Bend—Oregon

The city of Bend is located in Oregon’s High Desert region, adjacent to the Deschutes National Forest and on the eastern slope of the Cascade Range. Proximity to the forest, mountains, and desert have made the city a popular center for outdoor sports. Possibilities include hiking, mountain biking, paddling, white-water rafting, rock climbing, skiing and even golf.

Bend is also an ideal jumping-off point for exploring all the amazing historic and geological sites in the surrounding area. Here is a short list:

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and the most unspoiled on the planet. Created nearly 8 millennia ago by an eruption and collapse of its peak, the lake is fed entirely by rainwater and snowmelt. Crater Lake National Park was created in 1902 to preserve this pristine space.

Rim Drive allows visitors to drive around the lake. It is said to be one of the most scenic drives in America and allows unfettered viewing of the caldera. 

Newberry National Volcanic Monument

Located inside the boundaries of the Deschutes National Forest, Newberry National Volcanic Monument is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. It is an area rich in lava flows, lakes and a host of other breathtaking geologic features. At the summit of Paulina Peak is the Newberry Crater or more correctly a 17 square mile caldera. 

Oregon Outback Scenic Byway

This byway extends 171 miles from La Pine to the California border. The route passes through the rugged Great Basin region. Visitors can expect to see a mixture of solid rock and prairie landscapes.

Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway

This route takes in 66 miles of the rugged eastern side of the Cascade Range. The road is a century-old highway running from Bend to the intersection of Oregon Route 58. The byway takes its name from the many natural lakes along the route.