A Bend vacation home is a dream come true for outdoors enthusiasts. Its nickname is "the outdoor playground of the West." The Bend area has some of the very best hiking, fishing, rafting rockhounding, and other outdoor pursuits. Its high desert location allows for lots of summer fun, as well as winter sports. Most days are sunny, with cooler nights that are perfect for stargazing. In the winter, you can ski or snowboard to your heart's content. Here are some wilderness explorations you can sample while you're here:
Upper Deschutes River Trail
This is a perfect introduction to Bend's wilderness from your Bend vacation home. You'll start at the Meadow Camp picnic area, which is where several trails originate. This trail follows the path of the river, past several impressive falls. These include Lava Island falls. This trail is fairly easy for most experience levels.
Lava Cave and Surrounding Area
The Lava Cave is one wilderness sight that should be at the top of your list. It's a black and red cinder cone that's easily visible for several miles around. A trail allows you to hike up to the summit, and a longer trail leads to a fire lookout station. The Lava Cast Forest has a trail running through the impressive lava flows. The cave itself has a mile-long trail leading down into the interior. The inside of the cave is about 40 degrees all year long, so warmer clothing is recommended. Railings and steps are included to make it easier to explore.
Mt. Bachelor
This mountain provides one of the best scenic views in the area. You can either hike to the summit or use a chairlift. The lift lets off at the Pine Mountain Lodge, situated at over 7000 feet, just 2000 feet below the summit. From here, you can easily see Broken Top, the Cascade Lakes, and Three Sisters. The lodge has its own Italian restaurant that specializes in local wines and microbrews. If you choose to travel up to the summit, you'll have great forest and lake views. Park rangers give regular talks about the plant life and wildlife.
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
This protected wildlife area is one of the top bird watching spots in North America. Eleven different species of woodpeckers are found in this area, and you'll likely hear them. The unusual Pygmy Owl can be spotted if you keep a watch for it. Bohemian Waxwings are commonly spotted, and are unique for their gray-and-orange feathers. Robins and bluebirds also make regular appearances.
Smith Rock State Park
This park is one of the top rock-climbing areas in the U.S. The climbing trails accommodate climbers of all levels, with heights of over 500 feet. One of the top climbing spots is Mesa Verde Wall. The 3000-foot elevation of the park allows for some truly great views. From your vantage point, you can see the Crooked River.
Visit Vamoose.com to locate Bend vacation rentals. You can search by location, price, and amenities. Visit Vamoose and start planning your ideal wilderness vacation today.