The Long Way
Deschutes County
Two anglers stand on rocky ground near a flowing river.
Plate I. Anglers near Steelhead Falls Trail. From blm.gov
A person hiking along a snowy trail next to a frozen waterfall and river.
Plate II. Snow-covered trail along Steelhead Falls. From traveloregon.com
A waterfall flows into a river surrounded by rocky cliffs and trees.
Plate III. Steelhead Falls, Steelhead Falls Trail. From blm.gov
A scenic view of a rushing waterfall surrounded by lush green foliage and rocks.
Plate IV. Steelhead Falls, Steelhead Falls Trail. From blm.gov
A scenic waterfall flows between rocky, tree-covered canyon walls.
Plate V. Steelhead Falls along Steelhead Falls Trail. From visitcentraloregon.com

Steelhead Falls Trail (BLM), Deschutes River, Crook County, OR

Terrebonne, Deschutes County, Oregon. Trail; Year-round.

Details

Map. Terrebonne, Deschutes County, Oregon. Larger map
Where
Terrebonne, Deschutes County, OR. No street address stated. Directions
When
Open year-round; day-use area open during daylight hours. Overnight camping sites are first come, first served.
Getting there
From Redmond, a 15-mile drive of about 25 minutes via northbound Highway 97 and country backroads.
Fees
No fees.
Access
Pets on leash; limited trailer parking; outhouse but no potable water; campfires allowed with summer fire restrictions; swimming in the pool at the base of the falls on hot days.
Walk-in or reserve
Walk-in day use; overnight camping sites are first come, first served.
Phone
541-416-6700
Managed by
Bureau of Land Management, Prineville District Office.

A 20-foot cascade tumbles over a rocky stretch in the Deschutes River.

Notable Events

  1. 1960sThe dams ended the steelhead runs to the falls; before completion, steelhead could be seen leaping the falls on their upstream journey from the ocean. nuggetnews.com
  2. 1978The BLM inventoried the Steelhead Falls area (WSA OR-5-14) during the wilderness inventory. blm.gov
  3. 1982A decision was made that the Deschutes Canyon area would be jointly studied by the USFS and BLM, with the Forest Service as lead agency. blm.gov
  4. 1990The BLM lands were included in the 1990 U.S. Forest Service Final Environmental Impact Statement/Land and Resource Management Plan for the Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland. blm.gov
  5. 2011Steelhead fry had been planted at numerous sites above and below the falls in anticipation of new salmon and steelhead runs, with a recently completed fish tower to help ocean-bound fish out of the reservoir. nuggetnews.com
  6. A rock wall in the river served as a fish ladder, helping steelhead get around the falls in low-water months, until dams built downstream blocked the journey. bendbulletin.com

Sources

  1. blm.gov/visit/steelhead-falls-trail
  2. visitcentraloregon.com/things-to-do/attractions/steelhead-falls
  3. traveloregon.com/things-to-do/destinations/waterfalls/steelhead-falls
  4. nuggetnews.com/story/2011/04/05/news/hike-to-steelhead-falls-while-the-water-is-still-high/19660.html
  5. blm.gov/visit/middle-deschutes-wild-and-scenic-river
  6. blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/oregon-washington/deschutes-canyon-steelhead-falls-wsa
  7. bendbulletin.com/2011/02/10/steelhead-falls