Hike the Deschutes River Trail Loop in Bend

The Deschutes River Trail is an extensive trail system that follows the Deschutes River in the Bend, Oregon area. While I prefer to hike away from town, sometimes there just isn’t time. This trail is in town and doesn’t require a long drive to get there.

The trailhead is located next to the Bill Healy Memorial Bridge at Bend’s Farewell Bend Park. Parking can sometimes be hard to get at the park on the east side of the river on Reed Market Road, but you can always park in the larger parking area on the other side of the river near the Bend Park and Recreation District Office off of Colorado Ave.

The hike will take you along the Deschutes River south for about 1.5 miles (see map below) until you reach smaller bridge that you can use to cross the river and complete the loop. The whole hike is a little over three miles, and for the most part is pretty easy. There are a couple places where you will climb a short uphill grade, but nothing too strenuous.

Unlike hiking in some of the more remote areas of Central Oregon you will see a lot of trail runners, and people out hiking with their dogs. On weekends during warm weather, it can be a little crowded, but not so bad that you can’t still enjoy the beauty of the Deschutes River and Central Oregon.