Whitewater Rafting on the Deschutes River in Bend Oregon

White water rafting on the Deschutes River in Bend is a must-do activity in Central Oregon. Nothing's better on a hot summer's day in Bend than a wild ride down the river!

One of the popular river rafting outfitters in Bend Oregon is Sun Country Tours. They offer a variety of white water rafting excursions ranging from a few hours to multiple days from early spring until late fall. The Big Eddy Thriller is a fun rafting adventure designed for the entire family--young kids don't even have to paddle--that takes you through Class 1 and 3 rapids (Class 6 rapids are considered hazardous for even expert paddlers). Along the way, there'll be time for swimming and even some horse play--or shall we say "water play"--as you battle other rafters for the title of "King" of the water bazooka fights. And, don't forget to say cheese...Sun Country will snap a photo of you and your crew when you are least expecting it. Sun Country Tours will take care of everything from providing you with life vests, rain gear (only necessary for early spring rafting conditions), friendly guides and even a bus ride to Aspen--an old logging camp where the trip begins--from their headquarters in Bend, Oregon.

The two hour rafting trip from Bend is just the right amount of time to fit rafting into your packed-full vacation itinerary while still having plenty of time left over for a hike to Tumalo Falls.

For a full day of rafting excitement Ouzel Outfitters and Sun Country Tours offer trips on the Lower Deschutes River near the rafting town of Maupin. Big splashy class III rapids like Boxcar and Oak Springs deliver a thrilling experience and photographers will capture your mile-wide smiles.

For a slightly easier trip, the McKenzie River in the Cascade Mountains east of Sisters offers fast and active, but relatively easy class II rafting. Transportation from Bend, delicious lunches, professional guides and equipment provide you and your family with a fun filled day!

When one day just isn’t enough, enjoy an overnight rafting and camping experience on the Lower Deschutes River or the North Umpqua River (near Crater Lake National Park). Two days of shooting the rapids and a night along the river under the stars makes for the perfect weekend getaway. Ouzel Outfitters offers fully-outfitted multi-day trips providing all of your camping gear and with gourmet meals served on full-sized banquet tables.

Canoeing/Kayaking

Summer in Bend Oregon means spending time on the mighty Deschutes River that winds its way through the Central Oregon region or paddling a canoe on one of the many high cascade lakes.

One of the most popular past times in Bend has to be floating the Deschutes River--you won't want to miss this! You can rent a raft or tube at Alder Creek Kayak & Canoes and then start your relaxing river float trip from Farewell Bend Park. Don't worry about having to keep an extra vehicle or plan for a pick-up at the end of your ride because you can get picked up in style by Bend Area Transit's (BAT) Ride the River shuttle at a number of spots along the river.

The Sunriver area is also a wonderful destination for those who are serious about their river float trips. Make an entire day of it by putting in at the Harpers Bridge and be prepared to float for an entire 3 1/2 hours to the pull out at Benham Butte. If you want a shorter ride, or need a place to take a break for lunch, hop out at the Sunriver Marina only a 1 1/2 hour float from Harpers Bridge. You can also rent your canoes, kayaks and rafts at the Sunriver Marina located within Sunriver Resort. Remember to stay safe by reading the river safety brochure because there are a few places where you must get out of the river.

The Cascade Lakes Scenic Highway offers plenty of lakes that are perfect for exploring by canoe. Devils and Sparks Lakes are just a few of the spots where non-motorized boats are allowed so lollygag along the lake all you want and enjoy the scenery and fresh mountain air.

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