Bend Travel Guide

Let your mind wander into a world of tree-lined sunsets and cool river water rushing past large creek rocks. Venture into a destination with mountaintops kissed with snow and a city gracefully balancing old and new. This place might sound like something out of a storybook, but it's actually the ever-growing city of Bend, Oregon. This is simply a stunning place to visit.

Skiing

Bend offers three thrilling ski resorts. All are ideal areas for skiing during the winter and hiking during off-season. Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort has chairlift rides during the summer that provide amazing views which everyone can enjoy. Night skiing at Willametterr Pass Resort is an experience that should not be missed and tubing at Hoodoo Resort is fun for the entire family. Watch out for weather reports from all of the resort websites. They tend to be inaccurate, but tune into the local news reports to be fully prepared for your day of skiing on some of Bend's best slopes.

Outdoor Activities

If you're not traveling during the winter or just aren't one for the slopes, then there are tons of other activities available. Hiking trails are plentiful and rock climbing at Smith Rock State Park will certainly get your heart pumping. Fly fishing is a favorite with both visitors and locals. Whitewater rafting is a great way to experience Bend's nature at its best. For about $100 per person you can take part in an exciting ride through racing rivers. This is not for the timid traveler. Bend is also a nice location for golf and there are several challenging courses. A great attraction for families is the Pine Mountain Observatory. It's open to the public on Friday and Saturday evenings and a donation of $3 is appreciated. There is even a place to camp nearby, so you can enjoy the stars all night long.

Viewing Nature

Just stepping foot into the city of Bend, you won't be able to stop yourself from doing a complete circle to view the sights around you. Obviously this town has an abundant amount of natural wonders and visiting Bend will allow you to witness them firsthand. Stop by Newberry Volcanic Monument in the midst of an active volcano. While in the area you must go to Lava River Cave. You can explore a mile into the tunnel, which is made from an ancient lava flow. It gets pretty chilly here, so bring a jacket. Also, explore Benham Falls on your way back to your hotel. It's not really a true waterfall  and is more of a set of rapids descending at a small angle. Not impressive as a waterfall, but still very beautiful in its own right.