raftoregon

oregon rafting trips & vacations

Lower Klamath 3 Day Wilderness

- Waterfalls, wilderness & whitewater -

Deschutes River Rafting

- 1/2 day and full day trips -
  • Rafting Trips

    OREGON WHITEWATER RAFTING!

    VIEW ALL TRIPS!

    Choose By Area

    • Bend

    • Northern California

    • Portland

    • Southern California

    Choose Your Spice

    Low Spice Beginner Trips (Class II)

    Medium Spice Intermediate Trips (Class III)

    Full Spice Advanced Trips (Class IV)

    Too Hot Advanced Trips (Class V)

    Specialty Trips
    Guide School 2022

    Get some Sweet Skills!

    Wilderness Trips

    Hand Picked Guide-Favorites!

    BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!
    CALIFORNIA RIVER RAFTING

    with Raft California!

    WASHINGTON RIVER RAFTING

    COMING SOON!

    CONTACT US
  • Raft Trip Pricing
    • Specials
  • Get Your Photos
  • Blog
  • Resources

    rafting resources

    What To Bring Whitewater Rafting

    Choosing A White Water Raft Trip

    Cancellation & Refund Policy

    rafting videos

    Gear Shop!

    SWEET MERCH! - shop now -

    CONTACT US
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Employment Opportunities

Deschutes River

Maupin, Oregon

Beginner to Intermediate

Class 2-3

  • Minimum Age: 6
  • Trip Length: 14-25 miles, 1/2 day, 1 day & 3 days
  • Season: May-September
  • Elevation: 1345
  • Trip Pricing: Starting at $60
View Trips
  • View Map
  • Area Info

Deschutes River - Rafting All Summer Long

Rafting trips on the Deschutes River out of Maupin, Oregon are suitable for kids and non-swimmers.

We offer half day, full day and 3 day wilderness trips all summer long, check out the many options for Deschutes river whitewater rafting.

Deschutes River - 1/2 Day Rafting Trip

Maupin, Oregon /
Half Day
Low Spice: Beginner (Class II)Medium Spice: Intermediate (Class III)
starting at
$69
- TRIP DETAILS -

Deschutes River - 1 Day Rafting Trip

Maupin, Oregon /
1 Day
Low Spice: Beginner (Class II)Medium Spice: Intermediate (Class III)
starting at
$89
- TRIP DETAILS -

Deschutes River - 3 Day Wilderness Rafting & Camping Trip

Maupin, Oregon /
Multi-Day
Low Spice: Beginner (Class II)Medium Spice: Intermediate (Class III)
starting at
$429
- TRIP DETAILS -
Trip Info

The Deschutes River

Named during the fur trading era from a French word meaning “River of the Falls,” travels 252 miles north from Little Lava Lake in the Cascade Mountains to join the Columbia River.  From its origin near Bend, Oregon, the Deschutes River provides a stable, high-volume flow allowing it to be navigated for its entire length throughout the entire year!

The stark contrast of the high, arid country of broken reddish and brown cliffs to the vegetative, fringe green edging the clear flowing water gives the boater a moving platform for viewing this ever-changing wonder of Nature.

Two sections of the Lower Deschutes River are popular for whitewater rafting and kayaking; the upstream section which is known as the Big Eddy lies above the city of Bend between Dillon and Lava Island Falls.  The lower section is from the town of Warm Springs to just above the exciting 15 foot drop at Sherars Falls (portage).  Together they total roughly 58 miles.  On the other side of Sherars Falls lies another 42 miles that river runners will find to be a mellow trip with a few class 3 rapids.

A favorite trip for many is the 3 day wilderness trip on the Deschutes River, where you have a chance to immerse yourself in nature and be pampered by Guides preparing meals, amazing Deschutes River camping and additional information about the area.

Shorter trips options on the fun and splashy Oak Springs section (Warm Springs to Shears Falls) include Boxcar rapid and more class 2 and 3 rapids. These are easy to get to as day trips from Portland and Bend.

