20 Fun Things to Do in Bend, Oregon
Bend, Oregon, is a land of juniper, craft beer, and doodles. The residents have such a healthy glow that REM’s Shiny, Happy People plays in my head whenever I visit. The public restrooms are clean and unlocked, a combination that science has yet to fully explain. Only a few hours away from my home city of Portland, Bend is one of my favorite long weekend destinations. The town center is charming and, again, almost disturbingly clean. The real draw, though, is the rugged beauty of the high desert surrounding the town. Here are the best things to do in Bend, Oregon.
1. Explore Old Bend and Drake Park
Old Bend
The Deschutes River is the heart and soul of Bend. It runs north to south through the town, with 16 riverfront parks along its course. The best-known is Drake Park, where the river makes a lazy S-shaped curve by downtown Bend. Grassy lawns, mature trees, benches, and walkways surround this half-mile of riverfront. The park hosts events like concerts, festivals, and performances. At quieter times, it’s a great place for birdwatching or kayaking. The walkable Old Bend neighborhood next to Drake Park has blocks of shops, galleries, bars, and restaurants starting only a few steps away from the river. Among my favorite destinations are the patios with views of the park, like The Commons Cafe and Taproom, Looney Bean of Bend coffee shop, and Pine Tavern Restaurant.
2. Pilot Butte
Pilot Butte has great views of the Cascade Mountains
If it’s your first trip to Bend, Pilot Butte is a must-see. If you’re a resident, I know you’re there all the time walking your doodles. The top of this 480-foot cinder cone has the best views in town, overlooking 360 degrees of Bend’s sprawling acres and a wonderful Cascade Mountain panorama. The viewpoint at the summit has a mountain identifier, which settles many friendly debates about which peak is Mt Bachelor versus Three Fingered Jack and so on. Like the Cascades, volcanic activity formed Pilot Butte. It erupted about 188,000 years ago. Around it are younger lava flows from Newberry Volcano. One tries not to dwell.
You can hike up Pilot Butte all year. It’s a little under 2 miles roundtrip, fairly easy, and family-friendly. The road to drive up the butte is open seasonally from around May through October. Parking is free. Look for restrooms, picnic tables, and a playground near the parking lot at the base of the butte.
3. Old Mill District
Old Mill District
A visit to the Old Mill District is one of the best things to do in Bend, even if, like me, you aren’t much of a shopper. An outdoor mall sits on the banks of the Deschutes River. The paved trails next to the riverbanks are excellent places for a walk or bike ride. When you head south, things start looking less like a commercial center and more like a park. The river is a great place to spot birds like ducks and Canada geese. In the summer, you’ll see people floating and paddleboarding on the water. After browsing the stores and walking along the river, stop by one of the patios for a glass of wine or an ice cream cone. An outdoor amphitheater hosts concerts across the river from the mall. On Sundays during the summer, many shows by local musicians are free.
4. Deschutes River Trail
Deschutes River Trail near the Benham West Trailhead
The Deschutes River Trail is not a single destination but many. The full trail extends over 20 miles along the Deschutes River. For an urban hike or bike ride, start at one of the access points in Bend, like Shevlin Park, Drake Park, or the Old Mill District. At the south end of town, you can start at Farewell Bend Park, where you’ll soon leave behind the signs of development. Once you’re out of town, the trail feels like the wilderness. The Big Eddy, Dillon Falls, and Benham West Trailheads connect to a wild and undeveloped stretch of the river in the Deschutes National Forest about 30 minutes south of Bend. Expect ponderosa pine forests, river rapids, and haunting piles of lava rock along the trail.
The access points in town are free and don’t require a pass. Those in the national forest require a NW Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass to park ($5/day).
5. Float or paddle on the river
Deschutes River
If you visit Bend in the summer, one of the best things to do is float or paddle down the Deschutes River. On a hot day, you’ll have plenty of company on the water. Some people will be in your standard ho-hum kayaks, inner tubes, and paddleboards. Others have much sillier transport, like giant inflatable unicorns, ducks, and donuts. My favorites are the people who clearly made their own watercraft, like the one-man stand-up dragon boat. Real example.
The part of the Deschutes River that flows through Bend is generally calm and easy to navigate. One of the more exciting moments is the little stretch of manmade rapids by the Old Mill District. To find natural whitewater, local companies offer rafting tours near Bend that involve Class II and III rapids. For a relaxing float through town, check out Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe for rental and shuttle options.
