Deschutes River Whitewater Rafting Oregon Class III & IV Rapids

Paddle through class III and IV whitewater without arranging the equipment or the route

Half-day whitewater rafting on the Deschutes River in Maupin, Oregon takes you 13 miles through class III and IV rapids, river canyons and rock formations with a live guide, personal flotation device and bottled water. Choose the 9 am or 1:30 pm departure. The trip runs 3.5 hours and requires a minimum group of four people. Children from age 6 are welcome, and the guide tailors the pace to your comfort level.

The experience

You arrive at the put-in with a minimum of four people and get outfitted with a personal flotation device before pushing into the Deschutes. The 13-mile float encounters class III and IV rapids stacked through river canyons and rock formations. Your guide handles the route and timing while you paddle, brace and take on water. Plan to get wet throughout: the rapids don't spare the boat or the people in it, and the guide reads each one to keep the group safe without softening the ride.

The 3.5-hour trip moves at a pace the guide adjusts to your group's excitement level, so first-timers and experienced paddlers run the same river differently. Bottled water is provided, and the guide's job is both safety and the experience itself. They're trained to navigate the whitewater and to keep the day coherent when the current and the rocks are doing most of the work. Two departure times let you fit the trip around the rest of your day: 9 am or 1:30 pm.

The Deschutes is cold and fast enough that you'll feel the current the moment the boat leaves flat water. Bring a change of clothes and a towel. The operator provides the flotation device, the guide and the knowledge of where the river goes.

What’s included

• Personal flotation device.
• bottled water.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• all paddling instruction and river safety guidance.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 25 May 2027

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Youth (6 to 14 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Deschutes River Adventures

Is this one for you?The 3.5-hour float is active from start to finish. You're paddling and bracing through class III and IV whitewater, not watching from a bench. Book this if you want to operate the raft yourself and don't mind getting soaked. If you prefer to sit while someone else does the work, a scenic float trip is a different product.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 14 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What are class III and IV rapids like on the Deschutes River?

Class III and IV rapids on the Deschutes involve significant whitewater with waves, holes and rocks that require active paddling and bracing. The 13-mile section on this trip moves through river canyons and rock formations where the current is strong enough to keep you engaged throughout, and the guide reads each rapid to keep the group safe while delivering the whitewater experience.

Do I need rafting experience to book this trip?

No experience is required. The guide tailors the pace to your group's comfort level, so the trip works for first-timers and experienced paddlers alike. You do need at least a moderate level of physical fitness and the ability to paddle and brace in moving water.

What time should I choose, the 9 am or 1:30 pm departure?

Both departures run the same 13-mile section and take 3.5 hours. Pick 9 am if you want the morning free after, or 1:30 pm if you're arriving later in the day or prefer an afternoon on the water.

What's included in the half-day rafting trip?

The trip includes a personal flotation device, bottled water and a live guide in English or Spanish. The guide provides all the knowledge of the river and the rapids. You bring a change of clothes and a towel.

What's the minimum group size?

The minimum is four people per trip. If you're booking solo or with a small group, you'll be combined with other paddlers to meet the four-person requirement.