#Deschutes River Float

Floating the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon on the Fourth of July. I’m blown away by the response to this Reel. I neglected to include some basic information in my original description (probably because I tagged the location and also added hashtags. I figured that was enough.). 📍 The number one question is “where is this?” I hope the updated description clears that up. (Bend is in Central Oregon. About 3 hours from Portland.) 🚌 Another question that comes up is, “how do I get back?” If you rent a tube from my friends at @tumalocreek, they’ll throw in a free shuttle! Otherwise, the City of Bend operates a shuttle for $5. 🐟 Then there’s everyone expressing dismay for the fishes. This area was, until 25 years ago, a polluted, industrial wasteland. The river was polluted to the point where swimming in it was illegal. I’m pretty sure that, despite all the piss and sunblock, the fish are happier with the current state of thing. 🛟 There’s also concern over the sheer number of people in the video. This was Fourth of July. Easily the busiest day on the river. Yes, there are people doing this float daily, and sometimes there are a lot of them. But this is, by far, the most crowded that I’ve seen it. 🙄 The crowded water scenes also prompt some people to complain about how Bend has changed. Yes. Bend has changed. It’s no longer a sleepy mill town with a polluted river. It’s now a thriving city that has successfully made the transition to a tourism/service economy. The river is clean. The mountain bike trails are plentiful. And the winter adventures are numerous. I’m sorry that upsets you. I’ve lived in tourist towns for most of my adult life. The tourists and their terrible driving habits can be annoying. But where would we be without them? Let’s all just be nice and see where that takes us. Seems like a better alternative than being a jerk. - ☀️🌊🤪 - #inBend #river #deschutesriver #kookbeach #bendlife #float #hyperlapse #drone #oregon #bend #bendoregon #oregonexplored #visitbend #visitcentraloregon

There is seriously no better summer activity than spending hours floating downriver in an inner tube with a couple beers and all your best friends 😎🛟🌲🏞️ 📍Deschutes River, Bend * * * * #bend #bendoregon #deschutesriver #riverfloat #floatlife #visitbend #centraloregon #pnw #pnwsummer #travelawesome #travelblogger #travelwithme #postcardplaces

🛟Floating the Deschutes River is one of Bends best family activities to do in the Summer. ♻️Before sharing any tip, remember to LEAVE NO TRACE! Please pack out everything you brought with you! Now, some important TIPS: ⬆️Put on: River Bend Park ⬇️Take out: Drake Park ➡️If you don’t like rapids, hop out at the Colorado Avenue Bridge and walk under the bridge to another put-in spot after the rapids. 🚐At Drake Park take a shuttle back to River Bend Park 🛟Kids 12 and under need life jackets. ☀️Dont forget lots of sunscreen! 👟Wear water shoes. 🦄Pool floaties are not prefered for the rapids, they are not sturdy and may flip easier. 🛟We took our own floats but you can rent them right there at the River Bend Park, if you prefer. 👉🏻Check @tumalocreekpark for tube rental info. 🏞️As you float down the river, you can either just relax or take on the rapids through the Bend Whitewater Park. We did the rapids with the kids and it was very easy and fun! There is even some river surfing in this section! 🛅Take a dry bag for car keys and phone. Secure it to your body so it doesn’t go to the bottom of the river if you flip! ⏰The whole float can take from 1h up to 3h, depending how much time you spend at the rapids. 💦We had so much fun that we went on the rapids multiple times! If you are headed to Bend this Summer, floating the Deschutes is a must do activity! ☺️ Let me know if I missed anything! 👩🏼‍💻Check more info at visitbend.com. Tons of great info there! 👋🏻 Hello, we are @kerws.onthego and we love to share our family travel experiences and our adventures in the PNW, where we live. Follow along to see where we will go next! Deschutes River • Deschutes River Float • Bend • Family Fun in Bend • Bend for families • Summer in Bend • Central Oregon • Bend with Kids #visitbend #bend #centraloregon #bendwithkids #deschutesriver #deschutes #summerinoregon #familyadventure #familyfuntime #floattheriver #floattherapy

The takeout. Folks doing “the float” on the Deschutes River in Bend end their adventure in Drake Park, at Mirror Pond. They load their floats into the shuttles and head back to where they put in. - ☀️💦☀️ - #inBend #deschutesriver #oregonexplored #river #hyperlapse #drone

Sunday on the river. While Saturday seemed pretty chill, the floaters hit the river on Sunday. I recently read that over 250,000 people float the Deschutes in Bend every summer! That’s a lot of hotel rooms, Airbnbs, campsites, and guest rooms! If you like being around people, “the float” is perfect for you. If you’re more into the solitary thing (me too), there are plenty of places on the river or one of the Cascade Lakes not very far from Bend. (You’ll need to find them on your own, because if I tell they won’t be solitary anymore!) Yes, Bend has changed. Rather than chasing people away from the river, polluted with logging debris, the city now encourages people to enjoy the clean river. They even provide a shuttle! And how about the two parks that provide access to the river near the end of the hyperlapse?! Miller’s Landing is brand new and features accessible launches for people of all abilities to access the water. (I plan on shooting that area in the near future.) - 🌞🚣🏼‍♀️☀️ - #inBend #oregonexplored #deschutesriver #hyperlapse #drone #paddleboard #float

✨ Who’s ready for river floats this summer? 🙋‍♂️

Part 2…stunning Oregon hidden river swim holes that will take your breath away💫😍 Crystal clear aqua, turquoise to deep jade…absolutely magical!🥹 SHARE and SAVE for your summer adventures✅ FOLLOW @fitness4life4me for more Oregon/PNW✅ I really had no idea these stunning river pools were right here in Oregon…This adventure has been so much fun this summer!! And I still haven’t found all of them in my list…. Yes the waters are cold 🥶 and finding these gems is definitely work🥾🗺️ It requires traveling forest roads, path finding, scrambling and of course getting lucky🤞 I want to remind everyone who plans to visit to tread lightly and please leave absolutely no trace....better yet leave them better than you found them🙌 Oregon is truely a special and loved place❤️❤️ Let’s make sure it stays that way! ➡️Brice Creek Umpqua National Forest The Brice Creek corridor is a scenic, rocky canyon with numerous small waterfalls and pools in the crystal clear creek! Campgrounds as well as 1st come 1st serve designated primitive sites line the river… Many amazing swim holes💫🧚 ➡️Elk River Designated a Wild and Scenic River Most beautiful rock cliffs and EMERALD water ever! Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest Salmon Mountain and Grassy Knob Wilderness Free camping along the river at designated primitive sites... 1st come 1st serve 3 Campgrounds-Sunshine Bar, Butler Bar, and Elk River Campground ⛺️ ➡️House Rock Falls Willamette National Forest Hiking, swimming, campground Historic site🌲 ➡️Rock Creek Santiam State Forest tributary of the North Santiam River 3 primitive campsites along the river ➡️Abiqua Falls Privately owned can be a challenging drive and hike to reach the pool…ropes are there to assist #oregon #pnw #hike #oregonexplored #travel #traveloregon #hiking #swim #river #riverside #rivers #hiddengems #forest #explore #nature #getoutdoors #swimwild #swimwildandfree #camping #pnwdiscovered #summer #summertime #summervibes #elkriver #abiquafalls #adventure #wild

floating down the merced river is hands-down one of the most fun ways to soak up yosemite national park! 🛟🏞️ whether you’re in it for the sunshine, the scenery, or just a lazy river day, this adventure is pure summer magic. 🌞 here are the deets: - bring your own tube or rent a raft at curry village - you can start and exit the river wherever (we started near lower pines campground and exited at sentinel beach) - the river is mostly gentle, with a few mild rapids, perfect for a relaxing float - check the nps website for current river conditions and to ensure the river level is safe for floating (it should be below 6.5 feet) - to return to your car, hop on the free park shuttle (just remember to deflate your float before boarding) . . . . . . . . #yosemite #yosemitenationalpark #visitcalifornia #mercedriver #yosemitetubing #summertime #weekendvibes #natureheals #naturelovers #summeractivity #sfblogger #sfbayarea

Floating the Deschutes River in Bend, OR. #bendoregon #deschutesriver #bendwhitewaterpark #floating #summervibes #hyperlapse

Paddled out to find the @hushhushcoffee raft this morning. Was rewarded with iced coffee and being surrounded by good people ☀️ • • #bendoregon #visitbend #deschutesriver

Grab your bestie and go check this out…you need to see first hand to believe🫶🏻🧚🏻‍♀️ The paddle to the sacred headwaters weaves about 1.1 miles of the most gorgeous river water I have ever seen💕 Wow! Oregon, you are so beautiful!! It is an easy paddle over quiet, calm water. You put in along the shore at the Spring Creek day use area. The water is super cold tho (around 40*F) so not a swim spot😳 However, did do a polar plunge when finished and that felt amazing! I did this paddle mid week in the evening and again the following morning…both times were quiet with only a couple others on the water so very peaceful and serene! I did hear weekends can be busy…so keep that in mind when planning✌️ Follow @fitness4life4me for more outdoor adventures⛺️🥾🌸 Reminder….clean up after yourself and let’s keep our beautiful places beautiful❤️ This is Sacred ground and you can feel why… Spring Creek Collier Memorial State Park Southern Oregon #springcreek #oregon #oregonexplored #oregongirl #oregonphotographer #pnw #pnwonderland #cascadiaexplored #river #nature #naturelovers #naturelover #fit #fitnessmotivation #getoutdoors #naturegram #hike #hikersofinstagram #outdoors #inspire #oregonrivers #explorepnw #exploreoregon #fitmom #gem #paddleboarding #sup #naturephotography #river #water #southernoregon

Drifting down the incredibly blue waters of one of Oregon’s most stunning rivers, surrounded by moss-covered logs and towering evergreens. The clarity and color of this river are surreal—like something pulled from a dream. It’s a perfect reminder of the peaceful power and beauty hidden in Oregon’s wild places 😍