Dillon Falls via Deschutes River Trail
Overview
This is a moderate out and back trail to Dillon Falls in Deschutes National Forest.
This trail goes by Meadow Day Use Area.
There are many ways to enter and exit the Deschutes River Trail, and the hike can be anywhere from 2 - 20 miles in total length. This hike starts at the Meadow Day Use Area, a parking area well marked on the Cascades Lakes Highway, where there are numerous picnic areas and plenty of parking. The trail starts at the very end of the parking area. There is only one tricky turn in the trail, where hikers need to cross over a narrow land bridge to stay on the trail and it is not well marked: after passing signs for the Inn of the Seventh Mountain, watch for a fork in the trail and stay left over the land bridge that crosses a marsh. After this point the trail follows the river and crosses several boat ramps and car access points, all of which offer places for kids and dogs to enter the water as well as picnic tables. The hike is beautiful although there are shorts stretches of muddy terrain where mosquitoes are abundant in the spring and early summer. The hike is child friendly as it is never steep and there are rock features to play in. The more adventurous hiker is rewarded with two spectacular waterfalls, starting with Dillon Falls. Benham Falls is several miles further and is by far the more spectacular, as water rushes through a narrow channel through steep rocks. This is a common point to turn around for a total distance of just over 18 miles, although the trail continues to the Sunriver Resort.
