Steelhead Falls

Steelhead Falls was not as large as I expected. But its a great swimming hole and was crowded with people. The trial is only a half mile long but wear good footwear because like the dirt trail going up Pilot Butte, most of it is steep going down and very sandy. Giving you very little traction. That did not prevent people going down the trail in flip flops though. There are several parts in the trail where you can go and just enjoy the river before and after the falls.

How to get there

From Bend take Hwy 97 north 22 miles to Terrebonne. Pass Terrebonne and a half-mile to the north turn left onto Lower Bridge Road, say Cooked River Ranch also. 

then  in 2 miles turn right onto NW 43rd Street

then 1.8 miles to a T. Go left on Chinook Road for 1 mile. 

then left on Badger Road. Sorry I took a pic head on of Badger Road, this is not the view you will see. Up to this point I had cars going 70 miles per hour passing me and other cars and driving recklessly. Now you want to slow down because there are a lot of blind corners. At one point you can't see the road in front of you because you are driving off a cliff so the road drops suddenly and makes a immediate right turn that you have to react to quickly.

Follow Badger Road for 1.6 miles to its end at Quail Road Turn right on Quail Road Then left on River Road. At this point there should be signs saying Steelhead falls that way.

Then take a right

Slow down because the road suddenly turns into a gravel road

The homeowner who lives nearby decided to make his point about the dangers of driving to fast.