Bend has endless activities, but if you are struggling to narrow some down. Here are three activities to do in and around Bend area that won’t break the bank while keeping the stoke level high.
Phil’s Trail Head
If you mountain bike, this is area is a haven for endless flow and fun system of smooth trails right outside you van, car or RV.
If you are just visiting for a day ride, you can park at the main parking lot, where most of the trails start and finish.
There is a sweet little pump track to the right of the trailhead sign. Be sure to check it out, it was pretty fun.
If you are trying to have an epic mountain bike camp out, then you will want to park off 4610 in free dispersed camping. You will be near the upper parts of most of the trail complex. We were able to connect on to Ben’s to the top, then we connected that with upper whoops, Phil’s, then Kent’s back to our campsite off 4610.
Upper whoops was our favorite. There were jumps, berms and down hill flow. It was so much fun. We had to go back and do it again! It really is a central Oregon gem.
Standing Wave at McKay River Park
McKay River Park is pretty awesome. It is a man-built white water rafting course. There is a beginner side with mellow white water “drops.” And then, down the center, is where all the experienced white water rafters send it.
Further down the second section, in the middle, is the standing wave. You really can’t miss it. There are river rats surfing there from sunrise till sunset.
Bend Rock Climbing Gym
This place was awesome on the one rainy day we had in Bend.
There are showers, a nearby food truck, and if you get there before noon or on a Thursday, you can climb for $16, which is $2 cheaper. There are about 9 Auto Belay’s in just one of the rooms. With difficulties ranging from 5.7 to 5.12-, there was something for everyone to climb on in the same room, including heaps of bouldering from V0-V9. There was also a weight lifting area in there as well.
In the front room, there was about 7 tall-wall auto-belay’s and the rest of the room was lead belay climbing and the rest was bouldering.
If you buy a day pass, it also gives you access to the Yoga classes. So be sure to check that out.
