Three Rivers is a rural town near Bend with rivers and mountain trails
With riverfront scenery and homes on large, wooded lots, Three Rivers offers rural living in Central Oregon, about 20 miles south of Bend. The town is home to around 1,000 residents and is situated in an evergreen forest along the Deschutes, Little Deschutes and Spring rivers. Outdoor enthusiasts will be delighted by the abundance of recreational activities, from kayaking and fly fishing to hiking and skiing on the slopes of Mt. Bachelor. “It’s one of the few places where you can wake up and go skiing in the morning, then go paddleboarding on the Deschutes in the afternoon, followed by nine holes of golf,” says Dan Cook, managing broker at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Northwest Real Estate.
Homes range from cozy cabins to multimillion-dollar estates
Homes in Three Rivers are on country lanes surrounded by woodland scenery and towering evergreen trees. Quarter- and half-acre lots are the standard here, offering plenty of privacy and open space for residents to enjoy. Ranch-style homes, A-frame cabins and Traditional homes are among the most common housing styles, but large luxury homes are also available, especially along the riverfront. “You’ve got everything from modest to extravagant. A lot of houses have deeded river access with private boat docks,” Cook says. Prices range from $400,000 to $700,000 for smaller homes, while larger luxury properties can sell for between $800,000 and upwards of $2.5 million. Some parts of Three Rivers are prone to flooding during heavy rainstorms, so residents living close to the water may want to consider flood insurance.
Parks, rivers and trails surround this outdoor-friendly town
Three Rivers is surrounded by an array of parks, trails and riverside recreation. Big River Campground provides a peaceful spot for camping and fishing along the river, while Ann’s Butte offers panoramic views and challenging hiking trails. “The Deschutes River is phenomenal for kayaking, canoeing, fly fishing and paddleboarding,” Cook says. Also nearby is Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver, a popular place for RV camping along the Little Deschutes, and a local haunt for salmon and trout fishing. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy Crosswater Golf Course, a private course renowned for its scenic layout that winds through the surrounding woodlands. For skiing and winter activities, Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort is 23 miles away.
Basecamp Grill and The Wallow serve up local favorites
Shopping and dining options are limited in Three Rivers. The Basecamp Grill is known for serving breakfast, burgers and sandwiches to hungry hikers on their way to Mt. Bachelor. Next door, The Wallow Bar & Grill prides itself on cooking with locally sourced Pacific Northwest produce and meats. Summit Express convenience store is the go-to for snacks and everyday essentials. For everything else, locals can head to La Pine or Bend, which offer a wide variety of restaurants, specialty shops and grocery stores.
Career and tech courses offered at Caldera High School
Students can attend school close to home at Three Rivers K-8, which gets a B rating from Niche. The last four years can be spent at B-minus-rated Caldera High School, the newest high school in the Bend-La Pine School District, about 20 miles away in the Bend suburbs. Career and technical education options like agriculture, engineering, manufacturing and graphic design courses are available.
U.S. 97 connects residents to Bend, La Pine and beyond
U.S. Route 97 runs along Three Rivers’ east edge, offering a straight shot to Bend or La Pine. There aren’t any public transportation options, so residents will likely need a vehicle to get around. Redmond Municipal Airport, 37 miles away, is the nearest full-service commercial airport, offering direct flights to places like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Las Vegas. The closest hospital, St. Charles Bend, is about 23 miles away.
