The Bend Whitewater Park occupies a short stretch of the Deschutes River—sitting immediately east of McKay Park and just west of downtown Bend. (You can get a top-down view from the Colorado Avenue bridge, which runs almost directly overhead.) The centerpiece of the park is a series of three separate channels, all running parallel to each other, with features designed for river recreation users of all skill levels—from families to experienced surfers. Here’s a bit of information on each:

Fish Ladder Channel: This run appeals to a variety of river users—including families, floaters, and beginner kayakers—with a series of gentle rapids in quick succession. The Fish Ladder channel gets its name from the format of the rapids—a long, gently sloped stretch of water with a series of abrupt drops.

Whitewater Channel: The center channel provides thrill-seeking paddlers with opportunities for fast-paced fun. All year long, you may see whitewater kayakers practicing their craft, surfers catching some waves, and stand-up paddleboarders working on their balance in four wave features tailored to enthusiasts of all skill levels. Those features are updated each season to provide new experiences all year long.

Habitat Channel: The easternmost of the Bend Whitewater Park’s three channels is reserved exclusively for the area’s wildlife—providing safe passage for migrating fish, wetlands for waterfowl, and protected riverbanks for the Oregon spotted frog.

Curious about the broader Deschutes River? Get the scoop on the many rivers in Central Oregon.

Now that you know more about what you can do at the Bend Whitewater Park—one of the top attractions when visiting Bend, Oregon – here’s a few tips to have the best possible experience.

Parking: On-street parking is available near McKay Park—but may be limited to four hours. A short walk away, day-use parking is available at the Park & Float lot on SW Bradbury Way.

When to visit: The Bend Whitewater Park is open year-round—and you’ll see surfers and paddlers in almost all weather—but conditions are best between July and early September, when the Deschutes River flow slows a little and the water is at its warmest.

Apparel: Try to wear sandals or water shoes, rather than flip flops—which can easily fall off in the tumultuous rapids. Always wear a personal flotation device, and put on a helmet if tackling the Whitewater Channel; the Deschutes River is shallow along this stretch, and several rocks make it easy to bump your head. Consider a wetsuit if surfing or paddling at any time of year other than the height of summer; in summer, wear moisture-wicking apparel that dries quicker than cotton.

Gear rentals and purchases: You can rent tubes and whitewater kayaks from Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe. Gear purchases—including paddles, personal floatation devices, dry bags, and technical clothing—are also available from the local outfitter.

Safety information and river conditions: Whichever channel you’re eyeing, be sure to visit the official Bend Whitewater Park website for all you need to know about having a safe, fun day on the water—including safety information for various types of water activities, current river conditions, rules, and more.