Things to Do in Bend

Bend’s outdoor recreation is legitimate and varied — Smith Rock is a world-class climbing destination, Mount Bachelor is a serious ski mountain, and the Deschutes River runs through the city with kayak and paddleboard access steps from downtown. The brewery scene is a genuine complement rather than a marketing invention: 30+ functioning craft breweries in a city of 100,000 is a material concentration.

Smith Rock State Park

Smith Rock State Park (9241 NE Crooked River Dr, Terrebonne; approximately 20 miles north via US-97; day use approximately $5/vehicle) is the most significant single attraction near Bend — a volcanic tuff canyon above the Crooked River that put sport climbing on the American map in the 1980s. Over 1,000 established climbing routes range from beginner top-ropes to 5.14 sport pitches.

The Misery Ridge Loop (approximately 5 miles, 1,300 feet elevation gain) is the primary hiking route for non-climbers: it ascends to the canyon rim via Misery Ridge, crosses the rock face, and returns via the Crooked River trail below. The views of the volcanic landscape and Cascade peaks (Three Sisters, Broken Top, Newberry) from the ridge are exceptional. Start by 8am to avoid afternoon heat in summer.

The Crooked River trail (flat, along the river) is the low-commitment alternative — accessible to all fitness levels. Osprey, golden eagles, and prairie falcons nest in the canyon walls. The park is open year-round; sunrise to sunset.

Mount Bachelor

Mount Bachelor (69000 Mt Bachelor Rd; 22 miles west via Century Dr/Cascade Lakes Hwy) is Oregon’s largest ski resort and among the Pacific Northwest’s finest mountains: 4,318 skiable acres, 3,365 vertical feet, and one of the largest lift networks in Oregon. The typical season runs mid-November through May depending on snowfall.

Day lift tickets approximately $90-$175 as of 2026 depending on timing (advance online purchase is cheaper); multi-day passes offer better per-day value. The Summit Express lift (10,000 feet) is the highest point. The West Village base area is the primary access point from Bend; the Sunrise Lodge is a quieter second base.

Summer operations (approximately late June through September): chairlift rides to the summit for views ($20-$30 per person), mountain biking (the bike park runs Skybird chair), and hiking. The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway runs past the mountain through an alpine lake district.

Deschutes River and Water

Deschutes River Trail — 19 miles of riverside trail connecting downtown Bend to Tumalo State Park. The section through Drake Park (mirror pond) and along the Old Mill District is the most used urban trail in central Oregon.

Kayaking and SUP: The Deschutes River through Bend has multiple flatwater sections for paddleboarding and kayaking. Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe (805 SW Industrial Way) rents boards and kayaks. The section below Meadow Picnic Area is the most accessible for beginners.

Whitewater: The lower Deschutes (south of Bend near Pringle Falls) has Class III-IV rapids for experienced kayakers.

Craft Breweries

Bend’s brewery concentration (30+ within city limits) is legitimate. A self-guided brewery tour is the most natural evening activity:

Deschutes Brewery (1044 NW Bond St) — the 1988 original; the most visited brewery in Oregon. Black Butte Porter, Mirror Pond Pale Ale, and Fresh Squeezed IPA are the flagship beers. The Public House serves a full food menu.

Crux Fermentation Project (50 SW Division St) — rooftop deck with Cascade Mountain views; a more design-forward operation than Deschutes.

Boneyard Beer (37 NW Lake Pl) — smaller and locals-focused; the RPM IPA is widely distributed and is the house specialty.

10 Barrel Brewing (1135 NW Galveston Ave) — the AB InBev-acquired Bend brewery; largest taproom operation with a rooftop; more mainstream than the independent options.

Newberry Volcano

Newberry National Volcanic Monument (Lava Lands Visitor Center: 58201 S US-97, 9 miles south of Bend) is a shield volcano with a caldera containing two lakes (Paulina Lake and East Lake) and a 1,700-year-old obsidian flow. Day use approximately $5 per vehicle. The Paulina Peak trail (4.3 miles, 1,500 ft gain) reaches the highest point of the crater rim with views of the Cascade Range. The Big Obsidian Flow trail (1 mile loop) walks through one of the largest and most recent obsidian flows in the United States.

Other Activities

Tumalo Falls (12 miles west via Skyliners Rd; day use $5/vehicle) — a 97-foot waterfall with a short walk from the trailhead. Longer hikes continue up the canyon.

Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint (within Bend city limits; free) — a cinder cone with a 1-mile trail to the summit; 360° views including all the Cascade volcanoes.

Golf: Sunriver Resort (25 miles south) has four courses; Pronghorn Club and Eagle Crest are other options near town.