Recreational Areas

Bend Whitewater Park. The first white-water park in Oregon, at McKay Park in the Old Mill District, is the result of an extensive renovation to a 1915 dam, which previously made this section of the Deschutes River impassable. Three separate channels below the dam cater to rafters, kayakers, tubers, and even surfers. 166 S.W. Shevlin Hixon Rd., Bend, Oregon, 97702. 541/389–7275; www.bendparksandrec.org.

Deschutes National Forest. This 1½-million-acre forest has 20 peaks higher than 7,000 feet, including three of Oregon's five highest mountains, more than 150 lakes, and 500 miles of streams. If you want to park your car at a trailhead, some of the sites require a Northwest Forest Pass; day-use passes are also needed May through September at many locations for boating and picnicking. Campgrounds are operated by a camp host. 63095 Deschutes Market Rd., Bend, Oregon, 97701. 541/383–5300; www.fs.usda.gov/centraloregon. Park pass $5.