Twenty-two miles of paved path following the Deschutes River through the heart of Bend and into the high desert canyon to the north. It’s Bend’s most-used trail, its civic spine, and one of the reasons locals will tell you — with complete seriousness — that they moved here for the lifestyle. Here’s the local guide.
The Trail At a Glance
The Deschutes River Trail (DRT) runs from Farewell Bend Park in south Bend all the way north to Tumalo State Park, passing through Drake Park, the Old Mill District, Riverbend Park, and the lava rock canyon stretches locals call “the canyon section.” The path is paved its full length, wide enough for bikes and pedestrians side by side, and connects to dozens of neighborhood access points.
The Best Sections (By Experience)
For the Classic Bend Experience: Drake Park to Old Mill (2.5 miles)
This is the postcard section — Mirror Pond reflecting the tree line at Drake Park, the old railroad bridge conversion at the Galveston crossing, and the arriving at the Old Mill District’s shops and restaurants. It’s flat, scenic, and almost always busy. Great for families with strollers, dog walkers, casual joggers. The weekly Farmer’s Market at Drake Park (summer Wednesdays) makes this stretch a social hub as much as a trail.
For the Canyon Experience: Riverbend to Big Eddy (4 miles)
North of the Old Mill, the trail enters a narrow lava rock canyon where the river drops through Class IV rapids at Big Eddy. This is where locals go to escape the tourists. The canyon walls frame the sky into a narrow strip of blue, the sound of the rapids replaces city noise, and you can watch kayakers and rafters drop through the whitewater from the trail. In summer, there’s an unofficial swimming hole at the bottom of Big Eddy that locals treat like a private beach.
For the Quiet Run: Farewell Bend to Athletic Club (3 miles)
The southern section through Farewell Bend Park and along the river past the ATHLETIC Club is the least-trafficked stretch of the DRT. Tall ponderosa pines shade the path and the river here is slower and wider — good for fly fishing access and wildlife watching. Great blue herons are almost always present. This section connects to the Bend Senior Center neighborhood trails and the Larkspur neighborhood path system.
Best Access Points
- Drake Park (NW Riverside Blvd) — Central, parking available, connects to Mirror Pond and downtown. Best morning access point.
- Riverbend Park (SW Reed Market Rd) — Large parking lot, closest to the Old Mill District, connects to the mountain bike trail network. Most popular summer launch point.
- Old Mill District — Free parking in the district, trail access at multiple points. Best for combining trail use with lunch or shopping.
- Tumalo State Park (north) — Northern terminus with camping and day-use facilities. Fee parking required (or day-use pass).
- Farewell Bend Park (south end) — Quiet, locals-only feel. Street parking on NW Farewell Bend Drive.
Seasonal Notes
Summer (June–September): The DRT gets extremely busy on weekends. Early morning (before 8am) or evening (after 6pm) visits are significantly more peaceful. The river temperature reaches a swimmable 58–62°F by July at the swimming holes.
Fall (October–November): The cottonwood trees along the river turn gold in late October — genuinely one of the best fall color experiences in Central Oregon. Foot traffic drops dramatically and the trail feels like it belongs to locals again.
Winter (December–February): The trail is open year-round and is plowed or passable after most snowfalls. Frost-covered ponderosa in morning light is a legitimately beautiful experience. Dress for it and go.
Spring (March–May): High runoff means the river is powerful and the rapids are spectacular. Wildflowers appear in April along the canyon section. One of the best times to visit — before summer crowds return.
Considering a Move to Bend?
The Deschutes River Trail is one reason locals never leave. We’ll show you exactly which neighborhoods give you best trail access — and which homes back right up to it.