Bend is a high desert environment with a huge variety of epic landscapes including the Cascade mountains, volcanoes, caves, waterfalls, and unique rock formations.
This list barely scratches the surface of things to do in Bend, but is a list to start with when planning your trip!
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How to get to Bend, Oregon
The closest airport is Redmond Municipal Airport in Redmond, Oregon which is less than 25 minutes away from Bend.
You could also fly into:
- Eugene (EUG): 2.5 hour drive
- Portland (PDX): 3 hour drive
- Medford (MFR): 3 hour drive
In any case, you’ll need to rent a car to get around. Renting a car Redmond airport is incredibly easy!
When is the best time to visit Bend, Oregon?
Year-round depending on what activities interest you! A Bend weekend itinerary 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!
Responsible Recreation in Bend, Oregon
A trip to Bend, Oregon requires a lot of preparation. Download offline trail maps with the AllTrails app and be sure to research and prepare if hiking.
Bend has cave systems where bats that are susceptible to white-nose syndrome. 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.
Finally, check out the Ineffable photo book and Bend Sustainability Fund.
In order to recreate responsibly in these remote areas, follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles:
- plan ahead and prepare: research current weather and trail conditions, bring enough food and water, bring/download an offline map, prepare for crowds in certain areas
- travel and camp on durable surfaces: be sure not to hike off trail or use social trails! Camp at designated areas only
- dispose of waste properly: even an orange peel or cherry pit can disturb the ecosystem and take years to decompose. Be sure to pack out absolutely everything!
- leave what you find: do not take rocks or build cairns of rocks, do not carve into trees, rocks, or other natural objects
- minimize campfire impacts: know current fire restrictions, keep fires small and only use established fire rings
- respect wildlife: stay 25 yards away from all wildlife and 100 yards away from bears
- be considerate of other visitors: do not play music on the trail, give the right of way to uphill hiker
Where to Stay in Bend, Oregon
There are a plethora of hotels and rental properties to choose from. We stayed at The Oxford Hotel located downtown and loved the walkable location to all of the shops and restaurants.
This luxury boutique hotel offers comfortable and chic rooms. Our room even had a balcony overlooking downtown. Amenities include a gym, a complimentary bike rental program, and an on-site restaurant.
1. Go spelunking
We did the Prohibition Cave Tour with Wanderlust Tours and it was incredible!
They took us to explore a lava tube cave formed by lava from the Newberry Volcanic Monument.
This cave was formed over 10,000 years ago and during Prohibition, they used to distill spirits in this cave.
It was amazing to learn about the cave’s history and features from our knowledgable guide. Keeping with the Prohibition theme, we headed for some spirit tasting afterwards!
We went to Oregon Spirit Distillers for a distillery tour, spirit tasting, and some delicious cocktails.
2. Drink on the Ale Trail
Bend is known for its breweries! It has the most breweries per capita in Oregon with 30 breweries. There are also several cideries, wineries, and distilleries. Pick up a Bend Ale Trail Passport and have fun checking them off!
Visit Bend even has a “Perfect Pairings” list with recommended adventures and nearby breweries.
Our favorite drinking establishments in Bend:
- Monkless Belgian Ales
- Avid Cider House
- Crux Fermentation Project
- Humm Kombucha
- San Simon Cocktail Bar
- Oregon Spirit Distillers
- McMenamins Old St. Francis
3. Chase waterfalls
One of the best things to do in Bend is chase waterfalls! There are so many waterfalls to explore in and around Bend! Some popular waterfalls near Bend:
- Dillon/Benham Falls: A short 0.5 mile relatively flat trail to Class 5 rapids. We had this spot to ourselves and watching the roaring rapids was mesmerizing. This is a great photography spot.
- Tumalo Falls: one of the most famous waterfalls in Bend, a moderate 3.5 mile trail will take you to the overlook of this 97 foot falls. In the winter, the road to access the trailhead is closed to vehicles, so the hike is significantly longer.
- Steelhead Falls: Located north of Bend near Smith Rock State Park in Terrebonne, Steelhead Falls is at the end of a short 0.5 mile trail. It’s open year round and you can even swim in the falls during the summer! Make sure to stay on trail as the area is susceptible to erosion.
4. Eat around town
We were so impressed with the food in Bend. Some of our favorite restaurants:
- Wild Rose Northern Thai: authentic Northern Thai food with a cozy and intimate atmosphere. Very affordable and we were able to order a lot of dishes to share so we could try several!
- Joolz Mediterranean Restaurant: serving a variety of Lebanese, Israeli, and Moroccan cuisines with a warm and colorful vibe to the restaurant
- Fix and Repeat: A cute vegan cafe that was so good that we ate there multiple times! They serve fresh and healthy dishes like acai bowls, smoothies, wraps, grain bowls, and salads
- Bonta Artisan Gelato: this gelato was so delicious we ended every night with it. It was also right next to our hotel so it was inevitable. A large variety of flavors and some vegan options!
5. Go for a hike at Smith Rock State Park
Located in Terrebonne, Oregon and accessible year round, Smith Rock State Park is one of the most popular places to visit near Bend for a reason! Be sure to recreate responsibly by leaving no trace.
A day use pass is $5 per vehicle. Smith Rock is incredible for hiking and rock climbing and also offers wildlife viewing, mountain bike trails, horse back riding, and camping.
Hiking Trails at Smith Rock State Park:
- Rim Rock Trail (0.5 mi, flat)
- North Point Trail (0.5 mi, flat)
- Misery Ridge Trail (3.7 mi, hard)
- River Trail (2.5 mi, easy)
- Canyon Trail (1.5 mi, moderate)
- Mesa Verde Trail (0.65 mi, moderate)
6. Visit The Last Blockbuster
For a dose of nostalgia, visit the last remaining Blockbuster to exist in the United States! The store still operates as a video rental store, but has become a tourist attraction for visitors.
They sell Blockbuster souvenirs and the classic candies from your childhood. This is a quick and fun stop that’s perfect to tell your friends about.
Conclusion
We hope you learned about something new after reading about 6 epic things to do in Bend, Oregon. Check out our Bend Weekend Itinerary for completely planned out Bend experience.
