Deschutes River State Recreation Area
Chester H. Armstrong, HISTORY OF THE OREGON STATE PARKS: 1917-1963
Deschutes State Park is located on Interstate Highway 80N, at the confluence of the Deschutes and Columbia Rivers, 17 miles east of The Dalles at the Wasco-Sherman County line.
Discussions on this proposed project were started in 1955. Detailed studies were made in 1959 to determine possible use, entrances, construction costs, effect a possible power project with a large fluctuating discharge might have on the safety of the stream for park users, the sediment carried by the river, etc.
The prime movers in the project are The Dalles Chamber of Commerce and many interested people living along the banks and inland from the Columbia River.
The first land obtained was 30 acres, located on the east side of Deschutes River, purchased from the Columbia-Deschutes Power Company on January 25, 1963. An additional 5.10-acre tract was purchased on April 25, 1963, from Don and Dorathen Miller. These tracts adjoin and the latter contained a small home and some other buildings.
http://npshistory.com/publications/oregon/history/sec5.htm#D Accessed July 10, 2020
"In 1987 the Oregon Legislature and Governor Victor Atiyeh partnered with private stakeholders to create a preserve that would protect the lower 18 miles of the Deschutes River and maintain the land for public access and recreation on the river."
Tyson Gillard, Outdoor Projecthttps://www.outdoorproject.com/united-states/oregon/deschutes-river-state-recreation-area-campground Accessed June 10, 2020
Oregon State Parks: Deschutes River State Recreation Area
The Deschutes River State Recreation Area is a tree-shaded, overnight oasis for campers. The sparkle-laden, swift, green rush of the Deschutes converges with the Columbia here, & there's no better place for family outing activities like hiking, mountain biking, camping, rafting, world-class steelhead & trout fishing. Equestrian trail riding permitted March- June with a reservation (closed July-February).
Spring comes early in the Deschutes canyon, painting the walls of the canyon green for a few months each year, before heat begins to build in June, turning the vegetation a golden shade of brown. The canyon is sheltered & warmer than you might think; the first wildflowers break from winter's grip in late February. What a great escape from the rainy weather!
The Atiyeh Deschutes River Trail at river level is a favorite jaunt for hikers on hot summer days. You just can't beat the cool river and the shade of white alder trees (& while you're resting, look for the hanging basket-type nests built by the orioles).
The Deschutes, which is both a national and state scenic waterway, drops about a quarter of a mile in its final 100 miles as it twists through canyons 700 to 2,200 feet deep - great for days of fun whitewater rafting, kayaking, & inner-tubing.
Heritage Landing is a popular jetboaters launch. It provides access to the Deschutes and Columbia Rivers. This is where river guides meet their clients, families gather to head out onto the Columbia River for salmon fishing or water skiing, & everyone collects to share the excitement of their big catch. Jetboating is allowed on the lower segment of the Deschutes River all year 'round except alternating weekends from June - September; boaters passes are required for all flotation devices.
The lower 2 miles of the Deschutes River is a pass through zone for boaters. This provides fishing access for the many hike-up anglers that depart from Heritage Landing & use the river trails.
https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=29 Accessed June 10, 2020
