We’ve all felt decision paralysis when planning a vacation. Would you rather ski the snowy slopes of Mt. Bachelor or cast a line in the sparkling Deschutes? Does it sound more fun to go snowshoeing, or to kayak beneath blue, sunshiney skies?

An April vacation in Bend solves everything. 

Our flip-floppy weather means flip-flops and a snuggly down jacket are equally important on your packing list. You get the best of both worlds, which is why some might argue that April’s the best time to visit Bend. 

Wondering what’s fun to see, do, explore, and experience this April in Bend? Here are a few of my favorite things!

You have the right to bare arms

While March can bring sunbursts bright enough to risk busting out shorts and tank tops, April’s when I can reliably cycle those into my regular lineup. 

It’s also when I typically bust out my standup paddleboard for the season, since we’re bound to have at least a few days warm enough to risk an unexpected dunk in the Deschutes. This is also a lovely time for a kayak outing with Wanderlust Tours, as they usually start operating on the river months before the high lakes open up. 

While 2025 snow levels mean it’s unlikely Sun Country Tours will start whitewater rafting excursions early, it’s happened before in April. Who knows? This might be a season for donning a wetsuit and getting some early spring fun on splashy rapids.

Since you never really know what Mother Nature has in store for April, it’s worth keeping an eye on your weather app or Visit Bend’s weather page. That’s how you know if it’s time to smear on a thick layer of sunscreen and head for the closest pod of Bend food carts for an outdoor meal. 

And actually, a note about sunscreen? Even if you don’t think you need it, Bend’s higher elevation makes you more susceptible to sunburn than you might be back home. Be safe and slather up, buttercup.

Spring picnics make another great way to get outside with sandwiches, sushi, or deli items from locally-owned Newport Avenue Market. Scan the Bend Park & Rec page for Bend parks to find your perfect picnic spot. Some of my faves this time of year include Drake Park, Pioneer Park, Riley Ranch, and Sawyer Park.

While Bend’s disc golf courses and pickleball courts see plenty of year-round use, April’s when folks flock to those spots for fresh air and vitamin D. Plan on being patient if it’s the weekend and facilities are in high demand.

Where are Bend’s best spring hikes?

While Bend is the sort of place for year-round hiking on a variety of trails, spring is when fresh options pop up like sweet little desert wildflowers. 

This time of year, I’ll still hit some of my favorite winter hikes, but I also add new options to my repertoire. Last season (my 27th in Bend!) I set out to find new-to-me hikes for springtime. Some of my favorites from that adventure included the Fall River Loop in La Pine State Park and the epically beautiful trail from Prineville Reservoir State Park to Jasper Point. Check out that post for the rest of my finds for spring hiking in Bend and beyond.

This lovely trail around Suttle Lake is trekable most winters, but gets much easier once snow and ice dissipate in April. Bonus: springtime brings bright green leaves and a chorus of birdies to sing you around this lovely 3.6 mile loop.

April’s also a great time to tackle the Alder Springs Trail down to Whychus Creek. You’ll see sagebrush-speckled plateaus and sweeping vistas all the way down to the bottom of the canyon. Be leery of crossing the creek if it’s running high and fast. Play it safe and park yourself beside it for a picnic instead.

Odds are good most snow will vanish from trails along the Metolius by now, so April’s a great time to explore this area near Camp Sherman. Start by scoping out the spot where the river magically appears from under a mossy hillside at the base of Black Butte. Then hit the West Metolius Trailhead and hike two miles through towering pines, gushing river views, and gobs of wildlife. Don’t miss the bright turquoise splendor of Wizard Falls, and be sure you bring a quarter for fish food to fling in the hatching ponds at the fish hatchery.

The Oregon Badlands Wilderness is my personal happy place. Since it clocks in at nearly 30,000 acres, I’m always finding new spots to explore. Thanks to the Bend Sustainability Fund (a Visit Bend grant program that uses room tax dollars to protect and enhance our magical places) and the Oregon Natural Desert Association, the Nighthawk Trail starting at Reynolds Pond got a major facelift recently, and I only just discovered this spectacular desert hike that’s perfect for springtime. 

April’s also excellent for exploring the Ochoco National Forest near Prineville. If you’re headed that way, stop by the Bend Visitor Center first for maps and tips on which trails are accessible. Other awesome spring hikes worth trying this spring include Steelhead Falls and the Deschutes River Trail.

