Deschutes River Trail:
Oregon
Trail Map
  • Get Personalized Driving Directions!
  • Find Trail Side Shops with Google Search!
  • See Users’ Geocoded Photos!
  • Get a Print-Friendly Map and Get Outdoors!
Description:
From the Trail Website: The Deschutes River State Recreation Area is a tree-shaded overnight oasis for campers. The sparkle-laden, swift green rush of the Deschutes converges with the Columbia here, and there's no better place for family outing activities like hiking, biking, camping, rafting, world-class steelhead and trout fishing and equestrian trail riding (riding permitted March through June; download request form and rules).

Spring comes early in the Deschutes canyon, painting the walls of the canyon green for a few months each year before heat begins to build in June, turning the vegetation a golden shade of brown. The canyon is sheltered and warmer than you might think; the first wildflowers break from winter's grip in late February. What a great escape from the rainy weather!

The Atiyeh Deschutes River Trail at river level is a favorite jaunt for hikers on hot summer days. You just can't beat the cool river and the shade of white alder and birch trees (and while you're resting, look for the hanging basket-type nests built by the orioles).

The Deschutes, which is both a national and state scenic waterway, drops about a quarter of a mile in its final 100 miles as it twists through canyons 700 to 2,200 feet deep. Great for days of fun whitewater rafting, kayaking, and inner-tubing.

Heritage Landing is a popular jetboaters launch. It provides access to the Deschutes and Columbia Rivers. This is where river guides meet their clients, families gather to head out onto the Columbia River for salmon fishing or water skiing, and everyone collects to share the excitement of their big catch. Jetboating is allowed on the lower segment of the Deschutes River all year around except alternating weekends from June - September; boaters passes are required.

The lower two miles of the Deschutes River is a PASS THROUGH zone for boaters. This provides fishing access for the many hike-up anglers that depart from Heritage Landing and use the river trails.

For more information, including a trail map, please see the Trail Website or call 1-800-551-6949.
... Click to read more
Parking & Trail Access:
Driving directions and a trail map are available on the Trail Website.
... Click to read more
... Click to read more
Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
[View all reviews for this trail]
[register/login to Submit a Review of this Trail]
Good Ride!
By kjamison in July, 2011
Warning, it can be hot. Ride early and take lots of water (3-4 liters per person). There is no shade and the afternoon sun creates a furnace in the canyon.
We (myself, wife, kids 15,13,11--all on front suspension hybrid bikes) rode 26 miles without any problems. The road surface is mostly packed small gravel with some washboard areas that can be avoided by riding toward the center of the road. We were told the road runs out around mile 17.
Great sights along the way include the rocky cliffs, boxcars, homestead, watertower, large birds and snakes. The river beckons but it generally too hard to get to. Beware of rattle snakes but enjoy!
7/28/11
Puncture Vine on Trail
By RobLewis in October, 2009
Some sections of this railroad grade are infested with a weed called Puncture Vine or Goat Head. In the fall this plant produces sharp seeds which puncture bicycle tires and ruin both tires and tubes. This is a noxious weed and each infestation encountered should be reported to the Bureau of Land Management in Prinville Oregon. This weed cost me two tires and tubes and a long push out on Oct 20, 2009.
Bumpy and hot!
By Dan Murphy in July, 2006
"This trail is still firmly in the ""it's got potential"" category. On many other rails to trails rides that I've been on, there was a bit of romance to riding on a railroad bed that had been resurfaced. This particular railroad bed is little more than a well used and quite washboarded double track road. Between the corrugated surface and long stretches of dirt mixed with chunky volcanic rock, it's a 35 (GPS measured) mile long bone-shaker of an expedition. Don't even THINK about doing it with a regular street bike. I have a dual suspension quality mountain bike, and I still took a beating. It didn't help that the ambient temperature was over 105. I'd suggest that you make the trip out to the abandoned station houses/ranch house, going past that point (around mile 12) nets you nothing but more rocky going. Bring lots of water (I went through a full half gallon), don't bring kids unless you wish to have your folly brought up at every future family reunion."
Browse Trails by Activity: