The Macks Canyon archaeological site is a large, prehistoric village locale overlooking the Deschutes River in north-central Oregon. The site is characterized by shallow, circular, semi-subterranean house depressions, surface artifacts, and riverine shell deposits. Limited excavations conducted in the late 1960s indicate that the site was the location of a winter village occupied by Sahaptin-speaking people of the Columbia Plateau. Although the main period of occupation appears to have occurred within the last 2,000 years, the site may have been occupied as early as 5,000 BC. A campground and boat ramps are situated at the end of the Access Road along the east bank of the Lower Deschutes River. The area is popular with boaters and fishermen. The route to Macks Canyon is also a National Back Country Byway. Know Before You G Macks Canyon Recreation Site is open year-round and is with 18 individual campsites, two group-use campsites two vault toilets and garbage service. No drinking water or utility hookups are available. No reservations are accepted; all campsites, are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. No cell phone service is available.
Source: rec_gov · last verified 2026-05-19