
The best things to do in Bend for February
January 28, 2025
7 minute readKnow what blows some people’s minds? The fact that you can ski all morning at Mt. Bachelor, then drive 25 minutes back to Bend, lace up your hiking boots, and hit snow-free trails in the dead of winter.
It’s a trick of Mother Nature, thanks to some help from her beau, Elevation Gain. What it means is that winter hiking in Bend is some of the best you’ll find anywhere.
Looking for fun winter hikes in Bend and nearby that’ll let you keep trekking those trails without snowshoes, even when white stuff blankets the mountains? Here are a few of my favorites.
From fall to late spring, the Oregon Badlands Wilderness is my personal happy place. It’s a sprawling, 29,000-acre desert landscape a few miles east of Bend, laced with dozens of trails swooping through stunning desert canyons, craggy basalt cliffs, and massive lava flows. There’s wildlife galore, from falcons to packrats to deer, plus some of the coolest ancient junipers you’ll spot anywhere.
My go-to hike when I’m in a hurry is the 3.1 mile Ancient Juniper Loop. You can access this circuit from the Flatiron Rock trailhead off Highway 20 east of Bend. You won’t find frills like restrooms, paved parking lots, or aquatic eye candy like lakes or rivers. What you will find is tranquility served with a taste of Bend’s high desert landscape. Volcanic rock and ancient juniper trees line the dusty route you can follow clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on mood.
If you’re up for a slightly longer hike, head for the namesake of this same trail, Flatiron Rock. You can do it in combination with the Ancient Juniper Loop, heading north when you get to the junction, or hike straight to the rock form itself (about 5 miles total, in and out). Save time for scrambling to the top, where you’ll get glorious views of the high desert and the Cascade Mountains.
Amenities are sparse out here, so don’t expect trash cans or dog doody bags. Pack snacks and water and the 10 essentials, and practice your Leave No Trace skills by packing out what you bring.
Another enchanting part of the Oregon Badlands Wilderness (did I mention it’s my happy place?!) is the Nighthawk Trail. Thanks to a project by the Oregon Natural Desert Association and Visit Bend’s own Bend Sustainability Fund, this rustically beautiful branch of the Badlands got extra nice signage and trail marking, making it much easier to navigate than some parts of this vast desert terrain.
Start your hike at Reynolds Pond, just northeast of Bend. From here, you’ll wind through miles of ancient junipers, stunning lava formations, and spellbinding high desert landscapes. It’s a 6.1-mile out-and-back trail, and can I just say I hate that description? Because there’s always this moment when I wonder, “wait, is it 6.1 miles in and another 6.1 miles back out?” To answer the question, no. It’s roughly 3 miles to reach the well-marked Tumulus Trail, and there you’ve got a choice. Turn around and go back the way you came, or turn it into a loop by following the Tumulus Trail to the canal and hike that road back to the starting point at Reynolds Pond. Your call!
The signage out here makes it easy to find your way, unless you’re distracted by the striking beauty of towering lava rock against stark blue sky and you wander off trail and bonk your head on a juniper. Hypothetically speaking.
Like all desert trails, it can be dusty and hot without much shade. That makes it perfect for fall, winter, and spring when we’re all itching for lower-elevation hikes. Since it’s relatively flat, it’s a great hike for folks who don’t dig elevation gain.
Bring plenty of water, and don’t expect any facilities like restrooms or trash cans. It’s rustic out there, which is exactly what makes it special.
I’m including this one with the caveat that heavy snow years make it tougher to access in winter months. But in lower snow seasons (lookin’ at you, January 2024) it makes an excellent break from more desertlike hikes.
La Pine State Park is the perfect starting point for this 4.4 mile loop trail featuring dense forest, lovely river views, peek-a-boo Cascade Mountain glimpses, a small waterfall, and lots of woodsy splendor.
The trails out here are well marked with plenty of signage to get you where you’re going. Start near the McGregor Memorial Viewpoint, which has ample parking and a nice big sign you can photograph and refer to between signs if you want to gauge where you’re at mid-hike. You’ll enjoy both Deschutes River and Fall River views, and it’s fun to study the difference between them.
