Meet Owners Jonnie, Aaron and Leah Helfrich
The McKenzie River has long been a vital part of the communities along its shores, drawing nature enthusiasts, families, and adventurers from near and far.
Among the most trusted names guiding these explorers is Helfrich McKenzie Rafting, a family-run business deeply rooted in Oregon’s rich rafting tradition.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Jonnie Helfrich of Helfrich McKenzie Rafting to discover the story behind this beloved business, its enduring legacy, and the joy they bring to the river community.
Q: What’s the backstory of your business? How did Helfrich McKenzie Rafting come to be?
Helfrich McKenzie Rafting is one half of A Helfrich Outfitter; my husband Aaron’s fishing business is the other half.
Aaron is a third-generation Oregon outfitter and guide, while my guiding journey began on the East Coast. Growing up in Virginia, I started paddling canoes with my family and transitioned to guiding rafts in West Virginia by the time I was 16. By 2025, I’ll have reached my 50th year as a professional guide.
The story of our business began in 1988 when my Virginia canoe club, Coastal Canoeists, organized a trip down Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon River. We didn’t want to carry all the gear for the 6-day, 5-night journey, so we hired Aaron’s dad’s company for raft support. As fate would have it, Aaron was one of our guides. We quickly discovered we shared similar goals and ambitions, and we liked each other.
Five months later, I moved to Oregon.
For several years, I worked as a guide for other companies on the McKenzie and in Idaho. By 2000, we had two young children, and it became clear that I needed to stay closer to home.
But the river kept calling me back, so I began guiding on the McKenzie River. In 2005, we officially launched A Helfrich Outfitter, marking the beginning of Helfrich McKenzie Rafting.
Q: What’s your favorite service you offer for rafting?
Our most popular rafting trip is the half-day route from Finn Rock to Helfrich on the McKenzie. We also offer full-day trips on both the upper and lower sections of the river, with the lower section extending all the way to EWEB Landing, just past the Goodpasture Covered Bridge.
Because rafting trips are very similar among all the companies, I’d say my favorite services are those that go above and beyond our guests’ expectations and set us apart from the others. We offer discounts for all sorts of groups and occasions.
We provide a mid-trip snack on our half-day trips.
We have three lunch options on our full-day trips.
We shuttle our guests from the take-out to the launch in one of our vans, so their cars await them at trip’s end.
We are able to provide round-trip transportation from town, if needed.
We provide special treats at our mid-trip stops for birthday, wedding, anniversary, reunion, homecoming and corporate celebrations.
Our guides are skilled and safety conscious. In the course of an entire season, among all of my guides, we have fewer than a handful of accidental swimmers.
Q: What’s the most fun for you?
I love taking a group of first-timers on the upper McKenzie in a one-raft trip. I deftly maneuver the raft around the rocks and through the waves and find my joy in their laughter and screams of delight. Nowadays, I spend most of my time in the office, so the occasional outing is a real treat.
Q: What’s the biggest achievement you’ve had in your business?
I grew this business from one woman with a small pick up truck, trailer and raft working out of her home’s garage to a business with three vans, three trailers, nine rafts and ten employees working out of a large shop.
I brought my own skill set into a family of guides and earned the respect of them and the local guiding community. I embraced and furthered the legacy of the Helfrich Family on its home waters.
I raised two children who are also guides and outfitters, part of the fourth generation of the Helfrich legacy.
Q: What’s next for Helfrich McKenzie Rafting? What can people look forward to in the future?
At the end of the 2025 season, I’ll be retiring after fifty years as a professional guide.
Last year, we started transitioning the business to my daughter, Leah. She’s already brought fresh ideas, like a new logo and website, and her dedication to quality ensures that our guests will continue to be well cared for.
Leah is deeply involved in the community and has spearheaded our participation in events like the Walterville Waddle Parade and the McKenzie Watershed Council’s river cleanups. She’s also a respected member of the McKenzie River Guides Association, continuing the legacy started by her great-grandfather, who was the association’s first president.
The Helfrich Family has been on the McKenzie River for over 100 years. Generation four will take it well into its second hundred years. I know my two children are doing just that and as a mom, I am so proud of them and their commitment to the legacy brings me great joy.
Our son, Garrett, purchased his grandfather’s Rogue River permit and is outfitting there this Fall. For us, it is an all-in family affair.
Helfrich McKenzie Rafting is more than just a business; it’s a family legacy rooted in a love for the river and a commitment to sharing that experience with others. As the fourth generation steps up to lead, the future looks bright for this Oregon outfitting icon. Whether you’re a first-time rafter or a seasoned adventurer, Helfrich McKenzie Rafting promises an experience that is as unique as the river they’ve called home for over 100 years.