Clear skies. Cascades on the horizon. A trail that leads straight to the clouds. 👉 It’s a butte-iful day for a walk up Pilot Butte 🏔️☀️

Go smell a Ponderosa. (𝖸𝖾𝗌—𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺!) On warm spring days, the bark smells like vanilla and sunshine. 👉 One of the best parts of spring in Bend—and a solid way to celebrate #ArborDay.

🚨🔥 Heads up, Bend! If conditions allow, firefighters from the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District will begin a prescribed burn of up to 450 acres today, about three miles west of town near Forest Service Roads 4610 and 4615. Ignitions could begin as early as 9 a.m. → Near Grand Slam + Ticket to Ride trails → Part of Grand Slam Trail will close → FS Road 4615 closed (FSR 800 to 4610) → Smoke likely from Bend + Cascade Lakes Highway, especially overnight and early morning 🔥 Why it matters: Prescribed fire reduces dense vegetation, improves forest health, and helps lower the risk of severe wildfires. → Supports forest resiliency → Helps protect homes, trails, and watersheds → Led by trained crews under carefully managed conditions ⁉️ What to expect: Some smoke. A few closures. And steady, behind-the-scenes work to keep this place—and the people who love it—safer for seasons to come. 🧭 For real-time updates and maps, check @centralorfire or visit centraloregonfire.org 📱 Text “COFIRE” to 888-777 for alerts straight to your phone

☀️ We’re not there just yet… But days like these? They’re humming in the air. 🎶 Lakeside concerts at @suttlelodge 🛶 A quiet paddle with nowhere to be 🌲 Balancing barefoot on sun-warmed driftwood Summer in Bend is so close 🫶✨

#EarthDay reminds us how lucky we are to call this place home—even if just for a weekend. Thanks to the Bend Sustainability Fund, every overnight stay helps restore trails, improve river access, and fund local projects that protect the wild spaces we all love. So if you’ve ever stayed here, you’ve already helped care for this place. 🌎

Two wheels. One big view. The Cascades on full display. 🌲🚲🏔️ 📍 Cascade View Trail is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of ride.

Mid-mountain jam sessions. Ski boots doubling as dance shoes. Sunshine turned all the way up. RendezVan’s in full swing at @mtbachelor 🎶🏔️☀️

Oregon State Parks has reopened the gate to the summit of Pilot Butte for the season. ⏰ The summit road gate will be open from 10 am – 9 pm daily! (Be sure to plan enough time to exit before the gate closes each night) ⚠️ Be cautious of other users! Drive slow and leave room for others—cyclists and pedestrians may be in the roadway or along the shoulder. 🚮 As always, be sure to follow the 7 principles of Leave No Trace as you recreate.

A little snow. A lot of sun. And views for miles. Black Butte doesn’t miss this time of year. 🏔️☀️

It’s that time of year when the days stretch out, plans get softer, and taking the long way just feels right. 🌸🚶‍♂️

There’s still snow in the mountains ❄️ Warm, sunny trails down low ☀️🥾 And downtown? The patios are wide open 🍻 No rush. No rules. Just one really good trip. 📸: @weeden_wanders

This Great Horned Owl was found in a Bend backyard in the middle of winter—injured, cold, and grounded. It was admitted to @thinkwildco in January with a fractured wing and signs of head trauma. After months of expert care, it was released back into the wild this week near the spot where it was first discovered. Just another reason to love this place—and the folks working quietly behind the scenes to help keep it wild. 🦉

🎿 The backcountry around Bend is full of reward—and real responsibility. The @coavy is a small, community-driven nonprofit that’s helping skiers, riders, and snowshoers make informed decisions in the mountains. Their daily forecasts, snowpack observations, and hands-on education are built for anyone exploring Central Oregon’s wild terrain. Whether you’re new to touring or a seasoned traveler, COAC is a vital resource rooted in care, connection, and the belief that safe travel keeps access open for everyone.

