To many people, a vacation means spending time in a fun location and sharing that with a group of your closest friends and family. Then there are those of us who look forward to spending our vacation in a fun location, but prefer to leave the large group behind. We like it solo. We like being on our own, and doing our own thing. Bend is a great destination for solo travelers because it is a small town with a big heart, and many of the activities are perfect for doing solo. Let’s get started on your solo traveling to Bend Oregon adventure now!
Solo Activities and Attractions in Bend
Take a hike! Stroll along the Deschutes River Trail as it winds along the river and downtown, or a hike up Pilot Butte for a panoramic view of Bend. If you like waterfalls, hike the popular Tumalo Falls. Hike around Sparks Lake, one of the most photographed lakes in the state, then stay for an amazing sunset from one of the viewpoints.
If you’re a mountain bike enthusiast, rejoice! There are over 500 miles of single-track in Bend, including the downhill mountain bike park at Mt. Bachelor, just waiting for you. You’ll find something to do at Mt. Bachelor or the Hoodoo Ski Area, no matter what the season. From skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and tubing during the snowy months to hiking, mountain biking, zip lines, and more the rest of the year.
Serious anglers are used to being solitary. That said, if you’re not familiar with area, and are looking for your first steelhead or a colorful rainbow trout on the end of your line, book a guided trip on Cascade Lake, East Lake, Crooked River, Fall River, the Deschutes River, and more local waterways with one of the area’s knowledgeable fishing guides.
In spring, a few of the best spots for wildflower viewing, birdwatching and scenic hikes are on Iron Mountain and pretty much anywhere in the Oregon Badlands Wilderness. Summer means time for kayaks, canoes, and tubes, and shooting the rapids on the Deschutes or wild Rouge River. Even better, just rent one of our lake-front vacation homes and you can be out on the water in minutes.
More Solo Activities in Bend
And it’s not all strenuous outdoor activities either. There are plenty of things to do at a more leisurely pace. Join a walking tour of downtown Bend’s history and ghosts. Shopping is certainly an easy thing to do solo as you enjoy a stroll through Downtown Bend or the Old Mill District browsing galleries and shops offering local artists’ wares and Bend or Oregon souvenirs.
If you don’t mind drinking alone, you can hit the Bend Ale Trail. You can join a guided tour (and leave the driving to someone else), or tour on your own. A few local breweries to visit are The Ale Apothecary, Crux Fermentation Project and the Deschutes Brewery. And if craft beer’s not your thing, local wineries and distilleries (like Oregon Spirit Distillers) have tasting rooms too. Or you can gather up several bottles from each spot on the Ale Trail list, take them back to your rental, and have your own tasting tucked safely in your rental.
Nearby Attractions
Nearby Smith Rock State Park is a world-famous destination for serious rock climbers and hikers. Known for its unique, dramatic landscape with sheer cliffs, colorful, towering rocky spires, and steep canyons, the park has also been the location for many movies over the years including the original Rooster Cogburn with John Wayne and Kathryn Hepburn.
The Newberry National Volcanic Monument offers a wide variety of experiences and is certainly worth a visit. There are over 100 miles of hiking trails that wind past lakes and waterfalls (don’t miss Paulina Falls), lava flows, and the Newberry Crater, a caldera stretching across the heart of the still active volcano. A hike to Lava Butte’s summit offers panoramic views of the Cascades, The Trail of Molten Lands holds the lava fields where NASA astronauts trained for their moon walk, and the Big Obsidian Flow with over 700 acres of black, shiny obsidian is something you just need to see.
Solo Vacation in Bend
After a long day of hiking over obsidian flows and past cascading waterfalls, you’ll want to head back to your comfy rental for a relaxing evening in front of the fire, or to sit outside on the deck stargazing. Or book a rental with a hot tub, and get those tired muscles ready for tomorrow.
We offer a variety of smaller vacation rentals, all with the amenities you want. Choose from ski-in/ski-out condos or cozy mountain cabins, and from vacation homes near downtown or cabins close to trail heads. Need help finding a rental close to your favorite activities? No worries! Just give us a call today!
