Bend Park & Recreation District uses a network of trail counters to compile data about trail use and to better understand how trails are used for recreational as well as commuting or transportation routes. The data varies from trail to trail and across the community. An annual report is prepared by the Park Services Natural Resources and Trails team that works hard to build and maintain paved and soft-surface trails in the community.

Highlights from the 2022 Data

  • Using data from 10 trail counters selected, there has been an overall increase in trail use in the past 5 years with a spike in 2020 during the pandemic.
  • The Colorado Avenue underpass on the Deschutes River Trail has more than twice the average daily traffic than any other trail.
  • The Coyner Trail at Alden Avenue is heavily used from Monday to Friday before and after school.
  • The Deschutes River Trail use is higher on weekends than weekdays for recreational use.
  • Riley Ranch Nature Reserve trending shows an increase from an average of 7,000 monthly visits to 10,000 monthly visits since opening in late 2017.
  • Shevlin Park trails saw the most significant COVID-related spike in 2020 with more than 16,000 monthly visitors recorded on Fremont Road.

The 2022 report is available to view below:

Trail along COHCT canal