6. See Tumalo Falls
Tumalo Falls
Pass required: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass, $5/day.
Drive time from Bend: 30 minutes
Tumalo Falls is one of the most beloved and photographed sights near Bend. Its appeal is easy to understand. This roaring 90-foot waterfall feels like it’s in the middle of a remote wilderness despite being only 30 minutes out of town. The first spectacular view is a few steps from the parking lot. An easy 0.6-mile trail brings you closer to Tumalo Falls, with a chance to see the top before it plunges as a surging curtain of ice-blue water. Most people turn around here, but the trail continues for a 7-mile hike connecting six waterfalls on the Tumalo Falls Loop.
The road to Tumalo Falls is open from June to October. It’s a rough ride that’s more comfortable in a high-clearance vehicle. Arrive early on summer weekends to find a parking spot. The restrooms are by the parking lot. In the winter, you can park at the gate and snowshoe 5 miles out and back to the waterfall.
7. Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Newberry Caldera
Pass required: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass, $5/day.
Drive time from Bend: 30 - 60 minutes
Even by volcano standards, Newberry is huge. The volcano itself covers about 1,200 square miles, with lava flows reaching destinations as far-flung as Smith Rock and Sun River. Some of these flows happened as recently as 1,300 years ago. Too young for comfort, in other words. Newberry National Volcanic Monument explores the volcano’s most exciting geology in several locations south of Bend. Two lakes sit inside Newberry’s enormous caldera. The Big Obsidian Flow is a surreal landscape of pumice and glassy black obsidian. There’s a huge lava tube you can walk through and a haunting forest of lava casts. The highlights are too many to cover with a quick blurb. Find all the details in my guide to the best things to do in Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
8. Smith Rock State Park
Smith Rock State Park
Pass required: Oregon State Park Pass, $10/day. You can buy a pass on-site.
Drive time from Bend: 30 minutes
The sprawling flatlands around Bend give the illusion of sameness until some geologic marvel seems to appear from nowhere. Smith Rock is a perfect example. You’ll see the rocky spires long before you reach them, all the more striking amid otherwise unbroken plains. Smith Rock is a volcanic caldera, although its massive size makes it hard to recognize. Around 29 million years ago, an eruption blew a hole in the Earth that extends as far as Prineville and created the rocky towers in Smith Rock State Park. Much later, a lava flow from Newberry Volcano reached Smith Rock, forming the broad shelf where the parking lot stands. The Crooked River flows at the base of the canyon between the two volcanic formations.
Smith Rock State Park is one of Bend’s best hiking destinations, as well as its most popular rock climbing spot. It gets very crowded, especially during the summer. Arrive early to find a parking spot.
Learn more about visiting Smith Rock State Park and its hiking trails.
9. Shevlin Park
Tumalo Creek
When you want an easy excursion, one of the best things to do in Bend is to explore Shevlin Park. The wooded banks of Tumalo Creek feel like nature despite being solidly still in town. An old-growth ponderosa pine forest shades the gentle hiking trails along the creek. On hot days, the water becomes a tempting place to wade. Trails run along both sides of the creek, with footbridges that make it easy to cross and head back on the other side. The 4.5-mile Shevlin Park Loop is one of the most popular routes, showcasing the quiet beauty of the park without any challenging or intense terrain. Bring a picnic to enjoy at one of the shaded picnic tables.
Visiting Shevlin Park is free. Restrooms are near the parking lot.
10. Check out the breweries
Crux Fermentation Project
The Bend area has over 30 breweries. While each is unique, they share an appreciation for quality. If Bend makes a bad beer, I haven’t found it. To make a game of it, check out the Bend Ale Trail. You can win prizes by visiting breweries in Bend, Redmond, Sisters, and Prineville. For some suggestions to get you started, here are a few of my favorites in Bend:
Crux Fermentation Project has a lawn with picnic tables and games next to the brewery. Come a little before sunset for happy hour pricing and to watch the sunset over the Cascades.
10 Barrel Brewing has two locations in Bend. One is an easy walk from Drake Park. The pizzas and beer are a treat after a day spent hiking. Expect a wait at dinner, especially on the weekend.
Deschutes Brewery is central Oregon’s first craft brewery. Since it opened in 1988, it has expanded from a neighborhood hangout spot to a nationally-known beer sold in all 50 states. The brewpub in Bend has 19 taps, great pub food, and a game room upstairs.
Boneyard Beer, admittedly, does not have the cutest location (it’s right next to Highway 97), but they serve my favorite beer, the Boneyard IPA. It stands out, even in a land of great breweries.
11. Explore a cave
Lava River Cave
Central Oregon is full of wacky geology thanks to the area’s long history of vulcanism. One of the most adventurous things to do near Bend is to head underground into a lava tube. These caves form when a lava flow hardens from the outside in. The still-molten rock flows out of the tube, leaving behind a natural tunnel. Here are some of the best caves around Bend:
The Lava River Cave is Oregon’s longest continuous lava tube. An easy 2-mile out-and-back hike will bring you to the end of this massive cave. It’s open to the public from around mid-May to mid-September. Make a reservation before visiting.
The Skylight Cave has holes in the roof that let in shafts of light like natural skylights. It’s open from June through September. Bring a high-clearance vehicle for the bumpy road leading to the cave.
Boyd Cave is a rare cave near Bend that’s open year-round. A staircase will bring you down into the 1,880-foot lava tube. Several other caves are near Boyd Cave. Check out Hidden Forest Cave and Arnold Ice Cave while you’re in the area.
Dress warm when you visit the caves, even in the summer. They stay about the temperature of a refrigerator all year.
12. Visit the High Desert Museum
Desertarium at the High Desert Museum
The High Desert Museum pops up on every list of the best things to do in Bend. It took me a while to get here, in large part because of the $20 admission fee. The appeal of the museum lies in having something for everyone. It’s a sampling of all things high desert, from economy to ecology. You’ll start inside, where multiple rooms of exhibits span centuries of human history. The Desertarium gallery has living reptiles, fish, and amphibians. The enclosures near the museum entrance house larger animals, which alternate days. The porcupine and bobcat were there when I visited. Outdoor trails behind the museum wind through a ponderosa pine forest. You’ll find exhibits on ranching and sawmills, but the highlight is seeing the animals, none of which can be released into the wild. Look for the river otters and the birds of prey enclosures.
13. Take a boat to the Cove Palisades
Cove Palisades
Pass required: Oregon State Park Pass, $10/day.
Drive time from Bend: 45 minutes
The vast blue water of the Cove Palisades looks almost shocking next to the muted colors of Oregon’s high desert. Three rivers come together in a broad canyon: the Crooked River, the Metolius River, and the Deschutes River. This confluence, along with an artificial boost from the Round Butte Dam, creates Lake Billy Chinook. The towering cliffs of basalt surrounding the lake add to its awe-factor.
From April to October, one of the best things to do near Bend is rent a boat to take out on the lake. Afterward, have lunch at one of the shaded picnic tables by the water. The park’s main hiking trail, the Tam-a-lau Trail, is one of the best destinations near Bend year-round. The 6.6-mile hike will bring you to a viewpoint overlooking the Cove Palisades and glimpses of Cascade peaks. Before you go, look for the Crooked River Petroglyph across the road from the park headquarters.
14. Try out a wine bar
FERM & fare patio
Although known for its beer, you can get a great glass of wine in Bend. One of my favorite spots in town is FERM & fare, a wine bar and bottle shop in the Old Bend neighborhood. The rotating glass list always has fun surprises and excellent quality, whether you’re in the mood for Pacific Northwest wine or an obscure Italian varietal. The best time to visit is on a nice day when you can sit out on the patio. The shop faces the walkway next to Drake Park and has great people-watching potential. It’s the kind of place you might see someone doing their daily exercise using custom equipment, like a bike chariot with harnesses for three doodles. Real example.
Find all the best wine bars in Bend.
15. Drive the Cascade Lakes Scenic Highway
Devils Lake
Pass required: Many stops along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Highway require the NW Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass, $5/day.
Drive time from Bend: About 30-60 minutes depending on the destination. It takes about 90 minutes to do the whole drive.
The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway is a 66-mile thrill ride of a drive packed with forests, lakes, and mountain vistas. The drive takes you to some of the most stunning scenery around Bend, where Cascade peaks reflect off clear blue water. Summer and early fall are the best times to hit the road. It closes in November for snow and reopens around mid-May. Stop anywhere and everywhere that speaks to you. It’s all gorgeous. Look for some of the most bonkers scenery at Todd Lake, Sparks Lake (rough road to get there), Devils Lake, and Elk Lake. The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway is popular. Many of the stops get very crowded in summer. For a less-traveled and tranquil stop, head to Twin Lakes for hiking, kayaking, or wading.
