Bend Tourist Attractions
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Bend lies roughly in the centre of Oregon, in a beautiful setting of lakes and forest. The High Desert Museum has informative displays on the arid regions to the north-west. Among the town's tourist attractions are rafting trips on the Deschutes River and excursions to the volcanic landscapes of Lava Butte and Newberry National Volcanic Monument. 22 mi. south-west of the town is Oregon's largest skiing area, the Mount Bachelor Ski Area (11 ski lifts).
Cascade Lakes Highway
The Cascade Lakes Highway is a scenic route through Deschutes National Forest. Formerly known as Century Drive because it is nearly 100 miles long, the road passes lakes and mountains, offering spectacular scenery. Picnic and campsites are located along the highway.
Fort Rock State Natural Area, Fort Rock, Oregon
Fort Rock is a huge monolith located in the Oregon high desert south of Bend. The rock is actually the remains of an old volcano and looks out of place in the surroundings.
High Desert Museum
The High Desert Museum is located to the south of Bend in Lava River Caves State Park. It brings to life the High Desert experience through exhibits and presentations on the region's history, culture, arts, and wildlife.
Deschutes Historical Center
The Deschutes Historical Center in Bend features a number of exhibits ranging from pioneer items to prehistoric artifacts. It is housed in the historic Reid School.
Pine Mountain Observatory
The Pine Mountain Observatory is located 26mi/42km southeast of Bend at an elevation of 6,500ft/1,980m. The site is operated by the University of Oregon and features three telescopes.
Surroundings
Madras
The small town of Madras (pop. 5,000) is popular with rock climbers featuring a wide variety of rock types. The nearby Deschutes River is a good site for white-water rafting.
Cove Palisades State Park
The Cove Palisades State Park is located in Oregon's high desert region southwest of Madras. It is home to Round Butte Dam and Lake Billy Chinook. Water sports and hiking are popular in this area. Campground facilities and cabins are available within the park.
Redmond
Redmond (pop. 21,100) is located in the high desert of central Oregon north of Bend. The area is close to the Cascade Mountains and offers various recreational activities, including rock climbing, fishing, white-water rafting, and skiing.
Fantastic Museum (closed)
ATTRACTION IS CLOSED.The Fantastic Museum in Redmond displays a wide variety of antiques and collectibles. The site also features amusement rides such as go-carts, bumper boats, skittle bugs, and mini-golf.
Peter Skene Ogden State Park
Peter Skene Ogden State Park is located just north of Redmond and runs along the Crooked River Gorge. The park offers great scenic viewpoints of vertical basalt cliffs and river canyons.
Petersen Rock Garden & Museum
The Petersen Rock Garden & Museum is located to the southwest of Redmond. It features miniature bridges, towers, terraces, and replicas of historic buildings created out of rock and petrified wood.
Crooked River Railroad Company
The Crooked River Railroad Company in Redmond runs along the scenic Crooked River Valley.
Smith Rock State Park
The Smith Rock State Park provides scenic views over a river canyon. This is a popular area with rock climbers. There are hiking trails along the Crooked River.
A R Bowman Memorial Museum, Prineville
The A R Bowman Memorial Museum in Prineville was built in 1910 as the Crook County Bank. It features displays related to the history of the area featuring the City of Prineville Railroad, the lumber industry, and a military exhibit.
Nature Center and Observatory, Sunriver
The Sunriver Nature Center is an indoor and outdoor facility with displays on the region's geology, wildlife, and history. It also features a botanical garden and a nature trail.
