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Floating the River

Floating the River

For nine months of the year, the Deschutes River through Bend’s Old Mill District is a tranquil, picturesque waterway dotted with an occasional paddle boarder or kayaker enjoying the peace and quiet while sometimes maneuvering around a lone duck or gaggle of geese.

But between roughly Memorial Day and Labor Day, the water between Riverbend and Drake parks takes on a new role with a plethora of slow-moving, multi-colored inner tubes, paddleboards, kayaks, and other floatation devices guided by 250,000+ people looking to cool off and partake in one of Bend’s signature summer activities.

Floating the river is on the summer calendar for just about every local and visitor alike. Trust us and learn to plan ahead, respect the wild river for what it is, put safety first and have fun as intended.

Click the tabs below for more information to make sure you have the best day possible on the river.

SURF THE RIVER

KAYAK THE RIVER

Use durable gear – your own or a rented tube. Contact Tumalo Creek for rental opportunities, weather permitting. Reservations for the 2025 season are available with Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe. Reservations are highly recommended; same day tube rentals are walk up only and first-come, first-serve. Tube rentals are available at Riverbend Park May 24 through Sept. 1.

Rental tubes are professional-grade tubes meeting today’s safety standards. Tubes feature mesh bottoms and handles.

Bend Park and Recreation District has 16 river-front parks including Farewell Bend Park, Riverbend Park, McKay Park, Drake Park, First Street Rapids Park and others.

Some parks are better than others for sunbathing, watercraft access, river surfing and other activities. Find a park locator here.

Wear a life jacket! State law requires them for all boaters, paddleboarders and children 12 years old and under. Whistles are also required with boats and paddleboards.
Wear sturdy shoes! River sandals, water shoes or just plain ol’ tennis shoes you don’t mind getting wet are preferred over flip flops.
Consider your own and your child’s abilities before entering the river and always supervise children in and around water. There are no lifeguards at the river, so please take responsibility for your safety.
Use equipment intended for river recreation, not pool toys or low-quality tubes. Durable rental equipment is available at Park & Float and local retailers.

Free Life Jackets Available

Kids & Adults: Free life jacket rental available from Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe at two locations: Park & Float and Riverbend Park.
Park & Float – open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily (weather permitting) during the summer season. The 2025 season opens June 14 and runs through Labor Day.
Riverbend Park (kayaks, SUPs, lifejackets only) – open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (weather permitting) from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

For a successful day on the river, we urge users to “Know Before You Go” with the following safety reminders:

Alcohol is prohibited on the river and in parks. Don’t drink while recreating in or around the river. Recreating under the influence can be extremely dangerous, even deadly. If you’re caught drinking on the river, you could receive a citation and fine of up to $750.
Floaters should be aware of the caution signs as you approach the Colorado Ave. bridge and stay left of the boom. Upriver entry to the middle channel of the Bend Whitewater Park is restricted to expert boaters only with the proper gear. It should never be used by floaters.
Wear a life jacket. State law requires them for all boaters, paddleboarders and children 12 years old and under. Whistles are also required with boats and paddleboards.
Consider your own and your child’s abilities before entering the river and always supervise children in and around water. There are no lifeguards at the river, so take responsibility for your safety and heed all caution signs.
Use durable equipment intended for river recreation, not pool toys or low-quality tubes. Rental river equipment is available at local retailers and at Park & Float across from The Pavilion on Simpson Ave. and Riverbend Park via Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe.
Wear comfortable, secure footwear. Flip flops can easily fall off in the river and bare feet can get injured by rocks, gravel and/or hot sidewalks.
Be responsible. For everyone’s safety, be familiar with Oregon State Marine Board regulations on river recreation.
Secure your gear. Help keep the river clean and free from debris.
Be ready to get wet. Floating the fish ladder through the Bend Whitewater Park requires active participation. The river current is swift and the water is cold.

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.

For all routes, follow directions at access points and in-river signs.

