Deschutes River State Recreation Area, State recreation area at river confluence in The Dalles, Oregon.
Deschutes River State Recreation Area is an Oregon state park located at the point where the Deschutes River meets the Columbia River, near The Dalles. The park includes camping areas, fishing access along the riverbanks, and walking paths through the wooded land beside the water.
The park began to take shape in 1955 after the local Chamber of Commerce pushed for the land to be acquired for public use, with the process completing in 1963. Before that, the confluence had been a working area connected to river travel and trade along the Columbia.
The area around the river confluence has long been a gathering place for the Warm Springs and Wasco peoples, who have fished these waters for generations. Visitors walking along the banks today can still see people fishing here in ways that reflect this long connection to the river.
The park is open year-round, though spring and early fall tend to offer the most comfortable conditions for spending time by the river. Camping options range from sites with water and electrical connections to simpler tent spots, and shower facilities are available on site.
An active rail line runs right along the edge of the campground, and trains pass close enough that you can hear and feel them from your tent or campsite. This is not something most people expect when they arrive, and it gives the place a very different feel from a typical riverside park.
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