1. Deschutes River Trail
Trailhead 1 –NW Kirkaldy Ct
The Deschutes River Trail in Bend starts here and begins by winding through some neighborhood areas before meeting the river near Archie Briggs Canyon Open Space. It then continues through more neighborhoods and along the Deschutes River through Sawyer Park, until it reaches NW Mt Washington Drive. Continue on NW Mt Washington drive for just under ¼ mile before rejoining the trail just across the river from Riverview Park. This section of the Deschutes River Trail then continues along the river before ending at the 1st Street rapids. This first section of the Deschutes River Trail is approximately 4 miles long.
Trailhead 2 – Millers Landing (East Side of River)
McKay Park (West Side of River)
A path along either side of the Deschutes river continues through Bend’s Old Mill District, Riverbend Park and Farewell Bend Park. A bridge connecting Riverbend Park and Farewell Bend Park can be used to cross the river connecting the trails on the West and East side of the river. Past this bridge, the Deschutes River Trail continues on both side of the River, passing under Reed Market Rd, for approximately 1.5 miles before reaching a final river-crossing bridge, that allows users to loop this section of the Deschutes River Trail.
Trailhead 3 – Rimrock Trailhead
Rimrock is a park offering many miles of trail that loop and connect in a variety of ways. Approximately 1 mile from the parking lot, you will reach the Deschutes River. There is about 1 mile of river front trail that can be accessed from many different points. This is area allows dogs to be off leash year-round and is moderately trafficked. These trails also connect to the Meadow Camp Day Use Area.
Trailhead 4 – Meadow Camp Day Use Area
The Meadow Camp Day Use Area is accessed off of the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway. From the parking lot, the Deschutes River Trail continues for approximately 1.5 miles before meeting the Lava Island Trailhead. It follows the river for its entirety, passing Lava Island and Lava Island Falls.
Trailhead 5 – Lava Island Trailhead
(.4 miles down Conklin Rd, from Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway) Lava Island Trailhead is accessed less than a mile off of Conklin Road (NF – 41). This section of the Deschutes River Trail continues south along the river for approximately 1 mile before meeting the Big Eddy Trailhead.
Trailhead 6 – Big Eddy Trailhead
(1.6 miles down Conklin Rd, from Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway) Big Eddy Trailhead is located ¾ of a mile off of Conklin Rd (NF – 41). Stay left at the fork to reach this access point. Here the Deschutes River Trail continues for just over 2 miles before reaching the next trailhead. This section of the trail also passes thru the Aspen Day Use Area which provides access to the Deschutes River and the Deschutes River Trail.
Trailhead 7 – Dillon Falls Trailhead
(2.6 miles down Conklin Rd, from Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway) Dillon Falls Trailhead is located ¾ of a mile off of Conklin Rd (NF – 41). From here the Deschutes River Trail travels about 3.5 miles along the Deschutes River, passing through the Slough Day Use Area, before arriving at the Benham West Trailhead.
Trailhead 8 – Benham West Trailhead
The Benham West Trailhead is located just under 2.5 miles off of Conklin Rd (NF – 41), past Slough Day Use Area down the Deschutes River Trail Rd. From here the Deschutes River trail can be followed for just under a mile to the final trailhead along the Deschutes River Trail. This section of the trail passes Benham Falls, which are the largest falls along the upper Deschutes. To reach the final trailhead, this section of trail also crosses from the west side of the river to the east side via a bridge.
Trailhead 9 – Benham Falls East Trailhead
The Benham Falls East Trailhead is located approximately 5.5 miles off of US-97 on NF-9702 Rd. This is the most southern access for the Deschutes River Trail. From here you can travel north along the river.
2. Fall River Loop
Trailhead – ….Fall River Loop Trailhead:The Fall River Loop trailhead is accessed in La Pine State Park off of State Recreation Rd on the west side of the Deschutes River. It winds through the La Pine State Park and features both the Deschutes River and the Fall River. The majority of this trail is through the woods but river views are available as well. It is a 4.4 mile long loop, with various spurs that provide the opportunity for extended hikes.
3. The Deschutes Loop
Trailhead – Deschutes Loop Trailhead:The Deschutes Loop trail begins at the same trailhead as the Fall River Loop in La Pine State Park. It is a 3.4 mile loop that follows the Deschutes River for half of the time and winds through wooded forest for the other half.
4. Cougar Woods Loop
Trailhead – Cougar Woods Loop Trailhead:The Cougar Woods Loop trailhead is accessed in La Pine State Park off of State Recreation Rd on the east side of the Deschutes River. It is a 3.1 mile loop that follows the river at times and also travels through the La Pine State Forest.
5. Tumalo State Park Hike (The Deschutes River Trail)
Trailhead – Tumalo State Park Trailhead:This trail system heads south from the day use area and campground of Tumalo State Park. It follows the Deschutes River for its entirety and ends with a view of Tumalo Creek entering the Deschutes River. This trail is 2.6 miles long and is an out-and-back trail.
6. Stealhead Falls
Trailhead – Steelhead Falls Trailhead:The Steelhead Falls trail is located outside of Terrebonne. The trail follows the Deschutes River passing the remains of an old Mill House and the Steelhead Falls. It also travels through areas of calm water with easy swimming hole access. This trail is 2 miles long and is an out-and-back trail.
7. Scout Camp Trail
Trailhead – Scout Camp Trailhead:The Scout Camp Trail is located near Redmond. This trail offers views of Deschutes River rapids, deep desert canyons and the intersection where the Whychuys Creek meets the Deschutes River. It can be very steep in places and at times requires some scrambling over rocks and boulders. For this reason, it is rated as moderately difficult. The trail is approximately 2.3 miles and is a loop type trail.
8. Alder Springs Trail
Trailhead – Alder Springs Trialhead:The Alder Springs Trail is located near Camp Sherman. Approximately 1.5 miles in from the trailhead you will come to Alder Springs where there is a nice grassy area good for a picnic or taking a dip. At this point, hikers must cross the creek to finish the trail which continues for about 1.5 more miles and ends at the Deschutes River. All together, this is a 5.7 mile, out-and-back trail.:
9. Tam-a-lau Trail
Trailhead – Tam-a-lau Trailhead:This trail is located near Culver on Lake Billy Chinook. It offers views of the Crooked River and The Deschutes River where they meet to create this man-made lake. “Tam-a-lau” is a native phrase meaning “big rocks on the ground” and fittingly the trail is scattered with large boulders. Much of the hike is flat along a lava plateau named “The Peninsula in Cove Palisades State Park.” The steep part of this trail is the in and out section that leads to the peninsula. To access the trailhead, park in the Upper Deschutes Day Use Area and walk across the main road. This trail is a loop and is approximately 5.8 miles long.