Free & Cheap Things to Do in Bend

Parks & Nature

A 500-foot extinct cinder cone volcano rising from the middle of Bend, with a free summit trail offering 360-degree views of the Cascade Range — on a clear day you can count more than a dozen volcanic peaks. The mile-long paved summit road is also open for driving mid-April through October. One of the most accessible volcanic hikes in the country, completely free.

Address: Pilot Butte Dr, Bend, OR 97701

Tip: The hike to the summit takes about 30–45 minutes at a moderate pace. Sunrise and sunset visits offer spectacular light on the Cascade peaks. Free parking at the base. The summit road is open for driving mid-April to October for those who prefer not to hike.

Parks & Nature

Over 12 miles of free multi-use trails winding along the Deschutes River through the heart of Bend — from the Old Mill District through scenic canyon stretches and into pristine ponderosa pine forest. The trail passes through numerous parks, with river access, swimming holes, and wildlife viewing at every turn. Flat and accessible near the Old Mill, more rugged in the canyon sections.

Address: SW Bond St, Bend, OR 97702

Tip: Start at the Old Mill District for easy, flat, paved trail along the river. The south canyon section (accessed from Farewell Bend Park) is wilder and more scenic. Early mornings offer the best wildlife sightings — osprey, herons, and river otters are common.

Parks & Nature

One of the most dramatic landscapes in Oregon — towering 800-foot volcanic tuff cliffs rising above the turquoise Crooked River, with world-class rock climbing routes and spectacular hiking trails winding through the canyon. The Misery Ridge loop is one of the best day hikes in the Pacific Northwest. Just 30 minutes from Bend and worth every mile of the drive.

Address: 9241 NE Crooked River Dr, Terrebonne, OR 97760

Tip: Arrive before 8am on summer weekends — the parking lot fills completely by mid-morning and a shuttle operates from a nearby lot. The Misery Ridge trail is strenuous but the summit views are extraordinary. Bring more water than you think you need — the canyon is significantly hotter than Bend.