Adventure Photography Trip

While the fishing season ends New Year’s Day and reopens on April 22nd, the canyon is open for boats all year. For sure, the peak wildlife activity is March and early April. During that time, the Bighorn Sheep are especially active. The Osprey have returned and are feasting on steelhead smolt. The canyon comes to life with wild horses, otter, magpies, nesting Canadian geese, The hillsides are vibrant green. Depending on the length and intensity of our winter, there may be some wildflowers beginning to bloom. Typically, the canyon is very quiet. There are no anglers, the summer rafting season is still months away. We just do not see many other humans! And that’s good for wildlife photography.

In the late-spring and summer months, there are for sure more people around. Generally, we still see a lot of wildlife. The geese and mergansers are crowding the banks with their brood. The Bighorn are still around but travel in smaller herds. The wild horses tend to stay closer to their springs up on the hillsides. There is much more action photography to capture. From beautiful shots of anglers and their quarry to whitewater rafting and rock jumping! There is always a great image to shoot for your portfolio or just to show the folks back home.

If you’re a professional photographer looking to expand your portfolio or fulfill an assignment, or a photography enthusiast hoping to expand your understanding of equipment potentials and grab some epic shots, this trip will both challenge and reward you. 

For 100 miles the Lower Deschutes River flows from Pelton Dam to the Columbia River. There is a stretch of over 30 miles that is only accessible by boat. This stretch of river is designated ‘Wild and Scenic’, which means that it is immune from development and degradation. The river is required to have a minimum flow of over 3000cfs. It’s a big river. That means that the riparian habitat is preserved and healthy. Along this river wildlife thrives as it has for centuries. The riverbanks and canyonlands are home to everything from otter to Bighorn Sheep, Kingfisher to Osprey. There are great herds of wild horses, known locally as Palominos. The opportunity to witness and photograph dozens of species is possible only by drifting down this stretch of river. Additionally, there are spectacular hikes that lead to vantage points which offer stunning scenic photographic possibilities. If you’ve wanted to explore truly wild canyonlands and legendary rivers, all with your camera at the ready, this is the experience for you!

We require a 50% deposit to secure dates, refundable if cancellation is received no less than ninety (90) days prior to trip date. Only Griff Marshall Outdoors can cancel a trip due to weather and/or fishing conditions. Griff Marshall Outdoors reserves the right to cancel any trip in the event of unsafe conditions or circumstances beyond our control. If we cancel, your deposit will be refunded or applied to a future trip date that is mutually acceptable.