Day Trip From Bend | Your Ideal Central Oregon Adventure
By far the best whitewater rafting day trip from Bend, OR is on the Lower Deschutes out of Maupin, Oregon! The day stretch of the Lower Deschutes holds 12 miles of fun and exciting class II-III rapids, as well as opportunities to ride the bull, float in the river, swim through rapids, and surf the raft in waves. So if you are staying in Bend or nearby but want to enjoy rafting on the Deschutes River, we have some suggestions for how to make a full-day adventure out of it! River Drifters offers morning and afternoon half-day trips on the Lower Deschutes River, leaving plenty of time to explore other parts of Central Oregon either before or after rafting in Maupin. Your ideal day trip from Bend, Oregon is all within an easy and scenic 2-hour drive!
Photo: Lower Deschutes River | River Drifters
If you are a rise and exercise type, take a quick drive north of Bend to Tumalo State Park and spend a sunny and solitary morning hiking or trail running through the Deschutes River canyon, juniper, and pine groves, lava flows, and open meadows. A 2.5-mile section of the Deschutes River Trail passes through Tumalo State Park and visitors can continue further on the trail through Riley Ranch Nature Reserve.
Photo: Deschutes River Trail Tumalo State Park | Hike Oregon
About halfway between Bend and Maupin is another spectacular Oregon State Park, Cove Palisades State Park, just west of Madras. This state park hosts a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking and nature trails to meet everyone’s abilities and interests. The most outstanding hike in the park is the Tam-a-láu Trail which climbs up 600 feet to a plateau with breathtaking views of the Cascade Range’s volcanic peaks and Deschutes and Crooked River canyons.
Photo: Cove Palisades State Park | Crooked River Ranch Cabins
After spending the morning on Central Oregon’s trails, head to Maupin for rafting and cooling off on the Deschutes River. The Lower Deschutes offers a perfect balance of alternating back-to-back rapids and wave trains with calm stretches great for swimming and taking in the stunning scenery of the canyon. River Drifters’ seasoned guides can provide a thrilling and fun rafting trip for beginners and experienced rafters alike!
Photo: Lower Deschutes River | River Drifters
Conclude your day of adventure and sunshine by spending a little extra time in Maupin after rafting and check out these local favorites, The Riverside Maupin, Bakeoven Bar and Grill, and The Maupin Outdoor Store. You could also grab some grub from the Maupin Market or one of the several local restaurants in town and drive down the Deschutes River Access Road in Maupin to a day-use area for an evening picnic along the Deschutes River.
We’re here to help you make sure you have your ideal day trip from Bend, Oregon. Give us a call or hop on chat if you’ve got questions!