Cline Falls State Park and Scenic Viewpoint on the Deschutes River features an iconic waterfall and a beautiful recreation site. It sits 4 miles west of Redmond at the Mackenzie Highway Bridge.

Cline Falls is a 20-foot segmented cascade that drops through several channels over the basalt cliff. This area, with striking rock formations and a picturesque waterfall surrounded by juniper woodland, is popular among photographers, hikers, and those who wish to enjoy the impressive scenery.

The day-use park is located just south of the bridge along Highway 126, while Cline Falls is downstream north of the bridge. So, technically, Cline Falls is not a part of the park, but in reality, you can easily reach the scenic area of Cline Falls by hiking downstream.

Cline Falls State Park is the closest riverfront park to Redmond and is very popular among locals. Activities available here include fishing, swimming, various water sports, and picnicking.

A large green lawn, surrounded by ponderosa pine, western juniper, poplar, alder, willow, and locust trees, allows visitors to picnic in a beautiful and peaceful river setting. The park has picnic tables, barbecue grills, and flush restrooms.

Cline Falls State Park - Things To Do

Kayaking, Rafting, and Canoeing

The Deschutes River is an excellent destination for kayaking, rafting, and canoeing. One of the longest runs on the river is 14.5 miles, starting at Tumalo State Park and ends at Cline Falls State Park.

Another run is 11.5 miles, beginning at Cline Falls State Park and running down to Lower Bridge Recreation Site. Whitewater paddling upstream and downstream is allowed only during the winter months.

Rock climbing

There is a rock climbing site on the east side of the river just below the falls. To get there, start at Cline Falls State Park and hike along the river to the waterfall. The climbing wall is located 100 yards downstream.

Swimming

Swimming and tubing are available within the Cline Falls State Park boundary. The park maintains several swimming areas with grassy spots. These areas range from deep pools with calm water to shallow coves. Do not float downstream below the bridge, as it can be deadly. Whitewater stretches upstream and downstream require specialized equipment and skills.

Cline Falls State Park History

The waterfall was named after a local dentist, Cass Cline, who owned this land in the early 1900s. In the 1950s, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department purchased the land above the falls to develop a park and fishing area.

Built in 1912, the power plant was declared a historic site in 1992. The Cline Falls dam was removed in 2017, restoring the area to a more natural state.

Cline Falls State Park Attack

The park’s history also includes a serious, unsolved crime. In 1977, two Yale University undergraduate students, Terri Jentz and Shayna Weiss, were biking cross-country to the East Coast from Astoria, Oregon.

On the night of June 22, their tent was run over by a truck. The driver exited the vehicle and attacked the students with an axe. After the attack, the individual returned to his vehicle and drove away. Both students survived, but the attacker was never identified.