🗳️ Update: The votes are in! Pickleball court lighting at Pine Nursery Park and permanent docks at Cultus and Paulina Lakes will each receive an extra $1,000. Two additional $500 awards were allocated by randomly selected community voters. Thanks to all who helped shape this year’s funding! ___ ⚡️ EV chargers. 🛶 Lake access. 🏓 Pickleball court lighting. 🚲 A mountain bike hub. They’re all part of this year’s Bend Sustainability Fund grant awards—projects focused on protecting and enhancing the places we love. Now it’s your turn to help shape what happens next: → Vote for the projects that matter most to you → The top two will receive an extra $1,000 → One voter will choose a project to receive $500 Voting’s open now through April 18. Cast your ballot at the 🔗 link in our bio

Dreaming of alpine lakes, wildflower meadows, and mountain views this summer? 🏞️ You’ll need a Central Cascades Wilderness Permit for some day-use trailheads and all overnight trips between June 15 and October 15. The permit system helps protect the wild places we love most—across the Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, and Three Sisters Wilderness areas—so they stay wild for the long haul. Here’s what to know: 🏔️ Day-use permits required at 19 popular trailheads (available starting June 5) ⛺ Overnight permits required for all backcountry camping (available April 1) 📲 Reserve in advance at Recreation.gov — not available at trailheads A little planning now means fewer surprises later. Save this post and start your summer off right. ✅ — [An earlier version of this post listed the incorrect trailheads that require a day-use permit. The following is the correct list.] Three Sisters Wilderness: Lava Camp Lake, Scott, Obsidian, Tam McArthur Rim, Broken Top, Crater Ditch, Todd Lake, Green Lakes/Soda Creek, Devil’s Lake/South Sister, Sisters Mirror Mt. Jefferson Wilderness: Breitenbush Lake, South Breitenbush and Crag Creek, Whitewater Creek, Pamelia Lake, Marion Lake, Duffy Lake, Jack Lake Mt. Washington Wilderness: Benson Tenas, PCT – McKenzie Pass

The Painted Hills show off in every season—but spring? That’s when they come alive ✨ In early spring, color lives in the soil, the shadows, the light that moves across 33 million years of history. It’s quiet out here this time of year—but not empty. ⏳ 33 million years in the making 🐾 Dog-friendly trails (on leash) 🎨 Best viewed in the golden hour

Checked in and immediately 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩. Out of the inbox. Out of the routine. Into slow mornings, candlelit evenings, and the kind of quiet that resets everything. #ThisIsBend

Three friends, one trail, and a whole lot of “whoa.” 🤯 📍 Scout Camp Trail

𝗦𝗸𝗶. 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗳. 𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗸. 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘁. Because spring’s weird here. In the best way 😎 Yep, that’s a river wave—surfable right in town at 3,500’ above sea level. No, it doesn’t make sense. Yes, it’s just a normal Tuesday in Bend.

Get in, we’re headed to Bend 🚗 📍 Pilot Butte at golden hour ✨ (Reminder: the road to the Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint will reopen in mid-April. Until then, the viewpoint is accessible via the hiking trail.)

🍻 No better way to earn your beer. Hit all seven territories, claim your Bend Ale Trail taster glass set + Juniper serving board, and lock in your bragging rights before they’re gone. 📍 Check in at breweries with the digital or paper passport 🍺 Grab a pint (or a flight) while you’re at it 🏆 Pick up your prize at the Bend Visitor Center—before it’s too late Time’s ticking. Who’s finishing the trail with you? #BendAleTrail

🎿 Ski in 12 feet of snow. ☀️Hike in 65º sunshine. 🍺Sip a beer on a patio. Spring break in Bend isn’t about picking between winter or summer—it’s about doing both, all in one day. 📍Morning turns at Mt. Bachelor → waterfall hike in the afternoon → local brews and bites by sunset.

Winter’s not done yet, but spring is calling. 🌨️☀️ 
Bend’s rolling into the new season with fresh powder up high and sunshine down low. This next dump means next week’s looking prime for that classic Bend multi-sport day—morning turns in the mountains, afternoon trails, and a cold one on a sunny patio to cap it all off. Who’s in? 🙋

📢 Big news! The Bend Sustainability Fund has awarded $561,615 in grant funding to six projects that make Bend’s outdoor spaces more sustainable, accessible, and adventure-ready. 🚣 Permanent docks at Cultus + Paulina Lakes: 
Improving access for all users, extending the season, improving accessibility, and enhancing riparian areas. 🚵 A new mountain bike hub at Wanoga: 
Creating a skill-building hub at the trailhead, featuring four progressive downhill trails designed for all riders—from casual enthusiasts to competitive athletes. 👉 Swipe through to see all six projects making an impact in and around Bend!

Bend got a fresh blanket of snow just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, and honestly? We’re feeling pretty lucky🍀❄️