Located in the High Desert of Central Oregon and surrounded by the Cascade Mountain Range Bend is well-known as Oregon’s true outdoor paradise. The city of Bend is nestled between the Deschutes National Forest, volcanic lava flows, and the Deschutes River, whose winding course initially gave Bend its name.

Bend, Oregon is famous for its local craft breweries, beer festivals, and flourishing coffee scene. But the real attractions are the snowy peaks, cascading waterfalls, alpine lakes, and volcanic lava flows – calling thousands of adventure lovers year-round. Bend makes a great weekend getaway from Portland, but you could easily spend a week or two exploring the great outdoors of Central Oregon.

If you want to narrow down what’s so great about Bend, Oregon, it’s the sheer variety of outdoor activities that make this area worth visiting throughout the year: Hiking, biking, trail running, rock climbing, rafting, skiing, snowshoeing, also surfing – you name it.

Map: Things to do in and around Bend

Here are my top things to do in and around Bend, Oregon. And yes, this wasn’t a typo: You can even go surfing in Bend – scroll down to find out where!

Things to do in Downtown Bend

Although Bend is famous for its surrounding outdoor opportunities, the city center also is worth visiting. I recommend allocating at least one afternoon for a stroll around Downtown and Old Bend.

Breweries, coffee shops & window shopping

Downtown Bend is lined with plenty of independent stores and coffee shops where you could easily spend a casual afternoon. Stroll around Bond Street, Minnesota Avenue, and Wall Street for some window shopping. Crab a coffee at Thump Coffee, or head to one of the multiple breweries that make Bend a true pub crawl destination.

Bend Brewing Company and Deschutes Brewery are located downtown. Sunriver Brewing and 10 Barrel Brewing can be found on the West side of the river, opposite Old Bend.

Restaurants & cafés – my favorite picks

Coffee: Thump Coffee Roasters

Thump Coffee is located just around the corner from Bend Visitor Center. Get some magazines, maps, and local advice before you grab a coffee and start planning your days in Bend.

Breakfast: Juice Easy Café at Campfire Hotel

Since October 2022 Campfire Hotel is home to Juice Easy Café and this is not only a great asset for all hotel guests. Locals come here as well to enjoy delicious breakfast sandwiches, freshly squeezed juices, and smoothies to fuel them up for the day. Husband and wife Bobby and Sophia and Bobby from Houston, Texas know how to treat their guests with their chicken & waffles bowl or homemade tomato basil soup for dinner. Even if you aren’t staying at Campfire Hotel, don’t miss this spot, otherwise, you are missing out!

Brews: Bend Brewing Company

Located right at the Mirror Pond, Bend Brewing Company is hard to miss. Their heated outdoor patio (with heated seats!!) is the perfect spot to hang out in winter and enjoy the afternoon sun while sipping local brews.

Sandos: Planker Sandwiches

Planker Sandwiches serves hearty burgers and sandwiches with housemade condiments, making it a great lunch joint to fuel you for the day or drive back home.  

Tacos: El Sancho Bend

We got this taco joint recommended by our neighbors for our very first trip to Bend and since then we keep coming back every time we are in town. El Sancho has two fixed locations: Eastside and Westside Taco Shop as well as a Taco Shack at Crux.

Hot soup: Sen Thai Noodles & Hot Pot

We discovered this Thai & hot pot restaurant on our latest trip to Bend in winter. Warming up from inside after a long day outside felt so good and the noodle soups and bowls are definitely beyond average. Plus their drinks and craft cocktails are delicious, too.

Cocktails: Canteen Bar at Campfire Hotel

If you are staying at Campfire Hotel, wrapping up your day with a cocktail from Canteen Bar and enjoying it around the huge fire pit outside, is a no-brainer. Even if you are not staying at Campfire, Canteen Bar is a laid-back bar to soak in some camp vibes. Since October 2022 Juice Easy Café serves dinner options that I absolutely recommend.

Shopping at Old Mill District

If you are looking for proper shopping, check out the Old Mill District for brands like lululemon, American Eagle, or Dick’s Sporting Goods as well as plenty of dining options.

I also like walking along the river between Old Mill Bridge and Bend Whitewater Park, watching people floating, kayaking, and surfing the Deschutes River.