16. Visit the Oregon Badlands
Ancient Juniper Trail in the Oregon Badlands
Pass required: None
Drive time from Bend: 20 minutes
Hiking in the Oregon Badlands is one of the most underrated things to do near Bend. Only 20 minutes out of town, you’ll see no trace of civilization along these uncrowded trails through a landscape of juniper and sagebrush. The popularity of the Badlands suffers, I think, from the lack of a clear focal point or destination. It doesn’t have a social media-friendly highlight. Instead, it’s the type of place you go to have a peaceful walk among very old juniper trees and curious volcanic rock formations. The Badlands are most appealing in spring and fall since the summer heat can make the unshaded trails punishing. In mid to late spring, look for delicate sand lilies blooming.
It’s free to visit the Oregon Badlands. The trailheads don’t have restrooms or other amenities.
17. Hike to Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock
Pass required: None
Drive time from Bend: 50 minutes
Chimney Rock is the coolest destination near Bend that no one visits. A 2.6-mile out-and-back trail will bring you to the distinctive tower of basalt columns, as well as incredible views of the Crooked River Canyon and the Cascade Mountains. This hike is best from fall through spring. The summer heat and dust can make the unshaded trail a bit of a slog. Wildflowers like phlox and prairie stars emerge along the trail starting around April. Look for butterflies flitting between them. After the hike, stop by the viewing platform on the Crooked River to watch for wildlife like wading herons. The Chimney Rock Trail is near some drop-offs, but they’re easy to avoid if you’re hiking with kids.
Learn more about the hike to Chimney Rock.
18. Stop at a cocktail bar
Bar Rio
Bend has a thriving, if somewhat under-the-radar, cocktail bar scene. Many of the best spots are in or near downtown, making it easy to check out more than one.
The Dogwood has long been a staple of Bend’s cocktail bar scene. It recently moved from downtown to a new location across Hwy 97. I haven’t been since the move, but I have fond memories of the old location and imagine the artsy ambiance has stayed similar. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to go to with a backup plan since the waits for a table get long.
Velvet is a laidback and welcoming spot that feels like a local hangout. Look for live music and drink specials on the first Friday of the month.
Bar Rio has a sleek and funky bar serving tapas and cocktails with delightful garnishes. It has a winning combination of great quality and (usually) available seating at the bar.
The Broom Closet is the speakeasy in the McMenamin’s Old Francis School. This hidden and cozy attic space is worth the trouble of searching for it.
Whiskey Stihl is a local favorite with a chill vibe. It’s not all whiskey drinks, but the Old Fashioned is just as good as you’d expect. Perhaps too good. They have a full food menu, which is handy since these are not the drinks you want on an empty stomach.
19. Rent a video
Yep, they’ve got the new releases
One of Bend’s claims to fame is having the last remaining Blockbuster store. If, like me, you’re old enough to remember the 90s, it’s undiluted nostalgia injected straight into the veins. That smell. You know the one I mean. The plastic covers on the movies. The chunky yellow capital letters. The overpriced impulse snacks at the register. It’s all still there. If you still have a way of playing DVDs, stop by and browse the selection of over 21,000 movies.
20. See the Petersen Rock Museum
One of many peacocks at Petersen Rock Garden
Now for an oddball. The Petersen Rock Garden & Museum is about 20 minutes outside of Bend. If you’re coming from the north, it’s an easy stop on your way into town. The garden is a legacy of one man’s lifelong passion for rock sculptures. Rasmus Petersen was a Danish immigrant who settled in central Oregon in the early 20th century. In the decades that followed, he created dozens of complex sculptures from rocks he collected locally. Agates, jasper, petrified wood, obsidian, and shells make up the bridges, walls, and buildings of the rock garden. To top things off, about forty peacocks live on the grounds, roaming freely among the sculptures.
The Peterson Rock Garden has a $10 suggested donation.
Petersen Rock Garden
Best things to do in Bend, Oregon, the summary:
Old Bend and Drake Park
Pilot Butte
Old Mill District
Deschutes River Trail
Float or paddle on the Deschutes River
Tumalo Falls
Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Smith Rock State Park
Shevlin Park
Check out the breweries
Visit a cave
High Desert Museum
Explore the Cove Palisades
Try out a wine bar
Drive the Cascade Lakes Scenic Highway
Visit the Oregon Badlands
Hike to Chimney Rock
Check out a cocktail bar
Rent a video at the last Blockbuster
See the Petersen Rock Museum
Enjoy your trip to Bend!
With love,
Emma
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