Best Hikes Near Bend, Oregon
Bend is ground zero for hiking in central Oregon. The Deschutes National Forest begins at the city limits, and within a 30-minute drive you have access to volcanic summits, alpine lakes, lava fields, and over 1,600 miles of trails. No other city in Oregon comes close to this kind of immediate access to high-quality mountain terrain. Portland hikers who have exhausted the Mt. Hood National Forest options near home often make the three-hour drive to Bend for access to trails they can't get on the west side of the Cascades.
Here are the hikes that make Bend the outdoor town it is.
The Short List
If you have one day in Bend: South Sister Summit if you want the best hike in central Oregon, Green Lakes if you want alpine lakes without the full summit commitment, or Tumalo Falls if you want something easier. All three are outstanding.
Deschutes National Forest Highlights
Every hike on this list is in the Deschutes National Forest, which means you'll need a Northwest Forest Pass ($5/day or $30/year) for parking at most trailheads. Trails in the Three Sisters Wilderness also require a Central Cascades Wilderness Permit ($1/person/day), available through Recreation.gov.
South Sister Summit
12 miles out-and-back, 4,900 ft elevation gain, strenuous
The crown jewel of central Oregon hiking. South Sister (10,358 feet) is the most accessible Cascade volcano summit in Oregon: no ropes, no technical gear, just strong legs and an early start. The route climbs from Devils Lake through forest, past Moraine Lake, and into a volcanic moonscape above treeline. Near the summit, Teardrop Pool sits in the crater at about 10,200 feet, one of the highest lakes in Oregon. On a clear day, views stretch from Mount Rainier to Mount Shasta. Plan for 8 to 12 hours. Central Cascades Wilderness Permit required.
Read the full South Sister Summit trail guide
Green Lakes
9 miles out-and-back, 1,100 ft elevation gain, moderate
Three alpine lakes at 6,500 feet in a basin between South Sister and Broken Top. The lakes are a vivid blue-green from glacial sediment, and the surrounding scenery is some of the best in the Three Sisters Wilderness. This is one of the most popular trails in central Oregon for good reason: the scenery is outstanding and the difficulty is manageable. Get to the trailhead early on weekends, as the lot fills fast. Central Cascades Wilderness Permit required.
Read the full Green Lakes trail guide
Tumalo Falls
7 miles out-and-back, 600 ft elevation gain, easy-moderate
The most accessible big hike near Bend. Just 20 minutes from downtown, the 97-foot Tumalo Falls is visible from the parking area, and the trail continues upstream along Tumalo Creek past a series of smaller cascades through old-growth forest. Dogs allowed on leash. No wilderness permit needed, just a Northwest Forest Pass. This is the trail locals recommend to visitors who ask for an easy option.
Read the full Tumalo Falls trail guide
Broken Top Crater
11.5 miles out-and-back, 2,600 ft elevation gain, strenuous
A less-traveled alternative to South Sister that takes you into the crater of Broken Top volcano. The trail approaches from Todd Lake, crosses alpine meadows, and reaches the colorful interior of the collapsed volcanic crater with turquoise tarns and rust-colored rock walls. The final approach involves some route-finding on loose volcanic terrain. Central Cascades Wilderness Permit required. This hike sees a fraction of the traffic that South Sister and Green Lakes get, making it a better option for solitude.
Bend Glacier Trail
12 miles out-and-back, 2,400 ft elevation gain, moderate-hard
An approach to the base of the Bend Glacier on the north side of Broken Top. The trail crosses the high desert on old lava flows before reaching alpine terrain with views of three glaciers. The landscape here is stark and dramatic: black lava, white snow, and turquoise meltwater. Less crowded than the major Three Sisters trails.
Pilot Butte
2 miles out-and-back, 480 ft elevation gain, easy-moderate
A volcanic cinder cone right in the middle of Bend. The short, steep trail (or the paved road) leads to a 360-degree view of the city, the Cascade peaks (from Hood to Bachelor), and the high desert to the east. This is the quick morning hike that locals do before work. No pass required. Best at sunrise.
Todd Lake Loop
1 mile loop, minimal elevation gain, easy
A short walk around a high-elevation lake at 6,200 feet. The trail is flat, the scenery includes views of Broken Top and South Sister, and the wildflowers in July are excellent. A good option for families, a post-hike cool-down, or anyone who wants alpine scenery without a big effort. Northwest Forest Pass required.
Permits and Passes
Northwest Forest Pass: $5/day or $30/year. Required at most trailheads. America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year) also accepted.
Central Cascades Wilderness Permit: $1/person/day. Required for all entry into the Three Sisters, Mount Washington, and Mount Jefferson wilderness areas from late May through September. Book through Recreation.gov. Day-use permits are released two days in advance at 7 AM Pacific. Popular trails like South Sister and Green Lakes sell out quickly. See our guide on how to get a national forest permit if this is your first time navigating the Recreation.gov system.
When to Hike Near Bend
Mid-July through September is the sweet spot for high-country hiking. Snow lingers at higher elevations (above 6,000 feet) well into June and sometimes July. South Sister is typically snow-free by late July.
June works for lower-elevation trails like Tumalo Falls and Pilot Butte. Higher trails may still have snow.
September and October are the best months overall: fewer crowds, stable weather, and fall color in the aspens and larches. For a full overview of the Deschutes landscape beyond day hiking, see the Black Crater and Paulina Peak trail guides for two underrated Deschutes objectives that pair well with a longer central Oregon trip.
Winter brings cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The Virginia Meissner and Swampy Lakes Sno-Parks offer groomed trails. Cascade Lakes Highway closes from November through late May.
Getting There
Bend is central Oregon's hub. Most trailheads are 15 to 45 minutes from town:
- Tumalo Falls: 14 miles west, 20 minutes
- Green Lakes / South Sister: 27 miles west via Cascade Lakes Highway, 35 minutes
- Todd Lake / Broken Top: 25 miles west, 30 minutes
- Pilot Butte: In the city, 5 minutes from anywhere
The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway (Highway 46) is the main corridor to high-country trailheads. It starts on Bend's west side and runs 66 miles through the heart of the forest's lake country.
Bend is the rare town where the hiking starts at the city limits. You can have coffee on a downtown patio, drive 20 minutes, and be standing at the base of a 97-foot waterfall. Or drive 35 minutes and start climbing a 10,000-foot volcano. That's the pitch, and it's not an exaggeration. Before heading out, brush up on the Leave No Trace principles to keep these trails pristine for everyone.