Looking for the best hiking trails in Bend? There are thousands to choose from, but many climbers come for the Moons of Pluto, a classic 4-star route on the Mesa Verde Wall, and the Monkey Face tower. This variation of the Tumalo Falls hike begins at the end of Tumalo Falls Road where Tumalo Creek Trail meets the North Fork Trail. Best Places to Eat in Downtown Bend - Visit Central Oregon Bordering Deschutes National Forest, Tetherow Hotel is the perfect place to stay if you want to get up close and personal with the stunning scenery surrounding Bend. Sisters is well worth the trip. The water cascades down several ledges as the river goes through a deep canyon. The trail runs past Tumalo Falls, Doulble Falls, Upper Falls, North Fork Falls, and Bridge Creek Falls, among others. If youre not into rock climbing thats ok because there are plenty of hiking trails that meander throughout the park. An important thing to remember when planning your trip: be sure to call tour companies in advance and plan for the possibility of inclement weather. Bend Oregon Calendar Of Events The trip starts west of the small town of Merlin. 48 Hours in Bend, Oregon: The Ultimate Itinerary - TripSavvy There are a variety of shops, restaurants, and art galleries to check out. Its located on Highway 97, which runs north-south through Oregon. Bend is a mecca for vanlifers; theyre everywhere. The route starts off at the Skyliners trailhead parking lot and meanders along Tumalo Creek Trail #25.1 to Bridge Creek Trail #24 to gorgeous views of Tumalo Falls. The city is full of running and biking trails, mountains for skiing, and rivers for playing and rafting. If youre looking for a longer ride, there are plenty of long rides in Bend, too a couple of our favorites are: After a day of exploring the wilderness, theres nothing better than camping under the stars. Check out our list of the 15 things you must do during your trip to Bend, Oregon! Bend is amazing place I love touring all of the different breweries & photographing all of the mountain scenes. Another option for getting around town is by bike! The Bend Whitewater Park is a great place to spend a day with friends and family. This route will only take you to Tumalo Falls, not any of the other falls in the area. If youre looking for scenic viewpoints, the hike to South Sister is one of the best hikes you can do. The campgrounds fill up quickly during the summer months. When packing for your Bend vacation, be sure to bring items that can handle a variety of activities. The city has made this 60-90 minute float both easy and fun by organizing a Ride the River Shuttle which will deliver you back to your car once your float is complete for the bargain price of $3. 3 p.m: Those who grew up renting VHS movies at their local video store will be enchanted to know that America's once giant video store chainBlockbusteris very much alive and well in Bend. 12. 20+ Things to Do in Bend Oregon with Kids In a town already spoiled by outdoor beauty, there's no better way to top off an afternoon in Bend with an educational visit to the museum's animal exhibits, where you can see a bird show and greet baby otters. The seating is on the grass so you can bring low-profile chairs or a blanket. The airport is about 17 miles outside of Bend, in the nearby city of Redmond. If youre looking to get away from the crowds, take your Tumalo Creek kayak or paddleboard rental out to Cascades Lakes Highway and choose between Sparks, Elk or Devils Lakes, and more. With miles of hiking and biking trails through town and Mt. Explore the breathtaking volcanic landscapes that surround Sunriver. Starting at the Old Mill District allows you to alternate running on both sides of the river. The most popular and difficult trail in Bend is Tumalo Mountain Trail with a 4.7-star rating from 1,777 reviews. Didnt encounter too many mosquitoes until we got to the top, but the bug spray made it a non-issue. Even travelers who aren't movie buffs will get a kick out of a visit to the store, where they can take a step back in time to a pre-Netflix world. Beware that in the wintertime, this trail gets icy and youll need crampons. Like many places, Bend saw an uptick in people moving to the area in recent years. Ariana. The Newberry National Monument is closed seasonally due to snow so be sure to check their site to see if they are open. Bend is a lively little town with special events and activities happening frequently throughout the year. 25 Best Things to Do in Bend, Oregon She Dreams Of Alpine Bachelor and Smith Rock nearby, Bend is famous for world-class recreation. All content on RUN:TRACK:RUN is added by our visitors. So what are you waiting for? A few of our favorite breweries that you must try during your visit to Bend include: Get the most out of your craft brewery experience by following the Bend Ale Trail! Situated on one of the most beautiful golf courses in Oregon, the views from the lodge are outstanding in every direction. Enjoying an ice-cold pint of craft beer is arguably the best thing to do in Bend, Oregon. Check out Tumalo Falls 9. If youre looking for something a little longer, try out Lava Island Trailhead to Benham Falls or Tumalo Falls Hike. . The parking lot is small so most people park on the side of the road before the one-lane bridge. Since 2015 Central Oregon Bungee Adventures has offered stunning views of the Crooked River Gorge (carved through columnar basalt) and the snowcapped cascade mountains to patrons as they jump off the towering high bridge at Peter Skene Ogden State Park. Bend has tons of trails to choose from and is home to some of the best mountain biking in all of America. To get your adrenaline pumping and wash off the stress of everyday life, head out on the Deschutes River for a guided paddle raft trip with Sun Country Tours or Seventh Mountain River Company. Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Portland, Oregon Courtesy of ftfoxfoto - Fotolia.com There's never a dull moment in Portland, where an excellent combination of outdoor recreation, historic architecture, museums, galleries, and a thriving arts scene await you. Pair it with an espresso for the jolt of energy you need for the day ahead. This is the birthplace of modern American sport climbing featuring some of the best climbing routes in the world. Even when there's snow in the mountains, miles of desert trails wind through sagebrush, manzanita, and volcanic rock formations at lower elevations. Swarms of bugs at places but overall not too bad. Bend Oregon Shopping Malls, Shops, Stores, Factory Outlets From Yosemite to Joshua Tree, California boasts more national parks than any other state, as well as a bevy of national forests, seashores and monuments. I was pleasantly surprised by how good their ciders are. Great lodging and brewery recommendations! These underrated alternatives offer a range of urban experiences. When the weather outside is chilly, theres nothing quite like lounging in a hot tub. Not only does Bend have several volcanoes that you can climb, but it also has quite a few lava tubes that are open for the public to explore. Other posts may be removed. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of activities to keep them busy, including hiking, mountain biking, rafting, fishing, skiing, and golfing. C They also offer every amenity you could ask for including caddies to help you make the most of your experience. A forecast update paints a new picture on where you need to be to see the Northern Lights later this week. Bend is easy to get to by car. #96. The Les Schwab Amphitheater is a gorgeous outdoor space perched right on the banks of the river in the Old Mill District (a great place to shop!). If youre visiting Bend and plan on camping, be sure to reserve a spot in advance. This park has everything you could ever want, including places to play ball, have a picnic, or just sit back and relax with some friends. Read on to learn about unique things to do in Bend, Oregon. Here youll find dynamic routes that are ideal for sports climbing, traditional climbing, multi-pitch climbing, and bouldering. Welcoming Hotel in Bend - Tetherow Hotel. A 40 minute drive from Bend, this park is widely known as the birthplace of American mountain climbing and features more than 2,000 climbing routes for all levels of experience. Tetherow has a heated pool and two hot tubs offering beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. Head to Bend, Oregon, for the best outdoor activities Bob Pool / Shutterstock, 9 of the best outdoor adventures in Bend, Oregon: from bungee jumps to white water rafting. 30 BEST Places to Visit in Bend - Tripadvisor Since 1983, McMenamins has been a family-owned business in the Pacific Northwest that serves its own handcrafted beer, wine, cider, spirits, and coffee alongside great hearty pub food. There are also several cabins and even boat-in campsites! The next highest ascent trail is Cayuse Crater and Green Lakes via Broken Top Trail with 3,651 ft of elevation gain. For a full day or multi-day trip, go a little further north to Maupin, and launch on the Lower Deschutes River with Nates Rogue Adventures. #21 in Best Places to Visit in Oregon. Northern lights will be visible in fewer states than originally There are several excellent trails in Bend, as well as an extensive network to get you around the area. There are 18 breweries included in the trail and they are all relatively close to each other. 