Option 1: Short –
Riverbend to McKay Park

Park at Park & Float across from The Pavilion.
Walk to Riverbend Park, about 1 mile away.
Or reserve Ride the River shuttle for transportation seats. 2025 season shuttle begins June 14.
Access the river and float for about 45 minutes.
Stay left as you approach the Colorado Ave. Bridge. Exit or ride the rapids:
– If you want to add adventure to your float, ride the rapids! We suggest getting out and scouting conditions before making your decision. After floating the Fish Ladder’s rapids, exit the river on the left.
– If you want to keep it mellow or if you have children with your group, exit the river before the Colorado Ave. Bridge.
Walk back to the parking lot about 0.2 mile away.
Overall time: 75 – 90 minutes.

Option 2: Short –
McKay Park to Drake Park

Park at Park & Float across from The Pavilion.
Walk to McKay Park, about 0.2 mile away.
Access the river at the beach and float for about 45 minutes.
When you see the Galveston Ave. Bridge, move to the right side of the river.
End your float on the right side of the river at Drake Park beach area.
Walk back to the parking lot about 1 mile away. Ride share service is also an option.
Overall time: 75 – 90 minutes.

Option 3. Long –
Riverbend Park to Drake Park

Park at Park & Float across from The Pavilion.
Walk to Riverbend Park, about 1 mile away.
Or reserve Ride the River shuttle transportation seats. 2025 season shuttle begins June 14.
Access the river and float for about 45 minutes. Float the River Route 3 Map.
Stay left as you approach the Colorado Ave. Bridge. Exit or Ride the Rapids:
– If you want to add adventure to your float, ride the rapids! We suggest getting out and scouting conditions before making your decision.
– If you want to keep it mellow or if you have children with your group, exit the river before the Colorado Ave. Bridge and walk to McKay Park to re-enter the river.
When you see the Galveston Ave. Bridge, move to the right side of the river.
End your float on the right side of the river at Drake Park beach area.
Walk back to the parking lot, about 1 mile away. Ride share service is also an option. Or return on Ride the River shuttle if you reserved seats in advance.
Overall time: 120 – 140 minutes.

Vegetation and wildlife are integral parts of the Bend Whitewater Park and other parks along the Deschutes River. With more than a quarter million river users each summer, everyone has a role in maintaining the Deschutes River as a special place. To learn more about the Deschutes River Access and Habitat Restoration Plan, visit the plan webpage.

How you can help preserve habitat

Floating impacts habitat and water quality, so please consider how you can leave the river better than you found it.

Sun protection: What you wear matters. When choosing sunscreen, seek products that are mineral or zinc based. Oxybenzone and octinoxate, which have been found to be damaging to coral reefs, are also harmful to freshwater rivers. They can be damaging to fish, plants, algae, and water insects, all of which are crucial for the overall health of our river.

Riverbanks: Erosion is a concern. When choosing where to enter the river, use a designated site, such as Riverbend Park, Farewell Bend Park, McKay Park or Miller’s Landing Park. BPRD and the Old Mill District have installed miles of split-rail fencing in areas that need repair and restoration from misuse. Please help limit damage to the riverbank, because it’s key to water quality and habitat.

The Deschutes River is dam-controlled and primarily serves water rights and irrigation needs. The Bend Whitewater Park staff keeps water depth in Mill Pond seasonally stable, and mimic natural flow changes. This work provides habitat for protected species.

When constructed and opened in 2015, the Bend Whitewater Park:

Removed the Colorado Street Dam and created a fish ladder to restore fish migration in this reach of the Deschutes River. The series of 12 small rapids nearest to McKay Park serves fish migration as well as river floaters. As a fish ladder, it helps fish travel upstream, a route that was previously blocked by a hazardous dam. While species of redband, brook and brown trout spawn at a specific time of the year, fish are present year round.
Created the Habitat Channel and maintains a year-round minimum flow level for protected species. The Habitat Channel is designed to protect wildlife and improve river health. The relatively shallow river depth supports riparian plants and wildlife. Look for osprey, willow and frogs among other native features as it continues to develop over time. To protect the sensitive nature of this area, it is not accessible to people or domesticated animals.
Installed several Osprey nesting posts. The presence of fish is also welcomed by happy ospreys that use the river area for foraging, roosting and raising their young on nest platforms.

River Cleanups

Help keep the Deschutes River clean and free from debris. Secure your belongings and make sure trash goes in bins. Each summer more than 1,500 lbs. of trash are collected at one clean-up event. Please do your part to reduce what is left behind.

