November in Bend makes everyone scoot to the edge of their seats. Yours might be a brewery barstool as you tip back a pint for Bend Ale Trail Month, or maybe your butt’s scooted right to the brink of a Mt. Bachelor chairlift. You might even settle on Saint Nick’s lap while waiting your turn to tell him how good you’ve been this year.

Wherever you’re sitting, you’re probably waiting for something this month. So many questions kick off November in Bend. Will you claim a prize for Bend Ale Trail Month? Will we get enough white stuff for Mt. Bachelor to open Thanksgiving week? Will Small Business Saturday top Black Friday deals or vice versa?

These questions and more bubble around us as November bounds into Bend like an unleashed husky pup. Here’s what’s happening in Bend for November 2024.

Winter’s here, even if it’s not

I realize the first day of winter isn’t technically until December. Try telling that to Bend. 

Though fall got a late start with warmer-than-normal temps in October 2024, November’s not messing around. Frosty temps and the giddy anticipation of impending snowfall gets all of us busting out cold-weather gear by the time November arrives. 

It’s also a month to expect icy roads and snow at higher (and sometimes lower!) elevations. Take it from a Bend long-timer: It pays to prepare. 

If you’re visiting Bend from someplace less snowy, now’s a good time to buy a set of tire chains and know how to use them. They’re required by law when mountain passes get icy, and the friendly folks at your local tire store can teach you in a jiff how to use them.

Bend’s shopping districts do great with shoveling sidewalks, but if you’re not used to slippery terrain, grab a set of microspikes for peace of mind and extra traction. I always have a pair handy for icy dog walks or for hoofing it up Pilot Butte this time of year. Speaking of which…

Your hiking plans may change

One of six-million great things about Bend is that hiking’s a year-round adventure. That’s a perk many mountain towns don’t have, and it’s thanks to the fact that Bend gets an average of 30 inches of snowfall per year, while Mt. Bachelor (less than 30 minutes away) sees more than 30 feet of it.

Winter hiking in Bend is a magical experience. The crowds are gone, and you’ll seldom see a soul on some trails. As November sprinkles our mountains with snow, lower-elevation trails stay bare and more temperate than they’d be in July. I’m especially fond of close-to-town hikes like Sawyer Park, Riley Ranch, and the Oregon Badlands Wilderness this time of year. Pilot Butte makes an awesome winter hike as well, as long as you’re mindful of ice on its steep slopes. 

Another winter best-of for me is the trek from Tumalo State Park to Riley Ranch (though do keep in mind no dogs are allowed if you cross into Riley). If you’re hiking sans dogs, feel free to reverse that route or opt for exploring Riley Ranch on its own. For more of my favorite winter hikes, go here.

With all of that said, you do need to watch for trail and road closures. November’s when we see major traction (pun intended) on seasonal shut-downs. Some of the biggies to watch for:

• The road up Pilot Butte typically closes to vehicles in early November, but don’t worry! The hiking path stays open year round.
• Officials close the Cascade Lakes Highway at the snow gate just past Mt. Bachelor once snow starts piling up. The date’s a moving target each year, but expect it to happen in November.
• The road through Newberry National Volcanic Monument shuts down at 10 Mile Sno-Park sometime in November as well, cutting off access to attractions like Paulina Falls, Paulina Lake, and East Lake (though you can still ski or snowshoe in).
• The seasonal gate shuts down Forest Service Road 4603 in November. Since that’s your route to Tumalo Falls, you’ll need to park at the gate and hike, fat bike, or snowshoe the extra couple miles to the waterfall.
• Bend’s the perfect home base to explore Crater Lake National Park, which is a couple hours’ drive each way. While the park stays open year round, its north entrance closes to cars in late October or early November. You can still access Crater Lake using highway 62 from the south or the west.
• The McKenzie Highway (OR 242) typically closes to cars in early November and re-opens sometime in June.

That’s a whole lot to keep track of, and it’s just the tip of the iceberg for seasonal closures. How do you know exact dates? I wish I had a crystal ball or a handy, lone link to share, but alas…it’s tricky with multiple organizations managing different areas.

For info on most roadways, the Oregon Department of Transportation’s TripCheck page makes a solid resource. For trail closure info, follow the Deschutes National Forest on Facebook or on X (formerly known as Twitter).  If you’re an in-person kinda traveler, stop by the Bend Visitor Center for up-to-the minute trail and road info, plus complimentary maps and smiles.

Embrace an indoorsy pace

I dream of the day when Daylight Saving Time will be a relic of the past. Sadly, we’re not there yet. We fall back on November 3, 2024, which means an earlier end to your play days in Bend. The upside? There’s plenty of indoorsy stuff to do once the sun goes down.

Bend’s arts and culture scene kicks into high gear each fall, with The Tower Theatre boasting an impressive lineup of music, theater, films, and other fabulous entertainment.