Midway through, don’t miss the little offshoot to a small but picturesque waterfall, which makes a great spot to stop for a snack. Dogs should be on leash, and you should be on alert for your next great fishing spot, since there are lots to be found along this trail.
The Fall River Loop is relatively flat, making it another great pick for folks who don’t do well with hills and steep terrain.
If you hear the word “park” and picture a concrete slab with slides and a jungle gym, get in your car and drive directly to Sawyer Park. Stretching over nearly 54 acres, this scenic community space spans both sides of the Deschutes River.
You’ll find tons of trails to choose from, with connections to First Street Rapids Park, Sawyer Uplands Neighborhood Park, and Archie Briggs Natural Area. Stick close to the river for a shorter stretch of trail, or head uphill for one with a birds-eye view of the river and forest. Speaking of birds, this is a great spot for birdwatching, and more than 140 species of them have been spotted in the park. Watch for bald eagles, ospreys, Lesser Goldfinches, Violet-green Swallows, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and Great Blue Herons.
Even when it’s snowy, the trails get tramped down quickly enough to make for fairly simple hiking out here. I’ve hiked here for years and love that I’m still finding new routes to trek through this pretty riverfront park.
The big dormant volcano in the center of Bend gets forgotten about sometimes, since it’s just sorta there all the time. It’s the spot where Bend shoots fireworks on the Fourth of July, and where we all go to gawk at Bend’s layout when we first arrive in town.
Why is Pilot Butte the perfect hike in wintertime?
For starters, the paved road to the top is closed to cars in winter months, so you’ve got multiple traffic-free trails to the top of this 500-foot extinct volcano smack dab in the center of town.
The 360-degree views you’ll get from the top make it a fab place to catch sunrises and sunsets, not to mention orienting yourself to the area. You’ll see the Cascade Mountains to the west, the Badlands to the East, and prominent landmarks like Downtown Bend and the Old Mill District along the Deschutes River.
Watch for icy patches in the shade, and tread carefully if you choose to go when the light’s dim.
The Crooked River Gorge boasts some of the most magical landscapes you’ll see in Central Oregon, and the top of Chimney Rock makes an excellent vantage-point to scope them out.
It’s a 2.7-mile out-and-back hike with breathtaking views from the top. The elevation gain is made tolerable by a series of switchbacks that ease you up rugged ridges. Stop often for water, and remember to bring your own (in a reusable water bottle, of course) since there aren’t facilities at the trailhead.
Leave lots of time for snapping photos at the top, and don’t forget to nab some pics from the bottom, too. The rock formations out here are a sight to behold, and Chimney Rock itself looks lovely from all angles.
Not to be confused with Tamolitch, the Tam-a-lau Trail is opposite both in the direction you drive to get there and the scenery you’ll see along the trail.
Located in Cove Palisades State Park, the trail involves a mile-long ascent up to a lava plateau, followed by a four-mile loop hike studded with jaw-dropping views all the way around the rim. You’ll see both the Crooked River and Deschutes River arms of Lake Billy Chinook, along with killer views of The Island, a smaller plateau that’s off-limits to hikers.
Since this place is packed in summer months (not to mention hot as Hades), winter is the best time to enjoy plenty of quiet and solitude that you can’t get at the peak of jet boat season. Keep in mind that the one-mile ascent is pretty steep, and can be icy in wintertime. It’s not a great pick for years with heavy snow, but it’s perfect in years with relatively low snowpack.
A great pick for waterfall chasers, Steelhead Falls is only about a half-mile from the trailhead, but what a half-mile it is. The canyon walls are lined with colorful grooves that show the erosion of time and water, and the splash of water soothes your soul.
A relatively easy hike, there are a couple steep sections that can be slick in icy conditions. Take your time, and plan this adventure for a snow-free day.
You might also consider combining this one with a visit to Smith Rock State Park.
Few visitors to Bend pass up the chance to see the stunning basalt cliffs of Smith Rock State Park. It’s regarded as one of the seven wonders of Oregon, and I’ll be honest that I tend not to promote it in summer months when solitude’s tougher to come by. That’s what makes winter the best time to see it. You’ll see much smaller crowds and have an easier time finding parking, so you’re less apt to invent your own parking spot on the fragile desert landscape.
