The city of Bend is surrounded by some of the top sites and must-visit family attractions in Central Oregon. After all, where else can you hike through an ancient lava tube, summit an extinct volcano, bask in the misty glow of a nearly 100-foot-tall waterfall, and rent an honest-to-goodness DVD—all before dinner?
Bend offers an appealing mix of adventure, relaxation, arts, and culture—so we’ve tried to help you plan a memorable vacation with a guide to some of the top Bend, Oregon, attractions. The fun includes outdoor activities, scenic drives, local landmarks, and more for travelers from all walks of life.
Here’s a quick look at some of the region’s most popular sites:
- Deschutes River Trail
- Tumalo Falls
- Shevlin Park
- Phil’s Trail Complex
- Farewell Bend Park
- The Cascade Lakes
- Pilot Butte
- Lava River Cave
- The Last Blockbuster Video Store
- Bend Whitewater Park
Keep reading for our round-up of some fun things in Bend, Oregon.
1. Deschutes River Trail
Figuratively speaking, few footpaths in Central Oregon cover as much ground as the Deschutes River Trail. In all, the trail is made up of two disconnected footpaths, largely between Sunriver and Bend, that hug the shores of its namesake waterway.
The northernmost of the two Deschutes River Trails mostly resides within Bend; along the way, you’ll pass through the Old Mill District, walk alongside khaki-colored rock formations, and enjoy up-close views of the lazy river. Further south, around Sunriver, the second stretch of the Deschutes River Trail trades urban views for rugged scenery—complete with jagged lava flows, old-growth forests of ponderosa pine, and a few churning cascades in the river.
2. Tumalo Falls
Just west of Bend, Tumalo Falls is one of the most-photographed sites in Central Oregon—and for good reason. A short walk from the parking area, an 89-foot-tall waterfall tumbles over a rocky shelf and into Tumalo Creek, all in the midst of a stately pine forest. Beyond the viewpoint, well-maintained hiking and mountain biking trails ascend into the forests behind Tumalo Falls; along the way, the well-graded trails pass colorful wildflower blooms in spring and several other waterfalls in Tumalo Creek.
Keep in mind that the entrance road to Tumalo Falls is generally open between May and early November. The parking area fills to capacity early on summer weekends and typically stays full, so try to arrive before 9 a.m.—or visit on a weekday—for your best shot at a decent parking spot.
3. Shevlin Park
Old-growth forests of pine, the bucolic Tumalo Creek, and a rimrock canyon collide amongst the splendor of Shevlin Park in Bend. Nearly 10 miles of trails crisscross the park and sync up with nearby Deschutes National Forest trails, giving hikers plenty of opportunities for adventure. In winter, Shevlin Park is a top snowshoeing and cross-country skiing destination; in spring and summer, its snow-free trails make the park an idyllic lowland hiking destination; and aspen groves erupt in electric yellow hues every October. Pack a lunch to enjoy in one of the park’s three picnic sites.
4. Phil’s Trail Complex
Ask any cyclist in the know, and they’ll all agree: Phil’s Trail Complex is synonymous with mountain biking in Central Oregon.
The trail system, just southwest of Bend, dates back to the 1980s and is home to some of the area’s first trails built exclusively for mountain biking. Today, Phil’s Trail Complex comprises dozens of miles of paths that welcome riders of all abilities with flowy singletrack, technical trails, and a bevy of obstacles in the midst of a verdant pine forest. Several nearby outfitters provide rentals and recommendations for an epic day on the trail. Check out the Phil’s Trail Map to get started.
5. Farewell Bend Park
Farewell Bend Park sits at a peculiar point on the Deschutes River—across from a river canyon, close to homes and vacation rentals, and at the edge of a forest accessed by a portion of the Deschutes River Trail. Take it all in while enjoying the park’s wide range of activities; those include a lumber mill-inspired playground for children (a fun reference to Bend’s earliest days as a timber town), a climbing and bouldering wall, a wheelchair-accessible pier that juts out onto the Deschutes River, flat walking paths, and a covered picnic area.
