Bend
Everything you need to know before you go.
Bend sits in Deschutes County, Central Oregon, between the Cascade Range and the Maury Mountains. It is a year‑round vacation spot for outdoor recreation. You can fly into Redmond Municipal Airport, which sits 16.5 miles north of town on US Highway 97, and connect to flights on American Eagle, Breeze, Alaska Airlines/Horizon, Delta Connection, and United Express. If you prefer driving, the city is reached via US Routes 20 and 97, with the highway coming in from Santiam Pass to the west and from Burns to the east. The Bend Visitor Center at 750 NW Lava Rd Suite 160 (at Oregon Ave) hands out forest, State Parks and Sno‑Park passes and can point you toward local trailheads.
The vibe is laid‑back with a focus on hiking, skiing, and river sports, and the surrounding area offers easy access to the Willamette Valley to the west and the high desert near Burns to the east. You’ll find the historic Hawthorne Station in town and the Redmond Transit Hub for bus connections, while the nearby Bend Municipal Airport at NE Butler Market Rd & Powell Butte Hwy serves general aviation. The city’s mix of mountain scenery and easy highway links makes it a practical base for exploring Central Oregon.
Sightseeing
Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint - 500-foot cinder cone that gives a panoramic view of Bend. $0, Open daily
Outdoor Nature
Drake Park and Mirror Pond - City park with a pond and walking trails along the river. $0, 5AM-10PM
Tumalo State Park - Day-use park with a lake, campsites, and yurts near Bend. $5, Open daily
Smith Rock State Park - Popular rock climbing and hiking area with steep basalt walls. $5, Open daily
Cultural
High Desert Museum - Museum focusing on Central Oregon wildlife and history. $0, 9AM-5PM
Deschutes Historical Museum - Small museum showcasing local pioneer and Native American artifacts. $0, Open daily
Day Trips
Newberry National Volcanic Monument - Expansive volcanic landscape with lava caves, lakes, and trails south of Bend. $5, Open daily
Cultus Lake - Resort area with watercraft rentals, fishing, and cabins in the Cascades. $0, Open daily
Budget (2)
- McMenamins Old St. Francis School – Northwest – $125‑185/night – historic school turned inn with on‑site pub and easy river access.
- The Riverhouse Hotel – Riverfront – $119/night – river‑side rooms, free breakfast and pool, right off Highway 97.
Mid‑range (2)
- Waypoint Hotel – Northeast – price not listed – pet‑friendly suites, hot breakfast and Black Bear Diner on site, steps from downtown.
- Shilo Inns Bend Hotel – East side – price not listed – outdoor pool and hot tub, quiet location near O.B. Riley Road.
Luxury (2)
- The Oxford Hotel – Northwest – price not listed – boutique suites, steam room, sauna and fitness studio in a historic building.
- McMenamins Old St. Francis School – Cottage – $185‑395/night – larger living space, private kitchen and extra amenities in the same historic property.
Restaurants (4‑6)
- Black Bear Diner – casual American, NE 3rd St (near Waypoint) – hearty breakfast plates and classic diner fare.
- Brewery pub fare at the on‑site pub of McMenamins Old St. Francis School – Northwest – simple pub dishes and local brews.
- Riverhouse Hotel’s river‑view dining area – Riverfront – upscale American entrees with a view of the Deschutes.
- Oxford Hotel’s in‑house restaurant – Northwest – refined menu featuring seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients.
- Additional brewery pub options in the Old Mill District – various neighborhoods – casual meals and craft beers across the river.
- Late‑night taco spot on 97 Business – East side – quick Mexican bites after a night out.
Getting to Bend
By plane
The closest airport with regular commercial service is Redmond Municipal (RDM).
- IATA code: RDM
- Location: 16.5 mi north of downtown on US 97, accessed via SE Airport Way.
Typical round‑trip fares from major hubs (prices vary by season and how far in advance you book)
- Phoenix (PHX) – $180‑$250
- Portland (PDX) – $80‑$130
- Denver (DEN) – $150‑$220
- Seattle (SEA) – $120‑$180
- Los Angeles (LAX) – $200‑$300
- Salt Lake City (SLC) – $170‑$240
- San Francisco (SFO) – $190‑$260
Ground transport from RDM to downtown Bend
- Taxi or rideshare (Uber/Lyft) – $30‑$45, about 30 minutes depending on traffic.
