In 1988, the upper of the river was designated part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The river's canyon and outwash plain contain eroding deposits of pumice and ash from the eruption of Mount Mazama about 7,000 years ago. Two other streams in the Little Deschutes drainage basin are also part of the system. A stretch of Crescent Creek, all of Big Marsh Creek, and the canyon section of the Little Deschutes have all been designated recreational.