a road with a mountain in the background

Bend

A high-desert city on the Deschutes River, known for mountain biking, craft beer and winter skiing at Mount Bachelor.

Find a room in Bend Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Bend

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Bend is a city in Central Oregon, the county seat of Deschutes County and the largest city in the region. It sits east of the Cascade Range on the Deschutes River, in the Oregon High Desert, at about 3,623 feet (1,104 meters) above sea level. Bend started as a logging and sawmill town, and the Old Mill District, a historic riverside area, is linked to that past.

Most visitors come for the outdoors. The city has over 300 miles of mountain bike trails, and Mount Bachelor draws skiers in winter. Deschutes National Forest borders Bend to the southwest, and the Cascade Lakes are a drive away for fishing, hiking and camping. The town also has more than 30 breweries. Summer and autumn suit hiking and cycling, while winter suits skiing. Summer days can be hot and nights cool, and hard frosts can happen even in summer, so pack layers. A few days lets you split time between the city and the outdoor areas nearby.

Bend in five

Rent a car in Redmond or PortlandBend has no major airport; Redmond (RDM) is about 20 to 30 minutes north. Portland is about 3.5 hours by road.
Check reservations at Newberry and Smith RockSome sites in Newberry National Volcanic Monument need timed reservations, and Smith Rock uses day-use fees. Check each official page.Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Plan for the Cascade Lakes Highway seasonThe scenic byway west of town closes in winter. Check ODOT for opening dates before you drive.
Choose your seasonWinter is ski season at Mount Bachelor; summer is for rafting, hiking and the Deschutes trail. Wildfire smoke can affect August and September.
Check your ESTA before you book the Redmond legMost visitors fly in through Portland or a connection and drive or hop to Redmond. Whichever way you arrive, an approved ESTA or a visa has to be in place first.ESTA explained

Things to do in Bend

See all attractions in Bend

brown rocky mountain beside lake under blue sky during daytime

Sight · BendSmith Rock State Park

Sight · BendPeter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint

Museum · BendHigh Desert Museum

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to BendPut the places you like in Bend on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Redmond Municipal (RDM), about 20–30 min north of Bend
Getting there: Fly to RDM or drive from Portland (about 3.5 hours)
Getting around: Car; bike paths and local buses in town
Best base: Downtown or the Old Mill District
Time needed: 2 to 4 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain14 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh4°Low-3°Snow, ski
FebruaryRain14 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh5°Low-3°Ski season
MarchRain13 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh7°Low-2°Spring skiing
AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low1°Cool, mud
MayPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh17°Low6°Mild, trails open
JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh22°Low9°Warm, long days
JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh28°Low13°Dry, peak
AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh28°Low14°Hot, smoke risk
SeptemberClear4 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh23°Low10°Clear, quieter
OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh15°Low4°Fall color
NovemberRain12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low1°Cold, first snow
DecemberRain13 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh4°Low-3°Snow, holidays

Average daily high and low in Bend, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Bend

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 10°
Humidity: 24%
Wind: 5 km/h
Chance of rain: 4%

Bend

03:22 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-8

Today14°-3°4%Monday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 4%.
Tue11°0°4%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 4%.
Wed14°0°21%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 21%.
Thu12°2°16%Thursday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 16%.
Fri15°4°10%Friday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 10%.
Sat20°5°6%Saturday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 6%.
Sun17°5°9%Sunday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 9%.

Updated 02:22 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Smith Rock State Parkabout 40 min by carRock climbing and trails above the Crooked River.
Newberry National Volcanic Monumentabout 30 min by carLava flows, a cinder cone and the Lava Lands visitor center.
Crater Lake National Parkabout 2 hours by carA deep blue lake in a volcanic caldera.

Before you go to Bend

Rental car from Redmond or PortlandSmith Rock and the lakes need a carCompare car rental

Hotels and rentalsCompare areas and ratesCheck availability

eSIM for the USAData on landing, no SIM swapRead the guide

Travel insurance for the USAUS medical care is costlyRead the guide

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Rules for Bend, checked

Travellers from visa waiver countries must apply for an ESTA online before flying to the US. Apply only on the official site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov.Source
If you need a visa, apply through the US State Department site (travel.state.gov) before you book flights.Source
Declare fresh fruit, plants and food on your entry form, and check USDA rules at aphis.usda.gov before you pack snacks.Source
The Cascade Lakes Highway can close in winter. Check road conditions on TripCheck before you drive to the lakes or Mount Bachelor.Source
Bend's parks, Mirror Pond and the Deschutes River have their own signs and rules. Read the posted rules at each site before you fish, camp or swim.

Plan around Bend

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Read the guide ESTA, explained

Who needs it, the fee and how to apply

Read the guide

Bend FAQ

How many days do you need in Bend?

Two days cover the river, breweries and one big outdoor trip. Three or four allow Smith Rock, Newberry and a Cascade Lakes drive.

When is the best time to visit Bend?

June to September for hiking and floating, February for skiing. Shoulder seasons are quieter but some roads and sites are closed.

Do you need a car in Bend?

Yes for trailheads, Smith Rock and the Cascade Lakes Highway. The city center is walkable and bike-friendly.

Is Bend good for non-skiers in winter?

Yes. Snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, breweries and hot tubs fill the days. Mount Bachelor is about 30 minutes away by car.

Where should I stay in Bend?

Downtown for restaurants and the river, the Old Mill District for walkable shopping, or Northwest Crossing for a quieter residential feel.