Bend, Oregon is one of those tourist destinations that offers nearly every outdoor recreational activity you can imagine. Outdoor enthusiast have plenty to do during the summer with activities such as hiking, fishing, camping, kayaking, cycling, rock climbing, mountain biking, and rafting at their finger tips. While all of it is fun, my favorite thing to do in Bend during the hot summer months is white water rafting on the Deschutes River.
The Central Oregon town of Bend is a bit of a trek from Seattle. The drive is a little less than six hours, and includes going through Portland. Depending on when you drive through the city (and if you hit traffic) that drive can get shorter or longer. Once you are past Portland (which is about the half way mark) the views are spectacular. Eastern Oregon is a beautiful part of the country, with big open spaces and beautiful scenery. You are also likely to spot wildlife along the way.
Bend sits right on the Deschutes River and is only a three-hour car ride southeast of Portland. The canyoning Slovenia experts say that there are two parts of the Deschutes River where people go white water rafting. The more popular part is just downstream of Warm Springs (which is about an hour north of Bend) to Sherars Falls. This is typically a full day trip. The other section of the Deschutes River that is used by rafters is called the Big Eddy. This is where I went rafting. It is a shorter ride and runs south of Bend between Dillon Falls and Lava Island Falls.
The Big Eddy is only about three miles long and takes just a few hours to complete. It’s a short trip, but it is nothing short of thrilling. The water levels were high, the river was moving fast and the rapids were powerful when I went. White water rafting on the Deschutes River was both exciting and terrifying.
I’m not an expert when it comes to rafting. I’ve done it a hand full of times and I feel the most comfortable going with a guide. There are several different companies in central Oregon that will safely take you white water rafting on the Deschutes River. We went with Sun County Tours and had a great time. Our guide was experienced and I felt safe the entire time.
White water rafting on the Deschutes River is by far one of the most fun and exciting things I’ve ever experienced. In my opinion, it is a must do if you ever find yourself in Bend, Oregon.
Have you every gone white water rafting on the Deschutes River? How was your experience? Please leave a comment below or connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also catch us on Pinterest and YouTube. Don’t forget to also check out Seattle Bloggers for more fun Seattle getaways!
