The Deschutes
River is the main reason to come to the area, but it
isn’t the only reason. There are many
activities to do on the water, and some great ones
to do on dry land. You can find a good
synopsis of the Deschutes River at
this site.
A
boater pass is required for anyone floating on the
river at any time. Use the recreation guide below
to plan your next visit to Central Oregon.
Fishing
The Deschutes River is world famous for its Reside
Trout and elusive Steelhead. People come from all
over the world to fish this beautiful desert
canyon. Whether you try it alone or go with one of
Maupin's knowledgeable local guides, you can be
assured of enjoying some of the best fishing and
spectacular scenery anywhere.
You
can't just sleep in your car, so give one of
these places a call for a nice comfy bed, or
even a campsite.
All Star Lodging
Deschutes Motel
Imperial River Company
Maupin City Park
Oasis Resort and Café
River Run Lodge
Bureau of
Land Management District Office in Prineville,
541-416-6700 Maupin Office, 541-395-2778 (Maupin office open
May - Oct. 8am-6pm Thur.-Sun.) Numerous campgrounds along the Deschutes
River, managed by BLM and Oregon State Parks - Fee.
Wasco County Fairgrounds
near Tygh Valley 541-483-2288
Approx. 10 miles north of Maupin on Hwy 197
(from Tygh Valley follow signs to Hunt Park)
Can accommodate large groups,
Hook-ups and tent sites, disposal station
for guests.
Mt. Hood National Forest
Bear Springs Campground – 21 sites, on Hwy
216 approx. 25 miles west of Maupin
Fee, but no reservations
Clear Creek Crossing Campground – 7 sites,
on Hwy 216 then Forest Road 2130 approx. 30
miles west of Maupin – Fee; no reservations,
Rock Creek Reservoir Campground – 8 miles
west of Wamic, Oregon along FR 48
33 sites, non-motorized lake, fishing, day
use area, fee, first come and reserve
camping;
for reservations call 1-877-444-6777 or
www.ReserveUSA.com
Forest Service campgrounds near Dufur,
Oregon;
along forest road 44— Fee; no reservations
Underhill Site – 2 campsites Lower Crossing Campground– 3 sites Eightmile Crossing Campground– 21 sites Pebbleford Campground– 3 sites
Call Barlow Ranger
District 541-467-2291 Open M-F 7:45-4:30; Mt. Hood NF
7:30-4:30
For additional forest information,
visit their website.
Rafting / River Shuttles
Surrounded
by beautiful scenery and steep canyon walls, The Deschutes rolls and tumbles as it makes its way to
the Columbia River. Whether you're a veteran river
runner, or a first-timer, The Deschutes offers an
unmatched whitewater experience. From exciting day
trips to unforgettable overnight adventures, The
Deschutes promises to thrill. A rage of rapids, The
Deschutes excites on a level of class one to four
rapids. Rafters scream with delight as they splash
through Box Car and Oak Springs rapids, two of the
most famous plunges on The Deschutes River.
The current will get
you down the river, but how do you get back up? Try
a shuttle
service.
Affordable Deschutes Shuttle
All
Adventures Rafting
All Star Rafting & Lodging
Deschutes River Adventures
Deschutes River Shuttles
Deschutes U-Boat, Inc.
High
Desert River Outfitters
Imperial
River Company
Ouzel
Outfitters
River Drifters
River
Trails Deschutes
Sun Country Tours
White Water Photos
White Horse
Adventures, LLC
Sage
Canyon River Company & Ewing’s Whitewater
Hunting Fall and winter
seasons are popular for visitors in pursuit of big
game, upland birds and waterfowl. Mule deer, Rocky
Mountain elk, mourning dove, chukar, valley quail,
Canada geese, and mallards are some of the species
found in the Deschutes River canyon. There are many
preserves in the area that offer fantastic bird
hunting. From released birds to wild hunting it can
all be found within a 20 minute drive of Maupin.
Association of Oregon Hunting Preserves
Mallardith NW
Adventures
White River Hunt
Club
Cycling South Wasco County
offers several great cycling routes from beginner to
ultra cyclist. These routes are best in April/May or
September/October when there is mild, dry weather &
very little traffic. Listed are some basic
distances, please feel free to contact the Maupin
Area Chamber of Commerce to get more specific
information or to schedule a cycling event in the
area.
26 Mile Paved Course
City Park (by the River) to Sherar’s Bridge to Tygh
Valley, to Juniper Flats, to Greenway (park area in
uptown Maupin) or City Park
60 Mile Paved Course City Park (by the River) up Bakeoven Road to Highway
97 North to Shaniko, to Grass Valley, then down
Highway 216 West to Sherar’s Falls, then along
Deschutes River upstream to Maupin City Park or
Greenway. (long uphill, long downhill)
14 Mile Paved Course – Family Friendly River Ride Harpham Flats to Sherar’s Falls – up & down stream
from Maupin along Deschutes River
24 Mile Unpaved Course Sherar’s Falls to Mack’s Canyon along Deschutes
River – round trip 48 miles
Hiking With the fantastic
desert weather this is a great area for hiking.
