Many elements go into a good picnic: You’ll want snacks, dishes, and drinks suited to a sun-kissed afternoon. Chances are good you’ll want a blanket to sprawl out on (and maybe even enjoy a post-snack nap). You’ll also want a picturesque backdrop befitting the jubilant mood. And, of course, you’ll want a special someone (or someones) to savor it all with.
Good news: You’ll find it all in Central Oregon—home to scenic picnic spots, local markets stocked with fresh fare, and sunny skies all year long. So to help inspire a laid-back afternoon outdoors, we’ve put together a guide to some of the best places to picnic in Bend and beyond—whether you’re lazing the day away alongside the Deschutes River or exploring one of many Central Oregon state parks.
Here’s how to get started:
Keep reading for our guide to some of the best picnic spots in Central Oregon—and don’t forget the sunscreen.
Quintessential Urban & Riverfront Parks in Bend
A number of parks line the Deschutes River and surround bucolic creeks around Bend, OR—providing plenty of opportunities for an al-fresco adventure. Keep reading for some of the top places to picnic in Bend.
Drake Park & Mirror Pond
Immediately west of downtown Bend, Drake Park is undeniably one of the best picnic spots in Central Oregon. The park sits along the Deschutes River and Mirror Pond, with plenty of riverfront lawn space for blankets and copious shade courtesy of maple and willow trees. Far-off peaks rise to the west, and paddlers offer ample people-watching opportunities. (Visit in October for crisp afternoons and leaves of red, yellow, and orange fluttering onto your picnic.)
Riverbend Park
There’s always something to see and do at Riverbend Park. The grassy park sits across the Deschutes River from the Old Mill District and just south of downtown, and it’s not uncommon to see paddlers getting on (or coming back from) the water. Restrooms, water fountains, easy access to the river, and an off-leash dog park help make Riverbend Park one of the best Bend, Oregon, picnic spots for your whole family.
Farewell Bend Park
Just across the Deschutes from Riverbend Park sits the family-friendly Farewell Bend Park—another one of the best-loved places to picnic in Bend. A few trees provide a bit of shade, a large picnic shelter offers a break from the sun, and on-site restrooms are open year-round. Peruse the park’s interpretive panels, which detail Bend’s earliest days as a timber town, and let your little ones burn some energy on Farewell Bend Park’s lumber mill-inspired playground.
Shevlin Park
Shevlin Park sits at the northwestern edge of Bend, a few miles from the Deschutes River but nevertheless one of the more underrated Bend, Oregon, picnic spots. A few picnic sites dot the shores of Tumalo Creek, which bisects the park, and aspen groves turn electric shades of yellow every autumn. If you’d like to pair your picnic with a hike, several miles of trails crisscross the park, head through high-desert terrain, and traverse stands of ponderosa pine.
High Desert Escapes and Iconic State Parks
Each of the Central Oregon state parks below offer their own flavor of natural beauty—from rimrock river canyons at Smith Rock to riverside charm in the high desert at Tumalo State Park. Here are a few state parks particularly well suited to your next picnic.
Smith Rock State Park (Terrebonne)
With sweeping views in every direction, Smith Rock State Park is home to some of the best picnic spots in Central Oregon. Near the parking area, a few picnic sites reside just across from the Crooked River and show off the park’s iconic rock formations. Higher up, hike to the summit of Misery Ridge for wide-open views of surrounding farmland and snow-capped Cascade peaks to the west.
The Cove Palisades State Park (Culver)
Just outside the communities of Culver and Madras, The Cove Palisades State Park resides where the Deschutes, Metolius, and Crooked rivers come together to form Lake Billy Chinook. The Cove Palisades’ wide range of outdoor attractions make it one of the most popular Central Oregon state parks; the fun includes boating, fishing, hiking, and camping. Take a break from the active fun with a lakeside picnic in one of the park’s day-use areas, where views of the surrounding rimrock canyons provide a picture-perfect backdrop.
Tumalo State Park
Tumalo State Park sits north of Bend and just outside the community of Tumalo, offering a scenic introduction to Central Oregon’s high-desert experience. Ponderosa pine trees grow in a well-maintained campground, a hiking trail heads through sagebrush and along the Deschutes River, and gnarled juniper trees provide shade for picnic sites in the park’s day-use area. For more about why this slice of Central Oregon is so special, learn more with our deep dive into the region’s natural beauty: What is the High Desert?
