Explore Deschutes Wild and Scenic River, Oregon

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The Deschutes River is located in central Oregon. It provides much of the drainage on the eastern side of the Cascade Range on its way to its confluence with the Columbia River. The Deschutes was an important resource for thousands of years for Native Americans and in the 19th century for pioneers on the Oregon Trail. The river runs through a deep rimrock-lined canyon that ranges from 900 feet to 2,600 feet in depth. The elevation drops from 1,393 feet at Pelton Reregulation Dam to 160 feet at its confluence with the Columbia River. The average gradient is 13 feet per mile and is relatively constant throughout its length. The most significant drops in gradient are Sherars Falls (River Mile 44), with a vertical drop of 15 feet, and Whitehorse Rapids (River Mile 75), with a vertical drop of approximately 35-40 feet over one mile. The Deschutes features ruggedly beautiful scenery, outstanding whitewater boating and a renowned sport fishery for steelhead, brown trout and native rainbow trout. The upper Deschutes River is highly accessible, offers an exceptional brown trout fishery, and is close to Bend, Oregon, adjacent to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. The middle Deschutes River has excellent hiking opportunities with spectacular geologic formations and waterfalls. The lower Deschutes River offers the greatest opportunities for whitewater rafting and is one of Oregon's premier steelhead and trout fisheries. These river corridors offer a diversity of year-round, other semi-primitive recreation opportunities include backpacking, camping, wildlife and nature observation, expert kayaking and rafting, picnicking, swimming, hunting and photography. Interpretive opportunities are exceptional and attract visitors from outside the geographical area. The lower Deschutes River is central Oregon's playground, an ideal location for outdoor sports, from whitewater paddling and swimming to hiking and biking. The river provides a stable, high-volume flow, available for recreation all year long, and it has been internationally known for its excellent fishery for many years. One hundred river miles offer segments favored for relaxed, overnight camping and fishing floats, one-day whitewater adventures, and guided or non-guided fishing trips. Notable activities include following the Lower Deschutes River Back Country Byway along the river to campgrounds at Beavertail and Macks Canyon or the accessible fishing ramp at Blue Hole. The lower Deschutes River Canyon contains a diversity of landforms, vegetation and color. The river, having carved a canyon nearly 2,000 feet deep in many locations out of rugged Columbia River basalt flows, provides a dramatic and diverse landscape. The clear water of the river framed by the green riparian vegetative fringe creates a stark contrast to the often barren and broken reddish and brown cliffs and hillsides of the canyon. The river provides a boater with a moving platform for viewing the ever-changing scene. The variety of plant communities in the Deschutes River Canyon fall into four broad categories: the high desert uplands host big sagebrush, juniper-big sagebrush and bunchgrass types, and the riparian vegetation along the river is dominated by alders. Know Before You Go: A permit is required to boat the Lower Deschutes River. See link below for further permit information. Sixteen developed first-come, first-served campgrounds and seven day-use areas offer riverside recreating fun. Due to high fire danger, the Lower Deschutes River is closed to all campfires and charcoal fires from June 1 through September 30 each year. Propane and white gas stoves and shielded lanterns are permitted. Smoking is permitted only in a closed vehicle, while standing in the water, or while in a boat on the water. Using or possessing fireworks is prohibited at all times. The affected area of this closure is within the Lower Deschutes National Wild and Scenic River corridor, which extends from Pelton Dam to the Columbia River.

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