Deschutes River Trail
Deschutes River Trail
5
About
A popular 10.5-mile mountain biking trail in Oregon's Deschutes National Forest.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Deschutes River Trail and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
396 within 5 kms
Attractions
122 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
61 reviews
Excellent
54
Very good
7
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Shirley G
Springfield, OR1,794 contributions
May 2021
Love this trail! The only issue is that there are so many stops to take pictures. It is a beautiful well maintained trail that gifts you with the view of the Deschutes river and rock formations.
It is a dusty trail and I wear my older hiking or tenna shoes when on this trail. Weekend summer months are VERY high traffic. My suggestion is spring or early fall. I visited this May and there was snow in the air.
It is a dusty trail and I wear my older hiking or tenna shoes when on this trail. Weekend summer months are VERY high traffic. My suggestion is spring or early fall. I visited this May and there was snow in the air.
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.
ryanpeg
Portland, OR279 contributions
Apr 2021
Well marked and nice hike. It is clearly marked as one way for most of it (due to the pandemic) but of course people do not follow these directions and do not wear masks.
Written 13 April 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.
Kjay
Klamath Falls, OR631 contributions
Mar 2023
Bundle up & bring your binoculars! The Deschutes River Trail offers wide, paved walkways right along the river, with great viewing for all sorts of birds – from green-headed Mallards & punk-crested Mergansers swimming nearshore, to dazzling blue Scrub Jays posing fearlessly in trees right along the pathway.
Who would think there would be such a variety of birds to see, just steps from Bend’s “Mill District” shopping area! We ventured out with friends on a blustery day in February. In just an hour’s leisurely stroll around the waterfront, we also saw Ring-necked Ducks, Scaups, Coots, Goldeneyes, Canada Geese, and even a Golden-crowned Sparrow almost at our feet.
The meandering walkway further charms with eye-catching art murals, bewitching tunnels, decorative bridges draped with fluttering flags, & historic interpretive signs along the way. When it warms up, there is outside dining at many restaurants bordering the walkway.
It’s a wonderfully scenic stroll, with plenty of room for passing joggers, dog-walkers, folks in wheelchairs, baby carriages, & bird-watcher/photographers like us! Public restrooms are nearby – adjacent to “Sisters Coffee” shop, and just down from Karen Eland’s most delightful “Greetings from Bend Oregon” mural which is immensely popular for selfie photos to send to family & friends! Nearby street parking is free – either off SW Reed Market Road, or in the shopping area.
Don’t miss the “Colorado Bridge Tunnel Mural” by Sandy Klein, with cheerfully painted birds on both sides! One side includes an osprey, with real osprey nest high on a pole just beyond. The other wall has one of my favorite birds – a Kingfisher with a fish. It is a female Kingfisher because she wears a reddish-brown belt (which the male doesn’t have).
Interestingly a few steps beyond that is a notable Kingfisher site by some divine little waterfalls, where you can see a sculptural kingfisher “hunting snag” (created by Andrew Wachs & Dylan Woock). Be sure to watch for kingfishers there!
For more on Kingfishers, check out the new award-winning book “Halcyon Journey – In Search of the Belted Kingfisher” by Bend birder/nature writer – Marina Richie. Her book won the 2022 National Outdoor Book Award, & celebrates the Belted Kingfisher as our “Ambassador for Saving Wild Waterways.”
Happy birding!
Who would think there would be such a variety of birds to see, just steps from Bend’s “Mill District” shopping area! We ventured out with friends on a blustery day in February. In just an hour’s leisurely stroll around the waterfront, we also saw Ring-necked Ducks, Scaups, Coots, Goldeneyes, Canada Geese, and even a Golden-crowned Sparrow almost at our feet.
The meandering walkway further charms with eye-catching art murals, bewitching tunnels, decorative bridges draped with fluttering flags, & historic interpretive signs along the way. When it warms up, there is outside dining at many restaurants bordering the walkway.
It’s a wonderfully scenic stroll, with plenty of room for passing joggers, dog-walkers, folks in wheelchairs, baby carriages, & bird-watcher/photographers like us! Public restrooms are nearby – adjacent to “Sisters Coffee” shop, and just down from Karen Eland’s most delightful “Greetings from Bend Oregon” mural which is immensely popular for selfie photos to send to family & friends! Nearby street parking is free – either off SW Reed Market Road, or in the shopping area.
Don’t miss the “Colorado Bridge Tunnel Mural” by Sandy Klein, with cheerfully painted birds on both sides! One side includes an osprey, with real osprey nest high on a pole just beyond. The other wall has one of my favorite birds – a Kingfisher with a fish. It is a female Kingfisher because she wears a reddish-brown belt (which the male doesn’t have).
Interestingly a few steps beyond that is a notable Kingfisher site by some divine little waterfalls, where you can see a sculptural kingfisher “hunting snag” (created by Andrew Wachs & Dylan Woock). Be sure to watch for kingfishers there!
For more on Kingfishers, check out the new award-winning book “Halcyon Journey – In Search of the Belted Kingfisher” by Bend birder/nature writer – Marina Richie. Her book won the 2022 National Outdoor Book Award, & celebrates the Belted Kingfisher as our “Ambassador for Saving Wild Waterways.”
Happy birding!
Written 3 March 2023
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.
Melinda P
Yorba Linda, CA526 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Checking out Bend from So Cal and thoroughly enjoyed this gorgeous walk!! Incredible homes on the water with a lovely large park on the other side with musicians and plenty of people enjoying the scenery! Quintessential Oregon and always worth it❤️
Written 20 August 2020
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.
GraceSellsBigBear
Big Bear Lake, CA66 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
The path around the river is very easy, and rewarding with views the whole way. Lots of different small trails off the main one so you can explore your own way.
Written 14 November 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.
Roger
Santa Monica, CA51 contributions
Sept 2019
I was looking for a trail to run for 9 miles or more, and this was fantastic. The trail goes along the river, except at one point when you have to run through a campground/parking lot area and then veer to a higher trail (the river trail dead ends). You can keep going for miles but may have to circumnavigate some cross sections to find it again as there are a few intersections that take you away from the river. Overall, the trail was great (except getting lost a couple times) as you get views of the Deschutes all along your run.
Written 28 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.
xdelta
25 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
No really steep climbs on this river walk. Take water soon & boots or comfortable closed-toed shoes. (Some uneven & loose debris). But for us mid- 70 year olds, it was doable & what a gem in a busy city. We spent 2 hours soaking up the beauty of this river. The temperature in the 80' s was fine with the shade provided much of the way. Loved it!
Written 21 August 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.
Adamatkin
Oceanside, CA191 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
I love this trail for jogging or walking. Do watch out for the clubs that run it on Wednesdays though, they don't always yield or slow enough to avoid almost running you off the trail (these are adults as well, which is worse). Otherwise the trail is quiet and very pretty. There also was another mountain lion sighting on this trail this year, so be aware and walk in pairs if this frightens you. Deer are everywhere so don't let them scare you.
Written 15 June 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.
steveD4192JX
Green Bay55 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
A great place for a walk or run. Lots of scenery and different terrain. I would definitely recommend visiting the trail.
Written 6 June 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.
Vermont68
Vermont444 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Well planned path, paved and at some outer reaches unsaved. Goes for many miles. Connects with a lot of business and residential areas. Wonderful way to see nature, flora and fauna. Lots of ducks and geese now. Saw a red tail hawk too.
Written 10 April 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.
Showing results 1-2 of 2
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing