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Benham Falls

4.5 (13 reviews)

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09.01.18
May A.

Nice stroll This was an easy hike... yes, my kind! The trail name is Deschutes River to Benham Falls. Cross over the footbridge and follow a wide trail to the Benham Falls Overlook. It's about .5 miles of dirt road with zero elevation gain. People ride their bikes and walk their dogs here. Don't expect a waterfall at the end of the trail. There is no waterfall but you will find ferocious fast moving raging rapids at the end. There is also a separate walking trail that is closer to the water. Nice, well maintained short and easy path from the parking lot to the viewing platform. Some shade areas are provided by pine trees on both sides of the path depending on what time of the day you come. This trail connects to Sunriver. From here, you can travel 1.9 miles to the north edge of Sunriver or 3.8 miles to the Lava Lands Visitor Center. Review #1120

Robin S.

Not really a waterfall, Benham Falls is more like a Class [whatever] stretch of rapids created as the Deschutes River encounters the Newberry lava field. The struggle between water and rock is spectacular. And remarkably easy to get to. There are two approaches to the falls - one from the south accessed via the road from Lava Lands Visitor Center ending at Benham Falls East trailhead, and one from the west accessed via Conklin Road off Century Drive which takes you to Benham Falls West trailhead. Both have parking areas. Benham East requires a half mile hike across a footbridge and along the river to get to the falls. Benham West is right there at the falls. If you're capable, I highly recommend Benham East - the river upstream of the falls is gorgeous and there's the cool footbridge. The forest road from the Visitor Center also has a nice bike path, so you can leave your car there and bike to the falls across the footbridge. If you park at the East trailhead, take some time to walk the path upstream to get those gorgeous river views.

Tee L.

Place is really cool and pretty. But beware, there is a 6 mile dirt road that will likely damage your car.

christina m.

Beautiful! Definitely more of a rapid than a waterfall but still worth it to see. Hardly a "hike" but more like a walk over from the parking lot to the falls. There is a path from a campsite close by by I'm not sure of the name. Great find!

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Review Highlights - Benham Falls

The day we set out on our hike to Benham Falls, we started out by parking off the East trailhead.

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Riley Ranch Nature Reserve - Riley Ranch - saying hello to one of the sweeties gathered around us on the canyon loop

Riley Ranch Nature Reserve

(6 reviews)

Great place for a peaceful walk…read more We love Riley for getting some exercise in a serene setting. There are a couple of loops running the upper perimeter of the ranch...flat and easy for anyone. Then there's the gorgeous canyon loop below, through the trees and along the river. Both are great, but canyon loop is my favorite, just a beautiful space...large boulders, sweet trees, and the constant sound of rushing Deschutes. Apparently you can take the canyon trail to Tumalo State Park, although we haven't done that yet. Love having this space for nature and animals. Although we saw deer on the way in, we didn't see any while inside, but we did spot lots of tracks...as well as lots of birds. Great preserve!

Riley Ranch is a wonderful nature area operated by Bend Parks & Rec that probably many Bendites…read moredon't know about yet. It hasn't been open long. - Scenic views of the Deschutes, where the river runs fairly fast and has carved a canyon through the lava. Above the canyon wall on the east side lies Gopher Gulch air field (private property). - Lots of riparian areas here. People are instructed to only approach the river at designated access points. There are several, so that isn't too much of a restriction. - Junipers and ponderosas abound. - Trails are easy walking on mostly level terrain in the higher elevation areas (Juniper and Sage Loops). Robin's Run is a short segment which drops down somewhat steeply but there are rock steps installed to make it easier. The Canyon Loop trails along the river are much like you'd encounter along the Deschutes River Trail south of Bend. - This is a well-marked hiking area. Directional signs at key intersections, a very good overall map at both entrances (and mini-versions on some intersection markers), river access points identified. - If you keep going north past the Canyon Loop, the trail will take you out of Riley Ranch and towards Tumalo State Park. Along the way is the confluence of Tumalo Creek and the Deschutes River, which is pretty cool. - There are a couple of old (~1900) cabins fenced off along the Canyon Loop trail (one is actually a short distance down the trail towards Tumalo SP). - A Bend Parks & Rec person was stationed at the parking lot on a Sunday to remind people not to bring their dogs. - Medium-sized parking lot. As Rick J suggests, maybe its not larger on purpose. There's certainly room for a bigger lot. Bend has a surplus of great in-town and nearby casual walking trails. Riley Ranch is one.

Benham Falls - hiking - Updated May 2026

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