Steelhead Falls Trailhead
Terrebonne, Oregon · Prineville Deschutes Field Office
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- river
- FALLS
- Waterfall on site
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Free
- SEASON
- Year-round
About Steelhead Falls Trailhead
Steelhead Falls is a small waterfall on the Deschutes River near Terrebonne, Oregon, reached by an easy roughly half-mile trail from a BLM trailhead. This waterfall swimming hole sits within the Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls Wilderness Study Area and is managed by the BLM Prineville District Office, which lists swimming among the activities available there alongside hiking, fishing, and picnicking.
The trail drops through a high-desert canyon on BLM land, with cliffs showing colorful geological striations above the Deschutes River's rocky shoreline; the area is part of the Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls Wilderness Study Area and is open for day use and year-round dispersed camping near the trailhead.
Swimming at Steelhead Falls Trailhead
The BLM identifies swimming as one of the site's permitted recreational uses in the Deschutes River near the falls, alongside fishing and boating; no first-hand descriptions of water depth, current strength, or temperature were found in available sources.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Redmond, go north on Highway 97 to Terrebonne, then west on NE Lower Bridge Way for about 2 miles, right on NW 43rd Street for about 1.8 miles to Chinook Drive, then follow BLM signs via Badger Road and Quail Road to River Road and the trailhead.
Parking: Trailhead parking is available, including limited trailer parking; there is no potable water on site.
The hike in
Steelhead Falls Trail
- To the water
- About 0.5 miles one-way from the trailhead to the falls/swimming area
- Time on foot
- Roughly 15-20 minutes each way at a casual pace for a 0.5-mile trail with one steep stretch.
Difficulty: Easy overall, with one small steep section noted by both BLM and the federal Recreation.gov gateway listing.
Trailhead: BLM Steelhead Falls trailhead parking area reached via River Road, following BLM signage from Terrebonne through Badger Road and Quail Road (per BLM driving directions); it is the only trailhead for this route.
The entire named trail is only about 0.5 miles one-way to the falls, so the swim spot is essentially at the trail's end, not partway along a longer route.
Trail drops through high-desert canyon terrain to the Deschutes River; no stream crossings mentioned in official sources.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
BLM's own trailhead page warns rattlesnakes can hide around rocks and brush near the trail and falls; the site has no lifeguard, no fencing, and one steep section on the short access trail, plus natural rock shoreline at the falls. Manageable for kids with supervision but not a fully tame, guarded swim spot.
Parking
Free
BLM trailhead lot with limited trailer parking; no fee is charged (per BLM and Recreation.gov gateway listings).
Restrooms
Yes
Outhouse (vault toilet) at the trailhead; BLM notes there is no potable water on site, so bring your own.
Hours
Open year-round (BLM Prineville District, Steelhead Falls Trail).
On the water
The BLM page and the Recreation.gov gateway listing both list 'Boating' among permitted activities at this site, but neither specifies which craft types are allowed or any restrictions (no-wake, electric-only, etc.), so specific craft were left out of the allowed list rather than guessed. Note the site is named for a falls/rapid on the Deschutes River within the Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls Wilderness Study Area, which suggests a rougher, undeveloped stretch rather than a typical flatwater paddling put-in.
Steelhead Falls Trailhead: FAQ
Does Steelhead Falls Trailhead charge a fee?
No fees required (per BLM).
Is Steelhead Falls Trailhead kid friendly?
BLM's own trailhead page warns rattlesnakes can hide around rocks and brush near the trail and falls; the site has no lifeguard, no fencing, and one steep section on the short access trail, plus natural rock shoreline at the falls. Manageable for kids with supervision but not a fully tame, guarded swim spot.
How hard is the hike to Steelhead Falls Trailhead?
A hike is required, about About 0.5 miles one-way from the trailhead to the falls/swimming area to the water (roughly 15-20 minutes each way at a casual pace for a 0.5-mile trail with one steep stretch.). Wear real shoes, since approaches to natural swim spots are often rocky or rooty.
Where do I park for Steelhead Falls Trailhead?
BLM trailhead lot with limited trailer parking; no fee is charged (per BLM and Recreation.gov gateway listings).
When is the best time to visit Steelhead Falls Trailhead?
Open year-round; wildflowers bloom on the canyon slopes in spring.
What are the rules at Steelhead Falls Trailhead?
Site lies within the Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls Wilderness Study Area; pets must be under owner control and leashed at the trailhead and in the camping area; campfires are permitted but subject to summer restrictions; overnight camping is allowed year-round on a first-come, first-served basis.
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