Alpine Retreats and Mountain Lakes
Head out of town and into the Cascades, where a number of mountain lakes await in the shadow of towering peaks and in the midst of sprawling forests. Here are a few fun picnic sites that are perfect for your next day trip.
Elk Lake
Some of the best picnic spots in Central Oregon can be found at Elk Lake, where east-facing views of Mt. Bachelor and north-facing views of South Sister await. Head to Elk Lake Resort to spend the night, get on the water via the on-site marina, and kick back with a lakeside picnic. To the south, Beach Picnic Area offers a bit more solitude, as well as a sandy beach where you can enjoy a cool swim before unfolding the blanket for lunch.
Suttle Lake
Suttle Lake sits northwest of Sisters and at the doorstep to the Cascade Range, making it an idyllic getaway that doesn’t require a full day’s drive. Start your day by hiking a loop around the lake or paddling with a rental from Suttle Lodge and Boathouse, and while away a lazy afternoon at the adjacent Suttle Lake Day Use Area. There, a handful of shady picnic sites are just a few feet from the water’s edge.
Todd Lake
Coming from Bend, one of the first stops you’ll come to along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway is Todd Lake. There, a short trail leads between the parking area and Todd Lake itself, with a few shaded picnic tables dotting the path along the way. Walk to the waterfront to see Broken Top peeking above the horizon, and follow the mostly flat trail that circles Todd Lake for dramatic views of Mount Bachelor.
Pack Locally Grown Goods
Now that you know where you’re going, it’s time to figure out what to pack. Fortunately, you’ll get to choose among farmers markets with fresh fare and recently picked produce, family-run farm stands, and shops with locally sourced selections. Here’s where to grab food for your next picnic.
Well Rooted Farms Produce and U-Pick
Between Bend and Tumalo, Well Rooted Farms Produce and U-Pick hosts u-pick fields that invite visitors to grab their own strawberries and other crops. If you’d rather get in and out, the Well Rooted farmstand is stocked with pre-picked produce (like black cherries and cherry tomatoes) and items from nearby producers—like milk, eggs, honey, tea, lavender, and other seasonal items.
Tumalo Farmstand
For year-round goodies, head to Tumalo Farmstand in its namesake community. The farmstand has been a Tumalo mainstay since 2017 and today offers a feast for the senses. Its selection includes fresh produce from Central Oregon growers (like tomatoes and a variety of berries), hand-made charcuterie boards, packaged granola, canned seafood, bottles of wine, and a variety of other picnic essentials.
Farmers Markets
Growers throughout Central Oregon work hard to bring you their freshest produce—and farmers markets offer some of the tastiest, most convenient opportunities to sample the literal fruits of their labor. You’ll find seasonal markets in Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Madras, and Prineville—along with produce stands and markets that specialize in whatever’s fresh and in-season.
Central Oregon Locavore
The idea behind Central Oregon Locavore is simple: The nonprofit grocery store operates as a year-round farmers market that specializes in meat, eggs, produce, dairy products, pantry items, and more from local and regional producers. All livestock sold at the northeast Bend shop, for instance, must come from ranches that are within 200 miles of the market—and produce must be grown with organic practices.
Schillings Garden Market
Open between mid-March and October, Schilling’s Garden Market has established itself as a go-to resource for some of Central Oregon’s best farm-grown goods just north of Bend. Pick up fresh apples, peaches, berries, and other seasonal produce—as well as packaged snacks like popcorn, toffee, pies, local craft beer, and Oregon wine.
Responsible Recreation: High-Desert Picnic Tips
By now, you know where you’re going and what to grab on the way—but a little planning goes a long way when it comes to savoring the best picnic spots in Central Oregon. Here are a few tips for enjoying the perfect picnic:
Leave No Trace: We’d love for you to keep Central Oregon state parks and other outdoor spaces beautiful for the next generation of picnickers—so please abide by the Leave No Trace principles. That includes packing out what you pack in and resisting the urge to feed wildlife (no matter how cute the animals may be).
Campfire restrictions: For many, a crackling campfire is an essential part of any picnic. Before starting a fire, though, check in with local land managers (like Oregon State Parks or the Deschutes National Forest) to see what campfire restrictions may be in effect.
Wildfire information: Wildfires occasionally flare up around Central Oregon, but they need not ruin your vacation. Visit our page about wildfire and smoke resources to see if any fires are burning (and where). That insight can help you find an area that may be clear of smoke.
What to pack: In addition to your meal and a blanket, be sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and bug spray for an enjoyable picnic.
