Deschutes River Trail – Old Mill Reach

Care for Parks, Trails & Off Leash Areas

Volunteers help keep Bend’s parks, trails and off leash areas beautiful and safe places for everyone to enjoy!

Adopt-a-Park or Trail or Off Leash Area

Groups, businesses, schools, families or individuals can adopt a park, off leash area or section of Bend’s urban trail system. Volunteers help care for their adopted space by visiting regularly all year – picking up litter, pulling invasive weeds and keeping an eye out for vandalism, weather damage and potential safety hazards. Volunteers make at least a one year commitment and complete a monthly volunteer activity report.

Group Park Projects:

Your group can make a big impact by helping with a landscape maintenance project in a park.

Opportunities may be available in spring and fall, depending on the weather and vary based on the size of the group and current District needs. Projects are typically 2-3 hours and may include activities such as raking planting areas, spreading bark or playground chips, pulling invasive weeds and picking up litter. BPRD staff provides support for your group’s efforts and supplies any tools or materials needed for the project.

For more information about adopting a park or trail or scheduling a project for your group, contact:

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The Deschutes River Trail (DRT) is over 12 miles of trails along the Deschutes River and through some of the most scenic stretches of Central Oregon. The trail meanders through the heart of Bend, but also through pristine portions riverfront with pine, juniper and ponderosa forests - winding through canyons, basalt rimrock formations and other geologic wonders.

Listed from north to south, the following segments make up the Deschutes River Trail:

• DRT - Awbrey Reach
• DRT - River Run Reach
• DRT - Pioneer Reach
• DRT - Old Mill Reach
• DRT - South Canyon Reach

Trail Use:

• Some sections of the trail are on private property. Please stay on the designated trail.
• Areas along the river are sensitive wildlife habitat. Please do not walk along the river bank.
• Bicyclists and dogs are not allowed on some sections of the trails. Please observe pedestrian-only trail sections. Only pedal-assist e-bikes allowed on trails.

Trail Rules & Regulations:

• Parks and trails are open 5 AM to 10 PM daily.
• City ordinances require that dogs must be on leash at all times within the city limits (except at designated off-leash areas) and their waste properly removed. Dog “rest stops” along the trails and in the parks provide you with disposal bags and trash cans.
• Do not litter. Trash cans are located throughout the park and trail system.
• Vehicles, including throttle-assist electric bikes must remain on roadways or in parking areas. No parking on district property between 10 PM and 5 AM.
• No camping, smoking or fires allowed. Alcoholic beverages allowed by permit only.
• Feeding geese, ducks, other waterfowl and wildlife is not allowed.
• Removing vegetation is not allowed.
• Propane cook stoves are allowed; no charcoal grills allowed.
• Metal detectors allowed by permit only.
• The use of airborne projectiles, including golf and archery, is not allowed.
• Sales and concessions allowed by permit only.

These rules are in place for the safety and comfort of all park users. Park users are responsible for knowing and following all park rules. This is a partial list. See the Rules and Regulations page for full rules or call (541) 389-7275.

Trail Accessibility

It is the goal of Bend Park & Recreation District to provide trail access for all. However, not all existing trail segments have been evaluated nor are all trails intended to be fully accessible routes. The trails on this map may present obstacles, running slopes, cross slopes, narrow tread widths and unstable surfaces, making them inaccessible for some users. Trails at Farewell Bend, Riverbend, Pioneer and Pine Nursery Parks offer the best access for visitors with mobility aids. Updated information about the condition and accessibility of trails is available by calling(541) 389-7275. It is the trail user’s responsibility to determine if trail difficulty is appropriate for his or her skill level.

Dogs on Trails & In Parks

Unless otherwise indicated, dogs must be leashed on trails and in parks. Bend has nine areas for people to recreate with their dogs off-leash. The North Reach of the Deschutes River Trail (DRT), through the Riley Ranch Nature Reserve, does not permit dogs in the park or on the trails.