Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint sits just west of Redmond alongside the Deschutes River—and makes a pleasant pitstop for picnicking, fishing, hiking, and soaking up the sun.
From the parking area, a few semi-shaded picnic tables offer a quiet respite, views of the Deschutes abound beyond a few shrubs and pine trees, and river access is available for anglers looking to fish for largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and brown trout. Flush restrooms are available seasonally; portable toilets are on site in fall and winter.
The wide-open Deschutes River views are certainly worth a quick detour—but the park’s namesake waterfall is the biggest attraction at this cozy park. Surprisingly, the falls aren’t at the park at all; rather, hikers must follow a mostly flat, 1.5-mile (round-trip) trail north from the parking area and through a forest of juniper to view the wide, 20-foot-tall waterfall as it drops over a basalt shelf in the Deschutes River. Watch for geese, mallards, and other animals that frolic on the riverbank and around the falls—including rattlesnakes.
If possible, aim to visit in winter and spring, when seasonal rainfall and snowmelt bring the falls to a frothy torrent. By mid-summer, the waterfall slows to a trickle, revealing more of the rock basalt below.
Open Season
Year-round
Dog Friendly and/or Leash Rules
Leashed dogs are permitted.
Best time to visit
November-April
Don’t Miss
Cline Falls, fed by snowmelt and rainfall, is especially vibrant in winter and spring.
Fees or Pass Needed
None
Restrictions
None
Activities
Hiking
Viewpoint
Picnic Tables
Parking
A parking area is available at the park.
Directions
Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint is about four miles west of Redmond via Highway 126.