The Top 10 Most Exciting Things to do in Bend Oregon

Oregon is a great location to vacation! We recently took a deep dive on things to do in different places in the state of Oregon. From Newport, to Astoria, Ashland and even Medford, we really started diving into our Oregon travels! Next up, Bend Oregon!

Bend is a picturesque city nestled in the high desert of Central Oregon, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and crystal-clear lakes and rivers. It’s no wonder that Bend has become a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, offering endless opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, skiing, and more.

Things to Do in Bend Oregon

Whether you’re looking to explore the great outdoors or simply relax and enjoy the stunning scenery, Bend has something to offer everyone. Here are our top picks for the must-do things to do in Bend Oregon.

1. Visit Deschutes National Forest

Deschutes National Forest is a vast and beautiful natural area known for its diverse ecosystems, stunning scenery, and endless recreational opportunities.

You’ll find hiking trails aplenty at Deschutes, ranging from easy strolls to challenging treks. Popular trails include the South Sister Summit Trail, Green Lakes Trail, and Tumalo Falls Trail, which takes hikers to a scenic overlook with a view of a 97-foot waterfall, Tumalo Falls.

The scenery is stunning, but you’re likely to encounter many wildlife species along the trail too. Black bears, cougars, elk, and bald eagles are among the many animals you might see while hiking through the forest.

Fishermen will find species such as rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout in the area’s many rivers, lakes, and streams too.

Visitors can make it a day trip or set up shop at one of over eighty campgrounds, from rustic tent sites to fully equipped RV parks, while enjoying thousands of acres of backcountry wilderness.

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or simply looking for a peaceful getaway in nature, Deschutes National Forest is a must-visit destination.

2. Explore Smith Rock State Park

Smith Rock State Park is known for its towering rock formations, stunning vistas, and world-class recreational opportunities.

Regarded as the birthplace of American sport climbing, Smith Rock offers over 1,800 climbing routes that range from easy to extremely challenging. Both amateur climbers and seasoned pros will find plenty to take advantage of at Smith Rock.

If you’re not so into climbing, the park still has plenty to offer, including hiking trails, like the Misery Ridge Trail, over fifteen miles of mountain biking trails, peaceful picnicking areas, and guided wildlife tours where visitors might encounter golden eagles, river otters, and mule deer among others.

Adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts alike will find a lot to love at Smith Rock State Park.

3. Go Skiing at Mount Bachelor

With over 4,300 acres of skiable terrain and an average of 370 inches of snowfall each year, Mount Bachelor is a world-class ski resort known for its powdery slopes and incredible views.

Whether you’re a master skier or need to verbally remind yourself “pizza, french fries, pizza, french fries” all the way down the slope, you’ll find a route suitable for your skill level. Visitors can explore the winter wonderland on skis, snowboards, snowmobiles, or simply by snowshoeing their way through the white winter wonderland.

During the summer, Mount Bachelor transforms into a mountain biking mecca, offering thrilling rides through the scenic terrain. Visitors can also enjoy the stunning scenery and spot wildlife while hiking the many trails available.

That’s not all; Mount Bachelor resort also boasts a championship golf course, enabling aficionados to get in their eighteen holes in one of the most beautiful locations of the Pacific Northwest.

No matter what you’re into, Mount Bachelor offers an attractive array of exciting activities for you and your family to enjoy.

4. Take a Dip in the Hot Springs

Looking for an unbeatable way to unwind in Pacific Northwest paradise?

Bend is home to several natural hot springs, each with its own unique features and benefits. Here are some of our favorites:

• Bagby Hot Springs: Located in the Mt. Hood National Forest, Bagby Hot Springs is a rustic hot spring featuring a series of soaking tubs made of cedar logs. Visitors can soak in the natural mineral water while surrounded by the forest.
• Belknap Hot Springs: Belknap Hot Springs is a popular hot spring resort located along the McKenzie River. Visitors can enjoy the natural mineral water in the hot springs pool or relax in the lodge’s hot tub.
• Summer Lake Hot Springs: Summer Lake Hot Springs is a natural geothermal hot spring located in the high desert of Southeast Oregon. Visitors can soak in the mineral-rich water as well as the stunning views.
• Umpqua Hot Springs: Umpqua Hot Springs is a secluded hot spring located in the Umpqua National Forest, where visitors enjoy crystal-clear water while surrounded by lush forest and cascading waterfalls.
• Paulina Lake Hot Springs: Paulina Lake Hot Springs is a primitive hot spring located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Visitors can soak in the natural hot water while taking in views of the nearby Paulina Peak.

Each hot spring offers a unique experience, from rustic to luxurious, and from forested to desert. Soaking in hot springs is relaxing, therapeutic, and an absolute must-do activity while in Bend.

5. Visit the High Desert Museum

Trying to work something educational into the mix?