Time to start planning for summer

With this much snow still on the mountains, it seems nuts to be scheduling a hike in August. But the popularity of many of our top trails means you do need to put in some forethought.

April is when the Central Cascades Wilderness Permits system opens for the upcoming season. Keep an eye on that link for  new rules and important dates if you plan on hiking or camping in these areas in the coming months. You might need a permit later this summer, depending on where you want to hike or backcountry camp.

Speaking of camping, you probably know how crazynuts-bonkers it’s become to find last-minute camping reservations near Bend. While you can spend your summer stalking recreation.gov hoping to scoop up someone else’s cancellations, smart campers book in April (or earlier!) to score reservations at favorite Bend campgrounds.

Same goes for things like Bend concert tickets and high-demand activities like mountain bike tours, moonlight canoe adventures, and whitewater rafting. If it’s something you hope to do this summer, April’s when you want to get a jump on it.

How’s the skiing in spring?

If you’re wondering what spring skiing is like in Bend, I’ll answer in one word: Epic.

Particularly during heavy snow years (lookin’ at you, 2025) there’s still tons of white stuff on the slopes and plenty of bluebird conditions to be found in April. It’s also when you’ll find great deals on Bend hotels and ski packages.

Mt. Bachelor boasts one of the longest ski seasons in North America, with lifts that typically keep turning through late May. If you fantasize about snowboarding in a T-shirt, plan a spring ski trip to Bend this April.

Mother Nature flies her freak flag

When spring sunshine and longer stretches of daylight summon me outdoors, I get the joy of rediscovering how quirky Mother Nature can be. Between wild weather, spring flowers, and all the baby animals, it’s a bouquet of amazement in Bend each April.

If you’re headed toward Smith Rock State Park, look east (or better yet, stop altogether) to see newborn alpacas trailing their fuzzy mamas at Crescent Moon Ranch. Hit their gift store for locally-made goodies, then impress your travel companions by informing them that baby alpacas are called “cria.”

Your drive time is also a good chance to spot more baby animals frolicking through farmland surrounding Bend. Watch for calves, lambs, and kids (the goat kind, not human) as the springtime baby boom unfolds across Central Oregon.

If wildlife’s more your jam, watch for otters bobbing around the Deschutes River. If you happen to spot a baby, keep your distance. Even if it appears to be abandoned, odds are good Mama tucked it someplace safe while she went to find food. If you have concerns, contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and let them know what you saw and where you saw it.

To see critters at a safer distance, pay a visit to the High Desert Museum and take in otters, porcupines, badgers, a beaver, and so many birds of prey.

If spring flowers are your jam, April’s when you’ll spot all the usual suspects like tulips, crocuses, and even lilacs toward the end of the month. Watch for little desert wildflowers that spring up through the sand, including sand lilies and bitterroot blossom. 

But don’t be surprised to see them dusted with white stuff at some point during the month.

Bring on the snowmelt!

You know those gorgeous, rushing rivers and bubbling creeks you enjoy around Bend? Thank springtime snowmelt for that simple pleasure.

We’ve had a couple great years of snowfall in Bend, but let’s not get cocky. It’s important to remember our high desert wonderland lives with the perpetual threat of drought. Not to be a downer, but keep that in mind as you make choices like taking shorter showers or hanging hotel towels instead of asking for fresh ones every day.

With the springtime rush of water comes some of Bend’s best fishing. Whether you’re an angler who fancies lakes or a fly fishing enthusiast who flocks to the Lower Deschutes, it’s time to take stock of your fishing gear, make Bend hotel reservations, then get to work smashing barbs, packing your rubber mesh net, and plotting ways to make your fishing expedition as fish-friendly and eco-friendly as possible. For info on best practices and what’s open in April, check with local outfitters like Fly and Field Outfitters, Bend Fly Shop, and The Fly Fisher’s Place. 

If you’re not into fishing, April’s a great time to dust off that kayak, wipe down the standup paddleboard, bust out the canoe, and start planning ways to enjoy our most precious natural resource.

What’s happening in April in Bend?

While you won’t find a shortage of events happening in Bend any month of the year, April is when the floodgates open for Bend events. 

From festivals to foot races, you’ll find all kinds of fun on our Bend event calendar. Scan for foodie-focused fundraisers and beer festivals. Looking for an Easter egg hunt in Bend? You’ll find them for two-legged children or fur kids. You can search for the dates of your upcoming trip, or schedule your vacation around a special concert or First Friday Art Walk.

Welcome to springtime in Bend! How do you plan to enjoy it?