Things To Do in Redmond

If you enjoy scenic views of deep river canyons or rock climbing, Smith Rock State Park is the place for you. There are several thousand climbs in the park. More than a thousand are bolted routes. We also offer miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Along your trip through the canyon, you might see golden eagles, prairie falcons, mule deer, river otters, and beavers.

Visit StateParks.Oregon.gov For More Information

Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe is a locally owned business that has been the cornerstone of Central Oregon paddling for twenty years.

Geoff Frank, now owner and operator, moved to Bend in 2000 to open Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe as manager under its former name, Alder Creek. The operation stayed relatively small for a few years while at the stores original location on Century Drive, eventually growing and moving to the current location in the Old Mill District. In 2008, Frank became owner and renamed the store Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe, in honor of one of the most scenic tributaries of the Deschutes River.

Today, Tumalo Creek is a successful family business, supporting 50-60 staff in the summer months. It is a gathering place for Bend’s thriving paddling community and, at any given time, the store is filled with friends, staff and lifelong customers sharing their stories about adventures on the water.

Whether you want to paddle whitewater rivers or the calm high mountain lakes of the Cascades, Tumalo Creek has the largest selection of paddle gear in Central Oregon to get you outfitted and on the water. Retail, rentals, tours and classes for all ages are accessible, centrally located in the Old Mill District, on the Deschutes River, just upstream of the Bend Whitewater Park. This means you can try boats and boards before you buy. It’s also perfect for boat rentals on the beautiful stretch of river that runs through town.

By supporting Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe you are also supporting the paddle community, outdoor recreation, the protection of our natural environment and our investment in future generations.

Visit TumaloCreek.com To Book

Skydive Bend is the only skydiving center in Central Oregon – come and get your share of high fives and high desert vibes! Their views are beyond beautiful, their team is top-notch, and their gear and facilities are best in class… all they’re missing is you! Get after it!

Located in beautiful Madras, Oregon, Skydive Bend is honored to share the phenomenal sport of skydiving in one of the most picturesque places on planet Earth. They are a tandem-only dropzone, meaning they are fully committed to first time skydivers and those who love to skydive without having to complete copious training.

Visit SkydivingBend.com To Book

Nestled against the majestic Cascade Mountains, Eagle Crest spans a sprawling 1,700 acres and offers unforgettable experiences for every guest. 

Whether you’re a golf enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or just looking to relax, Eagle Crest is your ultimate destination. Guests have access to three year-round golf courses, five sparkling pools, and three sports centers with activities for kids and fitness classes.

Nearby, a world of experiences awaits. In summer, enjoy kayaking, white-water rafting, and fishing. Winter brings opportunities for snowboarding, skiing, and ice skating. Year-round, explore hiking, biking, and horseback riding. At Eagle Crest, you’re truly at the heart of it all.

Visit Eagle-Crest.com To Book

Bend Whitewater Park is your go-to spot for river adventure in the heart of Bend, Oregon. Located on the Deschutes River near the Colorado Avenue Bridge, the park features three unique channels: a gentle float channel for tubing, an action-packed whitewater channel for kayakers, surfers, and paddleboarders, and a protected habitat channel for local wildlife. Whether you’re looking to catch a wave, take a relaxing float, or just soak up the river vibes, Bend Whitewater Park offers the ultimate mix of fun, safety, and natural beauty—right in downtown Bend.

Pilot Butte, a striking cinder cone formed by an extinct volcano nearly 190,000 years ago, is one of Bend’s most iconic landmarks and a must-visit for hikers of all levels. This quick, rewarding hike right in the heart of town leads to sweeping, panoramic views—snow-capped Cascade peaks to the west and endless high desert landscapes to the east. At the summit, soak in the breathtaking scenery and explore informational signs that share the area’s rich history and natural wonders, making your visit both awe-inspiring and educational.

There’s a little bit of everything at Elk Lake. Anglers, windsurfers, kayakers, and paddleboarders all share the remarkably clear water. The Three Sisters tower over the north end of the lake while Mt. Bachelor makes its presence known on the eastern horizon. It’s easy to get comfortable here. Elk Lake Resort rents private lakeshore cabanas. You can even nab your very own floating dock complete with tables, chairs, umbrellas, a BBQ, and a gazebo for up to 24 people. Throughout the summer, the resort puts on a weekly concert series with free live music by talented local and regional musicians. Hike a section of the nearby Pacific Crest Trail, just one mile from Elk Lake. 

