Bend, OR: Crooked River Canyon

This 48.3-mile ride near Bend follows the Crooked River through scenic farmland and a quiet canyon to expansive views of the snow-capped Cascades.

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Author:	Bicycling Magazine
Date:	7 May 2008 11:15:00 AM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	Oregon (OR)
Distance:	Total: 48.26 mi Active: 48.2 mi (Change units)
Survey Elevation:	Total Gain: 2405 ft Total Loss: 2405 ft Net Change: 0 ft
Difficulty:	7 / 10
Tags:	Oregon, Bend, Prineville
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

Leave the Crook County Courthouse in Prineville and ride south along the Crooked River. The first 6 miles of the ride offer a scenic tour of farmlands, followed by a 13-mile stretch through Crooked River canyon to the Prineville Reservoir. Traffic is sparse and roadside campgrounds allow for pit stops along the way (no supplies once you leave town). The real climb begins immediately past Bowman Dam and ascends roughly 4 miles. The ride tops out at mile 24 with well-earned views of the Cascades, including the Sisters and Mt. Bachelor, before the return descent back to Prineville.

-Mapped by Dan Jacobson

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Distance: 48.26 mi	Points: 641	Calories: none
Total Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

#	Distance	Instruction	Distance to next
1	0.00 mi	Start - Head west on NE 2nd St.	Then go 0.17 mi
2	0.17 mi	Turn Left - Main St./OR 27	Then go 22.84 mi
3	23.01 mi	Sharp Right - Onto SE Reservoir Rd. (the paved road before the dirt Reservoir Rd.)	Then go 1.13 mi
4	24.15 mi	U-Turn - Head back towards OR 27 the same way you came	Then go 1.13 mi
5	25.28 mi	Turn Left - Crooked River Hwy./OR 27	Then go 22.81 mi
6	48.09 mi	Turn Right - NE 2nd St.	Then go 0.18 mi
7	48.26 mi	Stop - Dunham St. and NE 2nd St.

Points of Interest

Route extension option

Location: 44.081296, -120.795407
To turn this ride into a 50 mile loop, follow Willard Rd. to SW Millican Rd. and turn north. Turn right onto OR 126 and follow to Prineville.

Fishing spot

Location: 44.141381, -120.833860
Good fishing hole

Prineville Resevoir

Location: 44.111994, -120.788326
Prineville Reservoir

River Views

Location: 44.137532, -120.821028
Scenic bend in river

Cascade Mountains (the Sisters)

Location: 44.081266, -120.790386
Looking west at the turn-around: the Cascade Mountains (the Sisters) On the return trip, use caution descending. The first stretch is steep and there is one tight corner and some loose gravel, too.

Views up the river

Location: 44.110206, -120.785194
On the dam, looking up river

Scenic Crooked River

Location: 44.169523, -120.834632
Scenic Crooked River Sign

Roadside Views

Location: 44.191498, -120.874801

Crook County Courthouse

Location: 44.302184, -120.844256
Crook County Courthouse: Established on October 24, 1882, it was named after U.S. Army Major General George Crook.

Tight corner

Location: 44.092733, -120.782061
Steep downhill pitch On the return trip, check your speed before the road curves around towards the reservoir--a tight corner follows this bend.

The Crooked River

Location: 44.147202, -120.826049
Looking downstream along the Crooked River

Five miles into the ride

Location: 44.232470, -120.862742
5 miles into the ride

Roadside Views

Location: 44.176695, -120.844889

Scenic Views

Location: 44.162135, -120.830469

Bowman Dam

Location: 44.106755, -120.782490
Bowman Dam

Crooked River

Location: 44.132573, -120.810685
Crooked River winds through the canyon

The River

Location: 44.137162, -120.815020
Scenic bend in river

Prineville Courthouse Square

Location: 44.302169, -120.843119
Prineville Courthouse Square

Four miles to climb

Location: 44.096185, -120.783091
The final uphill grind begins Just past Bowman Dam, the road gains just under 1000 feet of elevation in about 4 miles on the approach to the turn-around.