1. The Old Mill District along the Deschutes River is home to Bend's premiere shopping, dining and entertainment experiences. You can choose your own loop or branch off along the way. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. The only downside is that it can be expensive to live there. A lazy Sunday in Bend Oregon. Will northern lights actually be visible in Oregon this week? Experts Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Hayden Homes Amphitheater July 16, 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm Jimmy Eat World & Manchester Orchestra See Details 18 Jul Featured The first one you encounter is the largest at 97 feet while the 2nd (Double Falls) drops 30 and then 20 feet with about a mile in between. Once you sink into that plush, cozy bedding at the end of a long day exploring the city, youll never want to get out again! Youll start in Bend on Century Drive and wind up into the mountains in Deschutes National Forest. The New-York-City-based . Running in Bend, Oregon. The best places to run in Bend. - Great Runs Bachelor, a snowshoe tour with Wanderlust tours, or hit the throttle with . There are no direct trains or buses although you can piece together a public transit trip fairly easily on Amtrak. You don't need to go far from the Old Mill District to find one of the areas for the best camping in Bend, Oregon. During the winter, youll find temps dipping to a low of 24 degrees. The three-mile-long summit road is open from mid-June through mid-October and offers magnificent views of the Cascade peaks, Central Oregon Valley to the east, lakes on both sides of Mt. Visit Website. Other can't-miss stops areAle Apothecaryfor barrel-aged saisons, Monkless for perfect Belgian ales, Silver Moon Brewing for incredible amber ales,Boneyard Beer for top-notch IPAs, and Crux Fermentation Project for stouts and sours. Best Restaurants in Bend, Oregon + Tips from Locals The saltwater pool is open to adults from 11 am to 8 pm daily, and for supervised minors from 11 am to 6 pm. If youre planning on driving in the mountains, be aware of the potential for snow. The Old Mill District also boasts more than 12 . A normal day in Explore Newberry National Volcanic Monument Paulina Lake | Photo Copyright: Lana Law One of the most interesting places to visit in the Bend area is Newberry National Volcanic Monument, where you can explore numerous attractions of the Newberry Volcano. Want to know where to go to see fall in all its finery? It is the place to go in Bend for both ticketed and free concerts, and also other events like Brewfest and races. Guests of the Tetherow Lodge receive special rates! Astrid is the Senior Special Projects Editor at TripSavvy and has been with the site since 2016. 7 p.m: If there's one quintessential way to cap off your trip to Bend, it's by enjoying a meal the way the locals doat a food cart pod. Beautiful views of Mt Bachelor, Broken Too and the Sisters! There are about seven lakeside spots to camp, which in our opinion, are the best. Summer brings warm weather, longer days, and an abundance of hiking, biking, and plenty of opportunities to make a splash with heaps of lakes and rivers. The Tetherow golf course in Bend is well known as it was recently voted a Top 10 course in Oregon by Golf Digest. It offers daily direct flights to/from Denver, LA, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Seattle. The gate to the parking area on the eastern side closes promptly at 7 PM. It has everything from fruits and vegetables to jams, honey, and baked goods. 5. Nothing beats a quiet day spent at the beach. Trail Running Get Dirty An abundance of year-round sunshine and the unique high desert topography of Bend, Oregon have made it a trail runner's dream town. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation (MSBEF). Sparks Lake. The Row is a pub that offers food and plenty of large flat-screen TVs its the perfect place to watch your favorite sporting events (be sure to try the tacos). Tetherow is just minutes from Downtown Bend but if youd rather stay on-site to eat and drink, plenty of options are available to you. Zydeco is another excellent option for dinner and offers Creole cuisine with a Cajun flair.