Best Hikes Near Bend, Oregon
While golf and biking get the lion’s share of attention for summer activities in Bend, Oregon, hiking is also world-class here. From your base camp at the Waypoint Hotel, you can access the trails at Phil’s Trail complex, in the Sisters wilderness, off the Cascades Lakes Highway or Smith Rock State Park. As you can see, the options are plentiful and impressive. And you will be right in the middle of it all.
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Top 5 Day Hikes in Bend, Oregon
Here are the top 5 hikes in the area.
1 Misery Ridge Trail Loop
Location: Smith Rock State Park
Effort: Moderate to extreme
Length: 3.7 miles.
Type: Loop Trail
Notes: Some altitude exposure on the sides of trails but the views are awesome.
Effort: Moderate to extreme
Length: 3.7 miles.
Type: Loop Trail
Notes: Some altitude exposure on the sides of trails but the views are awesome.
2 Green Lakes Trail
Location: Cascade National Scenic Byway
Effort: Moderate
Length: 9 miles.
Type: Up-and-Back Trail
Notes: Views on this hike include waterfalls, a large obsidian lava flow, colorful wildflowers when they're in season, South Sister and Broken Top. A nice swim awaits mid hike to cool off.
Effort: Moderate
Length: 9 miles.
Type: Up-and-Back Trail
Notes: Views on this hike include waterfalls, a large obsidian lava flow, colorful wildflowers when they're in season, South Sister and Broken Top. A nice swim awaits mid hike to cool off.
3 Sparks Lake Trail
Location: Cascade National Scenic Byway is just past milepost 26.
1.6 miles down Road 400.
Effort: Easy, great for the family
Length: 2.8 miles.
Type: Loop Trail
Notes: Includes ancient lava fields, views out over Sparks Lake to South Sister, and a small island in the foreground. Swimsuits or kayaks are recommended for the shallow waters near the trailhead. Picnic tables and restrooms available.
1.6 miles down Road 400.
Effort: Easy, great for the family
Length: 2.8 miles.
Type: Loop Trail
Notes: Includes ancient lava fields, views out over Sparks Lake to South Sister, and a small island in the foreground. Swimsuits or kayaks are recommended for the shallow waters near the trailhead. Picnic tables and restrooms available.
4 Todd Lake Trail
Location: Cascade National Scenic Byway 1.8 miles beyond the Mt. Bachelor ski area
Effort: Easy, great for the family
Length: 1.7-mile
Type: Loop Trail
Notes: Views include Mount Bachelor, large alpine meadows, perfect for a picnic, and depending on the time of year, you can often see wildflowers in bloom. Check the conditions before heading out, snow can linger on this trail late into the summer.
Effort: Easy, great for the family
Length: 1.7-mile
Type: Loop Trail
Notes: Views include Mount Bachelor, large alpine meadows, perfect for a picnic, and depending on the time of year, you can often see wildflowers in bloom. Check the conditions before heading out, snow can linger on this trail late into the summer.
5 Big Obsidian Flow Trail
Location: Near Paulina Lake in Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Effort: Easy, great for the family
Length: 1.7-mile
Type: Up-and-Back Trail
Notes: Geologically outstanding trail. Opens fairly early in the season. Views include heaping mounds of black obsidian, 1,300 years old lava flow (youngest in the state) and pine forest. A stream runs along one side.
Effort: Easy, great for the family
Length: 1.7-mile
Type: Up-and-Back Trail
Notes: Geologically outstanding trail. Opens fairly early in the season. Views include heaping mounds of black obsidian, 1,300 years old lava flow (youngest in the state) and pine forest. A stream runs along one side.
Top 5 Backpacking Trails Near Bend, Oregon
Backpacking is also a favorite pastime in the area. While you can hook up with the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail here, we have selected the top 5 local trails that are a bit less ambitious.