Walk the Deschutes River Trail

The Deschutes River runs through the heart of Bend opening up a great opportunity for riverside walks without leaving the city. The 3 miles (4.8 km) long Deschutes River Trail starts at Southern Crossing and runs past the Old Mill District to Downtown Bend.

Walk along the flat promenade and admire the cute houses with river access that are reflected in the calm waters of Mirror Pond.

The sunset is beautiful at Drake Park and also encounters with wildlife are also common in Bend.

Go surfing in Bend, Oregon

Thanks to Bend Whitewater Park even surfing is an option – although Bend is located in Central Oregon, 4 hours away from the Oregon Coast.

Things to do around Bend, Oregon

True outdoor adventures of Bend await in the surrounding areas between the high desert, the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, and the Cascade peaks between Three Fingered Jack, Three Sisters, Mount Bachelor, and Paulina Peak.

Smith Rock State Park

The 30 million years old towers of volcanic ash crossed by the Crooked River make Smith Rock one of the most scenic rock landscapes in Oregon. No surprise that Smith Rock State Park is one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon (listed next to Mt. Hood, Columbia River Gorge, the Oregon Coast, Painted Hills, Wallowa Mountains, and Crater Lake).

The park is an El Dorado for rock climbers attracting people from across the country. But even if you aren’t into bouldering you can explore Smith Rock via 12 hiking trails.

Misery Ridge and River Trail

The most rewarding way to explore Smith Rock State Park and enjoy its beauty to the fullest is hiking the Misery Ridge and River Trail. This 3.7-mile-long (6 km) trail starts steep if you do it counterclockwise (the way I would recommend it). Therefore it is rated as hard.

But already by climbing up the ridge, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the entire Smith Rock State Park and the Crooked River, a snowcapped mountain range in the distance.

If you’re lucky you can spot rock climbers pushing themselves up Monkey Face. Trust me: After you’ve passed the peak the hike is mostly flat and not difficult at all anymore.

• Access: Open year-round from dawn to dusk
• Fees: $5 parking fee or use your Oregon State Park Pass
• Plan your trip to Smith Rock
  

Tumalo Falls

Tumalo Falls is an 89-foot (27 meters) tall waterfall, located 20 miles East of Bend in the Deschutes National Forest. The Tumalo Falls viewpoint is located just 0.25 miles (400 m) off the parking lot. From there you can explore Tumalo Falls on several routes:

• Hike up to the top of Tumalo Falls to get a view from above – 0.25 miles
• Combine Tumalo Falls and Double Falls – 2 miles
• Hike to Tumalo Falls via North Fork Trail – 6 miles
• Hike to Tumalo Falls via Tumalo Creek Trail – 6.5 miles
• Combine Tumalo Falls with Double Falls and Bridge the Creek Falls – 6.8 miles loop

Tumalo Falls in winter

The Tumalo Falls Road leading to the small parking lot is closed in winter as it’s covered in snow. But you can still explore Tumalo Falls:

Park your car at Skyliner Sno Park. The 3 miles route (one way) is your actual hike to Tumalo Falls Viewpoint in winter. It’s an easy and flat walk. You might need microspikes or snowshoes if you want to go past Tumalo Falls and hike one of the longer trails mentioned above.

$5 parking fee – or use your Northwest Forest Pass / America the Beautiful Pass

Watch out and don’t get confused with „Tumalo State Park“, located off Highway 20, North of Bend! This is not the location where you’ll find the waterfall pictured here. The signs along the Highway are confusing and you don’t want to drive the wrong way first as it will add 35 minutes to get to the real Tumalo Falls, 20 miles away. The last parking spot might be taken by then…

Cove Palisades State Park

If you’ve been to Smith Rock a couple of times already or are just passing by Bend, Cove Palisades might be a good alternative. Located just off Highway 97, between Madras and Terrebonne this less known State Park is three times bigger than Smith Rock.

Cove Palisades State Park encompasses the Deschutes and Crooked River, creating a dramatic deep canyon. Cove Palisades isn’t visible from the road, but the high desert canyon reservoir is a great playground for watersports and hiking.

In case you want to extend your stay: Two campgrounds provide space with 306 sites.

