Warm Waters and Red Rock Beauty, Discover the Deschutes River: An Ideal Day Trip from Portland, Oregon
Embark on an unforgettable day trip from Portland, Oregon, to explore the magnificent Deschutes River out of Maupin, OR. This remarkable river, with its name derived from a French word meaning “River of the Falls,” stretches 252 miles from Little Lava Lake in the Cascade Mountains until it converges with the Columbia River. Originating near Bend, Oregon, the Deschutes River boasts a consistent, high-volume flow, making it easily navigable year-round.
Prepare to be captivated by the striking contrast of the Deschutes River’s surroundings. The rugged, arid landscape, characterized by broken reddish and brown cliffs, stands in stark juxtaposition to the vibrant fringe of green vegetation that adorns the clear, flowing waters. As you embark on your boating adventure, you’ll have the privilege of witnessing this ever-changing wonder of nature, with the river serving as your moving platform for uninterrupted views.
Whether you’re an avid nature enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or simply seeking a tranquil escape, the Deschutes River promises an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss the opportunity to embark on a day trip from Portland and immerse yourself in the splendor of the Deschutes River’s natural beauty. From the cascading waterfalls to the serene stretches of clear water, this remarkable river will leave you in awe of its magnificence.
We are now offering raft Rental Service for the Deschutes River.
Embark on an unforgettable Deschutes River whitewater rafting adventure, starting from Maupin, Oregon. Perfect for families and non-swimmers, our trips cater to all skill levels. Choose from half-day, full-day, and multi-day wilderness excursions, ensuring a variety of options for your Deschutes River whitewater rafting experience.
The Deschutes River offers two renowned sections for thrilling whitewater rafting and kayaking. The first is the exhilarating Big Eddy, located upstream between Dillon and Lava Island Falls, just above Bend. The second section extends from Warm Springs to the exciting 15-foot drop at Sherars Falls (portage). These combined sections span approximately 58 miles and feature a mix of rapids, including a few thrilling Class 3 sections.
One of the most beloved trips is the immersive 3-day wilderness adventure on the Deschutes River. This trip allows you to fully embrace nature while our experienced guides take care of everything, from preparing delicious meals to providing exceptional Deschutes River camping accommodations. Additionally, you’ll gain valuable insights about the area, making it an enriching journey.
For shorter trips, the Oak Springs section is a popular choice, offering a fun and splashy experience from Warm Springs to Shears Falls. This stretch features notable rapids such as Boxcar, as well as various Class 2 and 3 rapids. Conveniently accessible as day trips from both Portland and Bend, these exciting sections are easily within reach.
Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the Deschutes River’s thrilling rapids, stunning scenery, and exceptional guides. Join us for an adventure-packed Deschutes River whitewater rafting experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Designated as a National Wild & Scenic River in 1988, the river offers opportunities for overnight boating trips, hiking, biking, hunting and fishing. With a drop in elevation from 1,393 feet to 160 feet at its confluence with the Columbia River, the Canyon contains a diversity of landforms, vegetation and color. Carved from rugged volcanic basalt flows, the vertical cliffs, wide talus slopes and numerous caves not only provide dramatic landscape, but afford ideal nesting habitat for bald eagles, peregrine falcons and osprey. Most of the 300 different species of wildlife utilize riparian habitats adjacent to the river which provides outstanding opportunities for rafters to view waterfowl, heron, beaver, river otter and many reptiles. The river corridor supports critical elk and mule deer winter range habitat.
Only 2 hours southeast of Portland, Oregon, an hour from Bend, Oregon and an hour from Mt. Hood, the lower Deschutes River is central Oregon’s playground. World-renowned for its fly fishing, the Deschutes is home to Columbia River redband trout (known locally as “redsides).
With around 300 days of sunshine a year, what better place to be than on cool, sparkling clear water that offers Class II to IV rapids, sandy beaches and a host of visual stimulus.
We launch trips on many different rivers in California, Oregon and Idaho. For questions give our main office a call – we would love to talk with you about our trips and rivers.
Our vision is to create a sustainable and equitable reality where our rivers are enjoyed and protected, a place where families and friends can be inspired and challenged.
Tributary Whitewater Tours has been running rivers since we were first founded in 1978. Since we opened 40+ years ago we have expanded to include Adventure Connection, Mariah Wilderness Expeditions, High Desert River Outfitters, Canyon Outfitters and are the parent company of Raft California and Raft Oregon. While some things have changed over the years, Tributary remains a family-run small business with the same passion for the river and the mission of leading others to experience it.
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