Bend, Oregon, is located near the Cascade Mountains, where Central Oregon starts to turn into a large desert. This area is perfect for people who love outdoor activities, and the town of Bend is a popular spot for nature lovers and outdoor companies.
One of the best ways to explore this area is by hiking. There are trails that take you to waterfalls, lakes, forests of pine trees, snowy mountains, and even desert areas.
Whether you want to see the desert and rocky cliffs at Smith Rock State Park, hike up mountains to find alpine lakes, or take a peaceful walk by the river, keep reading to discover some of the best hikes in Central Oregon!
Where is Central Oregon?
When you think of Oregon, do you picture lots of rain, green forests, and big waterfalls? Well, that’s only a small part of the state! Most of Oregon is actually desert.
Central Oregon is on the east side of the Cascade Mountains, which is much drier. Bend, the largest town in Central Oregon, is famous for outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, rock climbing, and fishing. It’s a must-visit spot if you’re traveling through Oregon!
Bend is about 3 hours south of Portland. You can fly into Redmond Municipal Airport (20 minutes away) or Portland International Airport (3 hours away). The drive from Portland to Bend takes you through the beautiful Cascade Mountains to this town of about 90,000 people, right where the mountains meet the desert.
Central Oregon’s landscape was shaped by volcanic activity, and you can still see the effects in the rocks, mountains, and valleys today!
Trails for Every Level of Adventure
Central Oregon has some of the most diverse hiking in the country, with trails that take you through forests, along lakes, and even across volcanic landscapes that look like they’re from a sci-fi movie. There’s a trail for everyone here, so which one will you pick?
- Beginner hikers can explore the family-friendly hikes in Bend with easy, flat trails that still offer stunning views of forests, lakes, and mountains.
- Intermediate hikers can take on trails with moderate elevation gains that lead to beautiful vistas or hidden waterfalls.
- For those looking for a challenge, rugged hikes in Central Oregon will take you deep into the wilderness, offering the chance to experience the area’s remote beauty.
What Makes Bend, Oregon, a Hiking Destination?
Central Oregon offers an amazing variety of trails! You can take an easy walk along the Deschutes River or challenge yourself with a tough hike up into the Cascade Mountains. No matter how much time you have, there’s a trail that fits perfectly into your day—whether it’s a quick hike before visiting the High Desert Museum or an all-day adventure to summit a mountain.
In Bend, there are almost 70 miles of hiking trails within the city itself, thanks to Bend Parks and Recreation. You can also explore hundreds of miles of trails in the Deschutes National Forest. Hike beside sparkling lakes, through pine forests filled with the sounds of birds, or climb mountains for incredible views.
If you prefer the desert, you can check out amazing rock formations or hike through ancient juniper forests, which turn into a winter wonderland when it snows.
When is the Best Time to Hike in Bend?
Bend is a great place to hike all year long! In summer, it can get pretty hot, and parts of Central Oregon are covered in snow during winter, so spring and fall offer the best variety of hiking options.
In the summer, you can escape the heat by hiking in the cooler mountains, and in the winter, the desert is a great spot for hiking since the mountains get lots of snow and can be hard to reach.
If you’re visiting in the winter and want to do more than just hike, Bend is also famous for winter sports like downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Mount Bachelor Ski Resort, just a 20-minute drive from Bend, is the 6th largest ski resort in the U.S. and lets you ski all around the dormant volcano!
Hikes in Bend & Central Oregon
Now that you have a sense of what makes Bend a great hiking destination, let’s dive into seven of the best hikes in Central Oregon:
1. Sparks Lake Loop (Ray Atkeson Memorial Trail)
- Length: 2.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 20 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dogs Allowed: Yes
- Trailhead: Sparks Lake
Sparks Lake is a must-see spot near Bend, even if you’re not planning to hike. But if you do, this easy 2.5-mile trail is worth the walk. Located off the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, Sparks Lake offers breathtaking views of South Sister, which may reflect on the lake’s surface if the water is calm. You’ll also catch glimpses of Broken Top as you hike along the eastern shore.
The trail has two loops that can be combined for the full 2.5 miles or cut through Davis Canyon, a crack in the volcanic rock surrounding the lake. Keep in mind that Sparks Lake is only accessible in the summer since the Cascade Lakes Highway is closed in winter.
2. Green Lakes (Soda Springs Trail)
- Length: 9 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,187 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Dogs Allowed: Yes
- Trailhead: Green Lakes Trailhead
Green Lakes is a stunning alpine lake nestled between South Sister and Broken Top mountains. I hiked this trail as part of a longer backpacking trip, and the whole area is definitely worth visiting. There are plenty of backcountry campsites at Green Lake and nearby, making it a great option for beginner backpackers. After a long hike, Green Lake is perfect for a refreshing swim with beautiful views of the mountains surrounding you.
