Bend, Oregon is known to visitors and locals alike as a gateway to some of the most beautiful places in the country, and maybe even the world. Access these wonders of nature just a few short miles from town, or make a day of it and travel one of the area’s stunning scenic byways.
Upon first arriving in Bend, drive or hike up Pilot Butte, an old cinder cone located just east of town. Climb one of three tails to the top as you take in the refreshing smells of juniper and sage. The summit offers panoramic views of the region, which will orient you for future adventures. Other sightseeing hotspots right in Bend include the Deschutes River Trail, which you can pick up in Farewell Bend Park near the Old Mill District. Farther downstream is Drake Park and Mirror Pond. With its inviting waters, giant ponderosa pine trees and meandering pathways, Drake Park will make you wish you could stay in Bend forever.
Tumalo Falls, located just 11 miles west of town on Galveston Avenue/Skyliners Road is a quintessential example of the kind of majestic cascades the region was named for. Take pictures around the 100-foot-high waterfall, or head up one of the many trails available near the parking lot.
Lava Butte is another cinder cone created from cracks on the side of the Newberry Volcano. Drive south on Hwy. 97 and follow signs to the Lava Lands Visitor Center. The 500-foot summit of the butte not only reveals views of the Cascades in the distance but also provides a closer look at the region’s unique volcanic formations.
A visit to Central Oregon would not be complete without a summer lift ride up Bachelor, and a drive around the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway via Century Drive. Begin with lunch at Pine Marten Lodge at 7,775 feet on Mt. Bachelor while you soak in the sights, and enjoy one of Bend’s many award-winning microbrews. Then continue to Sparks Lake, a large shallow trout lake offering breathtaking views of South Sister, Mount Bachelor and Broken Top, and Devil’s Lake, where a short easy hike follows the south shore of the crystal clear water through a mountain hemlock forest.
While Smith Rock State Park may be world renowned for its rock climbing challenges, it is also a must-stop for any sightseer. With deep river canyons as the backdrop for the picturesque twists and turns of Crooked River, you’ll feel like you’re on the set of a John Wayne movie. And you are—the classic western Rooster Cogburn was filmed here with Katharine Hepburn in 1975.
Bend Metro Parks & Recreation District
Phone: 541.389.7275
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Lava Lands Visitor Center
Phone: 541.593.2421
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Mt. Bachelor
Phone: 800.829.2442
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Smith Rock State Park
Phone: 800.551.6949
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