The best winter activities in Bend, Oregon
If you love adventurous outdoorsy destinations, then Bend, Oregon should be at the top of your bucket list! Whether you’re looking for in-town wintery activities, snowshoeing in the mountains, or trying out cross country skiing, Bend is one of my favorite places to visit for outdoor recreation in winter! Below we share 9 of the best winter activities in Bend, along with information on where to stay and what to expect from a winter trip to Bend.
Where to stay in Bend, Oregon
There are a lot of great lodging options in Bend. These are our top 3 recommendations for lodging near Bend, all of which we have stayed at and enjoyed!
- Campfire Hotel – The Campfire Hotel, located in the heart of Bend, is a casual, woodsy budget hotel offering a fire pit, an outdoor heated pool & a hot tub, plus a lounge & a bar. Their beds are surprisingly comfortable, and their morning coffee is fantastic. This is our go-to hotel in Bend.
- LOGE Bend – LOGE Bend is a relaxed “motel” lodge featuring ski lockers & access to hiking & biking trails. LOGE is located very close to Mount Bachelor, making mountain access pretty easy!
- FivePine Lodge – If you’re looking for something more upscale FivePine is a wonderful option. We stayed there last year and each of their cabins are so warm and cozy. FivePine is located in Sisters, Oregon, about a 30 minute drive to Bend. The cabins are tucked away in a peaceful woodland setting, making this a great place for a couple’s escape!
What to Pack for a winter Trip to Bend, Oregon
Bend can get quite cold and snowy in winter. We’ve been to Bend every winter for the past three years, and each time we have experienced snow and ice. Whether you’re driving to your destination, hiking, or walking round town, these are the wintery essentials I’d recommend bringing.
- Tire chains – We have used tire chains every winter we’ve been in Bend. We like these ones because they are easy to install and self-ratcheting.
- Snowshoes – We have tried a lot of snowshoes over the years, and snowshoes by TSL are by far the best ones we’ve owned. They are comfortable, easy to use, and the bindings stay snug the entire hike.
- Microspikes – If you plan to do any walking or hiking, I’d highly recommend packing microspikes. Microspikes are placed over your shoes so that they grip the icy sidewalks or trails when you’re walking, preventing slips and falls.
Winter clothing essentials for bend
See below for some of our go-to gear and clothing essentials for winter adventures in Bend.
- REI Co-op Flash Stretch Rain Jacket (for women and men)
- Midweight puffer jacket – REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket (for women and men)
- Heavyweight puffer jacket – REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie (for women and men)
- Lowa Renegade waterpoof hiking boots (for women and men)
- Lightweight hiking poles
- Microspikes / hiking crampons
- A cozy merino wool sweater (for women and men)
- Garmin inReach Messenger Plus
9 winter activities in Bend, Oregon
Whether you’re looking for snowshoeing adventures, groomed cross country tracks, ice skating, or wintery hikes in-town, below you will find 9 of the best winter activities in Bend. These activities are mostly centered around Bend, with a few destinations a 45-60 minute drive outside of city limits.
Hike to Tumalo Falls
Hiking to Tumalo Falls in the winter, in my opinion, is one of the best winter activities in Bend. In the winter the road leading to Tumalo Falls is closed to cars. This means that visitors can park at the gate near the end of Skyliners Road, and snowshoe or cross country ski to the waterfall. This hike is relatively flat along a snowy road and is 6.4 miles round trip. At the end of the trail you will likely find that Tumalo Falls is shrouded in frozen mist.
Pictured above is Tumalo Falls in winter and in summer from the same vantage point – can you spot the differences?
Snowshoe at Tumalo Mountain
The Tumalo Mountain Trail is a moderately strenuous hike that leads to the peak of Tumalo Mountain. This hike is 4.1 miles roundtrip, and 1,423 feet of elevation gain. On a clear day, at the peak you will be face-to-face with Mount Bachelor, the Three Sisters, Broken Top, and other iconic mountains in the region. We recommend wearing snowshoes for this trail with good traction. Note that Tumalo Mountain and Tumalo Falls are in different areas of Bend. Also be aware that the parking area at Dutchman Sno-Park fills up fast on the weekend and requires a Sno-Park permit. We purchased our Sno-Park permit at the REI in downtown Bend.
