Sightseeing in Bend Oregon

Bend, Oregon is known to visitors and locals alike as a gateway to some of the most beautiful places in the country, and maybe even the world. Access these wonders of nature just a few short miles from town, or make a day of it and travel one of the area’s stunning scenic byways.

Upon first arriving in Bend, drive or hike up Pilot Butte, an old cinder cone located just east of town. Climb one of three tails to the top as you take in the refreshing smells of juniper and sage. The summit offers panoramic views of the region, which will orient you for future adventures. Other sightseeing hotspots right in Bend include the Deschutes River Trail, which you can pick up in Farewell Bend Park near the Old Mill District. Farther downstream is Drake Park and Mirror Pond. With its inviting waters, giant ponderosa pine trees and meandering pathways, Drake Park will make you wish you could stay in Bend forever.

Tumalo Falls, located just 11 miles west of town on Galveston Avenue/Skyliners Road is a quintessential example of the kind of majestic cascades the region was named for. Take pictures around the 100-foot-high waterfall, or head up one of the many trails available near the parking lot.

Lava Butte is another cinder cone created from cracks on the side of the Newberry Volcano. Drive south on Hwy. 97 and follow signs to the Lava Lands Visitor Center. The 500-foot summit of the butte not only reveals views of the Cascades in the distance but also provides a closer look at the region’s unique volcanic formations. The Lava River Cave is just a mile south of the visitor center and is the longest cave of its kind in Oregon. A visit to the 7,000 year old Lava Cast Forest reveals mature ponderosa pines preserved by molten lava.

Continue south on 97 to Newberry National Volcanic Monument and climb the four miles to Paulina Peak, which offers views of high desert plateaus and the Newberry Caldera which holds two turquoise, alpine lakes. Hike the seven mile trail around Paulina Lake or bike the 21-mile trail around the rim of the caldera. Both lakes offer opportunities for boating and sailing, as well as an abundance of trout and salmon for fishing. Other great sites in the monument include Paulina Falls, an 80 ft. waterfall that plunges into a canyon over volcanic cliffs, and the Big Obsidian Flow, one of the largest in the country.

A visit to Central Oregon would not be complete without a summer lift ride up Bachelor, and a drive around the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway via Century Drive. Begin with lunch at Pine Marten Lodge at 7,775 feet on Mt. Bachelor while you soak in the sights, and enjoy one of Bend’s many award-winning microbrews. Then continue to Sparks Lake, a large shallow trout lake offering breathtaking views of South Sister, Mount Bachelor and Broken Top, and Devil’s Lake, where a short easy hike follows the south shore of the crystal clear water through a mountain hemlock forest.

Elk Lake is another must-stop: rent a kayak or paddle board to explore the lake and then spend the afternoon hiking part of the Pacific Crest Trail. You can also visit the Historic Elk Lake Guard station which opened in 1929 to serve as a base for the Forest Service. Bird watchers will also be delighted by opportunities to observe Osprey, Cormorants, Terns and Bald Eagles at the Crane Prairie Reservoir.

While Smith Rock State Park may be world renowned for its rock climbing challenges, it is also a must-stop for any sightseer. With deep river canyons as the backdrop for the picturesque twists and turns of Crooked River, you’ll feel like you’re on the set of a John Wayne movie. And you are—the classic western Rooster Cogburn was filmed here with Katharine Hepburn in 1975.

Heading south on Hwy. 97 brings you to the sapphire-blue waters of Crater Lake, also known as the “Gem of the Cascades.” At an elevation of 7,100 ft., the lake is five miles wide and almost a mile deep—the deepest lake in the United States. After the snow melts in June, drive around the caldera and enjoy 20 scenic viewpoints; or take a “volcano cruise” around the lake where you will learn the geology of Wizard Island and the natural history of the Phantom Ship. Make your reservations early to stay in the historic (1915) Crater Lake Lodge or enjoy camping at one of the park’s first come first serve tent and RV Parks.

Newberry Caldera
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Lava River Cave
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Cascade Lakes Scenic Highway
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Crater Lake National Park
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Bend Adventure Tours
Phone: 541.977.1780
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