Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
80.00 ft (24.38 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
1.20 mi (1.93 km)
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Benham Falls, a picturesque 25-foot drop on the Deschutes River, marks the southern end of the Deschutes River Trail's Upper Reach.  It can be accessed relatively easily from Bend or Sunriver.  Unlike the other rapids along the Upper Reach, including Dillon Falls, Big Eddy and Lava Island Falls, Benham Falls isn't a product of the giant lava flow that stems from Lava Butte, but rather a free-form cascade of its own right.

From Bend, the cascade can be accessed almost directly by vehicle, requiring only a 100-yard walk to the northern viewpoint.  If you are coming via Lava Lands Visitor Center, it is still a short two-thirds of a mile walk from the parking area at the end of Forest Road 9702.  From Sunriver you can actually access the falls by hiking or mountain biking 2.6 miles starting on Forest Road 600 just east of Circle 7 and off of East Cascade Road.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

NW Forest Pass

Pros

Scenic river and rapids. Close to both Bend and Sunriver. Access to the Deschutes River Trail.

Cons

Limited vistas other than the waterfall and rapids.

Trailhead Elevation

4,160.00 ft (1,267.97 m)

Features

Waterfalls
Fishing

Typically multi-day

No

Suitable for

Biking

Location

Comments

This is a perfect trip for kids. The volume of water cascading through the rock walls is a wild contrast to the placid river a half mile upstream. Walk the Deschutes River trail upstream for an easy hike along the river.
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