- Public bus: Cascade East Transit route 24 stops at the airport curb and drops you off at the Hawthorne Station hub in the NE Hawthorne neighborhood. Fare is $2, travel time roughly 45 minutes.
- Shuttle Oregon runs a shared van from the airport to the downtown transit center on weekdays; $35 per person, 35‑minute ride.
If you fly into Portland (PDX) instead
PDX is 160 mi northwest of Bend and offers many more carrier options.
- Typical round‑trip fares from major cities: $100‑$200.
- Ground options to Bend:
- Greyhound or similar intercity bus – $30‑$45, 3.5‑4 hours, departs from the Portland Greyhound station near downtown.
- Shuttle Oregon – $35‑$50, 3.5‑4 hours, picks up at the Portland airport curb and drops at the Hawthorne Station in Bend.
- Rideshare to the airport and then a bus – similar cost, longer total time.
By car
- From Portland: take I‑5 south to Albany, then US 20 east over Santiam Pass and through Sisters to Bend. About 3 hours, 170 mi. Gas cost roughly $30‑$40.
- From Seattle: I‑5 south to Portland, then US 20 east as above; total 5‑6 hours, 340 mi, gas $45‑$55.
- From San Francisco: I‑5 north to Portland, then US 20 east; about 11 hours, 660 mi, gas $80‑$95.
- From Boise: US 20 east directly into Bend; 3‑4 hours, 200 mi, gas $25‑$35.
By bus (intercity)
- CoBreeze runs from Portland, Gresham, and the Portland airport to Bend. Stops include Hawthorne Station, Redmond Airport, and the Redmond Transit Hub. Fare $30‑$45, travel time 3.5‑4 hours.
- Cascade East Transit local routes connect Redmond, La Pine, Mt Bachelor, Madras, Prineville, Sisters, and Warm Springs from the Hawthorne Station hub. Single ride $2, schedules posted online.
- Grant County People Mover serves eastern routes through Redmond Airport and Prineville; fares $2‑$3 per ride.
- Shuttle Oregon also offers a Portland‑to‑Bend service via Sisters and Salem; $35‑$50, 3.5‑4 hours.
Train
There is no direct rail service to Bend. The nearest Amtrak station is in Portland; from there you can catch any of the bus options listed above to reach Bend.
Practical tips
- Book flights at least 4‑6 weeks ahead for the lower fare ranges.
- If you’re traveling in winter, check road conditions on US 20 and US 97; snow can add 30‑60 minutes to drive times.
- Rideshare apps work reliably from the airport, but peak times may require a short wait.
- Public transit passes are not needed for single rides; exact change is not required – cash or mobile payment works.
- Most bus companies allow you to reserve a seat online or by phone; doing so guarantees a spot on the more popular routes.
That’s the quick, no‑fluff rundown of how to get into Bend and move around once you’re there. Safe travels.
Best time to visit Bend
Peak season: June through August. Warm weather makes hiking, mountain biking and fishing comfortable. The Bend Summer Festival takes place in July and draws many visitors, so lodging and restaurant demand rise in the downtown core and the Old Mill District.
Sweet‑spot: May and September. Temperatures are mild, crowds thin out and prices ease a little compared with July and August. You can still enjoy the river trails and the Cascade foothills without the summer rush.
Avoid: December through February if you prefer dry conditions. Snow is common and many trailheads close, though the ski areas around the Maury Mountains attract winter sport lovers.
Typical temperatures: Summer days reach the mid-70s to low-80s Fahrenheit; nights drop to the 50s. Winter highs hover around 30 to 40 degrees, with lows often below freezing and occasional snowstorms.
Events to time around: Bend Summer Festival (July), Bend Brewfest (August), Bend Oktoberfest (September) and Winterfest (December). Each draws local crowds and can affect availability and cost in the downtown area and the Riverbend neighborhood.