Lower Deschutes River Back Country Byway, Oregon Camping & Hiking

Lower Deschutes River Back Country Byway, Oregon Camping & Hiking

Lower Deschutes River Back Country Byway Image Gallery

Directions

From Maupin, Oregon: On the east side of the Deschutes River drive either direction on the Deschutes River Access road.

Phone

541-416-6700

Activities

AUTO TOURING, BIKING, BOATING, HISTORIC & CULTURAL SITE, CAMPING, FISHING, HUNTING, PICNICKING, DAY USE AREA, PHOTOGRAPHY, PADDLING, WATER ACTIVITIES

Camping Reservations

Reserve your campsite at these camping areas:

Oregon Campgrounds

Hiking Trails

Looking for nice hiking areas to take a hike? Choose from these scenic hiking trails:

Oregon Hiking Trails

Related Link(s)

More Oregon Recreation Areas

Lower Deschutes River Flickr Album

Sherar’s Falls Scenic Bikeway

Lower Deschutes Boater Pass Information

Learn more about the Deschutes Wild and Scenic River

Lower Deschutes River Back Country Byway

Spanning 32 miles along the east bank of the Lower Deschutes Wild and Scenic River, this back country byway offers close-up views of rapids and steep canyon country. Twelve paved miles originate from the hamlet of Maupin and connect to state highway 216 near Sherar™s Falls. The remainder of the byway is surfaced with high-standard gravel, suitable for passenger vehicles. Twenty-two developed recreation sites offer year-round river access including 4 boat launches, 7 day-use areas, and 10 campgrounds with 140 individual campsites and 21 group campsites. The byway terminates to the south at Locked Gate Day-Use Area and to the north at Macks Canyon Campground.

Know Before You Go:

  • Cell phone service is limited or not available in most locations along the back country byway.
  • Watch for bicyclists: portion of the paved section of road is a segment of Sherar’s Falls Scenic Bikeway
  • Boater Passes are required year-round, for both day and overnight use, for anyone using a watercraft or any other floating device as a means of transport on the Lower Deschutes River. See the Boater Pass link elsewhere on this page for further information.
    • Developed recreation sites along the back country byway are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
      Recreation and Cultural Sites South of Maupin, Oregon (ordered south to north)

      Recreation and Cultural Sites North of Maupin, Oregon (ordered south to north)

      • Oasis Campground
      • Grey Eagle Day-Use Area
      • Blue Hole Campground
      • Lower Blue Hole Day-Use Area
      • Oak Springs Day-Use Area
      • Surf City Day-Use Area
      • White River Campground
      • Sandy Beach Day-Use Area
      • Buckhollow Day-Use Area
      • Pine Tree Day-Use Area
      • Twin Springs Campground
      • Oakbrook Day-Use Area
      • Jones Canyon Campground
      • Beavertail Campground
      • Rattlesnake Canyon Campground
      • Macks Canyon Campground

    Point of Interest:

    Much of the back country byway was a former railbed, one of two whose owners feverishly competed for completion in the early 19th century. Today, the historic Section Foreman’s House remains alongside the road just south of Maupin. Open seasonally, the building is restored to historically-authentic condition and offers interpretive displays and general river information.

More from CampingHiking.net:

Umpqua National Forest, Oregon Camping & Hiking

Activities AUTO TOURING, BIKING, CLIMBING, CAMPING, HORSEBACK RIDING, OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLE, PICNICKING, RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, FIRE LOOKOUTS/CABINS OVERNIGHT, SWIMMING Camping Reservations Reserve your campsite at these camping areas: Oregon Campgrounds BROKEN

Marys Lake, Colorado Camping & Hiking

Directions Located two miles from Estes Park Colorado. Phone 970-679-4570 Activities CAMPING, FISHING, PICNICKING, RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, WATER SPORTS, WILDLIFE VIEWING Camping Reservations Reserve your campsite at these camping areas: Colorado