With Cascade peaks dotting our skyline and clear mountain lakes enticing paddlers — not to mention thick forests, craggy volcanic features, and wide-open deserts all comprising our landscapes — there are several summers’ worth of outdoor experiences to enjoy around Central Oregon.
But before you hit the trail this season, make sure you’re prepared. Here’s what to bring — and what to know about making the most of your next Central Oregon hike (whether it’s your first or 101st).
Grab the Right Gear
You never know what the weather will bring in Central Oregon: Snow may linger on trails well into July, while toasty temperatures in the Oregon Badlands Wilderness Area may give way to surprise snowstorms in the Three Sisters Wilderness — even at the height of summer. So while we may enjoy nearly 300 days of sunshine per year, it’s never a bad idea to arrive prepared.
The Mountaineers, a Pacific Northwest-based advocacy group, have established the 10 Essentials that all hikers should bring on their outings for the safest possible experience. In no particular order, those are:
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- Map
- Compass
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Extra clothing
- Headlamp or flashlight
- First-aid supplies
- Firestarter
- Matches
- Knife
- Extra food
Not on the list but also a good idea: water. Bring more than you think you’ll need, since those sunny days and intense inclines can dehydrate even the heartiest of hikers.
Time Your Hike Right
There’s no worse feeling than circling a hike in your favorite guide, heading out for the day, and arriving at the trailhead … only to find a parking lot filled to capacity.
Fortunately, a few tips can help you time your hike right and enjoy a fun day on the trail.
Check in with official organizations: Don’t be shy about reaching out to the U.S. Forest Service or Oregon State Parks — whichever organization manages your preferred trail — to see how busy it might be. Friendly rangers can offer recommendations for when to visit, what to know, and which nearby hikes to consider if your preferred destination is crowded that day.
Aim for midweek: If you can push your hike to Monday or Tuesday, chances are good you’ll enjoy more solitude on the trail.
Go early — or late: Try to arrive at your desired trailhead by 9 a.m. (no matter the day of the week), or opt for a late-afternoon hike (starting at 3 or 4 p.m.) if daylight and weather conditions allow.
Plan a late-season outing: It’s a bit of a local secret: Central Oregon enjoys some of its most pleasant temperatures in September and October, just before the season’s first snowfall and just after families have returned home for the back-to-school rush. Crisp, dewy mornings generally give way to comfortable afternoons this time of year — and chances are good you’ll have the ideal conditions all to yourself.
Other stories
More inspiring stories, adventures, and tips & tricks for planning and experiencing the best Central Oregon has to offer.
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Hiking Black Butte – Central Oregon’s Iconic & Majestic Cinder Cone
From a distance, Black Butte looks like it doesn’t quite match the picturesque alpine mountains that surround it. The volcanic rock that emerges above the tree line gives the impression of a hill constructed with loose stones that was carelessly dropped in the middle of the woods. Unlike the Cascades that puncture the horizon to the west and north, Black Butte can be hiked and enjoyed in under four hours.
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Accessible Adventure: Easy Hikes for Families near Bend, Oregon
There are so many great hikes in Central Oregon, it can be tough to choose where to start. For beginner hikers or families here’s a couple of easy to get to – and more importantly – easy to conquer starter-hikes. Flanking the Deschutes River near Bend’s Old Mill District, the Deschutes River Trail is a 3-mile loop that starts near Farewell Bend Park.
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Adventures Abound Starting at Sunriver Resort
Sunriver is the type of place that takes your breath away no matter what season it is. During the summer you can hop on a horse for your very own wild wild west experience. The team at Sunriver Stables will make you feel comfortable on your ride, even if you’ve never saddled up before. Whether you’re in a tube or a kayak, floating down the Deschutes River is a relaxing activity that’s fun for the whole family.
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Casual Family Weekend in Sunriver
Imagine this: you’re riding your bike through a rolling meadow, the Cascade mountain range in the background, and the only sound is from the whir of a prop plane taking off against a crisp blue sky. Up ahead, your children pull carrots from their pockets and present them to a gathering of friendly horses in an adjacent pasture.
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Outward Bound in the City: Central Oregon’s 5 Best Urban Hikes
Hiking in Central Oregon can take you deep into the wilderness, far away from worry and stress. But sometimes all you need is a quick break from reality…just a half hour or so outside in nature, on a trail, alone with your thoughts (or with your dog, husband and two kids.) There are hundreds of hikes and trails available in and around Bend, Oregon and Sunriver, Oregon. These “Urban Hikes” are the perfect remedy to slow down our all-too-busy lives.
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Lava Lands Visitor Center a Central Oregon Geologic Gem
In the late 1960s NASA looked for a place to send astronauts who were training for a mission that would change the world. But before the mission could happen, NASA needed a place to mimic what they believed those astronauts would find on the surface of the moon. Because, after all, nobody had been there before so nobody really knew what the surface of the moon was like.
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Central Oregon Hiking Trails
Head east on Highway 20 (Greenwood Avenue) to the Pilot Butte State Park. The parking area and trailhead are just east of the butte. Walk on either the nature trail or the paved road. The road is also for vehicle traffic, weather permitting. It is a wonderful viewpoint for the entire Bend area. This hiking trail is one of the most popular in Central Oregon.
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Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway: Pull Off For a Central Oregon Adventure
The Cascade Lakes Scenic byway is one of the prettiest drives in the U.S. But it might be the most recreationally rich road you’ll ever drive too. From Bend southwest to the Highway 58 junction, the Oregon Route 372 cuts through 66 miles unique volcanic formations and geological beauty that offers everything that makes Central Oregon an outdoor lover’s paradise.
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Central Oregon’s Moonscape
Many who come to Central Oregon say it looks like nowhere else they’ve visited. Sure, there are the mountain vistas and the Ponderosa pines, the picturesque rivers and the deep blue lakes. But to many, the most astonishing aspect is the lunarscape — the lava rocks, cinder cones and lava tubes that dot the region, betraying its geologic history.
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The Central Oregon Adventure 6-Pack
6 ADVENTURES…1 DAY….A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES. “You should do it,” they said. “Think about how cool it’d be,” they told me. “You get to do it during the work day, ya know,” they reminded me. So I said yes.