Trails at Cove Palisades State Park:

• Tam-a-láu trail – 7 miles roundtrip
• Crooked River Rim Trail – 2 miles
• Wetland Nature Trail Loop – 0.25 miles

• Open for day use year-round
• Open for camping: June – October
• Fees: $5 parking fee or use your Oregon State Park Pass
• More info

Things to do in Bend in Winter

While Bend is an El Dorado for hiking, mountain biking, and water sports during summer the area turns into a winter wonderland between November and March, some areas are even covered in snow until May. Most of the things to do in Bend are activities not limited to any season, but there are certain areas that are especially attractive either in summer or winter:

Mount Bachelor Ski Resort

Located 20 miles East of Bend, just South of the Three Sisters lies the Pacific Northwest’s premier mountain destination and the 6^th largest ski resort in North America: Mount Bachelor Ski Resort. Mt. Bachelor is an inactive stratovolcano that offers 4,300 skiable acres and 21 unique runs, miles of nordic trails, tubing lanes, and endless opportunities to enjoy this winter wonderland.

Mount Bachelor Ski Resort is open from late November through May, which makes it one of the longest seasons of any ski resort in the Northwest. Combined with the predictable clear skies and sunny days it’s obvious why winter activities at Mount Bachelor are one of the top things to do in Bend, Oregon. For more information visit Mt. Bachelor’s website or read this article from OregonIsForAdventure.

For those who aren’t into skiing or snowboarding – like me – Bend also offers some great snow parks for winter hiking and snowshoeing.

Snowshoeing at Edison Snow Park

Located in Deschutes National Forest, close to Mount Bachelor, Edison Snow Park is a great destination for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Various routes between 2 and 4 miles in length lead through dense forests and areas with wider open prairie. The orange-brown logs of the huge Douglas firs make for a beautiful contrast to the blue sky and snow-covered grounds.

Watch out for snowmobiles crossing the trails!

Benham Falls

Benham Falls was created by the eruption of nearby Lava Butt, 6,000 years ago. The 25-foot (8m) drop can rather be described as rapid than a waterfall. Nonetheless, Benham Falls is worth a hike.

The mostly flat trail leads along the Deschutes River through old-growth ponderosa pines to several viewpoints. Benham Falls is located between Bend and Sunriver and mark the Southern end of the Deschutes River Trail.

It’s a 1.5 miles long trail starting at Sun-Lava Path. You can extend the hike to 6.4 miles by starting in Sunriver or including Dillon Falls (6.8 miles).

$5 parking fee – or use your Northwest Forest Pass / America the Beautiful Pass

Things to do in Bend, Oregon in Summer

Drive the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway

With the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway starting Downtown, Bend is the gateway to one of the most beautiful scenic routes in Oregon. The 66 miles long byway passes 14 alpine lakes and takes between 3 and 5 hours to drive.

Cascades Scenic Byway is closed between late October and June – depending on snow conditions. Given only a window of 4-5 months to explore crystal clear lakes, it’s needless to say that driving the Cascades Scenic Byway is one of the top things to do in Bend during summer.

In winter you can drive up until you reach the Mount Bachelor ski area. But the true beauty of this area only unfolds within the summer months when you can enjoy the beautiful vista points along the route and stop at Sparks Lake, Lava Lake, or Waldo Lake for a refreshing dip in the waters of these gorgeous alpine lakes.

Daytrips from Bend

Besides being an outdoor paradise itself, Bend is the gateway to more adventures in Southern and Eastern Oregon. These destinations are worth visiting for a day – or even better: Make them part of a diverse road trip through Oregon.

• Crater Lake – Oregon’s only National Park – 90 miles/ 145 km – 1.5 hrs
• Mount Thielsen & Diamond Lake – 95 miles / 153 Meilen – 1.5 hrs
• Umpqua National Forest – 120 miles / 194 km – 2 hrs
• Painted Hills & John Day Fossil Beds National Monument – 90 miles / 2 hrs
• Alvord Desert & Steens Mountain Wilderness – 230 miles / 370 km – 4hrs

Where to stay in Bend: Campfire Hotel

The choices of hotels and condos in Bend in huge. There are plenty of resorts within the city limits and in nearby locations like Sunriver. Even though, they are often booked months ahead.