6. The Cascade Lakes
Follow Century Drive from Bend’s westside, and it’s not long before you ascend toward snow-capped mountain peaks and the start of the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.
The highway is named for the many mountain lakes it passes—and the outdoor opportunities made possible by those scenic locations. The fun includes camping, kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, fishing, backpacking, and nighttime stargazing around the likes of Todd Lake, Elk lake, and Sparks Lake. Even if you’re not feeling active, a number of roadside pullouts encourage sightseeing—and provide up-close views of Mount Bachelor, South Sister, Broken Top, and other nearby peaks. Note that the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway is a seasonal road; it usually opens for summer in mid-May or early June—and typically closes by early November.
Learn more about the lakes & rivers in Central Oregon, and get the scoop on the Central Cascades Wilderness Permit System if you’d like to hike into some of the wilderness areas along the scenic byway.
7. Pilot Butte
Enjoy some of the most dramatic views anywhere in Bend from the summit of Pilot Butte, which resides on the city’s east side and affords 360-degrees from its flat summit in all four seasons.
Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint is an extinct cinder cone—and was one of the earliest attractions in the Oregon State Parks system. Today, visitors between late spring and early fall can drive or hike to the summit; in winter and early spring, those hoping to enjoy dramatic views must ascend 450 feet via a two-mile (round-trip) hike. However you get there, the impressive views include Newberry Volcano to the south, the wide-open high desert to the east, more than a dozen Cascade peaks to the west, and the bustling city of Bend below.
Learn about other Central Oregon attractions to check out on your next visit to Bend and the broader region.
8. Lava River Cave
Lava River Cave, one of the top attractions near Bend, Oregon, offers a truly unique experience in Central Oregon: the chance to head underground and walk through a mile-long lava tube.
Hikers can descend 55 steps into the heart of the cave—where a path comprising boardwalks, rocky surfaces, and occasional stairways provides access to the longest lava tube in Oregon. Along the way, hikers enjoy views of the tube’s jagged walls, which formed roughly 65,000 years ago, and can marvel at the ceilings—which can reach up to 60 feet tall.
Keep in mind that the cave is only open between early May and mid-September, and visitors must acquire a timed-entry permit designed to provide a quieter cave experience. Hikers should also bring two high-powered LED light sources (not including cell phones) and bring boots or shoes that can handle the occasionally rocky surfaces. Light rentals are available at the cave.
9. The Last Blockbuster Video Store
Looking for cool things to do in Bend, Oregon? Relive your youthful weekends—or show your kids how you rented movies before the days of streaming—with a trip to the Last Blockbuster Video Store in the world.
That’s right: Blockbuster Video, which rose to prominence in the late 1980s and 1990s, is down to its final store—and is one of the best-loved Bend, Oregon, attractions. All these years later, the locally owned and operated store is a cultural landmark, recapturing nostalgia for an entire generation of movie lovers with Blu-ray and DVD rentals, souvenirs and candy for sale, and a few items on display that were used in Hollywood blockbusters. Learn more about visiting Blockbuster Video in Bend.
10. Bend Whitewater Park
Every summer, the Bend Whitewater Park comes alive with paddlers, surfers, and floaters testing their mettle, making a splash, and having a blast in the specially designed park on the Deschutes River.
The park, located just north of the Colorado Avenue bridge, is one of the top Central Oregon tourist attractions. It is made up of three distinct channels: Floaters and paddlers traversing the Deschutes encounter a few rapids in the Fish Ladder Channel, the Whitewater Channel hosts four wave features and is where you’ll see surfers practicing their craft in all four seasons, and the Habitat Channel is reserved exclusively for local and migrating wildlife.
Ready to plan your next fantastic getaway? We’ve put together a handful of resources to make your dreams a reality. Our guide to getting to Central Oregon shows all the ways you can arrive in our region—complete with tips for flying, driving, and taking shuttles or buses. Next, see where to stay in Central Oregon. Finally, get the scoop on the different types of trips you can enjoy with our inspirational look at Central Oregon vacation planning.
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