Deschutes River Trail (Bend)

Deschutes River Trail meanders over 12 miles through the heart of Bend in central Oregon. Most of the trail follows the river for which it’s named, providing terrific views and recreational opportunities. The trail is easy to access as it links a number of parks, including Sawyer Park, Pioneer Park, and Riverbend Park. Many of these sites offer parking, drinking water, and restrooms.

The Pioneer Reach section of the trail is paved and follows the banks of the city’s placid Mirror Pond. The Old Mill Reach is a popular stretch of the trail along the riverbank through Bend’s revitalized Old Mill District, a hot spot of shops, restaurants, galleries, and entertainment. The South Canyon Reach is a wilderness section located south of Reed Market Road, winding through ponderosa pine forests and over a canyon rim where the river gushes through narrow flumes and over boulder-strewn rapids. Bicycles are not allowed on the west side of the trail section in the South Canyon Reach, but there is an alternative bike route that connects the Bill Healy Bridge to the Haul Road Trail along Century Drive.

Note: A portion of the southern trail loop—south of Reed Market Road on the west side of the river—is open to pedestrians only (no bicycles allowed; watch for the signs which will indicate this). This walking-only section is part of the "South Canyon Reach" area of the trail.

Parking and Trail Access

Parking is available at these parks along the trail, from north to south:

Pioneer Park, 1525 Wall St.
Miller's Landing Park, 55 NW Riverside Blvd.
Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St.

Beware of Rules

August 2022 loraleecampbell

Not sure if evokes are allowed. Some parts say no bikes. Rough gravel at North end.

Great north of Pioneer Park - unsure about south - see review

July 2017 acannefax

I rode this trail north from Pioneer Park - just past the park, after you cross the river, it is gravel, as noted before - coarse dark gravel that I think is brought in, as it is deeper to the edges. Anyway - I have a hybrid bike, so my tires are barely 1.5 inches or so as noted in the other review. Most of the trail was fine, but with my tires and gearing, there were hills I elected to walk up - and one that I chose to ride up, my back tire spun a lot in the sand/gravel. That said, I loved the trail and would do it again in a minute. Great views and well marked. I saw very few other cyclists or hikers on the trail.

On the next day, I was going to do the south end. We went to Farewell Bend park and could not find parking so parked in a side street. My husband brought up the parks and rec map of the trail, and it had several places on the west side of the river marked as no biking. The legend on the map just said unpaved, so it was confusing to say the least. Based on this and various other factors, I elected not to ride the south end, so I really don't know what the no biking areas are.