Benham Falls

Benham Falls, a picturesque 25-foot drop on the Deschutes River, marks the southern end of the Deschutes River Trail's Upper Reach. It can be accessed relatively easily from Bend or Sunriver. Unlike the other rapids along the Upper Reach, including Dillon Falls, Big Eddy and Lava Island Falls, Benham Falls isn't a product of the giant lava flow that stems from Lava Butte, but rather a free-form cascade of its own right. From Bend, the cascade can be accessed almost directly by vehicle, requiring only a 100-yard walk to the northern viewpoint. If you are coming via Lava Lands Visitor Center, it is still a short two-thirds of a mile walk from the parking area at the end of Forest Road 9702. From Sunriver you can actually access the falls by hiking or mountain biking 2.6 miles starting on Forest Road 600 just east of Circle 7 and off of East Cascade Road.