One of Bend’s longest standing and best known parks, this popular downtown community gathering place hosts many events throughout the spring, summer and fall.
Features include nearly a half mile of riverfront, acres of open lawn, river access, an outdoor stage, permanent restrooms, and small picnic tables.
The Deschutes River Trail (DRT) travels through the park starting at Galveston Avenue and running under Newport Avenue connecting to Pacific Park. Trail connections into local neighborhoods and downtown stem from the DRT as well.
Drake is also home to two public pieces of art; Cascade Landscape and Michigan Logging Wheels.
As Bend has grown, so has Drake’s need to provide for all users. A large scale renovation project on the Deschutes River Trail and beach adjacent to Galveston Avenue was completed in 2023.
Roll Along the River
The Pioneer Reach of the Deschutes River Trail has a new look and feel for the connections from Pacific Park to Drake Park underneath Newport Avenue. The new trail is wider than the previous version and includes a boardwalk with railings on both sides, which eases travel through Drake Park.
On the north end, Pacific Park has been transformed into a trailhead with a small parking lot with angled and ADA spaces. At the south end of this trail segment, Drake Park renovations include riverbank habitat improvements, an expanded beach area and new plaza area with seat walls.
New signs improve the experience for residents and visitors to find their way. Directional signs on bollards are frequent and a new kiosk and map at Pacific Park are welcome additions.
Enjoy the park through the seasons, including with new downcast lighting on the boardwalk, to help in low-light conditions.
The Deschutes River is home to many species of native fish and some of the most idyllic fishing spots reside in Bend parks. In addition to river fishing, the District also features fishing ponds at Pine Nursery and Shevlin Parks that are stocked by Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. View the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife stocking schedule here. Shevlin Pond is open to youth 17 years and under. Learn more.
Licenses: All state angling licenses and regulations apply at all locations. Fishing is open to youth, 17 years and under, and anglers with disabilities. Youth aged 12 to 17 must have a juvenile fishing license. Limit of two fish per day, eight inch minimum length.
Bait: Whether bait and/or fly fishing is allowed depends on location. Please check ODFW’s website for more information as regulations may change.
Drake Park is a popular downtown gathering place in the community. Each year, a number of large events are held in Drake Park, including run/walks, Munch and Music, and the Bend Park and Recreation 4th of July Pet Parade.
As such a popular venue, we field many requests regarding park use. You can learn more about hosting public events, operating a business in a park, filming in parks and more.
Parking for Floaters:
Park & Float is now closed for summer 2024. Contact Tumalo Creek for rental opportunities, weather-permitting, through the rest of September.
Park & Float is at Simpson Ave. and Bradbury Way, across from The Pavilion at 1000 SW Bradbury Way, and has free parking, rental services, access to the river shuttle and more. It’s a convenient one-stop location for a day of river fun. Shuttle rides have a $5 fee.
Parking Options:
Park & Float location at Simpson Ave. and Bradbury Way, across from The Pavilion at 1000 SW Bradbury Way. One block south of the whitewater park. (Directions)
Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St. (westside) (Directions)
McKay Park, 166 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr. (westside) (Directions)
Miller’s Landing Park, 80 NW Riverside Blvd. (eastside) (Directions)
Ride the River shuttle service:
The Ride the River shuttle starts and ends at Park & Float, beginning June 22 (weather permitting) and ending on Labor Day. Round trip makes transportation easy for river users with shuttles departing every 15-20 minutes from 11 am to 7 pm. Advanced tickets available at Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe. Reservations for 2024 season are available now. On your reservation date, check-in at Park & Float for the wrist band valid the entire day.
Parking is available at Riverbend Park, Farewell Bend Park, Miller’s Landing Park and Park & Float (across from The Pavilion). It’s only a block away from McKay Park and about a one-mile walk to Riverbend Park. Please respect neighborhoods, businesses and parking time limits.
We don’t recommend parking at Riverbend Park, floating to Drake Park and then walking back. It’s an option, but the walk back will be about two miles. A better option is parking in “the middle” across from The Pavilion and splitting the walk up to one mile before and one mile after instead.
