Deschutes River Directions
Meeting Place: Maupin, Oregon
Address: 405 Deschutes Ave, Maupin, OR 97037
From Portland/Vancouver Area
Via Mt Hood/Highway 26
This route is best for those traveling from the Southern areas of Portland and the Northern Willamette areas. Travel East on HWY 26 towards Mt. Hood. Pass through Government Camp and continue on HWY 26 towards Warm Springs/Bend. Just after you enter the Warm Springs Indian Reservation turn left on HWY 216: Maupin & Bear Springs (on your Left, heading East). Once on HWY 216 proceed roughly 30 miles to HWY 197. Turn right onto HWY 197 and travel the 2 miles to Maupin. Once you enter the small main strip of Maupin, proceed 2.5 blocks and turn Right onto the driveway of River Drifters (between the Rainbow Tavern and Maupin Hardware) at 405 Deschutes (also HWY 197). Look for a River Drifters sign indicating the office. Plan roughly 2 hours traveling time!
I-84/the Gorge Route:
This route is best for those who are traveling from either Northeast Northwest Portland or Vancouver areas. Travel East on I 84 roughly 84 miles from Downtown Portland to The Dalles. At I-84 Exit 87, turn Right (South) on HWY 197: Bend, Maupin. Proceed 39 miles South on HWY 197 until you reach Maupin. Once you enter the small main strip of Maupin, proceed 2.5 blocks and turn Right onto the driveway of River Drifters (between the Rainbow Tavern and Maupin Hardware) at 405 Deschutes (also HWY 197). Look for a River Drifters sign indicating the office. Plan roughly 2 hours traveling time!
From Central Oregon Area
From Eagle Crest Resort, Sunriver, Bend or any other Central Oregon location. Proceed NORTH on HWY 97 (towards Portland) until you reach Madras; travel through Madras and stay on HWY 97 North (veer right at the HWY 97 & HWY 26 Y, immediately BEFORE the McDonalds in Madras). Travel roughly 25 miles North (on HWY 97) and veer LEFT onto HWY 197 (towards Maupin) and travel 22 miles into Maupin. Travel down the canyon into Maupin and continue over the bridge (only bridge that crosses over the Deschutes River). Travel through the first block through town (past the school and post office) and turn Left onto the driveway of River Drifters (between the Maupin Hardware and the Rainbow Tavern) at 405 Deschutes (also HWY 197). Look for a River Drifters sign indicating the office. Plan roughly 2 hours traveling time!
From Kennewick & Tri Cities Area
Travel SOUTH on I-82 to for 30.7 miles to exit # 179 onto I-84 West. Travel west on I-84 roughly 93 miles to The Dalles. At I-84 Exit 87, turn Right (South) on HWY 197: Bend, Maupin. Proceed 39 miles South on HWY 197 until you reach Maupin. Once you enter the small main strip of Maupin, proceed 2.5 blocks and turn Right onto the driveway of River Drifters (between the Rainbow Tavern and Maupin Hardware) at 405 Deschutes (also HWY 197). Look for a River Drifters sign indicating the office. Plan roughly 3 hours traveling time!
From Skamania Lodge Area
Travel WEST on HWY 14 to the Bridge of the Gods. Cross over the Columbia River and head East on I-84 and travel roughly 43 miles from Cascade Locks to The Dalles. At I-84 Exit 87, turn Right (South) on HWY 197: Bend, Maupin. Proceed 39 miles South on HWY 197 until you reach Maupin. Once you enter the small main strip of Maupin, proceed 2.5 blocks and turn Right onto the driveway of River Drifters (between the Rainbow Tavern and Maupin Hardware) at 405 Deschutes (also HWY 197). Look for a River Drifters sign indicating the office. Plan roughly 90 minutes traveling time!
Getting to the Deschutes River
| Starting Point | Estimated Driving Time |
| Mount Hood / HWY 26 Route | under 2 hours |
| I 84 / the Gorge Route | under 2 hours |
| Bend and Central Oregon Areas | 2 hours |
| Kennewick / Tri-Cities Area | 2+ hours |
| Eugene | 3.5 hours |
| Seattle | 3.5 hours |
| Resort of the Mountain / Gov't Camp | 1.5 hours |
| Skamania Lodge | 1 hour |
