For a stay in Bend, you can plan around different highlights: nature trails, river scenery, and cultural discoveries. The Deschutes River Trail runs through the heart of Bend; at Shevlin Park, Tumalo Creek, old-growth forest, and highland landscapes shaped by desert sagebrush are part of the scenery. There is also an art collection spread across Downtown Bend and the Old Mill District. If you’re looking for hotels in Bend, you can start with your interests: Which landscape or cultural theme would you like to shape your stay?
Compare river trails and park landscapes
The loop trail at Shevlin Park is 6 miles long. The Deschutes River Trail extends for more than 12 miles along the Deschutes River and runs through the heart of Bend. That gives you two different trail lengths to choose from: six miles for the loop trail and more than twelve for the river trail. The mileages help you compare the route distances; how much time to allow is a separate decision.
The landscapes also differ. Shevlin Park includes Tumalo Creek and has miles of trails through old-growth forest and highland landscapes shaped by desert sagebrush. Canyons and basalt rimrock formations are among the defining features of the Deschutes River Trail. For your nature-focused plans, you can consider either the combination of forest and highlands or the river trail with its geological formations.
Shevlin Park also has a mountain bike trail that connects with the Forest Service’s Mrazek Trail. This connection is a distinct feature of the park area, alongside its landscapes and trails. If you’re organizing your stay around outdoor activities, you can consider it as another difference, in addition to the trail distances.
Art and cultural discoveries in Bend
The Tin Pan Alley Art Collection comprises 28 murals spread across Downtown Bend and the Old Mill District. Its presence in both areas of Bend is part of what defines the collection. The Roundabout Art Route offers a different way to explore: it combines cultural variety with an artistic scavenger hunt. These are two distinct art experiences to choose from—a mural collection and a route described as an artistic scavenger hunt. If art is one of your travel interests, you can include these offerings as a separate part of your Bend plans.
The Bend Visitor Center in downtown Bend provides maps, guidebooks, and local information. These resources complement your preparation for the city’s different highlights: you can use maps, guidebooks, and local information to orient yourself during your stay. Alongside the specific nature and art offerings, the visitor center is another resource to include in your plans.
Tastings and practical planning
The Bend Ale Trail includes more than 30 tasting rooms across seven areas. It offers another focus for planning your trip, alongside nature and art. Program details may change as participating locations change, so check the latest information if you plan to visit the trail.
A Northwest Forest Pass is required year-round at many forest trailheads around Bend. Requirements and availability may change; check the details before your visit. This applies to many forest trailheads around Bend and is worth keeping in mind when planning to visit these starting points.
Choose accommodations based on your travel plans
You can treat trail length, landscapes, art offerings, and tasting rooms as separate planning considerations rather than combining them into a single focus. This way, your choices can reflect the kind of stay you want to plan.
Discover more destinations: Deschutes River Woods, Sisters, La Pine
Return to the broader travel overview: Deschutes.
