The Best Free Campsites in Bend

Bend is a popular destination for all outdoor activities and one of the most popular is camping. Lucky for us there are not only plenty of paid options, but free camping options as well. In our experience the best free campsites in Bend are Phil’s Trailhead, the Sno-Parks on Cascade Lakes Byway, Badlands Rock and Harrington Loop Road Dispersed.

Phils Trailhead

The Dispersed Camping behind Phil’s Trailhead is one of my favorite free camping spots in the country. The vicinity to trails, Downtown, River West and Southern Crossing make this a perfect spot for a couple weeks at a time. The road into Phil’s, off of Skyliner, is easy to access to access and doesn’t require 4 wheel drive. The dirt roads can get slightly bumpy but all in all this is one of the easier forest service roads to access for all vehicle types.

The Big Dirt Lot

After you pass the bathrooms and parking lot of Phil’s Trailhead you will start down the dirt road where the campsites are.  On the right hand side you will see a big dirt parking lot that is open for camping.  This lot is usually filled with RV’s and larger vehicles soaking up the ample amounts of sun. This is a great spot if you get in later in the evening and don’t want to chance driving further down the Forest Road.  It is a big dirt lot though so you want find much shade or privacy.

Coordinates: 44.03055079130083, -121.38676979396632

Cell Service: Yes. 2-3 bars of LTE from Verizon

Bathrooms: Parking lot of Phil’s Trailhead

Picnic Tables: No

Fire Pits: No

Water: No

Vehicle Access: All. This is perfect for RV’s, Buses and other large vehicles.

Forest Service Road 4604

As you continue past the big dirt lot you will pass a right hand turn that leads to dispersed sites. In our experience these sites were all taken, but seemed like quality sites. Continue past this right hand turn until you are give the option to take a left or continue straight around the curve. Continue straight and you will start to see 4-5 sites on your left and right.  These were our favorite sites in this area and weren’t hard to come by for a month stay in June. July or August might be another story. If these sites are taken continue further down the road and there will be sites on both sides of the road. The road does get a little more narrow and rocky as you go further in but you will be fine without 4 wheel drive.

Coordinates: 44.04669, -121.38448

Cell Service: Yes. 2-3 bars of LTE from Verizon. The further back you go the less service you have.

Bathrooms: Parking lot of Phil’s Trailhead

Picnic Tables: No

Fire Pits: Yes

Water: No

Vehicle Access: All. There are RV’s down this road, but the further you go the harder it is to turn around the more narrow the road gets. Our suggestion would be not to go past the first few sites after the left turn option.

Sno-Parks

Sno-Parks in Oregon offer free camping from May 1st to October 31st. The rest of the year a permit is required. The Sno-Parks in Bend are all paved parking areas that allow car camping for all types of vehicles. They are at higher elevations on the road heading up to Mt. Bachelor and provide a nice drop in temperature during the hotter months. The vicinity to trails, hiking and the mountains make these great choices for 2-3 days at a time. Our suggestion would be to spend your extended time closer to town and then short outings in the snow parks based on your activity. There are more than a few options available on the way up.

Coordinates: Check out Meissner Sno Park, Wanoga and Swampy Lake.

Cell Service: Yes. 2-3 bars of LTE from Verizon. The further back you go the less service you have.

Bathrooms: Yes

Picnic Tables: No

Fire Pits: No

Water: No

Vehicle Access: Yes, these are paved parking lots.

Harrington Loop Road Dispersed

If you are looking for a spot with access to Bend but slightly out of town then this free camping are in Sisters, Oregon is a great choice.  Harrington Loop is just 20-25 minutes from downtown Bend and provides a great option for those coming into town from Mt. Hood.  We stopped and stayed here the first two nights before heading into Forest Road 4604 afterwards. This a big dirt loop with a ton of spots and fire pits. It was busy during the end of May but not so much were there wasn’t a spot available on a Thursday night.

Coordinates: 44.2506, -121.4967

Cell Service: Yes. Full bars of LTE from Verizon. Cell service heaven!

Bathrooms: No

Picnic Tables: No

Fire Pits: Yes

Water: No

Vehicle Access: Yes, easy access for all types of vehicles.  This is a loop so no real turnaround issues.

