Deschutes River
Deschutes River
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5.0
261 reviews
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47
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3
Shirley G
Springfield, OR1,794 contributions
May 2021
Deschutes River is an Oregon treasure. Whether you are rafter, hiking, biking, camping, picnicking or simply traveling on a road trip. Along the Deschutes River you will find numerous pull outs for hiking and several campgrounds.
If it is your destination I suggest late spring or early fall. Summer find the area packed with locals and tourist.
The river is clear and certainly worth of a trip to visit.
If it is your destination I suggest late spring or early fall. Summer find the area packed with locals and tourist.
The river is clear and certainly worth of a trip to visit.
Written 21 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SanDiegoPhil
100 contributions
Sept 2019
If you are looking for a relaxing activity to do in Bend with a group of friends or a significant other, I'd highly recommend this if the weather is good.
We tubed from Riverbend Park to Drake Park. Most of the way it was extremely relaxing, floating down the river at a very mellow pace, having the river mostly to ourselves (occassionally passing a paddle-boarder or other tuber here and there), and viewing the varying sights on the shores of the river. Partway through, there is a small stretch of some very mild rapids. There is an option to walk out and around the rapids here with your tube, if rapids are not your thing; however, we did exactly the opposite....after riding the rapids the first time, we walked back to the beginning of the rapids, and ran them again....and after that, we ran them a third time.
TIPS:
Wear secure sandals (e.g. Chaco Classic Z) or secure water shoes --- going barefoot is not a good option because of the rocky river bottom, and flipflops is also a poor choice because lots of people lose them in the rapids never to be recovered.
If you need to rent a tube, they can be rented at Riverbend Park for $16. This is where we rented ours from, were able to put into the Deschutes right on the spot. These are high quality rentals with very sturdy hulls and comfortable handles to help keep you from falling out of the tube (or dropping your butt onto a rock) while shooting the rapids.
If you want to bring your cell phone or an electronic car fob / alarm, make sure to purchase some sort of drybag in advance (e.g. Osprey Ultralight 3).... although the river is calm 90% of the trip, it would be easy to flip in the rapids.
We went on Sep 7th, which provided some plusses and minuses. The big plus was that since Labor Day had passed, the river was much less crowded than it would have been just a week or two prior. The minus was the lack of the summer shuttle:
The shuttle only runs through Labor Day, which means that we had to park our car at Riverbend, and after we put out at Drake Park one of us had to walk back to Drake Park (Ubering was not an option, since we failed to buy a drybag for our phones and thus left them locked in the car), then he had to drive down to Drake Park to get us and our innertubes, and then we had to all drive back to Riverbend to return them.... they didn't all fit in the car, and then one of us realized we could deflate them to make them fit. :)
As far as time, I'd estimate 45-60 minutes to tube without repeating the rapids. Repeat the rapids to make the tubing last longer.
We tubed from Riverbend Park to Drake Park. Most of the way it was extremely relaxing, floating down the river at a very mellow pace, having the river mostly to ourselves (occassionally passing a paddle-boarder or other tuber here and there), and viewing the varying sights on the shores of the river. Partway through, there is a small stretch of some very mild rapids. There is an option to walk out and around the rapids here with your tube, if rapids are not your thing; however, we did exactly the opposite....after riding the rapids the first time, we walked back to the beginning of the rapids, and ran them again....and after that, we ran them a third time.
TIPS:
Wear secure sandals (e.g. Chaco Classic Z) or secure water shoes --- going barefoot is not a good option because of the rocky river bottom, and flipflops is also a poor choice because lots of people lose them in the rapids never to be recovered.
If you need to rent a tube, they can be rented at Riverbend Park for $16. This is where we rented ours from, were able to put into the Deschutes right on the spot. These are high quality rentals with very sturdy hulls and comfortable handles to help keep you from falling out of the tube (or dropping your butt onto a rock) while shooting the rapids.
If you want to bring your cell phone or an electronic car fob / alarm, make sure to purchase some sort of drybag in advance (e.g. Osprey Ultralight 3).... although the river is calm 90% of the trip, it would be easy to flip in the rapids.
We went on Sep 7th, which provided some plusses and minuses. The big plus was that since Labor Day had passed, the river was much less crowded than it would have been just a week or two prior. The minus was the lack of the summer shuttle:
The shuttle only runs through Labor Day, which means that we had to park our car at Riverbend, and after we put out at Drake Park one of us had to walk back to Drake Park (Ubering was not an option, since we failed to buy a drybag for our phones and thus left them locked in the car), then he had to drive down to Drake Park to get us and our innertubes, and then we had to all drive back to Riverbend to return them.... they didn't all fit in the car, and then one of us realized we could deflate them to make them fit. :)
As far as time, I'd estimate 45-60 minutes to tube without repeating the rapids. Repeat the rapids to make the tubing last longer.
