Adventure Journal

The Best of Bend

Since 2009, blogger Tawna Fenske has penned regular posts for the Bend Adventure Journal featuring insider tips and best-of-Bend spotlights. A fourth-generation Oregonian with more than two decades spent living in Bend, Tawna offers hints to help you make the most of a Bend vacation. Whether you’re looking for the city’s best biscuits and gravy, planning a family hike, or wondering how to safely float the river, you’ll get the scoop with a side order of silly humor. Smile…you’re in Bend.

Explore Our Journal

Play

Horseback Riding & Equestrian

Wilderness Horse Adventures

Custom private horse riding, fly fishing and paddleboarding in the Bend area. Create your own... 63325 Silvis Rd, Bend, OR 97701 503.360.3130 https://wildernesshorseadventures.com/

Play

Motor Sports

RIDE Adventures

With the incredible array of sweepers, twisties, single-track, and adventure bike dual sport terrain available... 458.202.0462 https://www.rideadv.com/

Play

Horseback Riding & Equestrian

Smith Rock Trail Rides

Ready for an adventure? Join us for a horseback ride at one of three locations:... 14290 SW Chinook Dr, Terrebonne, OR 97760 541.604.6769 http://smithrocktrailrides.com/

Eat

Food and Drink

The Box Factory

Steeped in history and vintage industrial charm, Box Factory is Bend’s up and coming destination... 550 SW Industrial Way, Bend, OR 97702 https://boxfactorybend.com/

Play

Activities

Summer Activities at Brasada Ranch

Summer is the perfect time to spend time at The Ranch. Guests of The Ranch... 16986 SW Brasada Ranch Rd, Powell Butte, OR 97753 541.526.6869 https://www.brasada.com/?utm_source=visitbend.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=summer_fun

Eat

Italian

Sunset Dinners at Mt. Bachelor

Beginning early June — Retreat to Mt. Bachelor Thursday through Sunday evenings for a dining... Pine Marten Mid-Mountain Lodge at Mt. Bachelor, 13000 SW Century Dr, Bend, OR 97702 541.382.1709 https://www.mtbachelor.com/dining/scapolos/

Play

Motor Sports

Giant Loop

As outdoors people with a passion for exploration, we started Giant Loop in 2008 right here... 63025 O. B. Riley Rd #6 Bend, OR 97701 458-206-9113 https://www.giantloopmoto.com/

Play

Indoor Fun

Trampoline Zone & Adventure Park

With more than 50 trampoline beds, Trampoline Zone & Adventure Park is Bend’s premier family... 63040 18th St, Bend, OR 97701 541.323.3040 http://tzbend.com/

Play

Horseback Riding & Equestrian

Horseback Riding at Brasada Ranch

Whether new to horseback riding and are looking to set out on a new adventure... 16986 SW Brasada Ranch Rd, Powell Butte, OR 97753 844.602.5306 https://www.brasada.com/equestrian-club/?utm_source=visitbend.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=equestrian

Play

Tennis & Pickleball

Pickleball Zone

Our new state-of-the-art indoor facility has eight indoor courts. With almost 50,000 square feet our... 63040 18th St, Bend, OR 97701 541.323.0100 http://www.cascadeindoorsports.com/pickleball-zone/home/

Play

Ice Skating

The Pavilion in Bend

Ah, nothing warms the heart like a giant sheet of cold ice! The Pavilion is... 1001 SW Bradbury Dr, Bend, OR 97702 541.389.7588 https://www.bendparksandrec.org/park/the-pavilion/

Play

Indoor Fun

Vector Volcano

Vector Volcano Classic Arcade is a dedicated arcade room with the best classic video arcade... 111 NW Oregon Ave, Bend, OR 97703 https://vectorvolcanoarcade.com/

Play

Points Of Interest

Oregon Badlands Wilderness

The Oregon Badlands Wilderness holds a number of remarkable and exciting landforms and geologic features.... 541.416.6700 https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/oregon-washington/oregon-badlands

Play

Hiking

Phil's Trailhead

Phil's Trail is a 12.4 mile out and back trail located near Bend, Oregon. The... 541.383.5300 https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recreation/bicycling/recarea/?recid=38468&actid=24

Play

Canoe, Kayak & River Activities

Hosmer Lake

The lake is a hidden jewel of green and blue surrounded by dark green forest.... 541.383.5300 https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=71867

