Deschutes 1 Day

Deschutes River 

Full Day Rafting Trip

Highlights & Details

  • Moderate Class III - Fun for Everyone
  • Adventure swims and rock jumping
  • Lunch at the Bakeoven Bar and Grill at Imperial
  • Great water levels year-round
  • Plenty of sunshine
  • Near Portland, Mt. Hood, Columbia Gorge
  • Drive time from Bend - 1 hour and 45 minutes
  • River time - 4.5 hours


Trip Pricing

Adults: $129.00

Youth: $119.00 (12 and Under)

Minimum Age: 6 years & 50+ lbs

Price Includes: Transportation from Bend or personal vehicle shuttle, lunch at the Bakeoven Bar and Grill, paddle jackets and pants on cooler days, dry bag storage, all fees and permits.

Oregon's Rafting Playground

This trip is centered on the town of Maupin, OR and covers 13 miles from Harpham Flat to Sandy Beach.  The rapids are moderate class II & III and are appropriate for families and beginners. A barbeque lunch is provided at the Bakeoven Bar and Grill along the way.  As time and conditions allow, there are opportunities for a short hike to the natural water slides at White River,  an "adventure swim" through the waves at Elevator rapid and perhaps some rock jumping. This "playground" river is arguably Oregon's most popular one-day rafting adventure.


Trip Itinerary

The day begins when we pick you up in Bend at 8:00 a.m. or meet you in Maupin, OR at 10:00 a.m.  You will be asked to read and sign an Assumption of Risk Form at this time if you haven't already done so online.  Once everyone has arrived guests who met us in their own vehicles will follow us to the put-in location at Harpham Flat.   At the boat ramp, we’ll get everyone fitted for life jackets and discuss safety for the trip. Once we’ve divided into paddle crews, we’ll board the rafts for 4 to 5 hours of splashy fun. The first part of the day includes Wapanitia, Launch Pad and the famous Box Car rapids.  We’ll stop for lunch around noon at the Bakeoven Bar and Grill at the Imperial Lodge. After lunch there is plenty more action with Surf City, Oak Springs, White River and Elevator Rapids. This afternoon includes a quick stop for an optional hike at White River to swim some natural water slides OR a stop at Elevator Rapid to body surf the waves. We’ll reach our take out at Sandy Beach between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.  For those who have opted to have their vehicle shuttled during the trip, your vehicle will be here when we arrive.  Those who chose the shuttle from Bend can expect to be back to Bend between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Transportation Information

Transportation from Bend is available but space in our shuttle vans is limited. If we cannot provide transportation because our vans are full, or if you would rather not ride in our van, you have the option to meet us in Maupin and we will have your vehicle shuttled to the take-out during the trip. Both of these options are included in the price.

Deschutes River Trip Planning

Meeting Details

Full-day trips on the Deschutes River take place near the town of Maupin, Oregon.  The drive-time from Bend is 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Locations & Meeting Times

Shilo Inn & Suites in Bend - 8:00 a.m.

Turn to the right as you enter and park anywhere along the street-side of the parking lot. Please do park not in front of the restaurant or guest rooms. 



Get directions from GoogleMaps


Maupin City Park (Overflow Parking Lot) – Maupin, OR – 10:00 AM

The meeting location is in the overflow parking lot across the street from the park entrance.  Guests that drove themselves will meet us here and follow our van the short distance to the put-in.  From the put-in your vehicle will be shuttled to the take-out during the trip. 


Get Directions from GoogleMaps

Click here for an Overview of Meeting Location

What to Bring and What is  Provided


  • What to Wear

    • Visor, Cap, or Sun Hat
    • Sunglasses (w/strap)
    • Shorts or swimsuit (most women prefer wearing shorts over bikini bottoms)
    • Rafting Shoes: Sandals w/heel strap (like Chaco or TEVA) or sneakers – no bare feet, Crocs or flip flops.
    • Do not wear jeans!
    • Lip Balm (with SPF) & Sunscreen
    • Hydro-silk or Rash Guard shirt (optional). These fabrics are designed for water sports activities and will protect you from the sun as well as helping to keep you warm when wet.