The High Desert Museum showcases the natural and cultural history of the region, with exhibits and interactive displays that highlight the natural history, wildlife, culture, and art of the High Desert region. You can see live animals, fossils, interactive displays, and multimedia exhibits.

Step outside the museum itself and you’ll find several outdoor areas, including a nature trail, an aviary, and a living history homestead that showcases the lives of early settlers in the region.

The museum also offers a variety of educational programs and events for visitors of all ages, including guided nature walks, wildlife encounters, art workshops, and lectures.

Visiting the High Desert Museum is a great way to learn about the history and ecology of the High Desert region in a fun and engaging way. The museum offers something for everyone, from families with children to nature enthusiasts to history buffs.

6. Check Out Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint

Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint is a park located within the city limits of Bend, about three miles east of the downtown area. The park encompasses the prominent volcanic cinder cone butte known as Pilot Butte, which rises over five hundred feet above the surrounding landscape.

Pictures simply do not do this giant justice; you gotta see it to really get the full impact!

The butte offers panoramic views of the surrounding Cascade Mountains, as well as the city of Bend and the high desert landscape of Central Oregon. You’ll get excellent photo ops from on high, but you’ll also have access to hiking, picnicking, and sightseeing.

The park is open year-round, from dawn until dusk, and there is no fee to enter. This makes it an inexpensive and undeniably cool activity to do while in Bend, earning a spot on our list.

7. Hit the Bend Ale Trail

You know what goes well with all this sightseeing and natural beauty?

A good beer buzz, of course!

The Bend Ale Trail takes visitors on a self-guided tour of the “beer capital of Oregon” and its best breweries. Visitors can pick up a special passport at any of the thirty participating breweries along the Bend Ale Trail, or at the Bend Visitor Center, and sampling beers and collecting stamps on the passport as they go.

The breweries range from small, independent operations to well-established regional favorites, each with their own unique selection that caters to all tastes. If you’re able to collect ten stamps, you’ll be awarded a commemorative Bend Ale Trail Silipint, a silicone pint glass.

If you’re a beer connoisseur, this is an excellent choice of activities while in Bend. Just be sure to hand those car keys over to someone else if you’re attempting to earn that Silipint!

8. Float Down the Deschutes River

Floating down the Deschutes River is a popular summertime activity in Bend.

You’ll need a tube, raft, or stand-up paddleboard at the very least, but grabbing a lifejacket is recommended as well. There are many rental shops available near the river that carry these key items, and many places include shuttle service to get you to and from the river easily.

The most popular route for floating down the Deschutes River starts at Riverbend Park and finishes at Drake Park. It’s approximately three miles long and takes between one and three hours to complete, depending on the speed of the current. Visitors will experience areas of gentle rapids and calm stretches of water, providing a fun and relaxing float along the way.

Floating down the Deschutes River is a unique experience that you’ll remember for ages, but that’s not all. Once you wind up Drake Park, there are plenty of things to do there as well.

As one of the oldest and most popular parks in Bend, Drake Park features large grassy areas, playgrounds, picnic tables, fire pits, a pavilion, and a small beach along the river. The park is also the site of several annual events, including the Bend Summer Festival and the Munch & Music concert series.

If you’re staying near the Deschutes River and Drake Park, you’ll want to check them out before your vacation ends. You won’t be sorry you did!

9. Explore the Newberry National Volcanic Monument

The Newberry National Volcanic Monument is a protected area located within the Deschutes National Forest in Central Oregon. It’s known for its volcanic landscape, featuring over 54,000 acres of ancient lava flows, cinder cones, and calderas.

Visitors should first pop into the Lava Lands Visitor Center and check out some exhibits, films, and educational programs about the volcanic history of the area.

Then, grab some information about the area’s hiking trails, like the Paulina Falls Trail, the Lava River Cave Trail, and the Trail of the Molten Land, and other activities in the monument like Lava River Cave, a mile-long underground lava tube that was created by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago.

Don’t forget to finish the experience with a nice, long soak in either the Paulina Hot Springs!

10. Drive the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway

Sometimes an afternoon drive is all you need to get to feeling right.

If that’s the case, the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway is the best place for a scenic drive. The byway stretches for sixty-six miles passing a plethora of picturesque lakes, rivers, forests, and mountains, including the Three Sisters Wilderness, Mount Bachelor, and Mount Washington.

Kick off the route conveniently in Bend, then head southwest towards Mount Bachelor, passing through the Deschutes National Forest and several scenic lakes like Sparks Lake, Devils Lake, and Elk Lake. Along the way, there are a number of pullouts and viewpoints to take in views of the surrounding mountains and forests.

The byway is open year-round, although some sections may be closed during the winter months due to snow and ice. We recommend trying the drive during the spring or summer, which features the most temperate weather, or the autumn, as the weather becomes mild and the fall foliage makes for a truly breathtaking view you will always remember.

Frequently Asked Questions about things to do in Bend Oregon

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