Hike in from Lower Deschutes State Rec Area

This is a great hidden gem right off the bank of the Deschutes River. It’s in Lockit area, if I remember correctly. After a full day of rafting, we floated right up to this spot with a biiig group of people. The few designated riverside campsites were already taken, so we opted to walk up into the open field (maybe 150 yards from the water) and make camp. Besides the glorious surroundings, the best part of this campsite is definitely the NICE composting toilet. It’s the only amenity available but we were all thankful to have it and impressed by how clean and new it felt. A train will pass by at least a couple times over the course of a night, but it’s kind of a fun sight as long as it doesn’t come by in the middle of the night. Overall it’s a very solid option for Deschutes rafters and I would happily stay there again.

If you’re rafting in— When you enter the Lockit area look for a composting toilet on your left. There’s one official site directly below the composting toilet. We stayed in the big open field next to it.

I don’t think this is technically an “official” campsite but it has a lovely composting toilet that smells like fresh cedar. Had been rafting all day and decided to make this spot work b/c other official sites were full. Turned out to be a great decision. It’s a bit rough lugging all of your stuff up. Flat spots for tents are up by the train tracks.

This spot turned out to be one of my favorites. The most beautiful scenery. Night sky was unreal. Feels like no one is around for miles. Can’t say enough.

Beware of the train that rolls in every 4hrs or so.

No drinking water or hookups of any kind. No fires. Must bring everything.

Bike-packing Campground Review:

The lower Deschutes River from Pelton Dam to the Columbia River, goes about 100 river miles along the water and was designated an Oregon Scenic Waterway in 1970. We parked our car and loaded up our bikes at the Deschutes River State Rec area - where designated tent and RV camp sites are located. We then biked in about 20 miles to dispersed camping along the Deschutes River.

The bike trip was on a dirt/gravel road. I used my Surly cycle-cross while two of my friends used their mountain bikes. After about 6 flat tire, I realized I maybe should have used my mountain bike for this trip... As you bike in, there are areas about every 5 miles where you camp near the water. Camping areas have brick outhouses (no drinking water or trash), but they are not groomed/flat classic campgrounds - more of just a free for all amongst the brush and river side.

The biking was amazing and the camping with true freedom. Clear skies and twenty miles of golden wheat blowing in the wind The entire dirt road hugged the winding river. We would bike by people every hour or so but side from that we had this epic place to ourselves.

No fires? No problem! Very dry area covered in dry wheat and dry brush so most of the Spring/Summer/Fall campfires are not allowed. This was the first time in years I camped without a fire. Thought I was going to miss it but ended up really enjoying the extra relaxation time. No dealing with wood, no distracting fire to keep up - just more time to hang out with nothing to do and chat with my friends - awesome.

Product Review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I test products when I go camping. On this trip I tested the biking shorts from ElevenPine. I met the ElevenPine team a couple years ago at a trade-show and immediately liked them because of their "Keep America Spandex-Free!" tag line. I noticed they came out with a new pair of shorts - the Men's Crank It Up with Liberator Liner so I decided to buy a pair for this bike-packing trip.

As a bike commuter who has never used biking shorts - I could not have been happier. Made a huge difference to have the butt padding on the bumpy gravel path and was great to have comfortable shorts that did not feel like dorky spandex shorts while hanging out at the campground.

The left and right side of the shorts have vertical zippers so I could zip the shorts tight for biking and they unzip them when hanging out at the campground. The shorts also have high quality front pocket zippers and are made from a durable, stretch woven material and subtle waist adjustment system for a snug fit.

Two thumbs up from me for the new ElevenPine Crank It Up biker shorts. I may never bike without them again.