Arriving via Interstate 5:

Take exit # 194A (Springfield). This will place you on Highway 105/126 east. Follow this highway a few miles until it ends, turning left (east) onto Highway 126. Drive approx. one hour along the McKenzie highway to milepost 50 and the village of McKenzie Bridge. Immediately before the small McKenzie Bridge store, make a gentle left onto North Bank Rd. Drive 1/2 mile up North Bank to St. Benedict Lodge on the right.

Arriving via Sisters:

Take highway 126 driving west out of Sisters (in the summer highway 242 is open and is a scenic but very curvy option). A few miles after crossing the Santiam Pass, be sure to take the left turn marked "Eugene" (not going onto Salem) and then 4 miles later take the left turn again marked "Eugene" (not going onto Albany) The first village and sign of habitation will be McKenzie Bridge. Immediately after passing the small McKenzie Bridge store, make a very sharp right turn onto North Bank Rd. 1/2 mile up North Bank is St. Benedict's on the right.

   9:45 AM to 4:00 PM:

April 1, 2009 & June 2, 2009

 These Women's Prayer Days offer: 

• An opportunity to spend a day in the beautiful setting of St. Benedict's. 

• Presentations by women on the staff on prayer, meditation, spirituality and the journey to God. 

• Each women will be given a room for private use.

• Soup & salad provided

Contact St. Benedict's (541) 822-3572, Linda Beach (541 747-1064) or Peggy Hayward (541 822-6087)

St. Benedict is a Roman Catholic Retreat Center and makes its facilities available to groups to conduct their own retreats and gatherings year round. In order to fulfill its mission the first priority for booking the Retreat Center is given to Catholic Church groups .  Then, in descending order, "self-help" groups such as AA and the like; university and college sponsored organizations; non-affiliated, individual groups; commercial or business groups. 

The Retreat Center is located 50 miles east of Eugene, Oregon, just one half mile off of the McKenzie Highway 126, at McKenzie Bridge.  Although St. Benedict is at the edge of the Willamette National Forest our elevation is only 1400' and snow seldom isolates us or presents any serious inconvenience during the winter months.  Access to the Retreat Center from Interstate Highway 5 is always open and an easy one hour drive. 

The rates vary according to the group, with the best rates given to Catholic youth groups during the school year.  Groups pay from $20.00 to $24.00 per person, per night and have minimum numbers in the range of 35 - 45 required for each night, depending on the season. Details concerning use and rates are subject to change without notice.  Please contact St. Benedict directly to determine exact usage and rate conditions. 

The Retreat Center is never used by more than one group at a time and can accommodate a maximum of 82 persons if every bed is used according to the following breakdown: 44 persons in private, one-bed rooms; 20 persons in five rooms that each have 2 bunk beds; and 12 persons in a dormitory which has 6 bunk beds.  All of these rooms are on the second floor of three A-frame buildings and are not 'wheelchair accessible.' 

There is a ground floor building which has two bedrooms that share a bath and can accommodate six persons sleeping in three bunk beds. 

Guest should bring their own twin-sized linen, blankets and towels (or sleeping bag). No linens or blankets are available. 

All groups that come to the Retreat Center have access to the fully equipped kitchen and dining room where they can either prepare their own meals or bring someone to cook.  St. Benedict's does not provide meal service but can offer names of cooks who can be hired by the group. 

Weekends require a two night minimum and scheduling is often done a year or more in advance.  However, there are often cancellations and groups are encouraged to check in the event that a desired date just might be available. 

St. Benedict Retreat Center is owned and operated by the Dominican Friars of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.  If a group wishes to make use of our staff in developing a retreat for your group, please feel free to make inquiries.  We are always ready to offer what help we can.. 

The Guest Cabin at St. Benedict Retreat Center  is available for private retreats.  The Guest Cabin has two self-contained rooms with private baths. The River Room has two twin-sized beds and the Cascade Room has a queen-sized bed.  Both rooms are complete with all appropriate linens and towels. Both rooms are also completely furnished with microwave, coffee maker, TV/VCR and gas fire-stove heating. Both rooms have a view of the river.

Retreatants have use of an adjoining lounge/kitchen where they can spend private time and prepare food that they have brought.  Suggested minimum donation is $40.00 per night, single occupancy and $60.00 per night, double occupancy.

Communal Prayer - Morning & Evening Prayer and Daily Mass - are shared with the Dominican Community. Confession, counseling, and spiritual direction are available upon request.  Because the schedule often varies, please check with the lodge office about the times for the daily liturgies.