Wild and Scenic Deschutes River

Designated as a National Wild & Scenic River in 1988, the river offers opportunities for overnight boating trips, hiking, biking, hunting and fishing.  With a drop in elevation from 1,393 feet to 160 feet at its confluence with the Columbia River, the Canyon contains a diversity of landforms, vegetation and color.  Carved from rugged volcanic basalt flows, the vertical cliffs, wide talus slopes and numerous caves not only provide dramatic landscape, but afford ideal nesting habitat for bald eagles, peregrine falcons and osprey.  Most of the 300 different species of wildlife utilize riparian habitats adjacent to the river which provides outstanding opportunities for rafters to view waterfowl, heron, beaver, river otter and many reptiles. The river corridor supports critical elk and mule deer winter range habitat.

Deschutes River Fishing

Only 2 hours southeast of Portland, Oregon, the lower Deschutes River is central Oregon’s playground.  World-renowned for its fly fishing, the Deschutes is home to Columbia River redband trout (known locally as “redsides).

With around 300 days of sunshine a year, what better place to be than on cool, sparkling clear water that offers Class II to IV rapids, sandy beaches and a host of visual stimulus.

FAQ's

Where to stay near the Deschutes River in Maupin?

The Maupin chamber website is a great resource for info on where in and around Maupin, Oregon to stay. We are close to Portland & Bend for convenient vacation getaways.

  • Camp at Maupin City Park – Tent camping, group sites and RV parking with full hookups. This is the closest place to camp near our meeting location.
  • Camping at Prineville BLM – Lots of options near Portland, Bend & Madras. Reservations and availability can be found on recreation.gov.
  • Stay at the Pine Hollow Lakeside Resort – Tent camping, RV spaces, cabins and more! Located on Pine Hollow Reservoir just 25 minutes from Maupin.

How long does it take to raft the Deschutes?

You can raft the Deschutes River for a half day, full day or on a multi-day wilderness adventure with riverside camping.

  • The half day Deschutes River trips are 3 hours
  • Full day Deschutes River trips take about 6 hours
  • Overnight trips are usually 3 days of rafting and 2 nights of camping

What class rapids are on the Deschutes River?

The rapids on the Deschutes River near Maupin, OR are rated Class 2-3+. According to the international river difficulty scale, Class 3 rapids are:

Difficult: Waves numerous, high, irregular; rocks, eddies, rapids with passages that are clear though narrow, requiring expertise in maneuvering.

These trips are suitable for ages 7+ and non-swimmers.

Meeting Location

Meeting Location: HDRO/raftoregon HQ
206 Elrod Ave, Maupin, OR 97037

 

Deschutes River Rafting News

Maupin Market

Uncategorized
March 2, 2022

Who is Raft Oregon?

Oregon Rivers / Rafting Lifestyle / Rafting News / Rafting Trip Planning
February 16, 2022

How to get your Deschutes River Rafting Photos

Rafting News / Rafting Trip Planning
August 24, 2021

About Raft Oregon

Raft Oregon (formerly known as High Desert River Outfitters) invites you to join us on one of our white water rafting adventures!

Part of the Tributary Family of outfitters, we have been running trips in the west since 1978. Our guides and staff are the best in the industry. We are passionate about rivers and showing you the magic they have to offer. 

Get In Touch
Raft Oregon
206 Elrod Ave Maupin, OR 97037
1-800-461-5823
Send Us An Email
Facebook Instagram
Contact Us

RAFTING NEWS

Maupin Market

March 2, 2022

Maupin Market Mannequin…​ Saw our sweet sweatshirt at the Maupin Market? Thanks for stopping by for one of your very own! Our iconic hoodies feature

Who is Raft Oregon?

February 16, 2022

High Desert River Outfitters acquired by Tributary Whitewater Tours High Desert River Outfitters has been a well trusted and family owned rafting outfit since 1990.

How to Become a Raft Guide

January 20, 2022

Become a Raft Guide Ah the life of a River Guide – traveling to amazing places, exploring river canyons on a daily basis, teaching guests

keep calm and paddle on