How to Have a Hot Girl Summer in Eugene

Noah Steeves staff writer

Is Eugene, Oregon, the place to be in the summer months? Sheldon students answered with various responses. Eugene is fairly limited on what it has to offer for locals during the summer season, but there are some fun activities that keep students busy when they aren’t in school. Sophomore Kai McCormack said, “Summer’s not always boring here, but it can be very easily.” McCormack continued, “We’re not near anything…and there’s pretty much nothing to do.”

Sophomore Beck Marshall agreed with McCormack, stating, “Eugene is limited in what it has to offer; we need bigger groups in the community doing more things to provide entertainment.”

Junior Dylan Dignan thinks a little different and stated, “Summer can be boring or not fun if you’re unproductive.” Dignan shared that kids need to take advantage of what Eugene does have for entertainment: “If you like rivers and lakes and going outside to hike, then no, it’s not limited. If you’re not into anything Eugene has to offer, then it’s limited. It depends on your creativity level and it’s up to you to take advantage of the things Eugene provides for us.”

Kids can solve their boredom by finding things Eugene and Oregon have and trying them out. Kids should try to find a swim spot they like, a hobby, or maybe a hiking trail. Some kids stay inside all summer, but that is not the case for most Oregon residents. Dignan continued, “The kids I hang out with do the same things as me; all my friends are pretty active. They’re not the sit inside all summer type of kids; they’re Oregonians and do Oregonian things.”

Since Eugene is limited on what is has for entertainment, teens have to be creative to solve their boredom. McCormack’s form of entertainment comes from, “Skating, hanging out with friends and just adventuring around Eugene. Maybe find a pool, river spot, or an abandoned building to mess around in.”

McCormack’s favorite swim spot is the river by Mount Pisgah, close to Lane Community College. “The river is fairly deep in some spots, with a soft current and there’s a rope swing that goes into the water.” Marshall’s favorite swim spot is Wildwood. While it’s a slightly lengthy 45 minute drive outside of Eugene, Wildwood is worth it to Marshall: “It has waterfalls with a swimming hole that are perfect for cliff jumping.” Dignan’s favorite swim spot is, “Fall Creek because it has the best cliff jumping. And I mean the creek itself, not the lake. It’s got super good cliffs to jump off into fairly warm water.”

A good thing about Eugene is it has few tourists. The main attraction last summer was the Olympic trials at Hayward Field, which brought many tourists. Marshall said, “But that was the first time in a while Eugene’s had tourists.” McCormack continued with, “Nobody visits Eugene. It’s not a sought after place that people want to visit.”

Dignan agreed that Eugene doesn’t get many tourists, but if you do visit Eugene, Dignan recommends, “checking out Cottage Grove Lake; it’s a really pretty lake. Spencer’s Butte is iconic for Eugene and has an easy hike with a good view at the top. A good place to stay is The Graduate hotel and they have all the Oregon history stuff inside it. Food wise, Cheeba Hut is my favorite. For swim spots, Silver Falls and Triangle Lake rock slides are cool.” Eugene provides limited entertainment for teens, but for most, it’s a good thing! Kids can learn to be creative and use what Eugene has to offer to their advantage.