Lower Deschutes River Boater Pass

The Deschutes River begins its journey high in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon at Little Lava Lake and travels through deep rimrock-lined canyons on its 252-mile course north to the Columbia River. The last 100 miles of this path were designated as an Oregon Scenic Waterway in 1970 and a Federal Wild and Scenic River in 1988. The Lower Deschutes is managed cooperatively by three agencies: the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. 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. Access is restricted to a limited number of boaters on some segments during peak use periods, and Limited Entry passes can be reserved up to 26 weeks in advance. The Deschutes has a rich cultural history, providing food and water for thousands of years to the Warm Springs and Wasco people moving seasonally through the area. In the 1800s, due to increasing pressure from settlers, many moved to the lands now known as the Warm Springs Reservation, which borders much of the west side of the Lower Deschutes. Members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs retain their fishing rights and can be seen dip net fishing the traditional way, leaning from platforms over the river just below Sherars Falls. The Deschutes has a unique flow that is fairly uniform compared to other similar rivers, thanks to the many nourishing springs that feed the river in the upper reaches and the effects of the Pelton Reregulation Dam, which delivers a uniform flow for the last 100 miles. Visitors pass through steep canyons that reveal their volcanic origin in the towering basalt columns lining the rims. The elevation drops from 1,393 feet at Pelton Dam to 160 feet at its confluence with the Columbia River, an average gradient of 13 feet per mile that is relatively constant throughout. The most significant drops are Sherars Falls (River Mile 44), with a vertical drop of 15 feet, and Whitehorse Rapids (River Mile 75), with a gradient of approximately 35-40 feet over one mile. Thousands come every year to enjoy world class fishing, exciting whitewater and beautiful scenery, along with an incredible geologic and cultural history and a diverse community of fish, wildlife and vegetation. Whatever you plan to do, if you want to stay overnight, arrive early to get a campsite, especially during summer weekends.