If you have ever made the trek to Oregon, you probably know that the state is full of incredible attractions and activities centered around nature. From amazing hiking trails towering spires, and deep canyons to crystal blue lakes, there is something for everyone to enjoy—even those are do not typically get outside on vacation. When planning your next trip to Bend, there are a few things to consider. Here is how you can plan for your nature and wildlife journey to Bend sightseeing:
Wanderlust Tours
Why settle for exploring an unknown area when you can have the professionals take you around? That is the mindset of Wanderlust Tours, who have been operating since 1993 to positive praise. You will find a variety of tours that will take you to all the places you need to see. Tours vary by the season, with multiple options for all seasons, including winter. During the summer, explore lakes and caves or go canoeing under the moonlight. The winter months provide exciting snowshoeing and snow tours. You can even pair your tour with a Brews and Views option that lets you try out the best of Oregon’s craft beers. Book your next tour at www.wanderlusttours.com. Tourist attractions in Bend Oregon have something for everyone!
Natural Outdoor Attractions
If you want to explore Bend on your own, you will find plenty to explore around the area. Tumalo State Park is just a short drive out of town and lets you participate in fresh water fishing, hiking, biking, and golfing. Mount Bachelor is also nearby, providing even more hiking and skiing in the area before the trails get covered in snow during the winter for incredible skiing. Bend continues to have one of the longest skiing seasons in the country, making it perfect for the skiing enthusiasts during the winter. Hikers will always find the perfect trail during the warmer months of the year.
Mountain bike enthusiasts will find over 500 miles of single-track in the Bend area. With well-maintained trails, riders of all abilities will enjoy themselves as they hurl themselves downhill and do a lot of dirt-jumping along the way. There are even several lift-served trails too, like Mt. Bachelor’s downhill mountain bike park. And if the weather has been crazy and the trails are snowy, icy, or muddy, fear not. Intrepid bikers can rent fat bikes and enjoy the trails no matter the weather or trail condition.
Take a trek through the Deschutes River Trail for some of the best scenery in all of Oregon. You can view incredible flora and fauna that is only known to the area. During the summer months, plan an excursion down the Deschutes River with a white-water rafting tour. This exhilarating experience will leave you wanting to do it all over again the next day. You can book a guided tour for a few hours of whitewater fun, spend the whole day or an entire week (including overnight camping) shooting down the river rapids. With gentle Class I to those heart pounding Class V rapids, you’ll float and speed through canyons, bump over and around rocks and shoot through that big, splashy whitewater. If you prefer a more mellow vacation experience, book a lazy tubing trip down the river for a gentler, relaxing ride. It all works.
Or check out Lava Butte in the Newberry National Monument (just a half-hour drive outside of Bend) to explore the dormant cinder cone of an ancient volcano and the amazing, shiny Big Obsidian Flow. Fun fact: The surrounding lava flows and other geological features found in the park were used by Apollo astronauts in the mid-60s to train for their moon walks. Newberry Caldera also has twelve trails, fishing and water sports in the caldera’s two lakes, and even a few hot springs. The Newberry National Monument is also home to the Lava River Cave, an amazing mile-long lava tube. You could spend a few days exploring this fascinating park.
The drive out to the Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory is worth it any time of year to see the birds of prey exhibit. There are nature trails, daily activities, a creature cave (with snakes, frogs and toads, and lizards), and swans. Home to the nation’s largest publicly accessible observatory, you can view the starry night skies, check out the meteorite exhibits, and more.
If you’re a bird lover, you don’t even have to leave Bend. Just head downtown for a little shopping, bar hopping, and bird watching. Ticket Mill has free birdwatching guides, and you can rent a pair of binoculars. There are seasonal nature and bird walks year-round too. Bend truly is a nature and wildlife enthusiast’s dream destination.
Bend Sightseeing
There is no better way to enjoy the serenity of the area including Bend sightseeing than in one of our exclusive vacation rentals offered from Bend Vacation Rentals. You will enjoy incredible home features and luxury amenities like no other in our various properties. Choose from spacious multi-bedroom homes to quaint cottages for an experience like no other. Come see why Bend is one of the top travel destinations in all of the Pacific Northwest!
