17 Fun Things To Do In Bend Oregon in Winter 2025
Bend is a city in the Deschutes County in the American state of Oregon. It is central Oregon’s largest city.
It is a great location for many outdoor sports because of its terrain and general outlook. It is therefore a great place to visit any time of the year.
Here are some activities or things to do in Bend, Oregon in the winter.
17 Things To Do In Bend Oregon in Winter
1. Skiing
For those who do not know what skiing is, I will tell you. Skiing is basically a sport where one slides and jumps on skis.
Skis are long narrow pieces of hard flexible material which is pointed at the front and fastened under the feet for travelling over snow.
Skiing is a very fun activity to do in the winter because that is when snow appear obviously. It can be a recreational activity or even a competitive winter sport.
In Bend, Oregon, there are various spots where one can go skiing for instance the Mt. Bachelor ski area or the Hoodoo ski area.
Mt bachelor is known for its dry snow and the fact that it has a long ski season which runs from November to May.
One can also go for Nordic or cross-country skiing. Bend has its own Nordic lodge and various offers that can come with it. So, skiing is something one can do in Bend, Oregon in winter.
2. Visiting the Cascade lakes national scenic byway
Another fun activity to do in Bend, Oregon during winter is seeing the Cascade lakes scenic byway.
The Cascade Lake highway is a drive of 66 miles and it takes about 3 to 5 hours to finish it. While on the highway, one can experience so much; from seeing the stunning mountain view of Mt. bachelor, the Three sisters and Broken Top to taking in the beauty of the lakes (Devil’s Lake, Hosmer Lake, Cultus Lake, Elk Lake) all of which can be explored, to seeing the amazing wildlife. One can go camping or hiking during the winter.
Some parts of the byway are closed off during the winter for safety reasons but you can still visit the accessible parts. It is still a beautiful thing to do in the winter in bend, Oregon.
So, get yourself ready and visit Bend, Oregon to enjoy the scenic byway.
3. Ice skating
Ice skating is one of the best activities to do in Bend during the winter. Ice skating means the self-propulsion and gliding of a person across an ice surface using metal-bladed ice skates. Skating can be done as a recreational activity or even a sport.
There are several ice-skating rinks in the area but the oldest and popular one is Seventh Mountain. Seventh Mountain is just outside Bend downtown and is easily accessible.
You can skate during the day or even at night with the cosmic lights. The rink offers ice skate rentals as well for those who travel with none or don’t own any.
Any time from November until the end of winter is okay because the sessions are available as soon as winter begins.
One can even go outdoor skating as long as they are cautious and safe. So, ice skating is also something one can do in Bend, Oregon in the winter.
4. Visit the High Desert Museum
The High Desert Museum is a place in Bend, Oregon where one can discover the natural world and cultural history of the High Desert through artful exhibits, native wildlife such as river otters, porcupines and raptors, engaging programs and also exhibitions every now and then where one can be fully immersed into the history of the place.
The museum has been open to the public since 1982. Trip Advisor rates the museum as the top Central Oregon attraction.
It is quite simply a must see for everyone that goes through or even lives in the region really. You can possibly learn a thing or two from their exhibitions.
The interesting thing about visiting the High desert museum is that it can be done whenever even during the winter so it is also something to do in bend, Oregon in the winter.
And from here, one can go and visit the actual High desert in Western Oregon.
5. Visiting the Tumalo falls
Tumalo Falls is a 97-foot-tall waterfall on Tumalo Creek in the Cascade Range located outside of Bend.
Yes, the falls are not in Bend itself but once there, it takes a little bit of more effort to get to them. One of the activities to do here is hiking the Tumalo mountain following the Tumalo Falls trail which is a very popular thing to do there.
So, during the winter, you can decide to visit the Tumalo falls. The trail leads to a viewing platform above Tumalo falls.
It still continues beyond the falls further upstream and it reaches a second waterfall known as the Middle Tumalo falls which is about 65 feet tall.
So, for someone who does not mind a hike any time, the Tumalo falls are available for travelers whenever they are ready.
6. Visit the Old Mill district
So, the Old Mill district is actually an interesting one because it is actually an old mill district or at least it used to be back in the day. It is located in the heart of Bend.
It used to be a mill district but it has been transformed into a modern beautiful place to visit. It is occupied with typically anything you would find everywhere else.
It has numerous shops, stores, movie theatres, restaurants and so much more. So, for someone looking for activities to do in the winter, visit the Old Mill district and you will not be disappointed.
You can still see some of the original architectural aspects of the mill district while experiencing all the amazing modern things that are there now.
You can decide to watch a movie or do some shopping or go to a restaurant and enjoy the different cuisines offered there.
It can be fun because it is indoors and some of us prefer cozy especially in the winter. However, one can still choose to do outdoorsy stuff for instance they can take walks along the Deschutes River trail.
You cannot go wrong with the Old Mill district in bend, Oregon.
7. Lounge in a soaking pool at McMenamins Old St. Francis School
It is not a school anymore. It is just better known by that name so the name was kept for the business.
The place is a restores property that includes a movie theatre, a pub and of course the soaking pool. It is a relaxing place to go to in the winter because it is indoors and winters are cold.
The school house was converted into a hotel which is such a great place for a staycation. Anyway, more about the pool.
It is a salt-water pool that is warm and ideally a great location during the winter. You can soak in the pool at an affordable price and while in it get to view the beautiful high ceilings, sky lights and gorgeous tile mosaics around the pool.
It is really a great activity to do during winter in Bend, Oregon. It is very serene and beautiful.
8. Snowshoeing and snow shoe tours
Since we are on the hunt for things to do in Bend, Oregon in the winter, here is another fun typical winter activity. Snowshoeing simply means travelling in the snow wearing snow shoes.
