foot. When his companion reached the point where the horse was tied, he in turn mounted and rode a given distance. The white man had agreed to tie the horse near where the Noti Creek joins Long Tom River. The white man double-crossed the Native American and rode on to Eugene, leaving him to walk. When he discovered he had been robbed, he is said to have exclaimed, "Him no tie" and hence the name "Noti".
MP 32.7 - Walton:
Walton Creek was named to honor Judge Joshua J. Walton. Walton was a pioneer lawyer of Lane County and for some years county judge and secretary of the Board of Regents of the University of Oregon.
The town has a cafe, store and post office.
MP 27-26 - Whittaker Creek Campground and Wildcat Creek Bridge:
Turn left onto Siuslaw Road and travel 2 miles to Whittaker Creek Campground.
The Bridge was built in 1925 and restored in 1990. It is one of twenty covered bridges in Lane County. Covered Bridges were constructed to withstand heavy rains and salty sea air. High quality timber was more accessible in this area than was more costly steel and concrete. A drive south takes you to Kentucky Falls with twin 90-foot cascading falls, set in a majestic Douglas Fir and Mountain Hemlock forest. Because of the elevation, snowfall occasionally makes the falls inaccessible.
MP 24 - Linslaw Park:
Picnicking, boating and fishing available. Wheelchair accessible.
MP 19.9 - Knowles Creek Tunnel:
The tunnel is 3/10 of a mile long, and it takes you to the downsied of the mountains toward the coast. Turn on your lights while in the tunnel.
MP 17.6 - Archie Knowles Campground:
Trailer sites, tent sites, and picnic sites are available. Other outdoor activities, include fishing, hiking, wildlife watching on the Siuslaw National Forest.
MP 16.5 - Gingerbread Village:
This restaurant is famous for its gingerbread cake and makes a nice stop between Eugene and Florence.
MP 14.5 - Mapleton:
Established in the 1880's, Mapleton is a community whose past and future are closely tied to the Siuslaw River. In the past, the waterway was a major transportation link for both people and commerce between the coast and inland communities. However, frequent flooding often occurred, and during times of high water, the river was seen as a natural enemy.
Stop at the Siuslaw National Forest ranger station in Mapleton to learn about the many unique Coast Range trails, campgrounds and waterfalls in the Siuslaw National Forest.
Each year, the Mapleton Salmon Festival occurs during the 4th weekend of September. Includes food, craft booths, live entertainment, and a two-day fishing derby with cash prizes.

Highway 126 - Mapleton to Florence:
At Mapleton, Highway 126 turns west and follows the Siuslaw River 18 miles towards Florence and the Oregon Coast. In this stretch, the river divides into two channels separated by small islands and mudflats. It is lined with lumber yards and boat basins.
Siuslaw was the Native American name for river or stream.

Benedict House:
Cox Island, 1.7 miles east of Florence is the home of the Bennedict House. The home was reportedly the inspiration for the Stamper house in Sometimes a Great Notion by Ken Kesey.
About Cox Island: Cox Island is a 187-acre estuary reserve owned by the Nature Conservancy. The island is a haven for 80 species of birds, including snowy egret, peregrine falcon, hawks, ospreys, and ducks. The island is reputed to have the best clamming beach on the South Coast.

You can receive additional information about visiting Lane County by contacting the Convention & Visitors Association of Lane County at (800) 547-5445.