9 of the best outdoor adventures in Bend, Oregon

As an epicenter for outdoor sports and activities, Bend has a lot to offer.

The center of Oregon has an outdoor adventure for every taste and interest, with endless possibilities. It's important to plan for the possibility of bad weather when you're planning a trip. We all have to navigate that area.

Brave a leap from one of the US's highest bungee jumping platforms 

The views from the high bridge at Peter Skene Ogden State Park are stunning,carved through columnar basalt. The tallest bungee drop in North America is operated by CO Bungee Adventure. It's raining or shine and you're free to fall.

Hike or run the many trails in and around Bend

With more than 50 miles of maintained in-town trails, a visit to Bend will give hikers and runners an extra spring in their step. The views of waterfalls, wildflowers, and the sounds of the Deschutes can be seen on these routes. There are eleven miles of dirt paths next to the river that are popular but not crowded. The network at Shevlin Park and the Larkspur Trail are fan favorites and are good bets for more varied terrain.

Experience the best climbing routes in the world at Smith Rock State Park

Smith Rock State Park is located northeast of Bend. Some of the best climbing routes in the world can be found here. Many climbers come to the Monkey Face tower and the Mesa Verde Wall for the Moons of Pluto. Don't worry if you're not a pro, there are many routes to choose from.

She moves mountains is a climbing guide service that helps women achieve new things by exposing them to nature. At Smith Rock State Park, owner/operator/guide, Lizzy VanPatten, offers everything from introductory courses to lead traditional climbing, crack climbing, clinics in anchor building, rappelling and more. VanPatten has retreats for yoga and climbing. Local climbing services are offered by Smith Rock Climbing Guides.

Go mountain biking on exhilarating trails

You can either bring your mountain bike to Bend or rent it from a bike shop. If you want to check out the old reliables, you can use the Bend Trails website. You can book a ride or class with us. Among a sea of many bike shops, Pine Mountain Sports and Crow Feet Commons are two of the best for last minute parts and apparel. If you want to escape the crowds, go east to Lookout Mountain or for a bikepacking adventure. Pine Mountain Sports' comprehensive page of information on mountain biking is a good place to start. Are you interested in racing? There are a lot of mountain bike races in the area.

From skiing to ziplining, there are year-round activities on Mt Bachelor

Mt Bachelor offers a wide range of activities. Major skiing and snowboarding terrain can be found in the winter. Natural features like bowls and chutes keep singles, couples and families coming back year after year. Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned skier, you will find ski runs to suit your level here. Oregon adaptive sports uses adaptive equipment to help differently abled visitors. There are sled dog rides on the Oregon Trail of Dreams at the Nordic Center. The Downhill Bike Park and Zipline Tour are popular in the summer.

Take a tour through the lava fields in an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV)

On an ATV, you can go through the lava fields. Take a tour of the volcanic landscapes surrounding Sunriver. The flanks of the National Volcanic Monument have lava flows that date back thousands of years. You can get your fill of high desert mountains, cinder cone volcanoes, thrilling roller-coaster style riding trails on majestic conifer National Forest land, all up- close and personal from the secure seat of an ATV. Outriders Northwest is an off-road tour company. You can check out 4-wheel rentals at the company.

Bend has plenty of great lakes and rivers for water sports 

Central Oregon is known for its whitewater rafting, kayaking and paddleboarding. Sun Country Tours and Seventh Mountain River Company offer guided paddle raft trips on the Deschutes River to get you out of the daily grind. If you want to go for a full day or a multi-day trip, you can start on the Lower Deschutes River north of Maupin. Tumalo Creek can help you find a kayak, paddle board or canoe. You can launch from the back door to explore the urban corridor of the river. The innertube ride down the Deschutes River is a relaxing experience for explorers. If you want to get away from the crowds, you can take your Tumalo Creek kayak or paddleboard rental out to Cascades Lakes Highway, which will take you to more than one lake. Both Paulina and East Lakes are great places to paddle.

Go fly-fishing in the Deschutes River

The Deschutes River is a great place to paddle and fly fish. To get to the Columbia River, trout and steelhead can be found year-round in Bend. There are hundreds of miles of fishable waters in the river.

Relax with a cold beer in the outdoor spaces at Bend's best microbreweries 

There is no better way to quench your thirst after a day on the trail than with a beer in the sun. The shaded riverside backyard may be the best of all the microbreweries. With its wrap-around patio, the Box Factory's Immersion Brewing could be a runner-up for outdoor seating. Excellent outdoor spaces can be found at both Sunriver and Bend locations of Sunriver Brewery. Gourmet pub fare is served by all the breweries.

The article was first published on October 1st.