Situated across the Deschutes River from McKay Park, Miller’s Landing is excellent for picnicking, relaxing on the grass and accessing the river for water play, wading, floating, paddle boarding and kayaking. The park features two fully accessible access points for users to enter the river (instructional information coming soon!).
Accessible via streets and trails, the park also features a section of the Deschutes River Trail, connecting the Riverside neighborhood to the Old Mill.
A community garden is on site and is managed by the Miller’s Landing Community Garden Group. For information about the community garden and seasonal garden plot use, contact millerlandingcommunitygarden@gmail.com.
This location is ideal for small- to medium-size groups planning to utilize the Deschutes River and trails.
- Seating capacity – 25 people, total capacity 100 people
- 4 moveable rectangle picnic tables
- Open lawn areas and trails
- Restrooms and drinking fountain
- Adjacent to community gardens
- Lighted shelter and electrical outlet
Learn more about this rental.
The park and is richly rooted in our town’s history. In 1877, Stephen Staats (as in Staats St.) filed claim for the land which is now home to the park. The parkland was at one time ranched, home to a hotel and the site of one of Bend’s early post offices. In 1924, Harry Miller, owner of Miller Lumber Company, bought the land. Its location just downriver from the Shevlin-Hixon and Brooks Scanlon mills was an ideal site for a lumber holding area, staging area for delivery wagons and stable for horses. Many years later when horses were replaced with gas engine vehicles, the company no longer actively used the property. In time, the land’s primary use was by locals to access the river.
In 2010, The Trust for Public Land (TPL) led an effort to raise community funds to contribute to the purchase of the land from current property owners, the Miller family and Brooks Resources Corporation, with the goal of preserving the land as a community park for all to enjoy forever. Greg Cushman, TPL board member and local community advocate, led a campaign to raise $700,000 to help the Bend Park & Recreation District purchase the land for what is now Miller’s Landing Park. Over 500 people contributed to see this park come to be.
Miller’s Landing Park was acquired in 2011 and developed in 2012. Millbrook LLC transferred the land to a third party, Trust for Public Lands. The transfer to BPRD was originally planned under an agreement in 2005. The park was opened in 2013 and the name honors the historical family mill and homesite. The shelter was dedicated to Greg and Peggy Cushman. The original acquisition was supported by a local government grant in 2011. Additional grants were received in 2022 from the Oregon State Marine Board for design work, and in 2023 additional support was received from a Future Fund Grant.
Miller’s Landing features inclusive and environmentally responsible river access where people—regardless of mobility—can access the river. Get in the water for play, wading, floating, paddle boarding and kayaking, and enjoy the river while protecting the surrounding riparian habitat.
Features installed in summer 2025:
- Roller launch: Enables easy, independent launching and retrieval of watercraft.
- Wet ramp: Designed for launching a range of watercraft, with space for assisted launching.
- Dry ramp: Allows users to get at water level, and provides an accessible transfer point for entering and exiting the river, while helping keep mobility devices and gear dry.
- Shade structure: Offers sun protection and keeps the transfer bench cooler for more comfortable use.
- Power outlet station: Allows on-site inflation of watercraft and supports non-motorized access to reduce vehicle trips.
- Lawn, sand and staging area: Creates a welcoming space for people to prepare for river activities and gather as a community.
- Protected riparian area: Natural cedar fencing helps protect riparian areas by directing use to designated, durable access points and preventing erosion.
Parking for Floaters:
Park & Float is scheduled to open June 14. Contact Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe for rental opportunities, weather-permitting, for the 2025 season from May 24 to Sept. 1.
Park & Float is at Simpson Ave. and Bradbury Way, across from The Pavilion at 1000 SW Bradbury Way, and has free parking, rental services, access to the river shuttle and more. It’s a convenient one-stop location for a day of river fun. Shuttle rides have a $5 fee.
Parking Options:
Park & Float location at Simpson Ave. and Bradbury Way, across from The Pavilion at 1000 SW Bradbury Way. One block south of the whitewater park. (Directions)
Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St. (westside) (Directions)
McKay Park, 166 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr. (westside) (Directions)
Miller’s Landing Park, 80 NW Riverside Blvd. (eastside) (Directions)
Ride the River shuttle service:
The Ride the River shuttle starts and ends at Park & Float, beginning June 14 (tentative and weather permitting) and ending on Labor Day. Round trip makes transportation easy for river users with shuttles departing every 15-20 minutes from 11 am to 7 pm. Advanced tickets available at Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe. Reservations for 2025 season are available now. On your reservation date, check-in at Park & Float for the wrist band valid the entire day.
Parking is available at Riverbend Park, Farewell Bend Park, Miller’s Landing Park and Park & Float (across from The Pavilion). It’s only a block away from McKay Park and about a one-mile walk to Riverbend Park. Please respect neighborhoods, businesses and parking time limits.
We don’t recommend parking at Riverbend Park, floating to Drake Park and then walking back. It’s an option, but the walk back will be about two miles. A better option is parking in “the middle” across from The Pavilion and splitting the walk up to one mile before and one mile after instead.
We also don’t suggest shuttling vehicles as parking is extremely limited and may not even be available in the area by Riverbend Park and/or Drake Park. There is also a new neighborhood parking permit required.
The Deschutes River is home to many species of native fish and some of the most idyllic fishing spots reside in Bend parks. In addition to river fishing, the District also features fishing ponds at Pine Nursery and Shevlin Parks that are stocked by Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. View the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife stocking schedule here. Shevlin Pond is open to youth 17 years and under. Learn more. Licenses: All state angling licenses and regulations apply at all locations. Fishing is open to youth, 17 years and under, and anglers with disabilities. Youth aged 12 to 17 must have a juvenile fishing license. Limit of two fish per day, eight inch minimum length. Bait: Whether bait and/or fly fishing is allowed depends on location. Please check ODFW’s website for more information as regulations may change.
features
Rental info
This location is ideal for small- to medium-size groups planning to utilize the Deschutes River and trails.