Keep in mind that both day use and backcountry access require permits from Memorial Day to the last Friday in September, so make sure to plan ahead—permits can be hard to get last-minute!
3. Misery Ridge — Smith Rock State Park
- Length: 2.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet
- Difficulty: Hard
- Dogs Allowed: Yes, on leash
- Trailhead: Smith Rock State Park Parking Area
Smith Rock State Park, located 45 minutes north of Bend, is a must-see for visitors to Oregon. The Misery Ridge trail is a Central Oregon classic, but be prepared for its steep climb! With very little shade, it’s important to bring plenty of water and sun protection for this desert hike.
Misery Ridge offers options to extend your hike, such as combining it with the Summit or River Trails. For a less strenuous option, the Crooked River Trail at the bottom of the gorge offers excellent views from a different perspective.
This trail is known for its views of volcanic tuff stone cliffs and the iconic Monkey Face formation. If you’re lucky, you might spot rock climbers scaling the sheer walls of this beautiful natural landscape!
4. South Sister Summit
- Length: 12 miles
- Elevation Gain: 5000 feet
- Difficulty: Hard
- Dogs Allowed: Allowed on leash
- Trailhead: Devils Lake Campground
The South Sister Summit is a non-technical climb that offers a perfect introduction to volcano summits and happens to be the third tallest peak in Oregon! The trail begins at Devils Lake Campground and climbs steadily along the mountain’s south ridge. The terrain consists of loose rock and dirt in the summer, but snow often lingers in the early season, so crampons or ice axes may be necessary. Trekking poles are highly recommended due to the steep and uneven terrain.
This hike is accessible via the scenic Cascades Loops Highway, which is closed in winter past the ski resort. Be sure to wait until the road opens if you’re avoiding extra miles on foot or bike. Summer hikers should also be aware that permits are required during peak season.
5. Oregon Badlands — Various Trails
- Length: Variable
- Elevation Gain: Variable (minimal)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Dogs Allowed: Yes
- Trailhead: Various
For those looking to escape the crowds and enjoy some solitude, the Oregon Badlands, located about 16 miles south of Bend, offers a peaceful wilderness experience. While it may not provide dramatic high-alpine views, the area’s ancient juniper forests, sagebrush, volcanic rocks, and diverse flora and fauna make it a serene and unique place to explore.
One of the more popular routes is the Trail of Ancient Junipers, a 3-mile loop that takes you through a forest of juniper trees that are over 1,000 years old. For those seeking more adventure, the Flatiron and Castle Rocks Trail visits basalt cliffs formed by lava flows from the Newberry Volcano around 80,000 years ago.
The Oregon Badlands are a quieter alternative to more crowded hiking spots in the Bend area, perfect for an evening stroll or a full day of exploration.
6. Tumalo Mountain
- Length: 4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Dogs Allowed: Yes
- Trailhead: Dutchman Flats Sno Park
Tumalo Mountain is a local favorite in Bend, Oregon, offering spectacular mountain views with a relatively short and accessible trail. It is popular year-round and is particularly known for snowshoeing and backcountry skiing in the winter months. During the summer, it’s a great hike for those looking for a quick but challenging trek with stunning 360-degree vistas.
The trail is a steady uphill climb, gaining elevation rapidly over two miles until you reach the summit. The final stretch to the top is tough, with a straight, steep ascent, but the trail is well-maintained and clear of obstacles. Once you reach the summit, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Mount Bachelor, Broken Top, and South Sister, making the effort well worth it!
7. No Name Lake & Bend Glacier
- Length: 5.5 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 1,420 feet
- Difficulty: Hard
- Dogs Allowed: Yes, on leash
- Trailhead: Broken Top Trailhead (4×4 required)
Hiking to No Name Lake via the Broken Top Trailhead is a must-do for those with a 4WD or high-clearance AWD vehicle. The journey to the trailhead is a rough ride up a rugged dirt road off the Cascade Lakes Highway, adding an element of adventure before the hike even begins.
The 5.5-mile trail takes you through stunning high desert landscapes before the final climb up to the beautiful No Name Lake, a glacier-fed, aqua-blue gem nestled among vibrant, multi-colored mountains. Once you reach the lake, continue further to explore the Bend Glacier and take in a unique viewpoint of the surrounding landscape.
Permits are required during the summer, and while No Name Lake can also be accessed from trailheads like Crater Ditch and Todd Lake, these alternate routes are significantly longer.
