Bend, Oregon is a high desert environment with a huge variety of epic landscapes including the Cascade mountains, volcanoes, caves, waterfalls, and unique rock formations. The diversity of landscapes results in no shortage of outdoor adventures and you’ll have plenty of activities to choose from for your weekend in Bend, Oregon!
We went in April, so this itinerary is best for spring. It amazed us how many epic activities we could fit into our weekend in Bend, Oregon!
Where is Bend, Oregon?
- Bend, Oregon is a small city in Central Oregon.
- The closest airport is Redmond Municipal Airport in Redmond, Oregon which is less than 25 minutes away from Bend.
Where to stay in Bend, Oregon?
- There are a plethora of hotels and rental properties to choose from. We stayed at The Oxford Hotel and think it’s the perfect place to stay for your weekend in Bend, Oregon as we absolutely loved the walkable location downtown and our room with a balcony overlooking downtown.
When is the best time to visit Bend, Oregon?
- Year-round depending on what activities interest you! A weekend in Bend could look totally different depending on what time of year you visit.
Here are some activities that are season-specific:
- Winter: skiing/snowboarding at Mount Bachelor, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, fat tire biking
- Summer: hiking trails, lake activities, mountain biking, rock climbing
- Spring: hiking, moderate weather, rock climbing, fly fishing, wildflowers
- Fall: foliage, hiking, moderate weather, lake activities, mountain biking, rock climbing
Note that the snow season varies year to year and snow is possible into May. Some hiking trails may not be accessible until late June. Last year, Mount Bachelor stayed open into late May!
Itinerary for a Weekend in Bend, Oregon
Day 1
Arrive in Bend!
We arrived in the afternoon hungry for lunch and discovered an amazing healthy fast casual restaurant, Fix and Repeat. They have incredible grain bowls, a variety of toasts, and smoothies. We ended up returning multiple times throughout the weekend!
Humm Kombucha was our next stop as this is our favorite kombucha brand that we buy regularly at the grocery store! Humm started in Bend and it was so fun to visit their taproom for a kombucha flight!
An obligatory stop in Bend is a visit to The Last Blockbuster. This place is a quick stop for your dose of nostalgia and located right near Humm Kombucha.
Did you know Bend is a renowned beer destination? See for yourself with dinner and Drinks on the Bend Ale Trail: a paper passport and/or app where you can check off different breweries around Bend!
We had a chance to try Monkless Brewing, Bend Brewery, Avid Cider House, and Crux Fermentation Project and we were impressed with all of them!
If you’re too tired from all the beer, check out a beautiful sunset at Deschutes River Trail close to town.
Our hotel was perfectly located next to Bonta Artisan Gelato which we took advantage of every night! This delicious spot has tons of flavors and even vegan options!
Day 2
Day 2 starts bright and early with a sunrise at nearby Smith Rock State Park. Smith Rock State Park is located in Terbonne, Oregon about 40 minutes from Bend. You don’t have to hike far for sunrise as there is a beautiful overlook a short walk from the parking lot! You’ll want to park at the Misery Ridge and River Trail trailhead.
Following sunrise, grab your backpack and water and complete the 3.5 mile Misery Ridge and River Trail. We loved how diverse the views were on this short hike. Smith Rock State Park has multiple trail options including the shorter Rim Rock Trail (1 mile, minimal elevation) and Summit Loop (7.3 miles, 1,774 ft elevation gain).
We chose to do the Misery Ridge and River Trail so we would have time to explore some other spots in the area!
Only 20 minutes from Smith Rock State Park is Steelhead Falls, a unique, bright blue waterfall that is only a 1 mile mostly flat round trip walk from the trailhead. Be sure to stay on trail here as off trail hiking has contributed to erosion in this area. This is a popular swimming spot in the summer!
You’ll certainly work up an appetite after today’s adventures! Head to dinner at Wild Rose Thai, an authentic and affordable Thai restaurant. Following dinner, go for an after dinner drink at one of Bends many cocktail bars. We sat outside in a heated tent and enjoyed hot cocktails to warm us up at the cutest cocktail bar San Simón.
Day 3
Right across the street from The Oxford Hotel Bend is Thump Coffee, amazing quality local coffee with multiple locations in Bend. Trying new coffee shops is a highlight of our travels together and Thump did not disappoint!
Following our caffeine fix, we headed to hike Benham Falls. Benham Falls is a 1 mile flat walk to Class 5 rapids which is an amazing sight! If the weather is on your side, you could also hike in nearby Newberry Volcanic Monument which is a large park containing lava flows, lakes, and incredible geological features.
Afterwards, we visited a cave formed by the lava from Newberry Volcano on the Prohibition Cave Tour with Wanderlust Tours.
On the tour, a knowledgeable guide drives you to Boyd Cave while explaining the geology of the surrounding area along the way. After arriving at Boyd Cave, you put on helmets and headlamps to trek through a 1,880 ft lava tube, crawling over rocks and even sliding and crouching on all fours at times!
We would highly recommend taking a tour with Wanderlust tours if you go! We loved having a guide to share facts about the geological features as well as the history of the cave.
The best part abut the Prohibition Cave Tour is after you explore the cave, you will take a distillery tour at Oregon Spirit Distillers and then sample spirits and enjoy a cocktail! During Prohibition, it’s thought that alcohol was distilled in Boyd Cave.
Please note, it’s important to be aware of White-Nose Syndrome while exploring caves. This fungus can kill bat populations by cave goers spreading the fungus through their shoes. Be sure to clean your hiking boots off with water before and after entering caves to avoid spreading this harmful fungus.
Tonight is your last night, so enjoy an amazing dinner at Joolz Mediterranean restaurant! One of the most popular restaurants in Bend for a reason, Joolz serves authentic Middle Eastern small plates in downtown Bend. We absolutely loved the variety of dishes here.
The accessibility of green spaces in downtown Bend was one of our favorite parts about the town. After dinner, we walked to Drake Park and watched sunset at Mirror Pond. We got a beautiful reflection here and then easily walked back to our hotel afterwards!
Day 4
Our last day started with coffee at Looney Bean Coffee. There’s no shortage of amazing coffee shops in Bend and we encourage you to try a new one each day!
Before our flight, we stopped a Three Sisters Viewpoint which is a parking turnout that gives you incredible views of the Three Sisters mountains.
Have you heard of Bend, Oregon? We fit so much into our weekend in Bend, Oregon and can’t wait to return in a different season to experience more of what Bend has to offer!
