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Overnight Rafting Trips
Rafters in sun hats and life jackets walking along a rocky shore toward a loaded blue raft on a clear green river.
Back to the boats after a stop on shore.

Oregon ยท Lower Deschutes Wild and Scenic River

Deschutes River overnight rafting trips

Two and three day trips through a central Oregon desert canyon, with Class III rapids and no lottery. Compare every overnight outfitter we found.

2 to 4 days / 1 to 3 nights
State
Oregon
Trip length
2 days, 1 night to 4 days, 3 nights
Whitewater
Class III, per American Whitewater
Season
Year round, busiest in summer
River miles
About 37, Trout Creek to Maupin
Permit
Boater Pass, no lottery
Compare outfittersGuided trip or lottery?

Quick answer

Guided overnight Deschutes River rafting trips run 2 days, 1 night to 4 days, 3 nights, most from Trout Creek or Warm Springs to Maupin through Class III rapids. Everyone needs a Boater Pass, but there is no lottery. We list 9 outfitters, and 2 day, 1 night trips start at $425 per person (checked September 2026).

The route

Trout Creek to Maupin

The overnight run starts above the big rapids. Whitehorse comes first, then Buckskin Mary and Boxcar before Maupin.

  1. River mile 88.4Trout CreekLaunch
  2. River mile 76.4WhitehorseClass III
  3. River mile 64.3Buckskin MaryClass III
  4. River mile 54.0BoxcarClass III
  5. River mile 51.8MaupinTake out, City Park
  1. Day 1
  2. Day 2

BLM river miles, which count up from the Columbia; classes from American Whitewater. Shown for a 2 day, 1 night trip. On this segment, the BLM allows camping only at designated boat in sites.

Compare outfitters

Every overnight Deschutes outfitter we found

The BLM publishes a list of authorized Lower Deschutes guides (May 2025) with 93 names. This table covers the ones whose own sites list overnight trips, listed alphabetically.

Deschutes River overnight rafting and float outfitters with trip lengths in days and nights, boats, season, minimum age and lowest listed price
OutfitterTrip lengthsBoatsSeasonMin ageFrom, per adultBook
Imperial River Company2 days, 1 night to 3 days, 2 nightsRaftYear round; busiest July and August6 (and 50 pounds)$5252 day, 1 night trip, 4 guest minimum; year not shown; 3 day $725. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Imperial
Oregon River Experiences2 days, 1 night to 3 days, 2 nightsOar, paddleBy request7$6402 day, 1 night trip for groups of 5 or more; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Oregon River Exp.
Orion Expeditions2 days, 1 nightPaddle, inflatable kayakApril to SeptemberNot listedPrice not shown on the page we checked. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Orion
Ouzel Outfitters2 days, 1 night to 3 days, 2 nightsOar, paddle, inflatable kayakMay to September6 (and 50 pounds)$8952 day, 1 night trip; year not shown; 3 day $1,095. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Ouzel
River Drifters2 days, 1 night to 3 days, 2 nightsPaddle, oar, inflatable kayakMay to October4$4252 day, 1 night trip, listed as $425 to $450 plus Boater Pass; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with River Drifters
ROW Adventures3 days, 2 nights to 4 days, 3 nightsPaddleJune to September7$14,190Private charter for up to 12 guests, 3 day, 2 night trip. Checked Sep 2026See dates with ROW
The Fly Fishers Place2 days, 1 night to 3 days, 2 nights (fishing)Drift boatNot listedNot listed$2,500Group rate for 1 or 2 anglers, 2 day, 1 night trip, 2025. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Fly Fishers Place
Tributary Whitewater Tours3 days, 2 nightsPaddleMay to September7$7502026, plus a $5 daily pass and a 3% fee. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Tributary
Water Time Outfitters2 to 4 days (fishing; 1 to 3 nights)Drift boat, power boatJuly to NovemberNot listed$1,2002 day steelhead trip; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026See dates with Water Time

"Not listed" means we could not find it on the outfitter's site in September 2026. Prices are per person unless noted and most exclude the Boater Pass. Confirm when booking.

Not shown: High Country Expeditions, Deschutes River Adventures and Bend Fly Shop, which sell overnight trips but do not appear under those names on the BLM's May 2025 list. Missing an outfitter? Tell us.

The no lottery way in

Guided trip or private trip?

There is no lottery on the Deschutes, but every boater needs a Boater Pass, and summer weekend passes on the upper segment are limited. A guided trip takes care of the pass, the boats, the camp and the shuttle.