If you are looking for a unique, outdoor-inspired place to stay in the heart of Bend, I can recommend Campfire Hotel. It’s a place where vintage camp style meets urban adventure – this is what they say and I cannot agree more.

Campfire Hotel is indeed outdoor-friendly: The rooms include storage space for all your outdoor gear. The seasonally heated pool and year-round hot tub invite for soaks.

The outsized fire pit is a great place to hang out in the evening. Everything is set up with authentic camp vibes, just with the comfort of a cozy bed, coffee, tea, and snacks available in the lobby, and great restaurants within walking distance.

Anything more you can ask for? I don’t think so! But wait, their Happy Camper Suite even offers room for your entire family.

Where to stay outside of Bend: La Pine Logs

If you are looking for a more remote stay, want to be closer to outdoor recreation south of Bend like the Newberry National Monument, the Oregon Outback, or are on your way to Crater Lake, I’d recommend staying at La Pine Loge. This log cabin built in 1983 and newly remodeled combines all the cozy vibes you find in a traditional log cabin, combined with modern-minimalist interior and high-quality appliances.

During summer you can chill around the campfire or on the patio surrounded by a little Western village. In winter, the indoor 1983 original wood-burning fireplace keeps you cozy and warm. The cabin sleeps up to 6 guests in 2 separate bedrooms and one sleep/lounge area. Cooking, chilling, game night with your family, movie night with friends, or telling ghosts stories around the fire – La Pine Logs is the ideal hub for a cozy weekend getaway.

Just keep in mind that there are no restaurants, or shops within walking distance, and La Pine itself is a small town. If you are looking for a basecamp to tackle Central Oregon adventures though, this place is for you.

The best part: Staying at La Pine Logs is much more affordable (still) compared to the hip and chic options you find in Bend or Sunriver. With the code ‘smile4travel’ you’ll even get a 15% discount on your stay in May and June 2024. You can book LaPine Logs on Airbnb.

Disclosure: We were invited to stay at Campfire Hotel during one of several trips we’ve taken to Bend and were hosted by La Pine Logs. As always and in all articles, this blog reflects my personal impressions and honest opinion.

Facts about Bend, Oregon

Still not convinced about Bend as Oregon’s outdoor go-to destination? Then maybe these facts will eventually make you want to visit Central Oregon and check out all the fun things to do in Bend:

• Bend has the highest average number of sunny days in the state, according to Visit Bend. „Clear days average 158 days per year with an additional 105 days that are mostly sunny.“
  
• Bend is 150 miles away from Portland. The easy 3-hour long drive along the Columbia River Gorge or through Mount Hood National Forest makes Bend a great weekend getaway
  
• Cute towns closeby expand the options to find places to stay and discover further places outside of Bend:
  • Sisters is a great place if you are looking for a smaller town to stay and want to be close to The Three Sisters, Mount Washington, and Three Fingered Jack
  • Sunriver is the place to be if you are traveling with a group of friends looking for a larger house with a hot tub to rent. Sunriver is close to Mount Bachelor and Newberry National Volcanic Monument

More winter adventures in Oregon:

• 5 reasons why the Oregon Coast is your perfect winter travel destination
• Heceta Head Lighthouse: Sleep extraordinary at the Oregon Coast
• Samuel H. Boardman – A photography guide to Oregon’s Wild Coast

***

QUESTIONS & COMMENTS?

Have you ever been to Oregon and explored the Pacific Northwest? Do you like the article, have suggestions, feedback or recommendations? Leave me a comment and feel free to share this article with your friends!

***

LIKE IT? PIN IT & SAVE IT FOR LATER!

***

 – SMILE4TRAVEL NEWSLETTER –

Become part of the Smile4Travel Community – Follow my Facebook Page & Instagram and register for my Newsletter, so you don´t miss any Smile4Travel adventures!

Please leave this field empty

CHECKLIST: OREGON HIKES

Sign up to my email list and get access to the free Oregon hiking checklist as well all items in the Smile4Travel RESOURCE LIBRARY!

Name

e-Mail *

It’s free to sign-up, I’ll never send you spam, and you might unsubscribe at any time. More info in my Privacy Policy.

Thanks you for joining the Smile4Travel community! Please check your mailbox and spam folder to confirm your subscription You will also and receive the password for the resource library via email where you can download the checklist.