After you’ve worked up an appetite, treat yourself to a bite at the resort’s restaurant, serving burgers, sandwiches, salads, and other American fare with indoor and outdoor seating. When you’re ready to rest your head for the night, take your pick from cabins, camping cabins, glamping tents, RV spots, and tent sites. Elk Lake is one of the few Cascade Lakes that also offers winter operations.

Zipping through the trees. Charging a series of perfectly linked turns. Soaring down the slopes. Breathing in the 360-degree views from the top of the Cascade Mountain Range. These simple phrases may provoke images of a snowy winter day on Mt. Bachelor, but they apply just as well to a hot August day on the hill.

While winter sports put Mt. Bachelor on the map, they’ve worked hard to expand their fun summer activities over the last decade. Today, Mt. Bachelor operates one of the Northwest’s premier lift-served mountain bike parks. But there are also five other big draws to this mountain destination in the warm months, and we’ve detailed them here.

Wanderlust Tours is an outdoor tour company specializing in unique, naturalist-guided outdoor experiences in the Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters areas. They’re the premier specialist for Central Oregon outdoor activities, offering a variety of experiences such as canoeing, kayaking, snowshoeing, caving, hiking, and more. Renowned for their knowledgeable, approachable, and professional guides, Wanderlust Tours goes above and beyond to help connect guests of all ages and abilities to the great outdoors and instill an appreciation for the natural world. 

In the summer, paddle out in the onto the pristine waters of a Cacade lake on a moonlit canoe tour. Go underground and explore the vast network of lava caves. Or get a front-row seat for a vivid sunset at the top of a lava butte on a Volcano and Sunset Hiking Tour.

In Central Oregon’s high desert, Bend is famous for its dog-friendly vibe, outdoor adventures like hiking, skiing, and mountain biking, and a booming beer culture, but it’s also home to a growing wine scene. Over the past decade, local winemakers and even a few grape growers have worked to complement Bend’s breweries with locally crafted wines, despite the challenges of its sunny, dry, and cool 3,000-foot-elevation climate. Visitors can explore three standout wineries: Volcano Vineyards, Bend’s only urban winery producing popular sangria and blends since 2004; Maragas Winery, where Doug Maragas uses traditional Greek winemaking techniques to craft bold wines while experimenting with over 20 varietals; and Faith, Hope and Charity Vineyards, a stunning destination named after the Three Sisters mountains, offering cold-hardy hybrid varietals like Marechal Foch and La Crescent alongside gorgeous views and events. 

Fly fishing around Bend is a highlight of Central Oregon, with access to world-class waters like the Lower Deschutes, Crooked River, Cascade Lakes, and more—all within an hour’s drive of town. Several top outfitters cater to all skill levels, including Confluence Fly Shop, located in the Old Mill District, which offers gear, classes, and a laid-back atmosphere to unwind after a day on the water. The Patient Angler, a local staple since 1984, is known for expert advice, fly-tying, and education from a seasoned crew. Griff Marshall Outdoors specializes in guided drift-boat trips and multi-day adventures on the Lower Deschutes and beyond, while Buried Hook, led by Stephen Avery, focuses on wade-and-walk trips on the Crooked River with a strong catch-and-release, leave-no-trace ethic. With passionate guides and a supportive angling community, Bend is a must-visit destination for fly fishers year-round.

The High Desert Food Trail offers a self-guided journey through Central Oregon, showcasing stunning landscapes, resilient farms and ranches, artisan makers, and farm-to-table dining across 52 stops from Sisters to Prineville. Travelers can sip coffee at Sisters Coffee Co., browse local goods at Sisters and Bend farmers markets, and enjoy bites from food trucks and eateries like The Barn, Dump City Dumplings, and Sisters Meat and Smokehouse. Wine lovers can take in breathtaking views at Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards, while cider and spirit enthusiasts can unwind at spots like Legend NW Cider Company, Badlands Artisan Distillery, and New Basin Distilling Company. Along the way, visitors can experience ranch life at DD Ranch or Crescent Moon Ranch, pick lavender at Smiley’s, and stay at scenic retreats like Brasada Ranch or Wine Down Ranch, making the trail a flavorful way to explore Central Oregon’s vibrant food and drink culture.

At Bend’s Worthy Brewing, the Hopservatory blends craft beer with cosmic exploration, featuring a three-story observatory with a 17-foot rotating dome and 16-inch reflecting telescope for stargazing. Led by longtime Oregon Observatory manager Jerry Niehuser, visitors can explore the immersive ground-floor “Transporter” art space, learn about the universe in the multi-media “Control” room, and head to the dome for guided night sky tours, solar viewings, or lessons on planets, galaxies, and nebulae. Surrounded by a beer garden, hop yard, and Worthy’s bustling brewery, the Hopservatory is a family-friendly destination where proceeds benefit the Worthy Garden Club, supporting science education and community programs.

