Deschutes River - Benham Falls to Dillon Falls

The day use access lies just above Benham Falls.  You won't have much time to get comfy on the water as the action starts right away.

Turn off Highway 97 at the cottonwood road intersection and head west.  Then follow Crawford Road to the putin.

If you want to bypass the whole Benham Falls drama this is a good putin option.  Access is on river left.

Unless you want to run Dillon Falls (not recommended for most boaters) you NEED to take out here.  Acces is on river left just above the falls.  There is a small turn about and a single lane ramp here.

The action starts with a couple of river wide waves and holes.

Scout or portage from the trail on river left.

After some rough water getting to this point the river makes a small right hand bend and you encounter the falls.  This has some really squirly water with several unclean landing areas.  Make sure to scout and hit your line if you decide to run this.  Expert kayakers only should go after this.

Scout and portage river left.  For thos not wanting to run the falls, putting in below the falls will give you a nice class III-IV runout without the consequence of having to run the falls and missing your line.

Right below the falls the river is split into 2 channels by a small island.  The right channel is typically blocked with wood so the recommended line is the left channel.  This is pretty straightforward here (especially if you just ran the falls)

Scout/portage river left

Run this left to right avoiding rocks in the center of the rapid towards the bottom of the rapid.  Follow the wave train around the bend.

Scout/portage on river left.

One last little rapid leads to calmer water.  Hug the right bank and follow the wave train here.

Read and run.