In Portland, we’re used to seeing natural wonders, from lofty Multnomah Falls to Mount Hood on the horizon, but when you venture over the Cascades to Central Oregon, you’ll find a whole different world to explore — and it rocks.
Using Bend as your base camp, there are several geologic marvels of varying distances that lend a choose-your-own-adventure feel to this trip. Tackle them all — prepare to fill up the tank a few times — or pick and choose the destinations that make sense for you.
Drive time: Portland to Bend, ~3.5 hours
🏔️ Sights to see
Newberry National Volcanic Monument
An eruption that started 500,00 years ago created lava flows covering 1,200 square miles; today you can discover a variety of unique features. Go spelunking in an underground lava tube, admire the Big Obsidian Flow, or take the spiraling bus ride to the top of Lava Butte.
Whether you prefer hiking, mountain biking, or rock climbing, this outcropping of basalt cliffs stands out even among the high desert’s other stone structures.
Like a multicolored record stretching millions of years into the past, this unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument deserves to be on everyone’s bucket list. While the red, yellow, and black stripes are already a work of art, revisiting at different times of the year will reveal different beauty, like spring wildflowers and layers of snow in the winter.
As you venture toward this island of rock in an otherwise flat expanse of the Oregon Outback, try to imagine the prehistoric sea that once covered your surroundings. Waves used to lap the shores of this now-horseshoe-shaped behemoth, which served as a waypoint for Indigenous Peoples as they canoed across ancient waters; sandals were found in a nearby cave, thought to be around 9,350-10,500 years old.
This will be your most hard-earned excursion, so only attempt to reach this remote destination if you have a vehicle with four-wheel drive. You’ll be rewarded with an awe-inspiring trek inside a miles long volcanic fissure, which reaches 70-ft deep in places.
Indulge in the nostalgia and maybe even take home some merch.
Photo by Chris Light
🚲 Things to do
Back in civilization, there is one fun activity that’s only slightly less dusty. Movie buffs must make the pilgrimage to this remnant of a bygone era, when Friday nights were all about searching the stacks for a flick or two.
For some of the best fresh pow-pow you can find, Mt. Bachelor is the place to be. Visitors can buy single- or multi-day lift tickets, as well as rent gear.
Outside of ski + snowboard season, Mt. Bachelor offers a relaxing ascension to the Pine Marten Lodge perched at 7,800 feet. Once you’re back down, try the 18-hole disc golf course.
You’ll find big brands like American Eagle and lululemon as well as local boutiques like Tumalo Art Co. and Amejko Artistry. When your tummy starts grumbling, grab a bite at Greg’s Grill.
In the summertime when the weather is hot, you can rent a tube and drift along to the Bend Whitewater Park.
Learn about the area’s natural history at the High Desert Museum (the river otters are particularly playful) and then turn your focus to the people that make up a place at the Deschutes Historical Museum, which has exhibits on Native American tribes, homesteaders + loggers, and more.
🍔 Eat + drink
Although the City or Roses is no stranger to variety when it comes to drinking craft beer, Bend has a similar range of options in a much smaller area. A good place to start is the “first beer trail in the West.” Perhaps the Peak to Peak Pale Ale at downtown’s Spider City Brewing is calling your name?
See how food on the run is done in Central Oregon at one of the several food truck groups. The Podski is always poppin’ as is On Tap, where you can soak in sunset views and Sicilian pizza, Philly cheesesteaks, Himalayan food, barbecue, and more.
Breakfast in Bend (no, not bed)
The most important meal of the day remains so on a road trip, so our advice is to head to Chow for delicious dishes like eggs benedicts, huevos rancheros, breakfast sandos, and a biscuit platter.
🏨 Stay
Got a big group? This Sunriver retreat sleeps 12 and has plenty of amenities to keep everyone entertained, including table tennis and a private hot tub.
Charming bedroom apartment in Historic Old Bend
Located just steps from Drake Park and loads of shops + restaurants, this second-level flat has a spiral staircase to a third floor, where guests can catch some Zs on a king-size bed.
This hotel also has a pub, movie theater, live music, and an iconic soaking pool. Just don’t forget your McMenamins passports.
Wait a minute, Portlanders. Before you head out the door, find the cheapest places to fill up your gas tank (or EV chargers along the way) and stock up on road trip snacks from Plaid Pantry. Also, bookmark this map so you have no trouble finding all of our recommendations while visiting Bend.
🚗 Cruise
No matter where the highway takes you, our road trip must-haves will ease your journey as you make your way to your destination.
- With more than 23,000 location-based audio stories, Autio’s Unlimited Plan: Lifetime Subscription is your perfect companion offering mini podcasts about the history, culture, and geology of areas you drive through.
- You’ll stay fully charged up and connected with this 4-in-1 retractable car charger that has iPhone compatibility and secure plug-in capability.
- Rock a comfortable sweatshirt and pants set for the road featuring a cozy elastic waistband and side-seamed pockets to store your valuables.
- Keep your tailbone supported during lengthy drives with a thick memory foam cushion that is machine washable and gives complete postural support.
- Avoid getting stranded with a dead battery by packing this portable car jump starter that gives up to 50 jumps in a single charge — no flagging down a stranger needed.
- Easy to clean and leak-proof, this collapsible car trash can gives you 2 gallons of storage capacity to keep your vehicle free from clutter.