- Seating capacity – 25 people, total capacity 100 people
- 4 moveable rectangle picnic tables
- Open lawn areas and trails
- Restrooms and drinking fountain
- Adjacent to community gardens
- Lighted shelter and electrical outlet
Learn more about this rental.
History
The park and is richly rooted in our town’s history. In 1877, Stephen Staats (as in Staats St.) filed claim for the land which is now home to the park. The parkland was at one time ranched, home to a hotel and the site of one of Bend’s early post offices. In 1924, Harry Miller, owner of Miller Lumber Company, bought the land. Its location just downriver from the Shevlin-Hixon and Brooks Scanlon mills was an ideal site for a lumber holding area, staging area for delivery wagons and stable for horses. Many years later when horses were replaced with gas engine vehicles, the company no longer actively used the property. In time, the land’s primary use was by locals to access the river.
In 2010, The Trust for Public Land (TPL) led an effort to raise community funds to contribute to the purchase of the land from current property owners, the Miller family and Brooks Resources Corporation, with the goal of preserving the land as a community park for all to enjoy forever. Greg Cushman, TPL board member and local community advocate, led a campaign to raise $700,000 to help the Bend Park & Recreation District purchase the land for what is now Miller’s Landing Park. Over 500 people contributed to see this park come to be.
Miller’s Landing Park was acquired in 2011 and developed in 2012. Millbrook LLC transferred the land to a third party, Trust for Public Lands. The transfer to BPRD was originally planned under an agreement in 2005. The park was opened in 2013 and the name honors the historical family mill and homesite. The shelter was dedicated to Greg and Peggy Cushman. The original acquisition was supported by a local government grant in 2011. Additional grants were received in 2022 from the Oregon State Marine Board for design work, and in 2023 additional support was received from a Future Fund Grant.
River Access
Miller’s Landing features inclusive and environmentally responsible river access where people—regardless of mobility—can access the river. Get in the water for play, wading, floating, paddle boarding and kayaking, and enjoy the river while protecting the surrounding riparian habitat.
Features installed in summer 2025:
- Roller launch: Enables easy, independent launching and retrieval of watercraft.
- Wet ramp: Designed for launching a range of watercraft, with space for assisted launching.
- Dry ramp: Allows users to get at water level, and provides an accessible transfer point for entering and exiting the river, while helping keep mobility devices and gear dry.
- Shade structure: Offers sun protection and keeps the transfer bench cooler for more comfortable use.
- Power outlet station: Allows on-site inflation of watercraft and supports non-motorized access to reduce vehicle trips.
- Lawn, sand and staging area: Creates a welcoming space for people to prepare for river activities and gather as a community.
- Protected riparian area: Natural cedar fencing helps protect riparian areas by directing use to designated, durable access points and preventing erosion.
Float the River
Parking for Floaters:
Park & Float is scheduled to open June 14. Contact Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe for rental opportunities, weather-permitting, for the 2025 season from May 24 to Sept. 1.
Park & Float is at Simpson Ave. and Bradbury Way, across from The Pavilion at 1000 SW Bradbury Way, and has free parking, rental services, access to the river shuttle and more. It’s a convenient one-stop location for a day of river fun. Shuttle rides have a $5 fee.
Parking Options:
Park & Float location at Simpson Ave. and Bradbury Way, across from The Pavilion at 1000 SW Bradbury Way. One block south of the whitewater park. (Directions)
Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St. (westside) (Directions)
McKay Park, 166 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr. (westside) (Directions)
Miller’s Landing Park, 80 NW Riverside Blvd. (eastside) (Directions)
Ride the River shuttle service:
The Ride the River shuttle starts and ends at Park & Float, beginning June 14 (tentative and weather permitting) and ending on Labor Day. Round trip makes transportation easy for river users with shuttles departing every 15-20 minutes from 11 am to 7 pm. Advanced tickets available at Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe. Reservations for 2025 season are available now. On your reservation date, check-in at Park & Float for the wrist band valid the entire day.
Parking is available at Riverbend Park, Farewell Bend Park, Miller’s Landing Park and Park & Float (across from The Pavilion). It’s only a block away from McKay Park and about a one-mile walk to Riverbend Park. Please respect neighborhoods, businesses and parking time limits.
We don’t recommend parking at Riverbend Park, floating to Drake Park and then walking back. It’s an option, but the walk back will be about two miles. A better option is parking in “the middle” across from The Pavilion and splitting the walk up to one mile before and one mile after instead.
We also don’t suggest shuttling vehicles as parking is extremely limited and may not even be available in the area by Riverbend Park and/or Drake Park. There is also a new neighborhood parking permit required.
Fishing in Parks
The Deschutes River is home to many species of native fish and some of the most idyllic fishing spots reside in Bend parks. In addition to river fishing, the District also features fishing ponds at Pine Nursery and Shevlin Parks that are stocked by Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. View the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife stocking schedule here. Shevlin Pond is open to youth 17 years and under. Learn more. Licenses: All state angling licenses and regulations apply at all locations. Fishing is open to youth, 17 years and under, and anglers with disabilities. Youth aged 12 to 17 must have a juvenile fishing license. Limit of two fish per day, eight inch minimum length. Bait: Whether bait and/or fly fishing is allowed depends on location. Please check ODFW’s website for more information as regulations may change.
