Bend, OR

The Deschutes River is one of my favorite features of Bend. I love seeing its waters sparkle when I drive along Reed Market Road; I love the colorful kayaks and inner tubes dotting the waters, signifying that summer is here; and I love riding my bike along the riverside behind the Old Mill District. Lucky for me and other river lovers, Bend has an entire trail system devoted to hiking and walking along the Deschutes River. The Deschutes River Trails offer pristine river views and nicely cleared paths, perfect for an impromptu (and undemanding) romp around Bend’s beloved waters.

As per the Bend Parks and Recreation website, the Deschutes River Trails are divided into five different sections according to terrain and location. As far as I can tell, I entered the trail on the east side of South Canyon Reach, across the street from the south end of Farewell Bend Park on Reed Market Road.

It’s amazing what beauty can be found just a few miles from home. As my friend and I walked down the trail our eyes were filled with a panoramic view of the broad blue river, flanked by evergreens and topped with a pale late afternoon sky. I couldn’t stop taking pictures as we walked along the well-cleared dirt path.

The trail meanders alongside the river and through wooded clearings, gaining elevation ever so slightly along the way. We came to a few forks in the road where the trail connects to others, but we stayed mostly on the low trails, keeping the river in sight. While bicycles are not allowed on this particular part of the trail, we did pass a few dog-walkers, joggers, a fisherman, and a young man clutching bouquet of wildflowers.

After crossing a bridge and making our way back along the other side of the river, we emerged on the west side of Reed Market Road, not far from the place we had entered across the street. We figured the entire loop was around 3 or 4 miles, and this particular part of the Deschutes River Trail is moderate enough for families with young children. My friend and I even spotted a lone picnic bench less than a mile from the trail entrance, begging for riverside picnics or an open air round of Scrabble.