How to make the best picnic plans in Bend

Find a park, get your goodies, and add a dash of air to your meal

Something about Bend spurs you to spend every waking minute outside. From hiking to reading in sun-dappled shade to snoozing in a hammock, it’s easy to see why you’d want to do almost everything outdoors—especially eating.

Planning a Bend picnic is a next-level pleasure. Read on for ideas! 

Where are some places to picnic in Bend?

There’s no shortage of spots if you’re wondering where to picnic in Bend. With nearly 100 public parks scattered around town, you’re bound to find one with the vibe you’re seeking. The Bend Park & Rec’s park locator tool has a comprehensive list. Some of my favorite places to picnic are:

• Drake Park: Come hang out under the shade of old growth ponderosas trees in Bend’s OG leisure spot. Take a relaxing stroll afterward along the banks of Mirror Pond. 
• Riverbend Park: A great spot for families looking for play structures, shaded picnic tables, and trails for getting the wiggles out. 
• Shevlin Park: This woodsy oasis has been a Bend favorite since 1921 with covered tables and a fishing pond stocked with rainbow trout for disabled anglers and kids 17 and under. 
• Pioneer Park: Another great option close to downtown with a covered shelter along the Deschutes. 
• Juniper Park: Popular place for swimming with indoor and outdoor pools, horseshoe pits, and tennis courts. Tip: you can get giant burritos to go at Los Jalapeños nearby and then wander over to the park to find a table on the grassy lawn.
• Riley Ranch Nature Reserve: No dogs! No bikes! A more rugged option with about 3 miles of trails but well worth the effort: Expect to hike about a mile to a canyon along the Deschutes and sit on riverside rocks. 

It’s also smart to check the event calendar to make sure your chosen picnic spot isn’t currently hosting a race or outdoor concert that’ll make it tough to find the solitude you’re seeking.

Where to find picnic supplies in Bend

Bend has its Safeways, Albertsons, a Winco, and more, as well as smaller, specialty shops that offer high-quality staples and treats. 

• The Bend Farmers Market runs through October on Wednesdays. The NorthWest Crossing Farmers Market runs through September on Saturdays. The Worthy Farmers Market runs through September on Sundays.
• The deli at locally-owned Newport Market has cheeses, bread, produce, and nibbles.
• Wild Petals Provisions carries a huge range of specialty crackers, olives, and cured meats.
• Market of Choice has a large bar with olives, salads, and spreads.

If your picnic is part of a camping trip, Luckey’s Woodsman sells Camper Kits designed to be heated on a camp stove or over the fire.They also have cold boxes guaranteed to be soggy-free and deliver a nutritious and delicious kick to your al fresco meal. 

My family loves ordering online from Active Culture for to-go picnic provisions. Even a fast food lunch from someplace like Life & Time becomes a little more magical when you enjoy it outdoors.

What should I know about picnicking in Bend?

While I’d love to pretend Bend’s a perfect picnic spot 365 days a year, that’s not always the case. It makes sense to be mindful of seasonal inconveniences. 

Check the weather

Before heading out into the beautiful areas that Bend has to offer, check conditions on the Visit Bend weather page but also be prepared. Bend weather can change in a snap. Heading out of town? Be prepared for sudden rain and drastic changes in temperature. 

Picnic in winter

The warming huts along the trails at Meissner and Swampy Sno-Parks make for great snowy picnic spots. You can cross country ski or snowshoe back to them.

Picnic in spring

Parks on the east side of town, like Al Moody and Big Sky, seem to get more sun and less precipitation than those on the west side of town this time of year. Not always but often. 

Picnic in summer

Areas around the Cascade Lakes are spectacular dining spots but they’re also prime mosquito habitat. Make sure you’ve got bug spray on hand or swing by a shop like REI to pick up mosquito diffuser. Wildfire smoke can also be an issue. Download an app like AirNow to monitor the air quality wherever you’re thinking of snacking. You can always find a place!

Fall

Don’t let that “second summer” weather of gorgeous blue skies and pleasant temperatures fool you. Bring a warm layer. Keep your food covered as yellow jackets seem particularly active this time of year and would love to steal your lunch.

Pack your manners

Who doesn’t want to have a picnic in a meadow popping with wildflowers? Cool, right? Those lupines and columbines have such a hard go of it, with so much snow on the way, so please help make their very short lives less difficult by following Leave No Trace principles. Pack out what you pack in. Stick to marked trails. It’s not just the flowers that benefit. Taking care of the area and being considerate in your actions really helps lessen the impacts of your trip and keeps the area as pristine as possible. 

Do: Bring an extra bag for everything from ketchup packets to cans and crumbs.  
Don’t: Toss organic matter into the forest. This post from our friends at Deschutes Land Trust does a lovely job explaining the downside of dropping nut shells, apple cores, or other organic matter in the woods. 
Do: Visit thrift stores for silverware, plates, and other picnic necessities.
Do: Prowl Bend shops for cute picnic totes packed with reusable plates and utensils.

Happy outdoor dining, everyone!