Deschutes River Tube Rentals

From the Sun Country Tours Tube Shack rental pick-up location on SW Columbia Street in Bend, the access points for the Deschutes River are just a short walk away! Check out the pins on the map to reference where specific put-in or take-out locations are on the stretch of the Deschutes that runs through the Old Mill District. Looking for something a little more off the beaten-path? Ask our staff for recommendations on some of their favorite lesser known river spots!

1. For a more leisurely float that you can run a few laps on, start at Riverbend Park and ride down to the bridge before the Bend Whitewater Park; exit left before McKay Park. If you're ready for another round, walk the path back to the put-in with your tube and ride it down again! Riverbend Park is a 15-20 minute (or 1-mile) walk from our Tube Shack, and 10 minute walk from the whitewater park.

2. Those who are looking for an adventure-filled floating session will want to head down to 'The Fish Ladder', a series of little rapids that can be easily splashed through over and over. To get there, you can either float down from Riverbend Park, or walk straight down to McKay Park from the Tube Shack (a half mile or 5-10 minute walk). The riverbank is a great spot to post up and relax in the eddies or watch surfers in the Whitewater Park on the next channel over.

3. The longest float option is from Riverbend Park to Drake Park and features both lazy river sections as well as fun, fast riffles — while both the put-in and take-out locations are walkable, taking a shuttle is recommended. Scroll down to learn more about the full float to Drake Park.

If you plan to float the popular stretch of the Deschutes from Riverbend Park to Drake Park, Cascades East Transit (CET) offers a convenient shuttle to connect you between the put-in and take-out. This shuttle picks up & drops off directly across the street from our new Tube Shack pick-up location!

Start at the Park & Float and take the shuttle to Riverbend Park to begin your float. While the majority of your time on water follows a mellow current, there is a series of small rapids on the left-hand passageway at the Bend Whitewater Park. Be prepared to ride them down in your tube or exit the river and walk around. Caution: The right-hand passageway is for whitewater boaters and river-wave surfing only.

You will exit your float at Drake Park (just after passing under the Galveston Ave. bridge) on the right-hand side of the river. Head to the edge of the park to load the bus, or hop in line to wait for the next available bus. The float can take between 1 to 1.5 hours depending on water levels and wind conditions.

CET's "Ride the River" shuttle service begins mid-June and offers transportation to and from the Park & Float Lot (on Simpson Ave. adjacent to the Pavilion) daily through Labor Day. Shuttles run approximately every 15 minutes between the Park & Float, Riverbend Park, and Drake Park from 11:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

To enjoy unlimited rides for the day, you can purchase a wristband for $6 at Sun Country Tours (includes a $1 river clean-up fee donation!). Passengers are responsible for their own tubes and must travel on the same bus as their tube. CET is not responsible for lost or stolen tubes. Check CET's website for more details and the latest operating schedule. 

Late returns on 3-hour rentals are subject to be charged for the rate of a full day rental. Late returns on All Day (24 hour) rentals may be charged an additional full day rental rate. The last tube rental return time of the day is 5:45 p.m. If you do not return your rentals by 5:45 p.m., you will be charged the rate for a full day rental.

All rentals must have a signed waiver and a credit card kept on file in the event that the equipment is lost or damaged. Unreturned equipment may be subject to a $500 replacement fee.

We don't cancel tube rentals for rain.

Kids under the age of 18 must present a waiver signed by a parent or guardian at check-in. If kids will not be accompanied by a parent or guardian on the trip, they must bring a signed waiver with them for check-in. Our Cancellation Policy is also attached to the confirmation email you will receive upon reserving your trip.