Vacation Choices: Float the Deschutes River right to your own private dock or float from your private dock to Sunriver?

For your Sunriver vacation, you have two options to float the Deschutes River using your private dock! Start up river at the Big River Boating Site (60-90 minute float; 5 minute car ride/15 minute bike ride/20 minute jog) or end downriver in Sunriver at Harper's Bridge (2-3 hour float; 10 minute car ride; not recommended to bike). Checkout the maps and details below. While it is physically possible to go past Harper's Bridge, public exit points don't really exist and after Sunriver is Benham Falls. Benham Falls is a great hike, but floating over waterfalls seems like a poor choice.

Map of the Deschutes River from Big River Boating Site to Harper's Bridge in Sunriver Oregon.

The Big River Boating Site is just 2 miles down the road (at bottom of map above) - it's an easy and gentle float that takes 60-90 minutes back to your private dock depending on your paddling and the wind. It's then a quick drive, jog, or bike ride to retrieve your car! This stretch of river has a mild current and is quite popular in the summer. Life jacket use and other open-water safety considerations should always occur. While an "easy" stretch of the river accidents can still happen, so plan accordingly!

Bonus points if you can find Bigfoot on this stretch of the Deschutes! Hint: Look on the East side of the river after mile 198. Didn't find Bigfoot by boat? You could always find him by Helicopter.

Another option to float, is to leave from your dock and have someone retrieve you near Sunriver a 2-3 hours later, at theHarper Bridge. This float is a bit longer! Be prepared for a few hours under the sun, without access to public restrooms. You pass through several golf courses and more populous stretch of the Deschutes River.