Watch Sunset on Pilot Butte
Watching the sunset at the top of Pilot Butte is one of my favorite winter activities in Bend. In the summer months, people can drive their cars to the top of the Butte; but in winter, the road to the top is closed to cars. Instead, visitors must park at the base of the butte and hike a mile up the Butte. Along the way you’ll get great views of the city below and mountains in the distance. The top of Pilot Butte is great for a 360 degree view of the sunset over Bend.
Note: I would recommend packing microspikes in case the trail is icy.
Cross Country Ski at Mount Bachelor Nordic Center
Bend has one of the best cross country ski areas on the west coast! The Mount Bachelor Nordic Center has over 35 miles of trails ranging from easy to advanced! Most trails are groomed. We took a 90 minute “novice” cross country ski lesson with their ski instructors in 2023 and by the end of the lesson we were already skiing intermediate trails! We had so much fun and I definitely think this is one of the best winter activities in Bend! In our experience learning how to cross country ski is WAY easier than learning how to downhill ski. The Nordic Center rents cross country skis and snowshoes for the day.
Hike along the Deschutes River Trail
If you’re looking to stay a bit closer to Bend, the Deschutes River Trail is always one of our go-to trails in town. We hike it every time we visit Bend! This hike starts near downtown Bend, and meanders along a well-maintained trail along the Deschutes River. I would say this hike is easy since it’s relatively flat and 4.4 miles long (round trip). You will see incredible views of the wild Deschutes River surrounded by a Ponderosa pine forest. You’ll feel very immersed in nature, so you’ll hardly believe you are just a few minutes away from downtown Bend.
Snowshoe to a ski hut
If you like hiking or snowshoeing, the Upper Three Creek Sno-Park to Jefferson View Shelter trail is one of the best winter activities in Bend. This trail is about a 50 minute drive from Bend, but well worth the drive. I would describe this hike as easy to moderate at 4.9 miles (round trip) and 702 feet of elevation gain. I love this trail because it felt like I was practically on top of the Three Sisters mountains – they are so close, which look stunning covered in snow!! At the top of the hike, you’ll find the wooden Jefferson View shelter, which is a nice protected place to sit and take in the view. In the winter, we definitely recommend using snowshoes.
Go fat tire biking in the Snow
If you’re feeling adventuresome, I recommend trying fat tire biking in the snow with COG Wild. During our fat tire bike tour with COG Wild in 2023 we began our adventure at LOGE Bend (see “where to stay above” to learn more about why we love lodging at LOGE), and biked for about 2 hours through fresh snow along the Deschutes River. This was definitely a workout, but so fun! Neither of us were experienced mountain bikers, and we still had a blast. The one time I did fall off my bike was into a very soft and fluffy snowbank, so winter is a great opportunity to try this sport!
Hike at Smith Rock State Park
This is another one of our favorite hiking spots near Bend. Smith Rock is a massive rock formation jutting out of the desert landscape. The Crooked River weaves its way through the rocks, creating a striking view! If you’re up for a challenging hike, I’d recommend the 6.2 mile Misery Ridge and Summit Trail Loop, which brings you high up into the rock formations. If you’re looking for an easier trail, then take a stroll along the 4.3 mile Crooked River Trail. When we visited, visitors had to purchase a $5 parking pass (per car).
Note: I would recommend packing extra warm layers since Smith Rock can get windy, as well as microspikes in case the trail is icy.
Ice Skate at The Pavilion
Enjoy some ice skating at The Pavilion, an ice rink near downtown Bend. Open skate is available most days and is open to all ages. They offer all-day skate passes as well as skate rentals, for a pretty reasonable price!
I hope you enjoyed this roundup of the best winter activities in Bend, Oregon! If you’re visiting Bend during the summer, check out our favorite summer hikes near Bend. You can also find more Pacific Northwest travel guides here, and follow along @gwynandami on Instagram for more PNW adventures!
