Deschutes River Coves

The Deschutes River Coves path makes use of dedicated hiking paths and backcountry double track to reach two different calm swimming holes along the Deschutes River.

Beginning at the trailhead at the north side of the vacation town of Sunriver, the trail begins by overlapping the popular Deschutes River Trail, tracking the dirt single track for just under three quarters of a mile. From here, the path turns at a fork and joins a backcountry dirt double track. The trail here is soft sand, which is a bit slower and dustier. A fork soon reached on this portion of the trail leads in two paths to two different river beaches. Both are secluded sloped shores beside a calm portion of the river. Swimming is fine at either, though this mountain water remains fairly cold except during the warmest times of the year.

Either fork leads to end of the road, beyond which more single track trail remain to get to the water's edge. This portion of the Deschutes is lush and green. During the summer you might be able to catch the paddlers who float the river in this section.

Hikers should be aware that both of these shores are in primitive areas, with no amenities of any kind located there. The parking area in Sunriver also is only large enough for a small number of vehicles, and curbside parking is restricted in the town.