Hiking

Eagle`s eye view of the Deschutes River Canyon

Round Butte Overlook Park is a terrific place to picnic and enjoy spectacular views of the Deschutes River Canyon.

From the park, on the canyon`s rim, you can look down on Round Butte Dam, Lake Billy Chinook, and Lake Simtustus, about 400 feet below. It`s a great spot to view wildlife, including bald eagles and ospreys. Every February, the annual Eagle Watch site attracts hundreds of visitors.

In and around the observation building, you`ll find interpretive displays on the Round Butte Hydroelectric Project and Deschutes River fish and wildlife.

Learn more about PGE`s efforts to protect fish on the Deschutes River.

Steelhead Falls is a moderately rated, 2-mile heavily trafficked out-and-back trail near Terrebonne, Oregon, with a waterfall. The trail offers several activity options and is accessible year-round.

Dogs can also use this trail but must be on a leash.

Boyd Cave is a 0.7-mile moderately trafficked loop trail near Bend, Oregon that offers the chance to see wildlife and is suitable for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and horses and is accessible year-round. This cave is easy to get to and fun to explore - you will probably want a flashlight or headlamp and watch out for bats. There are about 25 stairs required to go down into the cave at the end.

Dogs can also use this trail, but they must be leashed.

Accessibility: There does not appear to be any designated accessible spaces in the gravel parking lot off China Hat Road at the trail`s south end. The nearest designated accessible parking is marked with a waypoint over 6 miles away on China Hat Road. The trail surface is packed dirt with roots or rocks that may be an uneven ride for equipment users and typically at least 3 feet wide. The estimated grade is gentle mainly (5% or less). You may need all-terrain tires or motorized equipment for the surface type. There are steps at the trail`s end to get into Boyd Cave.

Tam-a-lau Trail at Cove Palisades State Park is a 6.5-mile relatively trafficked loop trail with a lake near Culver, Oregon. The trail, rated as moderate, offers several activity options and is accessible year-round.

Dogs can also use this trail but must be on a leash.

Gray Butte is a 6.4-mile lightly trafficked loop trail near Culver, Oregon, that features beautiful wildflowers and is rated as difficult. The trail offers several activity options and is best used from April until October.

Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail.

Crooked River Rim Trail is a 2-mile lightly trafficked out-and-back trail located near Culver, Oregon, that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from April until November.

Dogs can also use this trail but must be kept on a leash.

Lower Crooked River Back Country Byway is a 44.3-mile point-to-point trail near Prineville, Oregon, rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for fishing and scenic driving and is accessible year-round.

Dogs are also able to use this trail.

Olallie Butte is a 6.7-mile lightly trafficked out-and-back trail located near Warm Springs, Oregon, that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The trail offers several activity options and is accessible year-round.

Dogs can also use this trail but must be kept on a leash.