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Explore Rural Lane County On the Bus

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August 3, 2026

LTD is a great way to explore rural Lane County car-free. With routes traveling to McKenzie Bridge, Lowell, Cottage Grove, Veneta, Junction City, and Coburg, you can experience the natural beauty and historic charm of some of Lane County’s smaller towns. 

Tips for Riding LTD’s Rural Routes 

  • Plan ahead: since service to outlying areas is less frequent, be sure to plan your return trip before you leave. 
  • Pack smart: packing a lunch and water is a good idea for some destinations. Be sure to review LTD’s Rules for Riding so you know what you can bring on the bus. Items must fit in your lap, so paddleboards, kayaks, and other large items won’t be allowed on the bus. Bikes are welcome on the front racks and can make exploring your destination even more fun! 
  • Be prepared: check for required permits, licenses, and reservations for your destination or planned activity. 

Route 91 – McKenzie Bridge

Route 91 is a scenic drive along the McKenzie River. At peak fall foliage around October, the ride itself has beautiful views as it winds along the river. LTD has bus stops close to these riverside attractions: 

Walterville: enjoy a riverside picnic at Hendricks Bridge County Park and walk the scenic loop trail.

Leaburg: pack a lunch and explore the Leaburg Fish Hatchery and surrounding Lloyd Knox Park.

McKenzie Bridge: visit the general store and restaurants, or stay overnight at a local resort or cabin.

McKenzie River Trail: great for a hike, trail running, and mountain biking.

McKenzie River Ranger Station: take a photo with Smokey Bear outside, or tour the visitor information center on weekdays.

  • A bus driver stands beside a blue city bus labeled “Charter” on a sunny day, with colorful flowers in the foreground and a hill in the background.
    LTD Route 91 bus stop in Blue River
  • Two people walk across a wooden bridge over a flowing river in a forested area with tall green trees and dense foliage.
    The McKenzie River Trail ends in McKenzie Bridge, just a few feet from the Route 91 bus stop at the McKenzie Ranger Station. Photo courtesy of Eugene, Cascades & Coast.
  • A red barn sits on a grassy field with a flock of geese nearby. Trees and mist-covered hills fill the background under a partly cloudy sky.
    On Route 91, the journey and the destinations are beautiful. Enjoy a scenic ride along the McKenzie River. Photo courtesy of Eugene, Cascades & Coast.

Route 92 – Lowell/LCC

Route 92 is great for an all-day adventure. Spend the day near Dexter Reservoir at these attractions with nearby bus stops:

Dexter Park Disc Golf & State Recreation Site: play a round of disc golf and enjoy a lakeside picnic in Dexter. Don’t miss the local lore of the nearby Dexter Lake Club, made famous by the 1978 film “Animal House” and featured in the University of Oregon’s “Shout” video.

Lowell State Recreation Site: ride Route 92 to its endpoint in the lakeside town of Lowell. Explore Lowell State Recreation Site, perfect for a picnic or paddleboard launching point.

  • People stand and walk on docks over a lake, with forested mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
    Paddle, picnic, and bird watch at the Lowell State Recreation Site. Photo courtesy of Eugene, Cascades & Coast.
  • White covered bridge spans a river, surrounded by lush greenery and blooming purple flowers, with hills in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
    The Historic Lowell Covered Bridge is the widest covered bridge in Oregon. Photo courtesy of Eugene, Cascades & Coast.

Route 93 – Veneta

Veneta is famous for the Oregon Country Fair, but there are plenty of things to enjoy in Veneta year-round. Take Route 93 to explore local parks and businesses.

Perkins Peninsula Park: a great spot for birding, wildlife viewing, baseball, and volleyball. Pack a lunch and enjoy a day on the shores of Fern Ridge Reservoir.

Downtown Veneta: explore the many local restaurants and food trucks in Veneta.

  • A dock extends into a calm lake at sunrise, with two people sitting at the end. Mist rises from the water and trees frame the scene.
    Perkins Peninsula Park at Fern Ridge Reservoir. Photo courtesy of Eugene, Cascades & Coast.

Route 95 – Junction City

Junction City is just a short bus ride north of Eugene on Route 95. Explore Junction City’s Scandinavian culture at local museums, shop at antique and thrift stores, or get a bite to eat at a local restaurant or food truck.

Food Truck Pods: ride Route 95 to Velkommen Square or the Beer Station for rotating food truck options.

  • A white two-story building with five large Scandinavian flags and murals displayed on its front facade, bordered by trees and a clear street.
    Junction City is known for its Scandinavian culture. Photo courtesy of Eugene, Cascades & Coast.

Route 96 – Coburg

Explore historic Coburg on Route 96. With historic sites, outdoor recreation, and plenty of places to eat and drink, Coburg is a great place to spend the day. Ride Route 96 to check out these places:

Armitage County Park: pack a lunch to enjoy by the river, walk the half-mile scenic nature trail, or play a game of volleyball or horseshoe.

Historic Walking Tour: Coburg is a National Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a self-guided walking tour of 20 historic houses, featuring 1800s architecture.

  • Four cyclists wearing helmets and gear stand with their bikes on a street corner near a café and a red tractor, with trees and a sign that reads “Farm Fresh Roosters” in the background.
    Coburg is on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic District with over 187 sites and structures. Photo courtesy of Eugene, Cascades & Coast.
  • Wooden picnic shelter and tables sit on a grassy area under trees in a sunny park, with tall evergreens in the background.
    Armitage County Park. Photo courtesy of Eugene, Cascades & Coast.

Route 98 – Cottage Grove

Route 98 connects Eugene, Creswell, and Cottage Grove. With historic covered bridges, scenic trails, and eateries, South Lane County is a great destination to spend the day. On weekdays, you can explore within Cottage Grove city limits with LTD’s on-demand shared ride service, called the LTD Connector.

Creswell: local-favorite Creswell Bakery is just a block away from the LTD bus stop.

Row River Trail: walk, roll, or bike the well-paved 15+ mile multi-use path, beginning at 10th & Main St. There are multiple historic covered bridges along the path, including the Mosby Covered Bridge featured in the 1986 film “Stand by Me.”

Main Street: find a historic covered bridge, local restaurants and cafes, antique stores, parks, and murals in the Cottage Grove Historic District.

  • A family of three has a picnic on a blanket near a covered wooden bridge, with food, drinks, and a striped bag on the grass.
    Centennial Covered Bridge along Route 98. Photo courtesy of Eugene, Cascades & Coast.
  • A street view of a small town’s historic district with an arched sign over the road, shops, trees, and partly cloudy sky.
    Cottage Grove’s Main Street, a commercial Historic District, is home to the most intact collection of early twentieth-century buildings in Lane County. Photo courtesy of Eugene, Cascades & Coast.

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