  • Items to Bring

    • Lip Balm (with SPF) & Sunscreen
    • Waterproof Camera
    • Water Bottle (Important! You will be able to refill your bottle from our water cooler). 
    • Change of clothes for after the trip (stays in your car)
    • If you carry epinephrine for allergic reactions, please bring it with you and let your guide know! 
    • Small dry bag (optional). All rafts have waterproof dry bags for items you want to keep accessible. Having your own dry bag eliminates the need to share with others.

  • Lunch & Beverages

    A delicious deli lunch is served buffet style. The lunch includes a variety of whole grain breads, fresh deli meats and cheeses and a variety of fruits & vegetables sliced fresh just before serving. Lemonade, iced tea and iced water are available. Peanut butter & jam is always available. With advanced notice, we can accommodate vegetarian, gluten free and other dietary restrictions. Please inidcate dietary restrictions on your registration form. If this is a special occasion for someone in your group (i.e. anniversary, birthday, etc...), let us know and we might have a little extra something special for the occasion.  Granola snacks and sparkling water are also available at the end of the trip.

  • Cold or Rainy Trips

    We do NOT cancel trips because of poor weather.  It's important to be prepared for the trip. Check the weather and dress appropriately. Common outdoor wisdom tells us that layering is the key. You should have a base-layer of NON-COTTON tops and bottoms made from synthetic materials such as polypropylene or fleece which maintain warmth even when wet. Furthermore, protecting your head, hands and feet are extremely important and often overlooked. You should have an insulated and water-shedding hat for wearing on the river. You may also want to consider a pair of neoprene gloves. Ouzel will provide paddle jackets, paddle pants, neoprene booties, and if warranted, wetsuits, but guests need to have the proper base layer. With proper preparation, rafting in the rain is every bit as fun as on a normal sunny day!

  • Dry Bags & Gear Storage

    Small dry bags will be avaliable for items that you would like accessible during the day.  This includes sunscreen, lip balm, extra clothing, medical supplies, etc. Other items such as keys, phones and wallets can be left in our van (bring a bag or day pack) or packed in the dry bag.  An extra set of close for changing after the trip can be left in our van.  If you have questions about unusual items, please give us a call.

  • Photos from Your Trip

    For most of the summer, photos are taken by a photo company of every raft at Natural Selection.  These photos can be purchased online after the trip. A link can be found in the detailed trip planner and will also be emailed to you after the trip.

    IMPORTANT NOTE:  During the should season (May, some of June and September) photographers are not always present to take photos. Please check with our office if you want to confirm whether or not photos will be available for your trip.

  • Prices, Fees & Gratuities for Guides

    Our trips are priced to be all-inclusive. There are no additional taxes, fees or add-on costs for items necessary for the trip. The trip cost listed on the trip details page is the final price.  The only exception is gratuities for the guide staff. 


    If you have enjoyed your trip and feel that your guides have done an outstanding job, it is customary to thank them with a gratuity. The amount is up to you, but a gratuity of between 15% and 20% of your trip fare is typical for Ouzel guests. The guides share their gratuities and will appreciate any expression of thanks you care to offer.


    Sourvenier t-shirts and water bottles are also available for purchase during the booking process and afterwards by phone.

“We were very impressed with the attention to detail. Clearly, the staff was well trained, exercised leadership at every level along the way and made everyone feel at ease. There was no situation we were not prepared for. Rafting down the Deschutes for the day goes down as an absolute bucket-list item, and one that should be done with experienced and exceptional outfitters, i.e., Ouzel. Thanks again for unforgettable memories, awesome photos, and a safe return to dry land! " -Susan R. (Deschutes River) 

Share by: