Summer in Bend, Oregon is famous for a reason. Alpine lakes, winding rivers, scenic trails, and plenty of activities for the whole family. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a Bend regular who comes back every summer, this guide covers the best things to do in Bend, Oregon this summer — pulled straight from our local team's personal playbook.
We've also included recommendations for which Sojourn Homes properties put you closest to the action, so you can spend less time driving and more time actually doing.
Pro tip: Summer is Bend's busiest season. Popular trails, river launches, and restaurants fill up fast, especially on weekends. Get out early, make reservations where you can, and embrace the rhythm of a Bend summer day: adventure in the morning, patio by afternoon.
If you do one thing in Bend this summer, make it a float on the Deschutes River. The stretch from Riverbend Park to Drake Park is the classic with a gentle, scenic float through the heart of the city that takes around 75-90 minutes.
The Float: Put in at Riverbend Park on SW Reed Market Road and take out at Drake Park on Riverside Boulevard. The water is calm, the scenery is stunning, and the whole route winds through some of Bend's most beautiful riverside real estate. The section of the river near the Whitewater Park (about 2/3 of the way through your float) will take you through some mild rapids which you can choose to enjoy or use takeout before then. Tubes, rafts, and paddleboards all work well on this stretch.
Parking & Shuttle Info: Parking at Riverbend Park fills up fast on summer weekends, so plan to arrive early or use the Park & Float Shuttle, located at Simpson Avenue and Bradbury Way. The shuttle is $5/person and saves you the hassle of juggling parking or a long walk back to the car after your float. Reservations are recommended!
Tube & Board Rentals: Several local outfitters rent tubes, rafts, and paddleboards near the river. Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe have rentals available at the Park & Float. Sun Country Tours also has rentals along with a free shuttle (with tube rental) from Bend Park n Ride (90 SW Columbia St) to Riverbend Park.
Want to paddleboard instead? The stretch between the put-in points is manageable for beginner to intermediate paddleboarders, and Mirror Pond near Drake Park is a gorgeous flat-water spot to explore at a slower pace.
Close to the river action: Millpointe Modern, Columbia House, Mill Quarter, and Delaware House are all within easy walking or biking distance of Riverbend Park and shuttles.
Not every Bend summer day needs an agenda. Sometimes the best thing you can do is find a sandy spot near cold water and just stay there.
McKay Park One of our absolute favorite Bend spots, especially when you arrive before 9AM and the crowds are thinner. McKay Park sits right along the Deschutes River with a sandy beach area, shallow splash areas ideal for kids, and easy access to the Deschutes River Trail. Grab coffee from a nearby shop, pack some breakfast, and claim your spot early.
Shevlin Park A little further from downtown but absolutely worth it. Shevlin Park is a nearly 1000 acre natural area along Tumalo Creek with forested trails, picnic areas, and a creek that's perfect for splashing and cooling off on a hot day. The trail network winds through old-growth ponderosa pines and the whole place has a wild, unhurried feel that's hard to find within city limits. Dogs are welcome on leash and the parking lot does fill up, so again, earlier is always better.
Staying nearby: Kingston House, Broken Top #6, and Baltimore Bungalow are both well-positioned for easy access to Bend's Westside parks and trails.
The Cascade Lakes Highway is one of the most scenic drives in all of Oregon, and in summer it's fully open and provides incredible mountain views. Stretching west from Bend toward Mt. Bachelor and beyond, the highway threads through a chain of high-alpine lakes and trailheads that make for a perfect day trip
Our favorite stop: Elk Lake Resort About 33 miles from Bend and situated on the shores of Elk Lake with views of South Sister and Broken Top, the resort offers boat rentals (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, pontoon boats), a casual lakeside restaurant that's genuinely good, and a general store for supplies. It's an ideal full-day excursion, so plan to pack snacks, rent a boat, have lunch at the restaurant, and take your time driving back as the sun gets low.
Hiking nearby: The Cascade Lakes corridor has no shortage of trails. Green Lakes Trail is one of the most popular in Central Oregon. It’s a moderate 9.5 mile roundtrip hike through the Cascade wilderness to a chain of alpine lakes below South Sister. Sparks Lake is another favorite for a shorter, more accessible walk with jaw-dropping volcanic scenery. Note that Wilderness Permits and Forest Passes are required from June 15-October 15. Visit the US Forest Service website for more information.
Base camp for Cascade Lakes adventures: Atomic Ranch, Milepost Manor, Mt. Bachelor Retreat, and Tall Pine Tuckaway are all well-positioned for early morning departures toward the mountains. If you prefer Sunriver, then Sunriver Nostalgia and The Sunstone at Caldera are great options!
Bend is one of the top mountain biking destinations in the country, and summer is when the trail network is firing on all cylinders. Whether you're a seasoned rider or a confident beginner, there's a trail system here with your name on it.
Phil's Trail Complex The crown jewel of Bend's trail network and the first stop for most visiting riders. Phil's Trail is a sprawling system of interconnected singletrack on the westside of Bend. Beginners can stick to the mellow connector trails while advanced riders can string together technical sections for a full day of riding. The trailhead is easily accessible from town.
The Wanoga Complex Located on the way to Mt. Bachelor, the Wanoga trail system includes cross country, technical, flowy, and enduro-style trails with berms, jumps, and technical rocky sections. A great option when Phil's is crowded or you want to mix up your riding.
Mt. Bachelor Summer Lift-Accessed Biking When the snow melts, Mt. Bachelor opens its lifts for mountain biking and the descents are incredible. Lift-accessed trails mean you spend more time riding down and less time grinding up. Bike rentals are available at the mountain if you didn't bring your own.
Riders staying at: Atomic Ranch, Treetop Cottage, Mt Bachelor Retreat, and Milepost Manor are all within easy reach of these mountain biking trails.
Catching a show at Hayden Homes Amphitheater on a warm summer evening is a classic Bend experience. One of the best outdoor music venues in the entire Pacific Northwest, the amphitheater hosts a full season of world-class artists from May through early October with everything from indie rock and country to comedy and classic rock.
Bring a blanket or rent a low-back chair, arrive early to grab food and drinks, and settle in for the night.
Concert announcements roll out in late winter and some of the most popular shows sell out fast. Check the Hayden Homes Amphitheater website for the current lineup and grab tickets as soon as you see something you like.
Walkable from: Mill Quarter, Columbia House, and Millpointe Modern.
Bend's restaurant scene is genuinely excellent, and in summer the city's outdoor dining options come fully alive. Here are our current favorites for a proper Bend patio experience:
Sen Thai — Grab an outdoor dining reservation, and enjoy fresh, flavorful Thai food and drinks on their deck with sweeping views of Mirror Pond.
Bend Brewing Co. — Riverside patio on the Deschutes with cold craft beer, solid food, and one of the best views in the city. An essential Bend summer experience.
Crux Fermentation Project — A sprawling outdoor space with fire pits, pub food, a few food trucks, and some of the most creative beer in Central Oregon. Perfect for kids and leashed pups to enjoy some wiggle room.
Dogwood Cocktail Cabin at the Pine Shed — A hidden gem with a spacious outdoor space. They have a nice array of food trucks along with top notch cocktails that pair perfectly with a sunny day.
The Lot — Bend’s original outdoor food cart pod with something for everyone and a lively, communal atmosphere that captures the spirit of Bend summers perfectly.
Pine Tavern — A Bend institution with one of the most iconic dining rooms in the city — built around a living ponderosa pine tree. The outdoor patio overlooking Mirror Pond is a must in summer. Make a reservation well in advance.
Dining-forward stays: Kingston House, Delaware House, Columbia House, and Treetop Cottage put you walking and biking distance from some of Bend’s best patios.
No summer Bend itinerary is complete without at least one waterfall hike — and Central Oregon delivers two of the best in the Pacific Northwest.
Tumalo Falls Just 12 miles from downtown Bend, Tumalo Falls is a stunning 97-foot waterfall tucked into the Deschutes National Forest. The hike to the base is short and there are views from the parking lot, making it ideal for families and casual hikers. If you want more, continue up the trail for views from the top and deeper into the forest for more river views. Parking fills up fast on summer weekends, so plan accordingly!
Paulina Falls About 55 miles southeast of Bend in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Paulina Falls is a double waterfall that drops 80 feet into a streambed below. The hike itself is short (under a mile) but the scenery is otherworldly, set inside the caldera of a massive ancient volcano. Combine it with a drive around Paulina Lake, a stop at the obsidian flow, or lunch at Paulina Lake Lodge for a full-day adventure that most visitors don't even know exists.
Adventure-ready properties: Atomic Ranch, Milepost Manor, Broken Top #6, and Tall Pine Tuckaway are great bases for early morning departures to both falls.
For a bigger rush on the water, Sun Country Tours is Bend's go-to outfitter for whitewater rafting on the Deschutes River. The Big Eddy Thriller is one of the most popular trips with swimming holes, leisurely currents, and Class 3 rapids for rafters ages 6 and up.
Sun Country handles everything: gear, guides, transportation, and safety briefings. All you need to bring is a sense of adventure and a change of clothes. They run half-day and full-day trips and the guides are knowledgeable, safety-focused, and genuinely fun to spend a day on the river with.
Book in advance as summer trips fill up fast and last-minute availability is rare on peak summer weekends.
Not every summer day in Bend needs to involve a trail or a river. Here are three classics that belong on any Bend family itinerary:
The World's Last Blockbuster The last remaining Blockbuster Video on the planet is right here in Bend, Oregon, and it's delightfully nostalgic. Browse the shelves, take the obligatory photo, grab a movie for a cozy night in at your vacation rental, and appreciate the fact that this place still exists. A Bend rite of passage.
High Desert Museum One of the best museums in the Pacific Northwest and a must-see for families visiting Central Oregon. The High Desert Museum sits just south of Bend on Highway 97 and combines indoor natural history exhibits with outdoor wildlife habitats featuring live birds of prey, otters, a porcupine, and more. The living history exhibits bring the settlement of the American West to life in a way that's engaging for kids and adults alike. Budget at least half a day, as it's bigger and better than most visitors expect.
Downtown Bend & Old Mill District No Bend summer trip is complete without time spent wandering both of Bend's premier shopping and dining districts. Downtown Bend has an excellent blend of locally owned boutiques, bookstores, art galleries, coffee roasters, and restaurants. The Old Mill District, situated along the Deschutes River, includes a mix of national and local retailers (REI, lululemon, Anthropologie) alongside excellent restaurants and river views. An easy way to spend a leisurely summer afternoon.
Summer is Bend's most popular season and our properties book up fast — especially around holiday weekends, concert dates, and peak July and August weeks. If a summer trip is on your radar, locking in your dates early is always the right move.
Sojourn Homes manages a carefully curated collection of vacation rentals across Bend and Central Oregon — each one professionally managed, thoughtfully designed, and positioned to give you the best possible access to everything in this guide.
→ Browse all of our Bend and Central Oregon vacation rentals
Not sure which property is the right fit for your group? Send us a message — we're a local team and helping guests find their perfect Bend home base is genuinely one of our favorite parts of the job.
See you in Bend this summer. 🌲
