Deschutes River Trail, South Canyon Reach

Whether you are visiting Bend for the first time or you are a long-time local, this roughly 1.5-mile trail runs along one of the town's most enjoyable and easily accessible stretches of river. The South Canyon Reach is part of the Deschutes River Trail System and begins at either Riverbend Park or Farewell Bend Park just upriver of the Old Mill District. Both parks are perfect for letting the kids run around, tossing the frisbee around, or simply heading out for a picnic. Farewell Bend Park is also a popular put-in for floating the Deschutes, and it has a kid-friendly swimming hole and beach for hot summer days. Once you are on the trail south of Reed Market Road you will quickly enter a wild and scenic canyon shaded by giant ponderosa pines and lined with tall sagebrush, snowbrush and gray rabbitbrush. After 1.6 miles you will reach a footbridge that makes for an ideal turn-around spot. If you wish to continue, there is an extension trail along the Central Oregon Irrigation District's property that leads all the way to a little residential pocket park called River Canyon Park. Note: The majority of the trail on the west side of the Deschutes is on private property with access granted by Mount Bachelor Village. However, bicycles are not permitted along this section of the trail.