1 Bend Glacier and No Name Lake
Location: Directions, Permit Required
Effort: Hard
Length: 15.2-mile
Type: Up-and-Back Trail
Notes: Beautiful views of Broken Top, South Sister and No Name Lake. Use Offline maps. Steep inclines last 2 miles to the summit.
Effort: Hard
Length: 15.2-mile
Type: Up-and-Back Trail
Notes: Beautiful views of Broken Top, South Sister and No Name Lake. Use Offline maps. Steep inclines last 2 miles to the summit.
2 Broken Top Loop Trail
Location: Directions, Permit Required
Effort: Hard
Length: 25-mile
Type: Loop Trail
Notes: 25 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Bend, Oregon that features a lake and Mountain Views. Only recommended for very experienced adventurers. Best times from April until November. Dogs must be kept on leash.
Effort: Hard
Length: 25-mile
Type: Loop Trail
Notes: 25 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Bend, Oregon that features a lake and Mountain Views. Only recommended for very experienced adventurers. Best times from April until November. Dogs must be kept on leash.
3 South Sister and Green Lakes Loop Trail
Location: Directions, Permit Required
Effort: Hard
Length: 20-mile
Type: Loop Trail
Notes: Best used May through September. Located near Bend, Oregon this gorgeous trail features a lake and is rated as difficult. A summit of South Sister is in your future. Fantastic hike up to Green Lake following a beautiful stream/river and multiple waterfalls. Green Lake is stunning, with Broken Top and South Sister painting the backdrop on either side. Beautiful views of Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Hood in the distance. Dogs are also able to use this trail, must be kept on leash part of the year.
Effort: Hard
Length: 20-mile
Type: Loop Trail
Notes: Best used May through September. Located near Bend, Oregon this gorgeous trail features a lake and is rated as difficult. A summit of South Sister is in your future. Fantastic hike up to Green Lake following a beautiful stream/river and multiple waterfalls. Green Lake is stunning, with Broken Top and South Sister painting the backdrop on either side. Beautiful views of Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Hood in the distance. Dogs are also able to use this trail, must be kept on leash part of the year.
4 Wickiup Plain Loop Trail
Location: Directions, Permit Required
Effort: Moderate
Length: 5.7-mile
Type: Loop Trail
Notes: Located near Bend, Oregon this trail features lake and Mt Views. And gives you a view of the South Sister Trailhead. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. Dogs are able to use this trail.
Effort: Moderate
Length: 5.7-mile
Type: Loop Trail
Notes: Located near Bend, Oregon this trail features lake and Mt Views. And gives you a view of the South Sister Trailhead. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. Dogs are able to use this trail.
5 Three Sisters Wilderness Area Trail
Location: Directions, Permit Required
Effort: Difficult
Length: 46.6-mile
Type: Loop Trail
Notes: Features a waterfall and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and backpacking and is best used from June until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Effort: Difficult
Length: 46.6-mile
Type: Loop Trail
Notes: Features a waterfall and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and backpacking and is best used from June until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
National Forest and Wilderness Permits
The Central Cascades wilderness areas of Oregon are home to iconic mountain peaks, high alpine meadows and lakes, and old growth forests. Crystal clear streams, wildflower meadows, rugged mountain views, young lava flows, and much more can be found in the Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington and Three Sisters Wilderness areas.
Central Cascades Wilderness Permits will go on sale on April 6th at 7:00am for the 2021 season May 28th - September 24th. There are three types of permits available for visiting the Central Cascades wilderness areas of Oregon:
Central Cascades Wilderness Permits will go on sale on April 6th at 7:00am for the 2021 season May 28th - September 24th. There are three types of permits available for visiting the Central Cascades wilderness areas of Oregon:
- Central Cascades Wilderness Permits - Day Use Available Here.
- Central Cascades Wilderness Overnight Permits - Full Season In Advance Available Here.
- Central Cascades Wilderness Overnight Permits - 7 Days In Advance Available Here.