Want to be involved beyond your day on the river? Join the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council for Deschutes River Clean-up Day in late June. Volunteers remove weeds, debris and garbage from the river and riverbanks.

For more info: https://www.upperdeschuteswatershedcouncil.org/

The Fish Ladder, aka “The Rapids”

What type of equipment should I use in the Fish Ladder?

The Fish Ladder has both rapids and rocks so you’ll want to be prepared with the right equipment. Durable tubes, whitewater kayaks and whitewater paddleboards are suitable for the Fish Ladder. Flatwater kayaks, flatwater canoes, flatwater paddleboards and pool loungers should not be used in the Fish Ladder.

For floaters, it’s advised to use a durable tube that can handle contact with rocks as well as river turbulence. Avoid using pool toys, pool loungers and other items not specifically designed for whitewater or contact with rocks.

Will I get splashed in the Fish Ladder?

Yes, the Fish Ladder is a very different experience from the relaxing floating in the flat water section of the river. You must be an active participant and paddle through the series of rapids to have fun and successfully navigate the section. If you don’t want to get splashed or flipped, please exit the river before the Colorado Ave. bridge, walk a short distance to the McKay Park beach, and re-enter the river for more flat-water floating.

What if my tube is stalled and isn’t moving forward

The hydraulics in the Fish Ladder can lead to a tube stalling in the same place until the river user paddles out of the spot or until another river tube bumps it free. The best advice is to remain calm, paddle your arms or to hold onto a friend’s hand or handle of another tube to increase momentum. If that doesn’t work, make your way to the riverbank and exit the river.

Whitewater Channel

What are the features in the middle channel?

The middle channel is made up of 23 underwater, pneumatic bladders that fill and deflate with air to move in different angles to influence the shape of the river. Conditions will vary daily based on water flows and pneumatic influences.

Jason’s Wave: The first feature (furthest down-river) was designed for the beginner using a variety of watercraft.

Kricket’s Wave: The second feature was designed with kayaking in mind. As water levels vary, this feature could also be a great experience for stand-up paddleboarding.

Green Wave: This feature is a green, glassy faced wave ideal for short board river surfing, SUP surfing and flat bottom kayak surfing. This wave is best suited for experienced river users.

Eddy’s Wave: This wave (closest to the bridge) produces the largest wave and is best for advanced kayaking.

How are the bladders and features controlled?

Filling and deflating the bladders is controlled electronically by the river recreation specialist. Each time a bladder is manipulated, all other features are impacted. Feature conditions are also influenced by the river flow which occurs naturally as well as a result of the amount of water released from Wickiup Reservoir.

If river conditions vary daily, how can I get the latest information?

Be sure to check the Current Conditions page.

In addition, the Facebook page for Bend Whitewater Park has regular wave reports from the wave shaper. This is the best source for information about the whitewater channel for experts and should be consulted before heading to the park.

What was done to improve safety in the whitewater channel?

Gear Up

Use durable gear – your own or a rented tube. Contact Tumalo Creek for rental opportunities, weather permitting. Reservations for the 2025 season are available with Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe. Reservations are highly recommended; same day tube rentals are walk up only and first-come, first-serve. Tube rentals are available at Riverbend Park May 24 through Sept. 1.

Rental tubes are professional-grade tubes meeting today’s safety standards. Tubes feature mesh bottoms and handles.

Bend Park and Recreation District has 16 river-front parks including Farewell Bend Park, Riverbend Park, McKay Park, Drake Park, First Street Rapids Park and others.

Some parks are better than others for sunbathing, watercraft access, river surfing and other activities. Find a park locator here.

Wear a life jacket! State law requires them for all boaters, paddleboarders and children 12 years old and under. Whistles are also required with boats and paddleboards.
Wear sturdy shoes! River sandals, water shoes or just plain ol’ tennis shoes you don’t mind getting wet are preferred over flip flops.
Consider your own and your child’s abilities before entering the river and always supervise children in and around water. There are no lifeguards at the river, so please take responsibility for your safety.
Use equipment intended for river recreation, not pool toys or low-quality tubes. Durable rental equipment is available at Park & Float and local retailers.