Deschutes River - Rafting Adventures

Rising on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains south of La Pine, the Deschutes River flows northward through Bend. It is dammed just below its confluence with the Metolius River, forming Lake Billy Chinook. Continuing northward, it flows through Maupin and eventually reaches the Columbia River east of The Dalles. The lower 100 miles, from Pelton Dam to the Columbia River is divided in to 2 sections. The upper section down to Shears Falls is about 58 miles. The lower section from shears to the Columbia River is 42 miles. Both sections of the Deschutes offer very exciting whitewater rafting. The rapid classifications on the Deschutes River range from class 1 to class 4.

In the early 1800s, the Deschutes River was known by French fur traders as the "Riviere des Chutes" or "Riviere aux Chutes" - the "river of falls." Aside from it's beautiful scenery, the Deschutes River is famous for whitewater rafting, fishing, canoeing, rafting, and hiking.

With 300 days of sunshine, clear starry nights and hot summer days, whitewater rafting, boating, fishing and camping along the Deschutes is great spring, summer and fall! Deschutes River Rafting Trips

Wildlife Water in this relatively dry forest area (8-25 inches annual precipitation) attracts a variety of wildlife. Bald & Golden eagles and osprey fly up and down the river, diving ferouciously into the water as they snag fish. Both species are widely seen in the summer. Great blue herons inhabit the riverbanks, usually hunting frogs, crayfish and small fish. Many other types of birds make their home in the Deschutes river canyon. You will find chuckkar, pheasant,quail, and maggpie just to name a few.

The Common Merganser is often seen diving for fish or crayfish; the Mallard feeding on underwater plants; the Belted Kingfisher, recognized by its unique call, diving straight downward into the river, catching small fish. Beaver, river otter, mule deer, an occasional Roosevelt elk, black bear, garter snakes, and numerous lizards. frogs and toads can all be seen inhabiting the wild river banks.

Fish include rainbow trout, brown trout, and mountain whitefish.There are two runs of salmon that come into the deschutes to spawn, one in the spring and the other in the fall. There is also a run of steelhead that come in during the late fall, steelhead is a rainbow trout that goes out to the ocean for two years then returns to spawn in the river they we hatched from. Common insects associated with aquatic environment include mayflies, stoneflies, and the caddis fly - all important food sources for fish. Water striders. whirligig beetles, midges, and mosquitoes are abundant along the river all summer. Areas near water are important to all wildlife.

Current River Conditions (USGS)

Rapid Classifications | Local Area | Where to Stay | Reservations | What to Bring