Mt. Bachelor’s Zip Tour delivers the Northwest’s steepest, fastest, and highest-elevation zipline experience, dropping riders 1,400 vertical feet over three stages at speeds nearing 70 miles per hour with breathtaking views of Tumalo Mountain, South Sister, and Broken Top. This two-hour adventure pairs adrenaline with control thanks to a unique rider-operated braking system and dual side-by-side lines, letting you adjust your speed and race or cruise with a partner. After a safety orientation and practice run, participants ride the Pine Marten chairlift to 7,800 feet and launch down three thrilling ziplines, including the dramatic “Broken Top Drop” finale. Open to ages 10 and up, the tour combines Mt. Bachelor’s stunning alpine scenery with an unforgettable rush.

Central Oregon’s Golf Trail offers 30 courses within an hour of Bend, blending top-ranked destinations, scenic resort tracks, and affordable municipal gems set against the dramatic backdrop of the high desert and Cascade Mountains. Golfers can tackle iconic courses like Sunriver Resort’s Crosswater, where rivers and wetlands challenge players beneath the gaze of Mt. Bachelor, or the sustainable Tetherow, with its mix of mountain and desert landscapes and unique touches like GolfBoards and Finn scooters. Pronghorn Resort boasts two Top 100 courses by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio, while Sisters’ Aspen Lakes features red cinder bunkers and sweeping mountain views. Black Butte Ranch’s Glaze Meadow and Big Meadow, Redmond’s Juniper, Prineville’s Meadow Lakes, La Pine’s Quail Run, and Terrebonne’s Crooked River Ranch — home to a thrilling gorge-lined hole — round out the trail, making Central Oregon a bucket-list destination for every kind of golfer.

If you’re looking to beat the summer heat while exploring Oregon’s volcanic past, a guided tour of Skeleton Cave near Bend offers a cool, fascinating adventure. Located in Central Oregon’s High Cascades volcanic landscape, Skeleton Cave is a nearly 3,000-foot-long lava tube formed by ancient flows from Newberry Volcano. With a constant temperature of 44°F, the cave is named for the animal bones found inside, including those of a giant bear once 20% larger than today’s species. Wanderlust Tours leads small, expert-guided trips into this pitch-black underground tunnel, sharing insights about its formation and history while protecting its fragile environment. Perfect for curious explorers of all ages, these limited-access tours provide a unique, hands-on glimpse into Oregon’s fiery geological past.

The Twin Bridges Scenic Bikeway in Central Oregon is a 36-mile, moderate loop that offers riders a stunning mix of city culture, high desert landscapes, and mountain views. Starting at Bend’s picturesque Drake Park, the route follows smooth roads through wetlands, ranches, and rock formations, crossing the Deschutes River twice via its namesake bridges. Along the way, cyclists pass through Shevlin Park, Tumalo village, and Tumalo State Park, with plenty of spots to rest and enjoy the scenery. The loop climbs about 500 feet near Tumalo before a long, rewarding glide back to Bend. The route is best ridden clockwise for safety and features bike lanes on busier sections. Open from late February to November, it’s a perfect way to experience Central Oregon’s natural beauty and outdoor lifestyle.

Tetherow Lodge, opened in 2014 near Bend, Oregon, is an upscale boutique lodge offering premium accommodations with stunning views of the Cascade Mountains. Set on 700 acres adjacent to the Deschutes National Forest, it combines luxury and outdoor adventure, featuring spacious rooms with fireplaces and patios, access to an award-winning 18-hole championship golf course, a fitness center, and year-round heated pool. Guests can enjoy on-site dining with locally sourced menus and easy access to activities like skiing, hiking, and mountain biking, making it an ideal destination for both relaxation and exploration.

The Old Mill District in Bend is a historic area that was once the center of the city’s lumber industry, hosting two large mills that powered the local economy well into the 20th century. After the mills closed, the area was left with vacant industrial sites that stood unused for years. However, Bend transformed this space into a lively and attractive destination, now bustling with boutiques, restaurants, art galleries, and cozy cafés—making it a popular spot where history meets modern culture and community life.

The Deschutes River Trail is a scenic hiking path that follows the Deschutes River through beautiful Central Oregon landscapes. It offers a peaceful escape into nature with lush river views, towering trees, and diverse wildlife along the way. Perfect for all skill levels, the trail provides easy access to outdoor adventure, whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a longer hike to explore the region’s natural beauty and connect with the tranquil river environment.