Accessibility in Bend, Oregon

Bend, Oregon, is a place where diversity is always welcome, and the way you choose to experience it is as unique as you are. We are working diligently to create an inclusive, accessible environment where everyone can enjoy Bend’s beauty, culture, and recreation. Here are some tips and resources to help people with accessibility needs plan a trip with ease to Bend.

Accessible transportation options

When it comes to getting around Bend, there are a variety of options, from public transportation to ride-sharing services, and accessible parking.

Bend’s public transit system, Cascade East Transit, provides barrier-free transportation along fixed routes. All CET buses and vans are wheelchair and ADA-accessible, with features like lifts and a designated wheelchair-securement area. Taxis and ride-sharing services may be able to offer accessible vehicle options upon request, depending on your needs.

When you’re out and about exploring downtown, there are 41 fully-accessible on-street parking spaces available (not including those in the Centennial Parking Garage), plus accessible sidewalks and crosswalks. In the Old Mill district, you’ll find accessible sidewalks and crosswalks, including curb cuts and crosswalk signals with audible and tactile features to help pedestrians with visual or hearing impairments.

Find an accessible hotel

Once you’re ready to unwind and rest, Bend has lodging options to suit your needs.

• Element Hotel has rooms with roll-in showers, step-free entrances, bathrooms with enough space to turn, and smooth, slip-resistent floors. 
• Oxford Hotel features accessible suites with roll-in showers, wide doors, lower key access, and many other convenient and essential features. 
• Riverhouse Lodge offers a few accessible guest rooms with lowered bed frames and shelves, visual strobe light alarms, and bathroom handrails.
• Hotel Peppertree has rooms with roll-in showers, manual bathroom doors that slide sideways, and step-free entrances. 

For more details on accessibility features at Bend hotels visit Wheel the World.

Accessible things to do in Bend

For an in-depth roundup of outdoor activities, including adaptive mountain biking, skiing, golfing, and more, please go here.

If live music fuels your soul, head for the Hayden Homes Amphitheater for a magical outdoor concert experience. The front third of the amphitheater is flat concrete edged with ADA pathways between sections of synthetic turf. You’ll also find ADA seating in both reserved and general admission sections, and folks needing special assistance can contact concert hosts in advance of any show. 

The Tower Theatre downtown also hosts concerts and cultural events and has an ADA-compliant door, accessible restrooms, and wheelchair-accessible seating and companion seats that can be reserved in advance. The theater is also Kulture City Sensory Inclusive with sensory bags. You can also request sign language interpreters at least 48 hours in advance. 

Across the river from the Hayden Homes Amphitheater is the Old Mill District. Here, you can enjoy a variety of activities, from shopping and dining to catching the latest blockbuster movie. The Old Mill’s smooth and wide sidewalks with curb cuts make it easier for everyone to get around. And if you’re seeking a touch of nature after all that urban fun, take a hike along the Deschutes River Trail right from the Old Mill. This section of the trail offers ADA accessibility, boasting smooth, paved, and level pathways. 

The best way to experience Central Oregon’s history, culture, and ecosystems is with a visit to the High Desert Museum, a Bend staple since 1982. Encounter wildlife like river otters, birds of prey, and even porcupines. Engage in lively conversations with historical characters who regale you with tales of Oregon’s early homesteaders and learn about the indigenous cultures of Central Oregon through art, stories, and interactive programs.

The High Desert Museum has ADA accessible doors, wheelchair-accessible trails, and ramps into outdoor exhibits. (They also have wheelchairs on hand). The museum offers Brain Break Bags containing items of different textures, coloring pages, communication cards, noise-canceling headphones, and other tools designed to reduce anxiety and overstimulation.