Sawyer Park Access provides a key entry point to the Deschutes River Trail system in northwest Bend, offering boat landings for paddlers and access to both the Awbrey Reach (north) and River Run Reach (south) of the river.

The park features a small trail system with paved, gravel, and natural surface options, seasonal restrooms, and parking, making it a convenient staging area for both river paddling and trail recreation.

Note that the river difficulty changes dramatically above the Bill Healy Bridge, with Class IV rapids requiring expert boaters, and mandatory portaging is required at the Bend Hydro and Tumalo Irrigation dams.