No lottery

Book a guided trip

How you get a spot
Pick a date with one of the outfitters above and book it.
Trip length
2 days, 1 night to 4 days, 3 nights on the trips we checked.
Where you meet
Maupin for most outfitters; Warm Springs or Trout Creek for some.
Boats and food
The outfitter brings the boats, guides, meals and camp.
Compare Deschutes outfitters

Private permit

Get a Boater Pass

Cost
$5 per person per day, plus a $6 reservation fee.
Limited passes
Segment 1 Friday to Sunday, May 15 to September 15; Segment 4 daily, May 15 to October 15.
Release
50% of passes 26 weeks ahead, 30% 4 weeks ahead, 20% 1 week ahead.
Group size
Up to 16 in Segments 1, 3 and 4; 24 in Segment 2.
See the lottery calendar

Sources: Recreation.gov Deschutes Boater Pass, the BLM Lower Deschutes page and the BLM know before you go page.

On the river

What an overnight Deschutes trip looks like

The BLM says the 10 miles from Warm Springs to Trout Creek have no rapids. From Trout Creek, Whitehorse comes about 12 river miles down.

  1. Morning

    Launch at Trout Creek or Warm Springs.

  2. Midday

    Whitehorse Rapids, which drop 35 to 40 feet over a mile, per the BLM, with lunch on the bank.

  3. Afternoon

    Float to a designated boat in camp.

  4. Evening

    Dinner cooked on a stove; campfires are banned June 1 to October 15.

What outfitters list as included

  • Guides, boats and life jackets
  • Meals on the river
  • Camp gear
  • The shuttle back to Maupin, on many trips

Imperial offers a pre trip lodge night at half price. Tributary and River Drifters list the Boater Pass as extra. Check each outfitter's list.

Worth checking before you book

  • Boater Pass fees
  • Sleeping bags
  • Travel to Maupin
  • Guide tips

More on camp life, meals and the toilet in river camping, and on tips in tipping your guides.

When to go

The Deschutes rafting season

Imperial River Company runs overnight trips year round, with its busiest months in July and August; most outfitters run May to September or October.

Summer brings the campfire ban from June 1 to October 15 and limited weekend passes on Segment 1. See when to go rafting.

35 to 40 ft is how far the river drops over one mile in Whitehorse Rapids, according to the BLM.

Who it suits

Which Deschutes trip fits you

Short on time

A 2 day, 1 night trip covers the whitewater from Trout Creek to Maupin. See 2 day rafting trips.

Families

River Drifters takes kids from 4, and Imperial and Ouzel from 6. See family rafting trips.

Anglers

Water Time Outfitters runs steelhead trips from July to November. See fishing float trips.

Questions

Deschutes River rafting questions

How much does an overnight Deschutes rafting trip cost?

On the outfitters' own sites, checked in September 2026, 2 day, 1 night trips list from $425 with River Drifters, $525 with Imperial River Company and $640 with Oregon River Experiences. Three day, two night trips list from $495 to $1,095. Most prices show no year, so confirm when booking.

Do I need a permit to raft the Lower Deschutes?

Everyone on the river needs a Boater Pass year round, $5 per person per day plus a $6 reservation fee. There is no lottery, but passes for Segment 1 on summer weekends and Segment 4 are limited. On a guided trip, the outfitter handles its own authorization.

Which section do overnight trips run?

Most run from Trout Creek or Warm Springs down to Maupin or Sandy Beach, through Whitehorse, Buckskin Mary and Boxcar rapids. Oregon River Experiences also runs Buckhollow to the Columbia.

How hard are the rapids?

American Whitewater rates the Warm Springs to Sandy Beach run Class III, with Oak Springs Class IV. The BLM says Whitehorse drops about 35 to 40 feet over one mile.

Can you run Sherars Falls?

No. The BLM requires a vehicle portage around Sherars Falls, a 15 foot drop at river mile 44, if you continue downstream.

Can we have a campfire?

Not in summer. The BLM closes the river corridor to all campfires and charcoal fires from June 1 through October 15. Only commercially made metal camp stoves are allowed then.

What is the minimum age?

River Drifters lists 4, Imperial and Ouzel list 6 with a 50 pound minimum, and Oregon River Experiences, ROW and Tributary list 7.

Can I fish on a Deschutes float trip?

Yes. The Fly Fishers Place runs 2 and 3 day drift boat trips, and Water Time Outfitters runs steelhead trips of 2 to 4 days. See fishing float trips.

Keep planning

Ready to book

Pick your Deschutes outfitter

Compare trip lengths, boats and minimum ages, then check dates directly with the outfitter.

Compare Deschutes outfittersMore Oregon rivers

Written by a Moab river guide and Wilderness First Responder.Last checked