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River Canyon Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 91 Google reviews · Running trail in Bend, Oregon · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Loop distance
- 3 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from River Canyon Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Relaxed park with pine trees and a 3-mile loop trail along the Deschutes River.
What runners say about River Canyon Park
“But for the rest of us it provides a wide, well-maintained gravel road for an easy walk or ride along the Deschutes River Canyon.”
“Absolutely beautiful hike.”
“Trail that goes down by the river, it's very pretty and quiet.”
River Canyon Park itself isn't the main attraction here. The park is a minimalistic half acre of pines and grasses with a winding paver path and a few picnic tables near the canyon rim.
Great place to walk with my family in the neighborhood! Looking forward to Kayaking from River Canyon Park to Jackson's Corner for breakfast next summer!
Absolutely beautiful hike. I absolutely recommend this if you want to get outside and see nature. Be sure to bring water though, you'll need it!
A little less than a mile from the house. Well maintained and a great way to get to downtown.
Trail conditions & character
“One of the most romantic place in Oregon long trails every Cliff with amazing views , we always have to be curiosity of neighbors area bike kid/ bike/ pet friendly leash pls.”
“Trail that goes down by the river, it's very pretty and quiet.”
“One of the most romantic place in Oregon long trails every Cliff with amazing views , we always have to be curiosity of neighbors area bike kid/ bike/ pet friendly leash pls.”
“But for the rest of us it provides a wide, well-maintained gravel road for an easy walk or ride along the Deschutes River Canyon.”
“There it connects to the South Canyon Reach of the Deschutes River Trail, a 3-mile loop typically accessed from the Farewell Bend Park area.”
Plan your run at River Canyon Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- Loop distance3 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitebendparksandrec.org
- Phone(541) 389-7275
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 5 AM–10 PM |
Running trails near Bend
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
GoodDog!
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Deschutes River Trail
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Scenic 12-mi. trail meandering through forest, canyons, and basalt formations along the Deschutes River.
Meadow Day Use Area
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Dog-friendly park with a river and opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and picnicking.
First Street Rapids Park
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Family-friendly park featuring picnic tables, and a restroom, plus a riverside trail.