Badlands Road Dispersed

Another site to stay, only 25 minutes, that provides convenient access to Bend. This is on land from the Bureau of Land Management and includes a big gravel lot for RV’s, Buses and other large vehicles. There are also several smaller roads with access for vans and other vehicles.  This was only a one night stop but it provided great mountain views while we were there.

Coordinates: 43.9435, -121.0257

Cell Service: Yes. 2-3 bars from Verizon.

Bathrooms: No

Picnic Tables: No

Fire Pits: No

Water: No

Vehicle Access: Yes, the roads are dirt and gravel, so there is easy access for all types of vehicles. No turnaround issues as there is a big gravel lot for parking.

The Best Outdoor Activities in Bend

Bend is one of the best places for outdoor activity lovers in the world. Depending on the season you can choose from hiking, cycling, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, rafting, camping and more.

During the spring thaw you can take on a snow hike up in the Cascade Lake area or find a much warmer one closer to town.

There are hikes for all levels with epic views to match.  In my experience the Cascade Lake Scenic Byway opened at the beginning of June. This road, with Mt Bachelor looming over it, allows access to one of the most scenic roads you will find in the country.  Even with the opening of the road you should still expect snow on most of the trails and a significant amount even into July.

The Sno Parks in Oregon offer free overnight parking from May through October making the hikes and other activities that much more accessible.

Snowshoeing and Winter Sports

Mt. Bachelor and Century Drive, the road leading up, provide a winter activity paradise.

The ride up to Bachelor has three Sno-Parks to choose from for those interested in snowshoeing. Options include Virginia Meissner, Swampy Lake, and Dutchman.

Mt. Bachelor Ski and Snowboard Resort, the 6th largest in the country, is the go to resort in the Pacific Northwest.

The Best Hikes in Bend for All Levels

As mentioned above Bend is a hikers paradise.  Depending on the time of year you can choose from alpine lakes, mountain summits, trail runs, waterfalls and more. During the spring thaw you can take on a snow hike up in the Cascade Lake area or find a much warmer one closer to town.

There are hikes for all levels with epic views to match.  In my experience the Cascade Lake Scenic Byway opened at the beginning of June. This road, with Mt Bachelor looming over it, allows access to one of the most scenic roads you will find in the country.  Even with the opening of the road you should still expect snow on most of the trails and a significant amount even into July.

The Best Easy Hikes in Bend

1. Pilot Butte

Pilot Butte is an extinct volcano located in Bend, one of only 4 volcanoes located in the boundaries of a city, and is one of the most popular hikes you will find in the city. The short but rewarding hike will lead you to a view of the Cascades as well as the entire city of Bend.  Pilot is a great warmup hike when you get into town.

Distance: 1.8 Miles

Elevation Gain: 452 Feet

Peak Elevation: 4130 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 40-90 Minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Pets Allowed: Yes

Resources:

AllTrails

2. Deschutes River South

Deschutes River South is one of the quintessential bend things to do in town. This isn’t so much of a hike as it is a walk around the Deschutes River. The hike loops around the Deschutes, crossing a bridge at the halfway point, and features a view of the river. Depending on the season you’ll see rafters and hikers on the river while sharing the trail with bikers.

Distance: 3.1 Miles

Elevation Gain: 137 Feet

Peak Elevation: 3685 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 40-90 Minutes

Difficulty: Very Easy

Pets Allowed: Yes

Resources:

All Trails

The Best Moderate Hikes in Bend

1. Misery Ridge and Summit Trail at Smith Rock

Smith Rock State Park is a nice change in landscape from the mountains up near Cascade Lakes. It features more of a rocky desert feel and does not disappoint with its sweeping views.  From the top of Misery Ridge you can see the peaks of the Cascade Mountains in the area as well as the river below. This is one you do not want to miss while in the Bend area. Make sure to start this hike clockwise to get the incline of Misery Ridge out of the way while you are fresh. We did this hike counter clockwise originally and definitely regretted it at the end.  Also prepare during the late spring and summer for this to be a very hot hike. You are exposed nearly the entire time and it can get very hot out there. There is water available down by the river before starting the hike.