Written 14 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joey A
Lincoln, United States14 contributions
June 2018 • Couples
Visiting the Deschutes River at The Old Mill area is a must! so beautiful and fun, great walking paths, one of the prettiest and cleanest places you could visit, so much to do
Written 28 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark S
Anchorage, AK57 contributions
July 2016 • Solo
Today was a scorcher in Bend, but tubing the Deschutes from Riverbend Park to Drake Park was just what the doctor ordered for this Alaskan visiting the high desert. It's a slow, easy float and obviously very popular - you'll "bump into" plenty of happy folks enjoying the same experience. At the SW Colorado Ave. Bridge you can portage around a short stretch of rapids, but they are relatively easy to run if you have any river floating experience. It's your call. Just pay attention to all signs along the way, and don't hesitate to ask one of your fellow floaters if anything is in question. With that said, this is a suitable float for families - just make sure the young-uns are properly attired in floatation devices (required for SUP's and kayaks, though most folks seem to ignore this). Rent float tubes, SUP's etc. at the Riverbend Park put-in, and PFD's are available for kiddo's at no charge.
For $3.00, a shuttle will take you from Drake Park back to the put-in at Riverbend Park. Ask for a wristband and you can ride it all day if you want to float it more than once. Don't miss the last shuttle at 6:30 pm. Research it at the Bend Parks and Rec website for more details info.
For $3.00, a shuttle will take you from Drake Park back to the put-in at Riverbend Park. Ask for a wristband and you can ride it all day if you want to float it more than once. Don't miss the last shuttle at 6:30 pm. Research it at the Bend Parks and Rec website for more details info.
Written 29 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelerCory
Salem, OR114 contributions
July 2019 • Couples
Amazing float from Riverbend Park to Drake Park. Takes about 2 hours to float. There are rapids halfway through. We got out and watched a few people go down before we did it as well. The shuttle picks you up at drake park and takes you to either Riverbend Park or the park near the rapids. Definitely bring the sunscreen.
Written 19 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sondra R
Bend, Oregon, United States104 contributions
Aug 2016 • Business
Grab an inner tube or rent one and float down the river. Best time is when the temperature is above 85. The water is very chilly, but refreshing. It takes about 2 hours to float from the Old Mill down to Drake Park. You can catch a shuttle back to your car for $3. Fun for a group or just a few.
Written 12 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Becky E
35 contributions
July 2018 • Family
My sister and her husband recently built a 2nd home in Bend. They purchased six water tubes at Costco for floating on the Deschutes River. We drove to the parking lot near Riverbend Park/Dog Park and entered the river. We floated down the river to Drake Park. There were some great tubing rapids near McKay Park. The city is very smart. They have a shuttle service at Drake Park to take you back to where you started. It costs $3 per person and a wrist band gives you unlimited rides that day. Wonderful fun!
Written 17 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
quiltmaven
Ocala, FL643 contributions
June 2018 • Family
The Deschutes River is fed by snow melt. It’s COLD.
The orange tubes you rent may look like they have a solid bottom but they don’t. It’s mèche, the water comes through.
When you go over the rapids, you will get very wet. I repeat, the water is COLD.
Having said all that, we had a great time. Children can and should ride with an adult because you have to “paddle” your way periodically. Actually quite often. When you get to the exit point, don’t miss it. It’s a grassy area on your right just past a bridge. The bus took forever (more than 30 minutes), not the promised 15. Lie down on the brick sidewalk. It will help warm your body.
Flip flops make great hand paddles.
The orange tubes you rent may look like they have a solid bottom but they don’t. It’s mèche, the water comes through.
When you go over the rapids, you will get very wet. I repeat, the water is COLD.
Having said all that, we had a great time. Children can and should ride with an adult because you have to “paddle” your way periodically. Actually quite often. When you get to the exit point, don’t miss it. It’s a grassy area on your right just past a bridge. The bus took forever (more than 30 minutes), not the promised 15. Lie down on the brick sidewalk. It will help warm your body.
Flip flops make great hand paddles.
Written 26 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gail R
Berkeley, CA42 contributions
July 2017 • Family
We had so much fun inner tubing down the river. Be sure you have a sturdy inner tube though! We used our own ones, instead of renting, and they are sturdy but pool-sized. Both my daughter and I flipped out of them going down the rapids section. So you really need to fairly large, strong inner tube or raft. And don't forget the sun screen - you'll be out there well over an hour.
Written 20 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark D
Canton, MA187 contributions
July 2017 • Business
There are a few companies that rent tubes and paddleboards - or you can bring your own! Floating from the River Bend Park to Drake Park takes between 90 and 120 minutes, but it is a fantastic way to relax and enjoy the scenery!
Written 17 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there places on the Deschutes river that rent self-guided tours? If so, where? How strong is the current?
Written 14 June 2018
No guided tours for the float down this section of the river. You just follow the other “floaters”. The river is safe, current slow and the experience absolutely wonderful!
Written 15 June 2018
Do you rent stand up paddle boards? Are there any unguided rentals? How dangerous are the rapids?
Written 14 June 2018
You can rent paddle boards and the current is mild. You’d don’t have to go anywhere near the rapids
Written 17 June 2018
Would like to whitewater raft or kayak August 5th , do I need to set up before I arrive on Bend Area?
Written 13 March 2017
As per the previous post, please contact the Bend Park and Recreation District for information. That would be a good bet to ensure you have a good time here in Bend.
Written 14 March 2017
We would like to book a river rafting trip for our family of five in Bend on July 25th or 26th. We are big people with kids aged 15, 17 and 19. What do you have available for us?
Written 23 July 2016
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