Redmond's Dry Canyon

Where can you take a hike, go for a mountain bike ride, play disc golf, ride a horse, lead a sport climb and catch a pickleball match all in the same place? In Redmond, Oregon! Dry Canyon Park is contained by walls of rimrock that cut right down the center of the city of Redmond. This natural feature has been preserved as a playground for sports enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. In this 3.7-mile long park, everyone is guaranteed to find something of interest.

Hundreds of thousands of years ago, glacial meltwater formed the canyon. It later provided a conduit for lava flowing in a northwesterly direction out of vents south of the canyon. The ropy lava flow was then overlaid by soil, colonized by plants and then paved over by humans. 

Only a thin ribbon of the canyon is paved, however, and the remainder of the area has been utilized in a number of ways. Much of the canyon is wild; sagebrush and juniper trees dominate the landscape. Singletrack mountain bike trails criss-cross this natural area, providing a more wild experience for those who want to escape the pavement. The developed areas include several parks with playgrounds, ball fields, pickleball courts and other amenities.  

The most unique feature within the park is the Maple Bridge climbing area. Maple Bridge is an arch-style bridge that spans the canyon. It is 780 feet long and 70 feet high. One bolted climbing route follows one of the arches, creating a challenging yet aesthetic line for sport climbers to test their leading skills. 

To get a sense of the lay of the land, take a hike from one end to the other. It's about 4 miles one way, so you could do it as an out-and-back or a one-way hike with a shuttle. Start from the south end and park on Quartz Avenue just west of Dry Canyon Drive. Hike north, using a combination of paved and dirt paths to get the most variety in your trip. Stop and explore the parks along the way. You'll end up at the northern trailhead near the water treatment plant. Hold your nose, reverse direction and wander along a different path on your return hike!