Backpackers standing on a scenic lookout.

©Jordan SIemens/Getty Images

Bend

Bend is where all lovers of the outdoors should live – it's an absolute paradise. You can ski fine powder in the morning, paddle a kayak in the afternoon and play golf into the evening. Or would you rather go mountain biking, hiking, mountaineering, stand-up paddle boarding, fly-fishing or rock climbing? You can even surf a river wave in the center of town. Plus, you'll probably be enjoying it all in great weather; the area gets nearly 300 days of sunshine each year.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions

Smith Rock State Park
Bend
Best known for its glorious rock climbing, Smith Rock State Park boasts rust-colored 800ft cliffs that tower over the pretty Crooked River. Nonclimbers…
High Desert Museum
Bend
This excellent museum, about 3 miles south of Bend, charts the exploration and settlement of the West, using reenactments of a Native American camp, a…
Three Sisters Wilderness
Bend
This beautiful 283,400-acre region spans the Cascade Range and is highlighted by the glaciered Three Sisters, three recent volcanic peaks each topping 10…
Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Bend
About 13 miles south of Bend is this impressive area, a relatively recent volcanic region resulting from 400,000 years of volcanic activity. Newberry…
Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint
Bend
Just a couple miles north of Smith Rock, Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint highlights a stunning 300ft-deep gorge. You can walk over the old…
Deschutes Historical Museum
Bend
Located in an old grade school, this museum houses Native American and pioneer artifacts. There's also historical information on the area's logging,…
Lava River Cave
Bend
About 1 mile south of the Lava Lands visitor center, Lava River Cave is the only lava tube that's developed for visitors (bring a flashlight or rent a…

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Attractions

Top picks from our travel experts

Top things to do in Bend, Oregon, from climbing volcanoes to surfing the river

Curated by K.M. Collins

Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Bend
About 13 miles south of Bend is this impressive area, a relatively recent volcanic region resulting from 400,000 years of volcanic activity. Newberry…
Mt Bachelor
Bend
At glorious Mt Bachelor (9065ft), Central Oregon's cold, continental air meets up with the warm, wet Pacific air. The result is tons of fairly dry snow…
Wanderlust Tours
Bend
Guided tours in the Bend area by canoe and kayak, some with beer- or coffee-tasting included. Book ahead.

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Things to Know

From being nice to securing park permits, here's everything you need to know to act like a local on your trip to Bend, Oregon.

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Best Neighborhoods

Booming Bend, Oregon, offers neighborhoods to suit every taste. Here are our picks for the best areas for dining, shopping, outdoor activities and more.

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Day Trips

Bend is the heart of Oregon's desert country, and a great base for outdoorsy excursions to the Old West. Here are our favorite day trips from Bend.

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Money and Costs

If you prefer camping and Coleman stoves to luxury suites and fine dining, Bend is the place to be. These are our top tips for stretching your dollar.

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Transportation

These are the transport methods Bendites use to make their way around town, aside from personal vehicles.

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Free Things to Do

Fresh off the Pacific Crest Trail with very few pennies to your name? Here's how to see Bend on a shoestring budget.

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