Oregon · Hiking

Deschutes River Trail

23.3 mi
one way
501 ft
climb
532 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

The Deschutes River Trail is a 23.3-mile point-to-point hike on Bureau of Land Management land in central Oregon, within the Prineville Deschutes Field Office. The trail begins at the Des Chutes Railroad Grade Trailhead, and its route takes hikers from a low point of about 187 feet to a high of 532 feet, with a total elevation gain of 501 feet. The trail is rated hard. The climb is not steep across the whole route, but the steepest stretch comes around mile 19.1, where the grade reaches about 7 percent. Snow is possible from December through March, when typical averages from the nearby Dufur weather station show highs in the upper 30s to low 40s and lows in the upper 20s. For the most comfortable conditions, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages at Dufur put May highs near 72°F and September highs near 79°F, while July and August run in the upper 80s. That station sits about 800 feet higher than the trail, so temperatures along the route run a little warmer.

Local outfitters

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  • Nearby · Blackberry Trail · Rock Pile Trail · Cedar Creek
  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Deschutes River Trail

    Best months: March–June and September–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      41° / 27°

      15 wet · 4 snow

    2. Feb

      47° / 29°

      12 wet · 2 snow

    3. Mar

      56° / 31°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    4. Apr

      63° / 36°

      10 wet

    5. May

      72° / 41°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      79° / 45°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 51°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      88° / 50°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 45°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      64° / 37°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      48° / 31°

      14 wet · 1 snow

    12. Dec

      39° / 27°

      17 wet · 4 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dufur, OR, 13.2 mi away at 1,330 ft. The station sits about 800 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors