One of the best things about living in Oregon is the rugged beauty of the landscape that surrounds us. The velvety green trees become more colorful as autumn nears, meadows are filled with wildflowers in the spring and blanketed with snow in the winter, and calm and tranquil rivers turn into powerfully fun rapid rides just around the corner. Bend, Oregon is just about the most beautiful spot on Earth, and if you’re planning on visiting, a trip to Bend Whitewater Park in Bend, Oregon should definitely be a Bend tourist attraction added to your vacation itinerary—especially if rafting or tubing is on your adventure list!
Bend Whitewater Park in Bend, Oregon: One Park, Three Channels
Tranquil waters on one side of the bridge funnel into three different sets of rapids on the other, allowing for a variety of water fun for all ages and skill levels. The Passageway Channel offers a milder set of rapids, perfect for those who are looking for a bit of excitement but don’t want to be daredevils. If the rapids here are too much for you, this is the spot to get off. You can walk a short distance to McKay Park and get back into the river where the waters are once again calm and smooth.
Those who prefer to take a bite out of life may prefer to take the Whitewater Channel and kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or surf their way across four sets of rapids. Jason’s Wave is the best for beginners, while Kricket’s Wave, the Green Wave, and Eddy’s Waves increase in difficulty as you make your way further up the river.
The third and final channel is known as the Habitat Channel, a protected area where access is prohibited. This area is set aside to ensure the health of the river and the wildlife that make their homes in the Channel; everyone needs a safe place to go to at the end of the day! Yours is your Bend Vacation Rentals charming condo, and the Habitat Channel belongs to our local wildlife.
There are several different watercraft on which to enjoy the river. You can simply float up and down the river on a tube or, if there are a couple of you, you can rent a stand-up paddleboard. If you are going tubing, it is important to get a durable tube that will not fall apart if it comes into contact with rocks.
You can try river surfing, which is also known as standing wave surfing. Standing wave surfing takes place when there is a large volume of water that has been constricted by flowing over a rock. This creates a stationary wave. When a river surfer faces upstream, they can catch this stationary wave and get the sensation of movement.
White water kayaking is also a popular way to travel down the river. You can join a tour, hire a guide or go on your own. Bend Kayak School and Rental has some great deals on rentals and is also staffed with experienced instructors. Central Oregon rentals also offer some good deals on Kayaks and other watercraft.
Hours of Operation and Cost
Bend Whitewater Park in Bend, Oregon is open from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm every day of the week. The park and float shuttle cost $3 per person per day.
Things to Do in Bend
Although the river is a major draw, there are a lot of other things to do in Bend. You can go down to the Old Mill District and enjoy drinks and dining at any one of several fabulous restaurants. You can spend the day at the High Desert Museum, where you will learn all about the fauna and foliage of the Pacific Northwest. You can go for a long mountain bike ride on Phil’s Trail System or the Mount Bachelor ski area. You can go hiking or camping in the Three Sisters area and come home with some great pictures and memories.
Spend your days having adventures in and around the waters of Bend and your nights sleeping comfortably in one of our Bend Vacation Rentals luxury homes. Our homes come with tastefully appointed décor and fine furniture. Our living rooms have lots of comfortable seating and flat screen televisions. Our bedrooms have cozy beds that come fitted with top quality sheets. We have plenty of closet and dresser space for anything you may bring or acquire. Our kitchens are stocked with state-of-the-art appliances and plenty of dishes, so you can cook and serve a gourmet meal. Our bathrooms are sparkling clean and are stocked with towels and basic toiletries.
Located at 166 SW Shevlin Hixon Drive
Parking and shuttle services can be found anywhere on the streets of Bend or at Miller’s Landing Park. For park rules and regulations and information on how you can obtain a day use permit for alcohol, take a look at http://www.bendparksandrec.org/bend-whitewater-park/about.html. Make sure to reserve yours today; you don’t want to miss out on the vacation home of your dreams! Check out our luxury cabins in Bend.
Contact us to learn more about other Bend tourist attractions.
