The Best Photography in Bend

Just a mere 15 minutes outside of Bend, Oregon the Bessie Butte Trail is a wonderfully scenic hike to overlook Bend on one side and the Deschutes National Forest on the other. The butte provides an excellent view of the surrounding mountains of which there are many: Mount Bachelor, The South Sister, The Middle Sister, The North Sister, Mount Hood, and in the distance, Mount Adams. Be aware that...

The Deschutes River Trail is a must do mountain bike ride or hike in between Sunriver and Bend, Oregon. The river varies from calm water to waterfalls. The trail follows along the river and goes through pine forests, meadows, and lava flows. Most of the single track is smooth with a few more technical rocky sections.   This trail can be accessed from Meadow Day Use Area, as well as the followin...

The viewpoint is only footsteps from the parking area, and gives the best view of the 89-foot falls. A half mile trail leads visitors up to the upper viewpoint, right next to the falls. From there, Middle Tumalo Falls is around one and a quarter miles up the trail and Happy Valley is around three miles and a thousand feet up.Along the way, there are a dozen or so smaller waterfalls and scenic p...

If you are looking to Hike to Tumalo Falls in any season other than winter, click here!In the summer, Tumalo Falls can be a great destination to drive up and hang out due to the fact that you can park near the base of the falls. Because of this, it can get quite crowded! However, in the winter, this falls is much more secluded, and in my opinion, much more photogenic!Your snowshoe will start at...

...Deep in the central Oregon Forest is a cave that is surrounded by Juniper Trees, Ponderosa Pines and the landscape of a secret volcanic underground world! This short hike is located roughly 12 miles East of Bend, and makes for an epic adventure for all to enjoy. A little history on the cave...it was created by a basalt lava flow roughly 80,000-90,000 years ago. It was originally called "Croo...

The Tam McArthur Rim Trail is a day hike in the Three Sisters Wilderness that will have you gaining about 1,500' of elevation for beautiful views of Three Creek Lake and the surrounding Three Sisters Mountains. On a clear day you can also catch a peak of Mt. Bachelor Ski Area.  The trail is less crowded than others in the area which might make it more difficult to follow, especially after a sno...

The hike takes you along a glacial lake and to unbeatable mountain views at the end. It’s a hidden gem! The trail isn’t marked and the best way to get there is know someone that’s been before. The lake is unbelievably beautiful with deep blue glacial water and the view of the mountains at the end of the hike is literally the best I have ever seen. From the viewpoint you can see the peak of Brok...

This 8.5 mile roundtrip hike to Green Lakes basecamp gains elevation gradually as it meanders along beautiful Fall Creek with numerous small cascades. Depending on the season (expect significant snow on the trail through early-to-mid June) the stark contrast of the snow with creek is beautiful, though the wildflowers blooming in the meadows along the creek in the summer are equally beautiful. I...

There is an official trail to the summit that begins just North of the Dutchman Flat Sno-Park parking area. The trail is signed and states 1.5 miles to the summit. When there is snow on the ground, you will not see the the official trail. You will need snowshoes or skins, but you just head straight up the mountain from the parking area, following any broken trail you can find.You cannot get los...

Start by parking at Dutchman Flat Sno-Park, which is located just opposite to the base area at Mt. Bachelor. If you're doing this adventure during the summer, late spring, or early autumn you should be able to follow the Tumalo Mountain hiking trail all the way to the top. However, if you're visiting during late autumn, winter, or early spring there is most likely still snow covering the ground...

Todd Lake is a beautiful yet small lake just 24 miles West of Bend. Its location is perfect for accessing Broken Top Mountain, and even better for the view of Mount Bachelor.Spend a day at Todd Lake and enjoy fishing (mostly rainbow trout), swimming, and free access to three different locations of campsites.Take the beautiful walk around the lake (Approx. 1.5 miles) and enjoy all the different ...

Bend, Oregon has a deserved reputation as one of the top mountain bike destinations in the country. Unless you are from the area, you might not be familiar with nearby Sisters. Sisters is a sleepy western-themed town of 3,000 better known for it's annual rodeo and quilt festival but the locals have been quietly building a vast mountain bike trail system with the Peterson Ridge Trail as the star...

Starting in the "Old West" town of Sisters, Oregon and ending at Smith Rock State Park outside the small town of Terrebonne, this route takes riders past a variety of historical sites, shows the gentle curves of the Deschutes River and frames spectacular views of the Cascade Mountains, and ends with the dramatic walls of Smith Rock State Park. You can plan to do this in two hours one-way if you...

Park your vehicle at the Green Lakes Trailhead, grab your gear and head for the trail.Since this hike enters the Three Sisters Wilderness, be sure to fill out the required information to obtain a free self-issued day use permit at the registry station.Starting at an elevation of 5,500 feet, the beginning of the trail is relatively flat. Almost immediately, you will cross a bridge over Fall Cree...

Park your vehicle in the bivouac parking area and hike 200 yards west to the tent campsites. Set up your home away from home at one of the undesignated cliff side campsites overlooking the park. Although it is famous for rock climbing, Smith Rock also boasts an extensive trail system. The best hike meanders along the Crooked River, then over the top of well-named Misery Ridge, and eventually lo...

Just a quick 26-mile drive from Bend you'll find Sparks Lake, where shallow water, amazing lakeside camping grounds, and the possibility of catching a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis make for some of the best weekend camping in Oregon.Pay for a site or park along the road before you come to the "Camping Fee" signs and carry in your gear. You're guaranteed to come across an epic spot and spend th...