A Summer Road Trip to Bend, Oregon
Mountain lakes, fly fishing, river floats and one spectacular stop at Crater Lake—Bend turned out to be exactly the kind of summer escape we needed.
Sometimes the best trips are the ones that get you outside of your usual rhythm.
We decided to drive from California to Bend, Oregon, a place that had been on our list for some time. What we found was a wonderful mix of mountains, rivers, volcanic landscapes, really good food and that relaxed, outdoorsy energy that makes you want to spend the entire day outside.
Bend sits between the Cascade Mountains and Oregon's high desert, so the landscape changes constantly. One minute you're surrounded by a pine forest; the next, you're looking across an almost desert-like expanse with snow-capped mountains in the distance.
And for us, that was a huge part of the appeal.
Make Crater Lake Part of the Journey
If you're road-tripping to Bend from Northern California, Crater Lake deserves a stop.
I'd seen photographs, of course, but nothing quite prepares you for that first glimpse of the water.
The lake fills the caldera of an ancient volcano and, at nearly 2,000 feet deep, is the deepest lake in the United States. The intensity of that blue is extraordinary.
DON'T MISS
Build Crater Lake into the drive rather than treating the journey to Bend as something simply to get through.
Crater Lake
Fly Fishing on the Crooked River
One of my favorite experiences of the trip was also one of the quietest.
We spent four hours fly fishing on the Crooked River, surrounded by this beautiful Central Oregon landscape.
We hired a guide through The Fly Fisher's Place, who organized our equipment and licenses, which made the experience wonderfully easy.
I'm certainly not an expert fly fisher—and perhaps that's why I loved it.
There was something incredibly peaceful about standing in the river, concentrating on one thing and being completely surrounded by nature.
Fly Fished on the Crooked River
Float the Deschutes
For a completely different river experience, get onto the Deschutes.
Floating down the river is almost a Bend summer ritual, and it's such an easy, relaxing way to spend an afternoon. If you want more excitement, there are also white-water rafting options.
We did both during our trip, and I loved that Bend could go from completely serene to adventurous within the same day.
Hike, Explore—and Don't Overplan It
Bend is one of those destinations where the outdoors really is the itinerary.
Our original trip included places such as Tumalo Falls, Benham Falls, Smith Rock State Park and the Cascade Lakes.
But I wouldn't try to check every one off a list.
Choose a couple of hikes or excursions that appeal to you and leave some room for wandering along the river, exploring Bend, stopping for a local beer or simply doing nothing.
That's part of what makes this place work.
What I Loved Most
Bend surprised me.
I expected beautiful scenery and outdoor adventures. I didn’t necessarily expect the great food, craft beer, fun downtown energy and fascinating volcanic landscape that came with it.
But my strongest memories aren’t really of the town itself.
They’re of being outside.
Standing in the Crooked River with a fishing rod. Floating down the Deschutes. Looking into the impossibly blue water of Crater Lake.
And sometimes those are exactly the trips you remember most.
IF YOU GO
BASE: Bend, Central Oregon
DON’T MISS: Crater Lake · Crooked River · Deschutes River · Smith Rock
DO: Hiking · Fly fishing · River floating · Rafting
BEST FOR: Families · Active weekends · Summer road trips · Nature lovers
MBELLISHED TIP: If you’re driving from Northern California, make the journey part of the vacation. Crater Lake is worth the detour.
Bend remains a strong year-round outdoor destination, but some trails, roads and recreation access can be seasonal, so check conditions before setting out.