Kayaking in Bend and Central Oregon
Whether you like shooting the rapids or paddling along on a pristine mountain lake, there is something for everyone in Central Oregon. The Deschutes River runs from Sunriver up past Madras and has many different characteristics. Some spots are very calm and suitable for sea kayaks and tubing, and other spots are good class II and III rapids for intermediate kayakers, and there are even a few class V spots and eddies to play in. The class V rapids sections which are run only by the best kayakers in town are known as the Triple Crown and are made up of Benham Falls, Dillon Falls, and Lava Island Falls. These rapids are located between Sunriver and Bend. As the river gets close to Bend it widens and gets fairly mellow. The mellow section that goes through the Old Mill and the Downtown area between the Farewell Bend Bridge and the 1st Street rapids is very popular with floaters during the summer. The 1st Street Rapids and the Big Eddy Rapids are good play spots. For rafters and beginning or intermediate kayakers the section from Madras up toward Maupin is very popular and is serviced by many different rafting companies. To help develop and mark which areas are good for which level of rider and which type of craft, the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance is working on creating a paddle trail. The paddle trail would have the different sections identified on maps and signs at the different put in spots so you know what to expect out of each section.
If you are more into sea kayaking or canoeing there are numerous high lakes in the area by Mount Bachelor that are perfect for a nice day of paddling. Some of the more popular and scenic lakes are Elk Lake, Lava Lake, Little Cultus Lake, and the crystal clear Waldo Lake. In addition to being surrounded by pine trees, these lakes all have views of the Cascade Mountains hovering over you.
For our business listings of paddling shops and rentals in Bend, Click here.
