Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

The Deschutes River begins at Little Lava Lake, a natural lake near the base of Mount Bachelor in the central Cascade Mountains. From there it runs more than 250 miles, carving through central Oregon on its way to the Columbia River Gorge.

The river's length combined with its sizable watershed makes it arguably the biggest and most prominent river in central Oregon. And its location near Bend means it's one of the most iconic waterways in the region.



Thankfully, there are plenty of ways people can see it.

Several different trails in central Oregon are called the “Deschutes River Trail.” One follows the river for nearly 20 miles just south of the Columbia Gorge. Another runs through Bend’s Old Mill District, past shops and restaurants. A third is found at Tumalo State Park, weaving through public and private land.

But keep going south of Bend, toward the source of the Deschutes River in the mountains, and you'll find another Deschutes River Trail entirely – one well regarded for its beautiful waterfalls and cliffside views.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Dillon Falls cascades beside the Deschutes River Trail.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Mountain bikers ride off down the Deschutes River Trail.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

The Deschutes River Trail follows the Deschutes River south of Bend.

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This Deschutes River Trail is nearly nine miles long, stretching south from the Meadow Day Use Area to the Benham Falls East Trailhead. Between the beginning and end, there are six other trailheads, allowing hikers and mountain bikers a variety of adventures that can be as short or long as they like.

One of the easiest and most scenic ways to see it is on a half-mile hike from the Benham Falls East Trailhead to Benham Falls itself, crossing over a stately wooden footbridge on the way to the waterfall. The hike is adjacent to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, which offers a whole other set of adventures.



Start instead farther north at the Lava Falls Trailhead, where you can see Lava Falls before hiking about 3.5 miles south to Dillon Falls, making a seven-mile round-trip excursion. This hike runs along cliffs overlooking churning rapids, and down to quieter stretches of the river.

For those who want an even bigger adventure, an out-and-back hike along the entire trail runs about 17 miles in all.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

A lodgepole pine sapling grows at the tip of a fallen log over rapids on the Deschutes River.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Lodgepole pine trees dominate the forest along the Deschutes River Trail.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

The Deschutes River Trail follows the Deschutes River south of Bend.

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This choose-your-own-adventure method makes the Deschutes River Trail appealing to a broad group of people. Alongside day hikers, expect to see mountain bikers, trail runners, dog walkers and even paddlers making their way along the more placid parts of the river.

It’s difficult to compare this Deschutes River Trail to the others by the same name – each offers its own natural beauty and appeal. This wild stretch of river, however, offers some true gems: several gorgeous waterfalls, quiet forests of lodgepole pine and a lot of access points to see it all.

It’s a small slice of a long and winding river, but the Deschutes River Trail is more than enough to fall in love with central Oregon’s iconic waterway.

SEE MORE PHOTOS BELOW

--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

The Deschutes River flows alongside the Deschutes River Trail near the Newberry National Volcanic Monument south of Bend.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Wooden steps climb steeply uphill on the Deschutes River Trail.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

The Deschutes River Trail follows the Deschutes River south of Bend.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Fall foliage lines the Deschutes River near the Newberry National Volcanic Monument south of Bend.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Hikers walk a dog along the Deschutes River Trail.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

The Deschutes River Trail follows the Deschutes River south of Bend.

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