Where the West Still Breathes: Deschutes River Ranch, Past and Present

The Deschutes River makes a slow eastward turn just north of Tumalo, Oregon — and in that quiet curve, something rare unfolds. Deschutes River Ranch isn’t just a high desert retreat; it’s a story written across time, where the modern pursuit of peace meets the rugged spirit of the American frontier.

Long before the homesites, before the trail networks and sweeping views of the Cascades, this land was known as White Rock Ranch — the homestead of Marshall Clay Awbrey, a bronc-busting, gold-panning pioneer who arrived here in 1891 after a lifetime on the edge of the American West. A soldier in the Mexican-American War, an Indian Wars veteran, and a man known to kiss his gold pieces goodbye before handing them to a clerk, Awbrey was the original steward of this land. He called it home until his death in 1921, on his 92nd birthday .

Today, Deschutes River Ranch honors that legacy by keeping the wildness alive — not through nostalgia, but through design. Spread across 450 acres, the Ranch includes just 32 homesites, carefully positioned among juniper trees, wildflowers, and lava rock outcroppings. A large portion of the land is permanently protected through conservation easements. These easements do more than preserve open space — they protect the soul of the place.

Private trails wind along the Deschutes River and climb into the surrounding uplands. Residents also have direct access to 32,000 acres of adjacent public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management — perfect for hiking, horseback riding, and rediscovering the kind of freedom Awbrey himself once sought.

And yet, it’s all surprisingly close. The heart of Bend is just ten minutes away. Redmond Municipal Airport is fifteen. You get solitude without sacrifice — clean air, dark skies, and a view of the Cascades without losing touch with modern life.

Now, three remarkable properties are available within Deschutes River Ranch, represented by Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty, a brokerage that knows how to connect people not just with homes, but with places that matter.

• 20334 Arrowhead Drive

Sleek, natural, and flooded with light. A contemporary home with panoramic views and clean architectural lines that reflect the landscape around it.

• 20330 Rock Canyon Road

A refined take on rustic — with spacious interiors, outdoor living areas, and the kind of craftsmanship you can feel in every beam.

• 20450 Arrowhead Drive

Perfectly positioned for privacy, this property offers instant trail access, native landscaping, and quiet corners built for reflection.

Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s doesn’t just sell luxury — they specialize in homes that live in harmony with their surroundings. And at Deschutes River Ranch, that means living in step with nature, history, and something bigger than yourself.

Because here, where the river bends and the land remembers, you’re not just buying a home. You’re becoming part of a legacy.