Aspen at Shevlin Park
Shevlin Park is a haven located less than three miles from Bend and a perfect location for hiking, jogging, nature watching, fishing, cross country skiing and picnicking. There is an extensive trail and pathway system providing for both summer and winter uses. The park is also the site of Cougar Camp, a popular youth day camp offered by the District in the summer months.
Tumalo Creek rambles through the park with several foot bridges providing opportunities to cross over to the eastern section of the park, the Shevlin Conservation Easement, which added approximately 44 acres to the east side of the park in 2002. The easement features a parking area with a viewpoint and is popular with hikers, joggers and mountain bikers.
In 2017, the District added 329 acres south of the park with property formerly known as the Tree Farm development. This addition was made possible by a federal grant from the U.S. Forest Service Community Forest Program and a generous matching donation from the Tree Farm, LLC.
As a nature reserve, no remote controlled devices are allowed at Shevlin Park.
Canoeing Sparks Lake
Sparks Lake is located about 25 miles west of Bend off the Cascade Lakes Highway. The lake was named for "Lige" Sparks, a pioneer stockman of central Oregon. Except for possible early-day trappers, the first organized group of white men to visit the Sparks Lake area was a Pacific Railroad survey party led by Lts. R. L. Williamson and Phil Sheridan, accompanied by Dr. John S. Newberry, physician and scientist.
In seeking a pass through the mountains to the north, they traveled the Green Lakes trail in August 1855. They returned in September and evidently traveled by the Old Horse Lake Trail from its junction with the Green Lakes Trail and passed by Moraine Lake and on to Wickiup Plains. It is guessed that this group went past Devils Pass, Devils Lake, and followed the approximate route of the north Century Drive.
The lake was formed about 10,000 years ago when lavas from the Mt. Bachelor Volcanic Chain blocked the upper Deschutes River. Sparks Lake is a large, shallow, trout lake located on the northwest edge of Mount Bachelor, and is the first of the high lakes you see from the Cascade Lakes Highway west of Bend. The views of South Sister, Mount Bachelor, and Broken Top are breathtaking. Prior to 1997, Sparks Lake was a brook trout fishery and, although brookies may still be available, the lake's featured species will be introduced cutthroat trout.
Crater Lake
With a depth of 1,943 feet, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States - and one of the most beautiful. The water's intense blue color is an indication of its great depth and purity. Surrounded by cliffs, the lake is fed entirely by rain and snow. Scientists consider Crater Lake to be the cleanest and clearest large body of water in the world.
Golf at over 24 courses
Fishing Near Bend
Ski the back country
Backcountry skiing Bend’s lesser-traveled terrain isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s a great way to find an adventure worth bragging about for years to come. There are plenty of options for backcountry skiing, backcountry snowboarding, backcountry splitboarding, alpine touring, telemark skiing, ski mountaineering, and other snow adventures that can only be found a bit off the beaten track.
Lavalands
High Desert Museum
Smith Rock State - Park – Climbing
Due to the uniqueness and fragile aspect of the park, park rangers enforce the animal leash law and strongly encourage all park users to stay on trails.
Tumalo Falls
The North Fork Trail is UPHILL ONLY for mountain bikes.
Tumalo Falls is a 97-foot (30 m) waterfall on Tumalo Creek, in the Cascade Range west of Bend in the U.S. state of Oregon. Additional waterfalls are upstream along Tumalo Creek and a tributary, Bridge Creek and its Bridge Creek Falls. All of these falls are within the Deschutes National Forest.
The United States Forest Service manages the Tumalo Falls Day Use Area about 14 miles (23 km) from Bend by forest roads. In addition to waterfall views, the day-use area has picnic sites and a toilet and offers access to trails for hiking and mountain biking. Using the site requires a Northwest Forest Pass or payment of a fee.
Tumalo Falls Trail leads from the picnic area to a viewing platform above Tumalo Falls, about 0.25 miles (0.40 km) upstream. The trail continues beyond the falls. About 1.25 miles (2.01 km) further upstream, it reaches a second waterfall, Middle Tumalo Falls, a two-tiered cascade totaling 65 feet (20 m) in height.
Deschutes River Trail
Once home to two large lumber mills, today the Old Mill District is a mix of parks, trails, shops, restaurants and other businesses. Three footbridges connect trails across the river, providing convenient loops for walking, cycling and more. The trails are great for children on bikes and scoots as the trail is wide, paved, relatively level and completely off the street.
Mt. Bachelor Ski Area/Downhill skiing
X-Country ski racing
Snow Mobiling
