The First Best 150 Miles         

Deschutes River, Bend, Oregon

The Deschutes River gets its 252-mile start in Little Lava Lake in south central Oregon. It ends its journey in Biggs, Oregon, where it empties into the mighty Columbia River under the towering cliffs of the Gorge. But in the mean time, there is plenty of fun to be had. I'll start my Deschutes River "Fave Five" at its headwaters, then head to Big River Campground in Sunriver, then on to Bend, Oregon, where the Deschutes runs through the heart of the city, from there to Lake Billy Chinook, and then the rafting Mecca of Maupin, where white water reigns supreme.

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The Deschutes River

Lewis and Clark encountered the Deschutes River on October 22, 1805, and referred to it by the Native American name Towarnehiooks; on their return journey they gave it the new name Clarks River.  Variant names include River of the Falls, Riviere des Chutes, Chutes River, and Falls River. French fur traders named the river Riviere aux Chutes, French for River of the Falls.