You’ll find lots of trails to hike around this 651-acre state park, so choose whatever fits your schedule and skill level. If you want to keep it simple, opt for an easy 2.5-mile stroll on flat ground along the River Trail from the park bridge to Monkey Face (which really does look like a monkey’s face!)
If you’re feeling more ambitious, hike up the Misery Ridge Trail (elevation 3,360 feet) for killer views of the entire Central Oregon Cascade mountain range.
And no matter which hike or climb you choose, make sure to stop along the way and stare at the river for a few minutes. Odds are good you’ll be rewarded by views of river otters frolicking in the cool water.
This hike is the first spot I confessed my love to the guy who’s now my husband, so it holds a special place in my heart.
The hike around Suttle Lake is a 3.6-mile loop that’s relatively flat the whole way around. Snowier years will find the trail covered over, but low-snow years will leave mostly bare pathways along the east and north sections of trail. Be prepared for icy conditions along the south side (microspikes are a great idea!) and be prepared for breathtakingly beautiful scenery all the way around.
I’m partial to starting at the Lodge and hiking counter-clockwise, doing the bare sections of trail first so I’m warmed up for when I hit the slick parts. Cap off your hike with breakfast or lunch at Suttle Lake Lodge. Both lodge and trail are super dog-friendly, so this is a nice one to bring Fido along.
The Deschutes River Trail is a great option for hikers who prefer to stick close to Bend.
The main trail starts at the Meadow Camp picnic area just off Century Drive. You can access a lot of other trailheads off FS road 41, so pick your starting point and your route depending on your skill and endurance.
To keep it nice and short, try the Meadow Camp to Lava Island hike, which clocks in at just over a mile. If you’re game for a bigger hike, you can hoof it all the way from Meadow Camp to Benham Falls, passing Lava Island Falls, Aspen Camp, and Dillon Falls along the way. That one will require about 8.5 miles of hiking, so plan accordingly.
The nice thing is that you can set out from Meadow Camp and decide along the way what you feel up to. If everyone’s still feeling strong after a couple miles, keep going. If someone in your party (possibly a parent) has a temper tantrum meltdown after mile one, just head back. Easy-peasy!
No matter how far you go, you’ll be treated to splendid views of the Deschutes River and the towering ponderosas and lava rocks that line the trail. This is a pretty well-trafficked trail in summer months, so winter is a great time to experience relative quiet out there.
Full disclosure: I don’t often hike here since dogs are prohibited (understandable, since Riley Ranch is a nature reserve where wild critters roam free). When I ditch the doggo and head out here, I find myself wishing I could visit every day.
It’s possible, given the park’s proximity to the center of town. This 184-acre trail system at the northwest edge of Bend offers miles of stunning rimrock cliffs ambling along the Deschutes River. From grassy meadows to ancient junipers to pine forests, you’ll find every sort of landscape you can imagine.
Trails are well-marked and you’ll even find paved stretches to make trekking a breeze. Follow the lava flows on your quest to scope out native plant species, migratory birds, and other wildlife, plus historic sites connected to Bend’s oldest homestead.
Tumalo State Park holds a special spot in my heart, since I got hitched here in 2014. Back then, there was no trail leading upstream along the Deschutes River all the way to Riley Ranch Nature Preserve. That’s because there’s a big freakin’ boulder field you couldn’t safely clamber over.
But thanks to a nifty new(ish) grated boardwalk, it’s possible to hike from the southern end of Tumalo State Park following the scenic Deschutes 1.4 miles to Riley Ranch Nature Preserve. You can also start at Riley Ranch and do this in reverse, but that’s not an option if you’re hiking with doggos (see Riley Ranch description above).
The high canyon walls keep this scenic stretch of river fairly shaded, so microspikes are a good idea if it’s icy. If it’s been snowing recently, it’s best to save this hike for late winter or early spring when you’re more apt to get dry trails.
You’ll need an Oregon State Parks pass or a day pass you can purchase at the kiosk when you enter. And despite the similar name, Tumalo State Park is not near Tumalo Falls, which is roughly 45 minutes southeast.
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