Play

Parks & Playgrounds

Drake Park

This popular downtown community gathering place hosts many events throughout the spring, summer and fall,... 777 NW Riverside Blvd, Bend, OR 97701 541.389.7275 https://www.bendparksandrec.org/park/drake-park-and-mirror-pond/

Play

Fishing

Deschutes River at Lower Bridge Road

This section of the Deschutes features weedy banks, freestone pocket water and broad runs. Home... 71160 NW Lower Bridge Rd, Terrebonne, OR 97760

Play

Hiking

Meadow Day Use Area

Located just over five miles west of Bend, this popular day use area sits along the the... Cascade Lakes Hwy, Bend, OR https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=38412

Play

Fishing

Deschutes River at Cow Meadow

The Upper Deschutes River, above Benham Falls is a summer fishing opportunity. Cow Meadow provides... Cascade Lakes Hwy, Bend, OR https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=38826

Play

Fishing

Fall River Hatchery

The Fall River in La Pine State Park is a well-stocked spring fed stream with... 15055 S Century Dr, Sunriver, OR 97707 https://myodfw.com/fall-river-hatchery-visitors-guide

Play

Fishing

Fall River Falls

The Fall River in La Pine State Park is a year-round, well-stocked spring fed stream... La Pine State Park, La Pine, OR https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=32

Play

Fishing

Chimney Rock

Open all year, the Wild and Scenic Crooked River at Chimney Rock provides easy access... Hwy 27, Prineville, OR 541.416.6700 https://www.blm.gov/visit/chimney-rock-trail

Play

Transportation

Ride the River Shuttle

COVID UPDATE: Ride the River shuttle is not operating Summer 2020, out of safety concerns... 1000 SW Bradbury Dr, Bend, OR 97702 541.385.8680 http://cascadeseasttransit.com/ride/ride-the-river/

Play

Hiking

Tumalo Mountain

Cascade Lakes Hwy, Bend, OR https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recreation/recarea/?recid=38530&actid=50

Play

Golf

Bend Golf Rentals

Easy and hassle-free golf club rentals. At Bend Golf Rentals we strive to make the... 541.702.1474 http://bendgolfrentals.com/

Play

Visit Like A Local

Voluntourism

Bend has a lot of special places. It also has a lot of people who...

Play

Waterfalls

Steelhead Falls

In steps, it is only about .5 miles from the trailhead to Steelhead Falls. In... Steelhead Falls Trailhead, SW River Rd, Terrebonne, OR 97760 https://www.blm.gov/visit/steelhead-falls-trail

Play

Waterfalls

Paulina Falls

Paulina Creek Falls is a cascade and plunge waterfall from a streambed draining from Paulina... Forest Service Rd 21, La Pine, OR https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=38436

Play

Waterfalls

Benham Falls

Benham Falls are rapids of the Deschutes River located between Sunriver and Bend, Oregon, United... Forest Service Rd 9702, Bend, OR - Near Lava Lands Visitor Center https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=38288

Play

Waterfalls

Dillon Falls

Dillon Falls are rapids in the U.S. state of Oregon near Bend in the Deschutes... Forest Service Rd 41, Bend, OR https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recreation/recarea/?recid=38340

Play

Waterfalls

Lava Island Falls

Lava Island Falls are rapids on the Deschutes River. Rated a Class 5, they are... Forest Service Rd 41, Bend, OR https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=38392

Play

Waterfalls

Tumalo Falls

This very popular site offers beautiful views of Tumalo Falls just a few minutes from the trailhead. There are... West of Bend on Skyliners Rd, Bend, OR https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=38526

Play

Activities

Roundabout Art Route

Play

Hiking

The Bend Pledge

Play

Food and Drink

Bend Ale Trail

Back in the day, Bend was a logging town. Today, we’re a lager town. And...

Play

Canoe, Kayak & River Activities

Bend Whitewater Park

The Bend Whitewater Park offers an exciting variety of river recreation opportunities, from wild rapids... 166 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr, Bend, OR 97702 541.389.7275 https://www.bendparksandrec.org/facility/bend-whitewater-park/

‌

Visitor Guide

Planning your trip? Start with your award-winning visitor guide, available online or by mail.

Read the Guide

‌

Give Us A Call

Want to talk with a real human? We get that. Our visitor center is ready and waiting for your call.

Call : 877.245.8484

‌

The Bend Pledge

Join countless visitors before you and take the Pledge to leave Bend better than you found it.

Take the Pledge

‌

Bend Sustainability Fund

Investing in projects that create sustainable experiences in Bend’s community.

See the Projects