Distance: 6 Miles

Elevation Gain: 1774 Feet

Peak Elevation: 3297 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 3 to 4.5 Hours

Difficulty: Moderate to Hard

Pets Allowed: Yes

Resources:

AllTrails

2. Green Lakes Trail

Green Lakes was one of our favorite trails in all of Bend.  It’s located on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway and takes you up past a beautiful river with small waterfalls as you go. The payoff at the end is a view of both South Sister and Broken Top Mountain with the two Green Lakes lakes below. This is usually the most popular hikes in the Deshcutes National Forest so be prepared in the warm months for a busy hike. It is a moderate 9 miles during the warm months, but becomes moderate to hard when there is snow on the ground.  We did this hike in the beginning of June, it was still packed with snow in most places, and the lakes were just starting to thaw out. Lucky for us we had the Green Lakes all to ourselves after 9 miles through the snow. Be prepared to wear spikes during the spring and fall while snowshoes are a must when the snow starts again.

Distance: 9 Miles

Elevation Gain: 1187

Peak Elevation: 6571

How Long Will It Take: 3.5-5 Hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Pets Allowed: Yes. There are seasonal restrictions, for on leash or off, based on the area.

Resources: Green Lakes Trail Official Site

 AllTrails

3. Tumalo Falls Via Tumalo Creek

Another one of the most popular hikes in Bend is to Tumalo Falls. The main attraction here is the water fall but the views and walk through nature is what really makes this one a must do. Tumalo can get a little touristy as there is a bathroom and parking lot right at the falls area. You will obviously want to move past here as soon as you can and also get to the lot early to avoid parking issues. The well maintained hike is best done counterclockwise and is also shared with mountain bikers.

Distance: 6.5 Miles

Elevation Gain: 583 Feet

Peak Elevation: 5099 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 2.5-4 Hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Pets Allowed: Yes

Resources:

AllTrails

4. Tumalo Mountain

Tumalo Mountain was another snow hike for us! This turned a moderate hike into a hard one as the idea of a trail was a very loose one here. The views at the top of Tumalo are hard to beat though. On one side it feels like Mt. Bachelor is right on top of you and at the finish you get sweeping views of the Three Sisters and the valley below. This is one of the first hikes in the Cascade Lakes area to become doable and should be on every list of the best hikes in Bend.

Distance: 4 Miles

Elevation Gain: 779 Feet

Peak Elevation: 1423 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 2 to 3.5 Hours

Difficulty: Moderate to Hard

Pets Allowed: Yes

Resources:

AllTrails

The Best Hard Hikes in Bend

1. South Sister

South Sister is a beast of a hike in the summertime without snow on the ground. In the non summer months it becomes one of the hardest day hikes in the area. We had the pleasure of doing this as a snow hike in early June with only micro-spikes available.  From start to finish this made for a sludge and a true test physically and mentally. The day we were on the trail there were 3 other groups spotted and most had snowshoes and poles to get them by.  If you decide to go in the winter make sure you are prepared with the minimum of spikes and poles and ideally snowshoes. You will be rewarded with views of lakes, Broken Top and obviously South Sister as shown above.

Distance: 11.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 4986 feet

Peak Elevation: 10,349 feet

How Long Will It Take: 6-10 hours based on level and season. Give yourself more than the average 8 hours if this it’s a snow hike.

Difficulty: Hard to Very Hard. If there is still snow on the ground, into July, then you are looking at a snow hike. Come prepared with snowshoes, spikes or both.

Pets Allowed: Yes. There are seasonal restrictions, for on leash or off, based on the area.

Resources:

AllTrails

2. Bend Glacier and No Name Lake

Another one of the most epic hikes in the Bend area. Bend Glacier and No Name isn’t nearly as hard as South Sister but will still provide a good challenge for most during the summer.  In the winter it becomes a test of wills as it becomes another tough snow sludge. Your reward during the summer are sweeping views of Mt. Bachelor and a beautiful view of No Name Lake to finish.  During the winter you still have epic views but the lake is likely frozen over and covered in snow. During our early June hike there was one other couple on the hike.  GPS is required if you want to find your way in the winter as there is no real trail in sight.

