Benham Falls are rapids of the Deschutes River located between Sunriver and Bend, Oregon. With a pitch of 22.5 degrees, they are rated Class 5 for watercraft, and are cited as the largest falls on the Deschutes.
 The falls were created by the eruption of nearby Lava Butte approximately 6,000 years ago, as the lava flow dammed the Deschutes, forming a lake known as Lake Benham. The river eventually flowed over the dam, draining the lake and thus forming Benham Falls. Around 1885, J. R. Benham attempted and failed to file a land claim near the falls, though they were later named for him.
Today, there are forest roads connecting Benham Falls to Lava Butte, Lava River Cave, and Sunriver Resort. A footbridge connects the forest road to an easy-to-navigate trail near the river and falls. The shady area has lots of wildlife and flowers. Because of this, the area also has mosquitoes. Additionally, the United States Forest Service has established a few lookouts over the gorge for viewers.
Benham Falls is also in the Deschutes National Forest and the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. |
Continue
viewing the two RV Gypsies' adventures in Oregon in the order they occurred
- 
If you have already seen all of the 32 sites in Oregon, 