We also don’t suggest shuttling vehicles as parking is extremely limited and may not even be available in the area by Riverbend Park and/or Drake Park. There is also a new neighborhood parking permit required.
Established by the city of Bend in 1921, the first settler owner was Alexander Drake. The park originally had homesites and in 1920, the Women’s Civic League led by Mae Arnold collected 1,500 signatures to stop the subdividing of land for homes. Development of the park was supported by Land and Water Conservation grants in 1974 and 2020. The McKay portion of the property was purchased by the Bend Foundation to donate to Bend Park and Recreation District for $350,000 in 1982. At the request of the McKay’s, it became part of Drake Park. Bend Rotary Club assisted in the early 1980s with new lighting of the pavilion and stage.
features
Fishing in Parks
The Deschutes River is home to many species of native fish and some of the most idyllic fishing spots reside in Bend parks. In addition to river fishing, the District also features fishing ponds at Pine Nursery and Shevlin Parks that are stocked by Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. View the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife stocking schedule here. Shevlin Pond is open to youth 17 years and under. Learn more.
Licenses: All state angling licenses and regulations apply at all locations. Fishing is open to youth, 17 years and under, and anglers with disabilities. Youth aged 12 to 17 must have a juvenile fishing license. Limit of two fish per day, eight inch minimum length.
Bait: Whether bait and/or fly fishing is allowed depends on location. Please check ODFW’s website for more information as regulations may change.
Public Events
Drake Park is a popular downtown gathering place in the community. Each year, a number of large events are held in Drake Park, including run/walks, Munch and Music, and the Bend Park and Recreation 4th of July Pet Parade.
As such a popular venue, we field many requests regarding park use. You can learn more about hosting public events, operating a business in a park, filming in parks and more.
Float the River
Parking for Floaters:
Park & Float is now closed for summer 2024. Contact Tumalo Creek for rental opportunities, weather-permitting, through the rest of September.
Park & Float is at Simpson Ave. and Bradbury Way, across from The Pavilion at 1000 SW Bradbury Way, and has free parking, rental services, access to the river shuttle and more. It’s a convenient one-stop location for a day of river fun. Shuttle rides have a $5 fee.
Parking Options:
Park & Float location at Simpson Ave. and Bradbury Way, across from The Pavilion at 1000 SW Bradbury Way. One block south of the whitewater park. (Directions)
Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St. (westside) (Directions)
McKay Park, 166 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr. (westside) (Directions)
Miller’s Landing Park, 80 NW Riverside Blvd. (eastside) (Directions)
Ride the River shuttle service:
The Ride the River shuttle starts and ends at Park & Float, beginning June 22 (weather permitting) and ending on Labor Day. Round trip makes transportation easy for river users with shuttles departing every 15-20 minutes from 11 am to 7 pm. Advanced tickets available at Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe. Reservations for 2024 season are available now. On your reservation date, check-in at Park & Float for the wrist band valid the entire day.
Parking is available at Riverbend Park, Farewell Bend Park, Miller’s Landing Park and Park & Float (across from The Pavilion). It’s only a block away from McKay Park and about a one-mile walk to Riverbend Park. Please respect neighborhoods, businesses and parking time limits.
We don’t recommend parking at Riverbend Park, floating to Drake Park and then walking back. It’s an option, but the walk back will be about two miles. A better option is parking in “the middle” across from The Pavilion and splitting the walk up to one mile before and one mile after instead.
We also don’t suggest shuttling vehicles as parking is extremely limited and may not even be available in the area by Riverbend Park and/or Drake Park. There is also a new neighborhood parking permit required.
Park History
Established by the city of Bend in 1921, the first settler owner was Alexander Drake. The park originally had homesites and in 1920, the Women’s Civic League led by Mae Arnold collected 1,500 signatures to stop the subdividing of land for homes. Development of the park was supported by Land and Water Conservation grants in 1974 and 2020. The McKay portion of the property was purchased by the Bend Foundation to donate to Bend Park and Recreation District for $350,000 in 1982. At the request of the McKay’s, it became part of Drake Park. Bend Rotary Club assisted in the early 1980s with new lighting of the pavilion and stage.
