Sunday, August 24:
Poor air quality is impacting our area.
Check for facility and activity delays and cancelations before leaving for activity.
Sunday, August 24:
Poor air quality is impacting our area.
Check for facility and activity delays and cancelations before leaving for activity.
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.
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.
For a successful day on the river, we urge users to “Know Before You Go” with the following safety reminders:
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.
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
Option 2: Short –
McKay Park to Drake Park
Option 3. Long –
Riverbend Park to Drake Park
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.
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:
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To conduct business at McKay Park and/or Miller’s Landing Park adjacent to the Bend Whitewater Park, there is a permit process that requires proof of insurance coverage. This is the process for sale, rental or promotions of merchandise or service; the provision of a paid service or program, instruction or training that includes use of dry land for anything more than quick transportation in or out of the Deschutes River.
The public is always welcome in our parks; therefore, a permitted business does not have exclusive use and business activity may not adversely impact general public use. See business use of a park for more information.
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.
For a successful day on the river, we urge users to “Know Before You Go” with the following safety reminders:
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.
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
Option 2: Short –
McKay Park to Drake Park
Option 3. Long –
Riverbend Park to Drake Park
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.
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:
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To conduct business at McKay Park and/or Miller’s Landing Park adjacent to the Bend Whitewater Park, there is a permit process that requires proof of insurance coverage. This is the process for sale, rental or promotions of merchandise or service; the provision of a paid service or program, instruction or training that includes use of dry land for anything more than quick transportation in or out of the Deschutes River.
The public is always welcome in our parks; therefore, a permitted business does not have exclusive use and business activity may not adversely impact general public use. See business use of a park for more information.