Rafting in Central Oregon
The Three Jewels
By Dennis Oliphant of Sun Country Raft Tours
Thousands of visitors and residents of Sunriver flock to the three magnificent rivers that run through our region. World Class fishing, whitewater rafting and hiking are the three most popular activities on and along the “Three Jewels,” the McKenzie, North Umpqua and Deschutes Rivers. While all three rivers offer exceptional family level rafting they are very much different in terms of vegetation, water flow, geologic features and wildlife viewing opportunities. Below is a brief profile of each of these three whitewater playgrounds.
McKenzie River
The Mckenzie River is a prime jewel set in the magnificent Oregon Cascades. Travelling down this diamond quality river will be a marvelous and memorable experience!
On this continuously active river, your guides will introduce you to the magic of rafting in a mountainous forest with enormous Fir and Pine trees rising steeply from the water’s edge. The crisp, pure water is amazing—so clear that the light seems to come up from the bottom! This day long trip, nestled next to the Three Sisters Wilderness is a dream come true for the “active paddler”.
Trips departing from Sunriver and Bend drive up and over the beautiful Santiam and Mckenzie Passes in the heart of Oregon’s Cascade Mountains. In less than an hour and a half, we are transported to a completely different environment—from the high desert to the lush terrain of the Cascade interior.
This trip features stunning scenery, continuous river action, a delicious riverside deli lunch, and an unforgettable river experience.
North Umpqua River
The clear rollicking waters of a North Umpqua whitewater rafting trip were once locked up in the generous snowfields of Oregon’ s magnificent Mount Bailey. As the waters course and tumble down that mountain’s side, they pause – and rest, and warm –in Diamond Lake and Tokatee Reservoir before spilling playfully into the North Umpqua valley.
Rock spires jut form the sides of this steep, deeply wooded valley, and the river traveler has a sense of time immemorial, dwarfed by the giant pines and prehistoric monoliths. Healthy and hearty Oregon elk and deer roam these forests but, rafters rarely catch those sights as their eyes and ears are intent upon the North Umpqua’s most enviable features – its whitewater.
Class 2, 3, and 4 (perfect for family fun) whitewater abounds and the character of these rapids-curling ramps boulders gardens, and crashing, splashing wave trains- is enough to lure the most serious and composed of rafters into delicious fit of giggles and hoots that may last for several days.
The Deschutes River
The two most popular rafting runs in Central Oregon are on the “Riviere De Chutes” or “River of Falls”. Named by early French Fir Traders the Deschutes offers outstanding whitewater on the East side of the Oregon Cascade Mountains.
The Big Eddy Thriller run is located just minutes from Sunriver and Bend in the beautiful Deschutes National Forest, where lava flows from Lava National Monument shaped the Deschutes River over 7,000 years ago. Towering ponderosa pines and quaking aspens cover the landscape and offer you a taste of the amazing outdoors Central Oregon has to offer. This short but sweet rafting adventure begins at Aspen- an old logging camp that’s now residence for cattails, fishhawks, river otter and …enthusiastic rafters! The highlight of this trip is the Big Eddy Rapid a half mile long whitewater chute of waves, various drops, turns and splashes. This trip has been great introduction to whitewater rafting to thousands of families over the past 30 years.
The Lower Deschutes features a Desert Canyon environment quite different from the other “jewels.” The “Lower D” cuts its way through 100 miles of ancient rock before emptying into the mighty Columbia River. Rafters are treated to big waves, warm water swimming opportunities and a true Western small town feel. The 13 mile day trip begins upstream of the small town of Maupin (population 500) and treats rafters to many of the most famous rapids in Oregon; Wapinita, Box Car and Oak Springs and Elevator to name a few. Sandy Beach takeout marks the end of this ultimate day of Whitewater Fun.
Regardless of which “River Jewel” you choose you will thoroughly enjoy your rafting adventure in Central Oregon. Now get out there and “get wet” you won’t regret it, I promise.
Sun Country Raft Tours has offices in Bend and Sunriver and can be contacted at 800-771-2161 or e mail; adventures@suncountrytours.com. Visit their Website at www.suncountrytours.com
