Fall River Trail

Easily accessible to anyone, Fall River offers fantastic fly fishing and a short 2-mile loop hike to the headwaters and back. The springs that are the source of the river are about a mile west from the trailhead and campground, and the subterranean source reinforces the sense that the river the emerges out of nowhere! From these origins, the river meanders through old ponderosa pines until it connects with the Deschutes River 12 miles downstream. The calm, still water is a sanctuary for beavers, trout, and mountain whitefish. The loop trail to the headwaters offers two different paths to take. Both the fisherman's path and the Fall River Trail follow the same bank. The return trip is limited to the fisherman's path on the opposite bank, however, and this route has multiple fallen trees that block the trail. Try to consider it a fun challenge and an invitation rather than a burden. Eventually both trails will merge at the wooden foot bridge just across from the trailhead. Bring your lunch, as there are plenty of opportunities to sit and gaze at the reflections of this amazing river any time of the year.