Bend see · Bend attractions
All Destinations | Europe | Asia | North America | Africa | South America | Oceania | Hotels
Bend attractions
Bend attractions
High Desert Museum, . The High Desert Museum is Located just south of Bend on Highway 97. The High Desert Museum is a great way to gain educational experience about some of the animals and habitat that go along with Central Oregon. The High Desert Museum is open on weekdays from 9AM-5PM.
Historic Tower Theatre
Smith Rock Smith Rock State Park encompasses 651 acres on the Oregon high desert plateau which hovers around 3000 feet in elevation. The park and campground are open year-round. A $5 day use permit or a current state park camp receipt is needed for each vehicle. A yearly permit is available for $30. Hiking trails offer spectacular views of the surrounding area. You can spend 30 minutes walking along the river or a half day making a loop on the entire trail system that extends outside of the park. The major rock faces are composed of welded tuff (compressed volcanic ash) reaching a height of up to 550 feet. The picnic and campground areas sit on top of the rimrock which is made up of columnar basalt. There are over 1400 climbing routes in and around the park ranging from some of the best sport climbs in the world to... “Why would anyone want to climb that pile of choss”. People climb year-round, but summer temperatures can reach 100+ degrees (f), and in the dead of winter the thermometer stays close to the freezing mark (32f) during the day. Spring and fall are the most popular climbing months.
Deschutes River The Deschutes features ruggedly beautiful scenery, outstanding whitewater boating, and a renowned sport fishery for steelhead, brown trout, and native rainbow trout. The Upper Deschutes features primarily flatwater boating with limited whitewater and excellent trout fishing opportunities. The Middle Deschutes has excellent hiking opportunities with spectacular geologic formations and waterfalls, but boating is limited. The Lower Deschutes offers the greatest opportunities for whitewater rafting and is one of Oregon's premier steelhead and trout fisheries
Newberry National Volcanic Monument South of Bend, See lava flows, explore lava caves and ice caves, fishing for trophy rainbow and brown trout in the two alpine lakes at the Newberry caldera (East Lake & Paulina Lake) and explore the massive Obsidian Flow. There are hiking trails, camping and resorts. Also snow parks, winter cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Visit the Lava Lands Visitor Center for information.
Cascade lakes and Mountains These areas are spectacular. Take a drive on the Cascade Lakes Highway and you can go to Sparks Lake, which is ideal for canoing and kayaking, the Twin Lakes, Elk Lake and more while taking in some beautiful mountain scenery at the same time. Many of these lakes offer fishing, camping, and trailheads for hiking up into the mountains. Along the Cascade Lakes Highway, you can access trailheads as well as snow parks for snowmobiling in the winter.
Cultus Lake is located about 45 minutes outside of Bend, Oregon, on the cascades lake highway. At the lake there are a number of activities and facilities available for tourists, all centered around the crystal clear waters of the lake. At Cultus Lake there are a number of activities available. The resort's main attraction is its water sports. One can rent a number of watercrafts including: Jet skis, Motorboats, Canoes, Kayaks, Paddleboats, and party boats. Gas and oil can be purchased on site. Another popular activity at Cultus is the fishing. The lake is filled with Rainbows, Bass, Mackinaws and Browns. There are also beaches where people can swim and enjoy the water from another perspective. At the lodge there is a restaurant open to the public. They serve a wide variety of food here and it is reasonably priced. One can also purchase groceries, although the selection is limited and prices higher than a supermarket. Cabins are available to rent at Cultus Lake. The cabins are near the lake, and have fireplaces, kitchens and appliances. There are a number of campsites available on and near the lake. They are operated by the National Forest Service, and have a small per night fee. There is running water, toilets and parking available to campers, however there are no R.V. hook ups.
Elk Lake is located about 11 miles past Mount Bachelor and just a short drive out of Bend, Oregon. It is known for its mountain scenery and relaxed atmosphere. It has clear water, making it popular to people seeking water activities. The Lake is 405 acres in size, with a depths ranging from 25'-75. The elevation of the resort is about 4884'. At Elk lake fishing is a popular activity. The lake is filled with Kokanee and brook trout. In the summer months the lake is planted with brook trout. Popular fishing techniques include: still-fishing, trolling and fly fishing. Boating is also permitted at Elk Lake. At the resort there are paddle boat, canoes, and sail boats available to rent. Prices for these boats are fairly reasonable and can be checked out by the hour or by the day. Larger motor boats are not allowed to help maintain the peacefulness on the lake. There are a number of boat docks that surround the lake to make launching a boat relatively easy. Swimming is easily accessible at the sunset and beach areas of the lake. If hiking is your choice there are miles of trails that circle the lake. At the resort there is a restaurant open to the public. It serves a wide variety of food, specializing in their hamburgers. For dessert they have a small ice cream parlor with about a dozen different flavors. There is also a small store where groceries can be purchased. Cabins are available to rent, and can be checked out at the main resort. They vary in size and location. Camping can be done at a number of different sites in the area. The different sites include: Little Fawn Campground, Little Fawn Group Camp, Point Campground, and Elk Lake Campground. There are also areas reserved specifically for day use.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Bend
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Bend - updated May 2024
SAVE up to 75% on Last Minute deals! Search for discount Bend hotels, motels, apartments, hostels, guest accommodations and vacation resorts. Book now and pay at the hotel. Instant email confirmation!
>>> SEARCH FOR DEALS <<<
WHERE TO TRAVEL NEXT IN 2020
Bend Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.