I’ve just spent several days in Bend, Oregon, and now I understand why people flock here in droves to experience the great outdoors. There are so many things to see and do, but I would suggest starting with a bit of Black Butte hiking and Deschutes kayaking.

Hiking Black Butte

Let’s start with Black Butte, a popular 4.1 mile out-and-back trek about half an hour north of Bend (it’s just outside of the adorable town of Sisters). The hike involves going pretty much all uphill in one direction and all downhill in the other. The trail starts out in the trees and then breaks out into amazing vistas about halfway up.

At this point, most of the trail winds up through switchbacks before swinging around the back of the hill as you head toward the fire lookout tower.

At the top, you can pay a visit to the tiny 1922 fire tower …

… and look out over dozens of different mountains, including massive Mount Jefferson (yes, that is a functioning outhouse in the foreground).

As always, I found myself admiring not just the views, but also the flora and the fauna.

This is a great hike, strenuous without being too hard, and a good length for a morning and a picnic lunch. I’ve been warned that it gets crowded on weekends, but we had the top all to ourselves.

Kayaking the Deschutes

For a lovely outing, look no further than Bend’s Deschutes River. There are lots of options, but put in just above Dillon Falls …

… and then paddle upstream.

This steady paddle requires work — nothing technical, just the challenge of fighting a not-insignificant current and the wind. But wow, was it beautiful! We did most of our scenery appreciation on the long, easy float back to the put-in, where we passed one stunning scene after another …

… including a view of the lava fields …

… and this stunning stand of aspen trees.

Bend is a paddler’s heaven — whether you rent kayaks by the Old Mill for a couple of hours or head further out for a whitewater adventure, it’s a fantastic spot.

If you love the great outdoors and are exploring more of central Oregon, don’t miss my post on three of the best hikes at Crater Lake.

Staying in Bend and excited about museums? The High Desert Museum offers a full day of wildlife, art, and hands-on experiences.