It is a physical activity where one uses two wooden frame shoes each strung together with interlaced webbing to walk or run over snow.
This one is an easier thing to do than skiing and ice skating because it is really walking just slightly heavier.
Compared to skiing and ice skating which require a certain level of expertise, snowshoeing can be done by just about anyone with proper guidance.
In Bend, you can go on a snowshoe tour with a Forest service ranger or to the Tumalo falls trail or you can just go snow shoeing by yourself as long as you are safe.
Snowshoeing is therefore something you can ideally do in the winter in Bend, Oregon.
9. Walk along the Deschutes River trail
The Deschutes River in central Oregon is a tributary of the Columbia River. Deschutes comes from French and literally translates to ‘of the falls” meaning that this river has waterfalls.
For outdoorsy people, walking along the Deschutes River trail is definitely something you can do even in the winter.
Since you cannot do much in the winter, walking along the trail or hiking has to do. For people who are up for the challenge, it is an interesting thing to take a hike during the winter and feel the chilling cold air on your face.
You can also visit the lovely neighborhoods near the river trail and meet different people along the way.
Look no further for something interesting to do during the winter because the Deschutes River is here for you.
10. Explore the Lava River cave
The lava river cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon. It is found near Bend, Oregon. The cave was discovered in 1889.
It is a beautiful place to go to even in the winter. The fun part is you do not need a guide or someone to go with you. It is an easy place to go to and explore.
There are two sections of the cave but only one is open to the public because the other has loose rocks in the ceiling.
There is also a massive volcanic archway in the cave called the Echo Hall. There is a rock pile at the bottom and to get to the rock pile of the cave, visitors have to descend 126 steps.
I cannot possibly mention every single aspect of the cave but if you are ever in Bend during the winter, you can still visit the cave because the winter ice only stops at the mouth of the cave.
11. Explore the Newberry National Volcanic Monument
The monument was created in 1990 within the boundaries of the Deschutes national forest. There is a volcano just outside of Bend that is as big as Rhode Island.
The area has the Newberry crater, ancient lava flows, jagged volcanic glass, rivers, lakes, hot springs, waterfalls and forests which can be explored.
Some of these things cannot be experienced fully during the winter but there are still so many fun things to do even in the winter.
You can go hiking, skiing, skating, sledding, tubing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and so much more. You can still have fun even in the winter.
12. Experience the Bend Ale trail
Yes, you guessed right, this is about beer. When in Bend, Oregon, you can decide to trek the Bend Ale Trail. It is a definitely a fun thing to do.
The Bend Ale trail is basically a trail of numerous breweries in the area that make craft beer. To make it through and to ensure that none are missed, you can use the Bend Ale trail Atlas Bend discovery map to discover all the breweries on the Bend Ale trail.
You can even continue to the neighboring brewery in Sisters and maximize your trip or activity time. It can be an amazing thing to do for beer drinkers.
And also, if you get your passport stamped at every location, you can stop by the Visit bend Welcome center to get a prize. Isn’t that exciting? Do something fun and get a prize for it. Sounds like a win-win situation.
13. Visit Paulina peak
Paulina Peak is a summit in Oregon. It was formed by the Newberry volcano and is the highest point of the volcano at almost 8000 feet tall.
While at the peak, one has a beautiful panoramic view of the Newberry caldera, the cascades, the Fort rock basin and even central Oregon.
If you ever find yourself in Bend, Oregon at any time, you should take the hike up to Paulina peak and see the entire country side all around you.
In the winters, it is harder so it is prudent to have safety tips and to take a proper guide with you. It is a great activity to do during light winters.
14. Visit the Oregon badlands wilderness
It is still as much a sight in the winter as it is in the summer just less clear. The Oregon Badlands wilderness are ancient juniper woodlands atop the Columbia River and are named so because if their harsh terrain.
They are found in-between Bend and Horse Ridge. You must be wondering what activity can be done in the badlands during winter.
Well, you can hike and climb the trails or go mountain biking in the badlands. There are so many different trails you can take to explore the badlands.
Alternatively, you can go horseback riding in the Oregon badlands wilderness. For outdoorsy people, this must be a dream or something ideal to do.
So, hiking, climbing, mountain biking or horseback riding is also something you can do in the winter in Bend, Oregon.
15. Explore the Boyd cave
The cave was formed over 10,000 years ago by the Newberry volcano. It is a lava tube located south East of Bend.
It is accessed by a small opening in the cave’s ceiling and a 20-foot set is stairs leading to the cave floor.
This is a great place to go to in the winter for people who love exploring. You can trek inside the cave and enjoy the basalt and pahoehoe formations in it.
Visiting the Boyd cave is something you can do in the winter in Bend, Oregon.
16. Drake Park
The Drake Park is a beautiful and very popular park where numerous people gather in the city of Bend.
It is not as popular in the winters compared to all the other seasons but it is still a place one can go to and take beautiful walks while traversing the city of Bend.
It is also one of the safest places to visit now because it was renovated recently and everything is in peak condition.
So, if you are looking for things to do in Bend during the winter that are not too crazy, a walk in the Drake park could be one of them.
17. Visit the Bend art centre
The Bend Art center is an active gallery and studio space found in Bend, Oregon. Don’t ever think that people not stationed in the middle of cities do not like art.
Art is everywhere and country people can sometimes be even more cultured.
Anyway, the Bend Art center hosts various shows and exhibitions throughout the year even during the winter.
So, for someone who loves art, you can still be close to the things you love in Bend during the winter too.
You can go online and look at their schedules and attend the shows that align perfectly with your schedule.
So folks, there you are. 17 things to do in Bend Oregon in winter. Do not let the weather limit your exploring potential.
You can still have fun and enjoy your stay in Bend even during the winter.