Families with kiddos will appreciate spots like Mountain Air Trampoline Park and Trampoline Zone for getting the wiggles out, or head for the K1 indoor Kart track to fuel your inner speed demon.

Hone your hatchet throwing skills at Unofficial Logging Company, or pet kitty cats at Playful Paws Cat Cafe. I can’t believe I just suggested those two things in the same sentence, but I swear they’re both awesome!

Feeling crafty? Sign up for an art class at Freak’n-Art or try a workshop at DIY Cave and learn skills ranging from woodworking to jewelry making.

Guests of all ages can hit the High Desert Museum for cool exhibits and native wildlife including river otters, a fox, porcupines, and oodles of raptors. For another great museum fix, hit the Deschutes Historical Museum and scope out our unique local history, including a variety of indigenous artifacts.

And while indoorsy fun is great, Fido still needs fresh air. Charge up your headlamp, then head for your favorite Bend pet store to grab a lighted collar and maybe some glow-in-the-dark toys. Then hit the trails or one of Bend’s fantastic off-leash dog parks.

Bring on the eggnog!

November flings open the holiday floodgates, letting holiday cheer flow clear through the new  year. 

It all kicks off with our most patriotic holiday. Election Day 2024 is a doozy, and wherever you fall on the political spectrum, I think we all can agree it’s time for a break. Though Oregon’s been a 100% vote-by-mail state since 1998, some folks still get paid time off for Election Day. If you’re among them, why not treat the first Tuesday in November as an excuse for a four-day Bend holiday, complete with pampering spa treatments and…I dunno, maybe that ax throwing I mentioned earlier at Unofficial Logging Company? I can’t be the only one with some pent-up rage.

Bend’s Veteran’s Day Parade is touted as one of the largest in the state, and typically takes place the second Friday in November. It’s another three-day weekend when folks flock to Bend for the season’s first taste of snow. The 2024 parade is slated for November 11, so it’s a nice excuse to make a long weekend trip.

Then come the big guns. Thanksgiving week brings a flurry of Bend restaurants offering turkey and pie and all the trimmings. Go here for a list of Thanksgiving dining options in Bend, then check out our event calendar for a plethora of fun runs to pep you up before or after the main meal.

If the notion of Thanksgiving makes you feel a bit icky, you’re not alone. Scan the schedule for the Museum at Warm Springs to find events and attractions celebrating local indigenous culture. Make a day of it with lunch at the Twisted TeePee, then stroll to the Tananawit Art Store for a special souvenir. You can also shop online through Sakari Farms, a Central Oregon grower specializing in Native American tribal foods. Bonus: Their online store makes a great stop for holiday gift giving.

With Thanksgiving done, it’s time for Black Friday. Shopping centers like the Old Mill District go all out with day-after-Thanksgiving sales, kids’ activities, and most importantly, the arrival of Santa via Air Link helicopter. Search the Old Mill’s holiday happenings page for dates and times to help you kick your holiday into high gear.

Downtown Bend has its own holiday events, plus a celebration of Small Business Saturday and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Mark your calendar for Dec. 6, 2024, since that’s the date the tree gets lit. Seems like a nice excuse to grab a drink at a downtown wine bar like Domaine Serene, Willamette Valley Vineyards, FERM & Fare, or the Good Drop Wine Shoppe.

And now, for Bend’s biggest holiday of all…

When does Mt. Bachelor open?

With one of the longest ski seasons in the country, Mt. Bachelor leaves fans pining for opening day the moment it closes each May.

This year promises to be an epic ski and snowboard season with a wealth of fab pass options, not to mention 4,300 acres of lift-accessible terrain. This craggy volcano gets dusted in powdered sugar snow that’s perfect for families, experts, and everyone in between.

The Friday after Thanksgiving has historically been opening day, but climate change keeps getting in the way. When’s opening day this year? That’s the million dollar question, and the answer comes when the snow does.

For up-to-the-minute news on what’s open when at your favorite ski hill, keep your eyes glued to the Mt. Bachelor website. 

And if you need backup plans, check out Visit Bend’s event calendar.

Raise a glass to Bend Ale Trail Month

When it comes to Bend’s craft brewery scene, November’s the best time to lift a pint. Bend Ale Trail Month spans all 30 days with special prizes, cool events, and gobs of great incentives to explore all the territories in the Bend Ale Trail.

This post has everything you need to know about this year’s prizes and how to make the most of your Bend Ale Trail Month bonanza.

Even if November weren’t the official month of America’s favorite trail of suds, it’s a fabulous time to taste craft beer in Bend. All the breweries bust out their tastiest seasonal offerings, from luscious porters to belly-warming stouts. Why not spend a magical evening sipping suds (boozy or non-alcoholic) by the fire pit at your favorite Bend brewery?

Cheers to a great November, all!