38 Official Visitor Guide of Bend
Make a Run For It Whether your “it” is to clear your mind, to get in your workout, or merely an excuse just to get out-out, you’ll find Bend is runner’s paradise.
The city’s abundance of year-round sunshine and the unique high desert topography make Bend a trail runner’s dream town. Even when there’s snow in the mountains, miles of desert trails wind through sagebrush, manzanita, and volcanic rock formations at lower elevations. With miles of in-town trails maintained by the Bend Park and Recreation District and hundreds of miles of mountain biking, cross country, and hiking trails a short drive from town, it’s no wonder Bend was named “America’s Best Trail Running Town” by the editors of Outside Magazine. Bend was also the chosen site for the USA Track & Field Trail Half Marathon, 50k, and Mountain Running National Championships.
glimpse of kayakers playing in the whitewater. From there, dip into Archie Briggs Canyon, alive with wildflowers in the summer, and shades of orange, yellow, and red in the fall. At the other end of town, the Deschutes River Trail starts at Farewell Bend Park and makes an easy three-mile loop past gurgling rapids and waterfalls. Some of the most picturesque sections of the trail begin off Century Drive before the Widgi Creek Golf Course. Weave through lava flows and the Big Eddy Recreation Site, a popular rapid for Bend whitewater rafting companies.
The Larkspur Trail offers a glimpse at another side of Bend, connecting Pilot Butte State Park and Larkspur Park on You don’t even need to jump in the car for some of Bend’s the east side of the city. Add an additional mile (and some most popular daily runs. You’ll find 11 miles of dirt path elevation gain!) to your run by going up to the top of Pilot along the Deschutes River at opposite ends of town. Start Butte to enjoy 360-degree views of the city. at First Street Rapids Park and you’ll probably catch a
