Deschutes River: Itinerary and Trip Highlights Central Oregon   Half Day & 1 Day April - October Class III        Book a Deschutes River Rafting Trip Deschutes Rafting Trip Schedule & Prices

Itinerary

Half Day trips: Morning half day trips meet at 9:30 AM*, and afternoon half day trips meet at 1:00 PM*. in front of the Oasis Cafe, on the east side of the river, in the town of Maupin.

One Day trips: We meet at 10:00 AM* the day of your trip in front of the Oasis Cafe, on the east side of the river, in Maupin.

Our Lead Guide will meet you in front of the cafe. Look for a vehicle sporting the O.R.E. logo. After a brief orientation you will park your vehicle across the street from the Oasis, and you'll board an O.R.E. van for the 15 minute ride to the launch point at Harpham Flat.

Once we arrive at our launch site, you’ll meet the rest of our guide crew, and our lead guide will conduct a safety orientation. We'll then all board rafts and be on our way downstream.

Day trips include a stop for a riverside lunch between noon and 1 PM, and typically also include a stop for either a hike or a swim at the swimming rapids.

 We typically arrive at Sandy Beach, our take-out point, around 12:30 PM (half day morning trips), around 4 PM (1/2 day afternoon trips), and between 3 and 4 PM (1 day trips).**  The guides will load the boats onto our trailer and we'll then all board the van for the 20 minute ride back to Maupin.

Our half day Deschutes trips cover the same distance as our full day trips. The difference is that on half day trips we do not stop for lunch and we do not stop for hikes or to swim at the swimming rapids. Half day trips may be arranged to include these stops, but fewer miles will be covered in this case

* Please plan your drive carefully so as to arrive at our meeting place on time. Our guides will attempt to wait for you if you are running late, but circumstances typically do not allow them to wait more than 20 minutes. If you miss your intended trip we will most likely not be able to provide a transfer to an alternate trip, and we are unable to provide a refund for missed trips.

 ** Many factors influence our timetable, including water levels, winds, and the needs and preferences of our guests. Please consider these times approximate.

Trip Highlights

For many perhaps the best thing about the Deschutes is the weather. The section we run is located in the rain-shadow of the Cascade Mountains, which results in an enjoyably dry and sunny climate. Yes, it does rain here, as it does almost everywhere else on the planet. But often when the Willamette Valley to the west is socked in with this chilling drizzle, the Deschutes is basking in the sun.

Whatever the weather, the Deschutes offers numerous thrilling rapids. Some of the bigger drops (in order of appearance) are Wapinitia, Boxcar, Surf City, Oak Springs, and White River. But for many the greatest thrill comes at Elevator rapids. After running elevator in our rafts we stop along shore, and those who wish can accompany one our guides as we float feet-first through the rapid (wearing our lifejackets, of course!).   

Weather and Climate