Paddling the Deschutes River

Good times are afloat.

The popularity of paddle sports in Central Oregon has grown by leaps and bounds in the past few decades. First came the canoes. Then kayaks in all shapes, sizes and colors. And now, it seems like every other car or SUV in town is carrying a stand-up paddleboard or two.

For flat water paddling, you can put in at any number of spots along the river and even paddle right through the heart of town. For even more fantastic voyages, head up to the Cascade Lakes. It’s no secret that Sparks Lake is one of the most incredible paddles in the Northwest, as well as one of the closest at only 25 minutes away.

If you’re into whitewater adventures, there are plenty of world-class rapids on the Deschutes. In fact, you’ll find everything from Class I to Class V+ rapids and some fun play waves within ten minutes of PointsWest.

Local Insight:
Sparks, Hosmer and many other Cascade lakes are even more magical in the moonlight. Wanderlust Tours of Bend offers four-hour group excursions on evenings surrounding the full moon in each of the summer months. But if you’ve got a vessel and a PFD, why not arrange your own tour? Bring a friend and a bottle of wine, and enjoy spectacular late night where the full moon is your flashlight.