Emptying into the Deschutes River is the White
River. The White River has a magnificent series of
waterfalls that are accessed by trail from the White
River Falls State Park (hyperlink). The Deschutes
has an access road that follows the river providing
many opportunities for hikes up side canyons through
incredible geology. Just South on Hwy 197 from
Maupin is the Criterion area that offers great day
hikes with spectacular mountain scenery
Bird
Watching One of
the special resident families of Maupin is a nesting
pair of Osprey. They are currently raising their
family on a daily diet of trout in a lovely nest
located just West of the Deschutes river bridge.
Their home is located on an artificial tree placed
by Wasco Electric Cooperative in conjunction with
local residents and landowners. The area is host to
many species of birds from raptors to songbirds. A
short list would include Canada geese, great blue
heron, common merganser, mallards, and numerous
species of song birds including the rufoussided
towhee, yellow warbler, northern oriole, and the
common raven. Golden and bald eagles, and a variety
of other raptors can also be seen.
Murals Maupin is home to
some store sized murals of local History.
Golf It doesn’t have to
be 18 holes to be just perfect. Come try this lush
spot in the desert and you’ll know why the deer
can’t stay away either.
• Pine
Hollow Golf Course
Ranch Tours A tour of a ranch
designated as a National Historic District will put
the whole vacation is a different state of mind.
• Imperial
Stock Ranch
Horseback Riding Everyone wants to be
a cowboy. Why not give it a try on a real trail
ride. Offering guided horseback trail rides and
campouts in Mt. Hood National Forest or 1-1 hour
rides at Ski Bowl East at Government Camp.
• Bar G
Ranch & Ride
ATV Riding The high desert is
just waiting for you to come play with your ATV.
McCubbins
Gulch has 30 miles of OHV trails for your entertainment.
Just ride with care and be prepared to have fun.
White River Falls State Park One of Oregon's secret hideaways is located just
east of Tygh Valley along Highway 216. The White
River plunges 90’ over a basalt shelf. The park is a
popular picnicking, hiking and fishing retreat and
offers excellent viewpoints of the White River
falls.
A rugged quarter-mile trail takes hikers down
deep within the canyon to the historic hydroelectric
power plant at the base of the raw, churning power
of the falls. The power plant supplied electricity
to Wasco and Sherman Counties from 1910 until the
completion of The Dalles Dam in 1960.
Shaniko
Shaniko
is located on US 97, 28 miles South East of Maupin.
Today Shaniko is a quiet ghost town. There are a
couple of “antique” shops, an ice cream parlor, and
the Historic Shaniko Hotel and Restaurant which
still functions today. Good for an afternoon visit
and slip back into a simpler time. A great driving
loop runs from Maupin to Bakeoven Road to Hwy 97 to
Shaniko, then back Hwy 97 to Hwy 197 and return to
Maupin
Richardson’s Rock
Ranch
Just a short drive
South down Hwy 197 will take you to Richardson’s
Rock Ranch. Year round rock hounding and a rock
shop are available.
John Day Fossil Beds
Within the heavily
eroded volcanic deposits of the scenic John Day
River basin is a well-preserved fossil record of
plants and animals. This remarkably complete record,
spanning more than 40 of the 65 million years of the
Cenozoic Era (the "Age of Mammals and Flowering
Plants") is world-renowned.
Authorized October 26, 1974, and established in
1975, this 14,000 acre unit awaits your
exploration. Approximately 1 ½ hours from Maupin.
Visit Barlow Road– Historic pioneer
road from Wamic to Oregon City: From Maupin to Tygh
Valley on Hwy 197, turn lest at bliking light to
Tygh Valley, then follow Wamic Market Road thru
Wamic and to Forest Boundary (Road becomes road 44)
Follow 44 to 4400170 turn left on 171 follow to
Stricklin Place on ODF to view site of 1st
toll gate. OR go 1 mile to 3530 – Old Barlow Road,
Or Turn Right onto Barlow Road and follow for approx
25 miles to Barlow Pass Sno-Park (high clearance
vehicles recommended).
Shearer’s Falls Loop
- From Maupin downriver to Shearer’s Bridge, to Hwy
216 west to Tygh Valley –1) continue downriver to
end of road – 17 miles) or 2) continue on Hwy 216
east to Grass Valley and Sherman County) 3) See
turn left on Hwy 216, go to White River Falls State
Park on Hwy 216 – to Hwy 197, return to Maupin.
Waiting for you right beside Hwy 197
on the outskirts of Maupin is a small log building.
The Maupin Visitors Center is loaded with local
history and information on the area. Make this your
first stop in the area to round out the activities
for your visit.
BLM Visitors Center 541-395-2778
7 North Highway 197
(at the Deschutes River bridge)
Hours are 10:00 am
– 5:00 pm, Thursday - Sunday
Overlooking the
Deschutes River is the perfect spot for a brew pub,
but alas, it is rented by the Bureau of Land
Management for an information center. Open in the
summer, there is a wealth of information on the
Deschutes River canyon, and friendly staff to answer
your questions. Call for schedule of Summer
Interpretive programs.
Shearer’s Falls Loop