Distance: 13.3 Miles

Elevation Gain: 2687 Feet

Peak Elevation: 8220 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 6-9 Hours

Difficulty: Hard. If there is still snow on the ground, into July, then you are looking at a snow hike. Come prepared with snowshoes, spikes or both.

Pets Allowed: Yes. There are seasonal restrictions, for on leash or off, based on the area.

Resources:

AllTrails

3. Mt. Bachelor Trail

The last on the list of mountain hikes in the Cascades Lake area is Mt. Bachelor.  Bachelor is the popular ski and snowboarding destination during the winter and a hiking destination during the summertime.  This trail doesn’t have the mileage of South Sister and Bend Glacier but the elevation gain is still significant in nearly half the distance.  This isn’t one you do in the snow but makes for a great warm weather challenge.

Distance: 6.5 Miles

Elevation Gain: 2742 Feet

Peak Elevation: 9070 Feet

How Long Will It Take: 4-5.5 Hours

Difficulty: Hard

Pets Allowed: Yes. There are seasonal restrictions, for on leash or off, based on the area.

Resources:

AllTrails

Van Life Resources in Bend

Dumping

Portable Toilets

If you are using a camping toilet or, gasp, water bottles and plastic bags then there are plenty of options.

The most accessible spots I found were at trailheads. Phil’s Trailhead, on the same road as one of the dispersed campsites listed above, was my go to spot. There are a couple of Restrooms attached to the parking lots and they are easily accessible during off hours.  This makes it easy to grab a restroom to yourself without too much attention called to your disposable.  Be aware that this is a popular mountain biking location and the parking lot will be busy or full from 9am-4pm.

Dumping for RV’s

If you are in an RV or rig there is a gas station in the Blockbuster parking lot that has dumping

The Best Coffee in Bend

The Pacific Northwest is known for its delicious roasts, Portland and Seattle aren’t far, and the town of Bend is no exception.

You have a number of options for coffee in Bend and you can’t go won’t go wrong with your morning or post adventure coffee. With that said the best places for coffee in Bend are Backporch Coffee Roasters, Megaphone Coffee, Lone Pine Coffee and Thump Coffee.

Megaphone Coffee

Megaphone west was our preferred stop when we didn’t want to venture into downtown or east of I-97. It is attached to a brewery and has outdoor seating that is perfect post hike. The coffee is pretty great too.

The Best Spots for Wifi in Bend

Wifi is easy to come by in Bend. You have your choice of the usual spots like Starbucks in addition to the independent coffee shops like Lone Pine, Backporch, Thump and Megaphone. If coffee isn’t your thing the Deschutes Public Library is your best option.

The Best Spots for Beer and Food in Bend

Deschutes Brewery

Deschutes, taking the name of the local river, may be the most famous brewery in town. It is widely viewed as the one that put Bend on the map. They have the standard brewery fare and another fun spot to hang out.

Boneyard Beer

Boneyard is a subsidiary of Deschutes.

Groceries in Bend

I’m always a big fan of supporting local business on the road in van life, but groceries is usually where I stick to the big boys. Outside of an occasional farmers market stop, Bend is no different.

Trader Joes

Have you been to Trader Joe’s? Then you know what to expect here.  It’s about a 10 minute or so drive, in a commercial area, from the hustle of downtown. The location is in a shopping plaza near Best Buy, Starbucks and more.  Easy to park and get in and out of.

Nearby Attractions

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park is just over 90 minutes from Bend and is highly recommended to visit for a 2-3 day trip. We stopped down at this National Park in June, while it was still quiet, before heading back up to the Bend area.  Crater Lake, another volcano, in the Cascade Range is home to some of the most blue water you will ever see. This blue water is actually more pure than the drinking water coming out of your faucet.

The main attraction here is the lake that was formed when the volcano collapsed into itself creating the crater.  The water is mainly runoff from the snow that accumulates each year.

The activities at Crater Lake aren’t as numerous as in the Bend area but it does provide plenty of hikes along the ridge. The photos we took, during our visit, received some of the most ooh and ahhs of any we’ve taken. You can even go down to the water during the summer season and take a swim in the beautiful blue water.

We have a full guide for Crater Lake with a mock itinerary and list of activities. Along with the epic photos mentioned earlier.