The Lower Deschutes river flows through Oregon State Park and US Bureau of Land Management land, with a smattering of private property. BLM and Oregon Fish and Wildlife heavily police the area and write tons of citations. Make sure you know and FOLLOW the rules.
BLM Lower Deschutes Site

Boater Passes are required all year for use on the Lower Deschutes River from Pelton Reregulation Dam to the confluence with the Columbia River. Any individual using a watercraft or any other floating device as a means of transport is required to have in his/her possession a Boater Pass. The fee is $2.00 per day weekdays, and $8.00 per day weekends and holidays.
Purchase Pass Online

Numb-Butt Fly Company offers full service guided drift trips on the Lower Deschutes. They provide everything but your fishing gear, sleeping bag, liquor and licenses. They even set up the tents and prepare truly gourmet food. You can contact Merril Hummer at 1-888-248-8309 or EMAIL Numb-Butt

A good stout wading stick is almost a necessity for getting around the 12-18" moss covered rocks which make up a large majority of the river bottom.

Check yourself and your friends regularly for ticks. Some carry Rocky Mountain Sspotted Fever. Mosquitos are not a big problem but make sure to bring insect repellant. Poison Oak is around, carry calamine if you are allergic.

Stoneflys, in addition to being a food source for trout, are a food source for snakes due to their large size. The Lower Deschutes is home to rattlesnakes in addition to many less benign species. Watch where you walk, make noise and use your wading stick. They're not a problem if you pay attention!

If you have not drifted the river before, survey the rapids from shore before you run them. They are only Class III, however, some of them are tricky and deceptive from upriver. They are quite capable of capsizing or puncturing a drift boat if you take the wrong line.

Vehicle Shuttle services are available in Maupin.

Some Quirky Deskahootie Rules

Portable toilets are now required mandatory equipment on all overnight trips and must be set-up and available for use as soon as practical upon arrival at your campsite. You are required to use the portable toilet when unable to access and use an agency provided toilet.

Driving Under The Influence regulations apply to the operators of any floating device. This includes drift boats and float tubes.

There are motorboat closures from Heritage Park to Macks Canyon. Motorboat Closure Schedule

Open fires and charcoal are prohibited from June 1 - Oct. 15. Smoking is limited to buildings, closed vehicles or boats on the water. When fires are allowed, building or maintaining any open campfires except those contained in a firepan or similar metal container with sides measuring at least 2" in height is prohibited. Tree cutting or firewood gathering, including driftwood, dead/down wood is prohibited.

Fishing is restricted to artificial flies and lures, fishing from any floating device is prohibited.