Whychus-Deschutes
Within an hour’s drive from Bend and just west of Terrebonne, the rugged canyons of Whychus-Deschutes remain astonishingly wild.
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Central Oregon’s “Backyard Wilderness”
Central Oregon’s “Backyard Wilderness”
Our quest to protect the Oregon Badlands
Located just 15 miles east of Bend, Oregon Badlands is a 30,000-acre wilderness area filled with fascinating lava flows and ancient juniper trees Arriving in the Badlands, so named for its rugged and harsh terrain, can feel like stepping
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Cregg Large, member since 2009
Cregg Large, member since 2009
“I came to Oregon 12 years ago from Texas. Texas, for all its size, has very little public land. Coming to Oregon has made me realize the special gift we as Americans have in our public lands. Volunteering with an organization like ONDA is my way of reciprocating for this gift. Through restoration efforts, I feel we are helping leave a better place than we found it. Through advocating for protection for public lands, we safeguard migration routes for animals and keep the land where it belongs: with the public.”
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Swallowtail
Swallowtail
The Oregon Swallowtail butterfly is the official state insect of Oregon and a true native of the Pacific Northwest. The Swallowtail can be seen in the lower sagebrush canyons of the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Snake River drainage area. Source: State Symbols USA
Latin name: Papilio oregonius
A Wild Backyard
Rugged river canyons, ancient juniper woodlands, and rolling grasslands make the Central Oregon Backcountry some of Oregon’s most beloved public lands. Wild places like the Oregon Badlands Wilderness and Whychus-Deschutes provide boundless opportunities for exploration and adventure, all just minutes away from the people who live and work in Central Oregon.
Central Oregon’s backcountry holds features found nowhere else: junipers that are among the oldest trees in Oregon, Native American rock art and artifacts that tell the history of this region, and some of the last wild habitat for animals like golden eagles and steelhead. These irreplaceable treasures need and deserve protection.
Our Favorite Places in the Central Oregon Backcountry
Working for the Central Oregon Backcountry
A growing population and an influx of visitors are presenting new challenges to our lands. ONDA works to protect places like Whychus-Deschutes for the future by engaging the community and encouraging people to speak up for the places they love.
Questions?
For more information about our work in the Central Oregon Backcountry, contact Gena Goodman-Campbell at gena@onda.org or call (541) 330-2638.
Defend Whychus-Deschutes
Whychus Creek and the Middle Deschutes River are incredibly popular recreation destinations. Thousands of visitors enjoying fishing, hiking and exploring in the canyons each year, fueling Central Oregon’s recreation and tourism economy. Ask your leaders in Congress to help permanently protect Whychus-Deschutes to ensure this spectacular place remains wild for future generations. Please edit this […]
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