- The perfect getaway for outdoor enthusiasts.
- The largest city in central Oregon, surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery.
- Nearby Mt. Bachelor has some of the best skiing in Oregon.
- Plenty of lodging and dining options available.
- Watch for wildlife during your drive, including elk, antelope, deer and wild horses.
Overview
370 miles to the west of McCall is the picturesque mountain town of Bend, the largest city in central Oregon. Like McCall, Bend boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in the west. On the way there you will drive through miles of semi-arid desert dotted with pale green sagebrush –just like you’d see in an old John Wayne western. As you near Bend you’ll see giant Ponderosa pines and vibrant green Douglas fir. Majestic snow-covered Mt. Bachelor towers just a few miles away.
Location
Bend is located in the heart of central Oregon, 370 miles west of McCall. It sits at the edge of the Deschutes National Forest.
Services & Amenities
Bend is a haven for those who love the beauty of Oregon without the frequent rain. It has plenty of great dining for residents and tourists alike. A popular tourist spot and stopping point for travelers, there is no shortage of cozy B&Bs and other lodging perfect for a family vacation or overnight stay.
Activities and Attractions
Bend is the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts. During the winter months, you can enjoy Alpine and Nordic skiing as well as snowboarding, ice skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and tubing. During the warmer months you can enjoy mountain or road biking, hiking, backpacking, white water rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, fishing, horseback riding, and camping. There are also plenty of shops, as well as three museums.
Just ten miles south is the Newberry National Volcanic Monument with unique rock formations. A bit further south in LaPine State Park stands the largest Ponderosa pine in Oregon. Just over 160 feet tall, this majestic tree is around 500 years old.
Getting Here
Take Hwy 55 north to New Meadows; turn left onto Hwy 95. Stay on Hwy 95 through Council, Cambridge, and Payette, and then cross over into Oregon and on into Ontario. From Ontario take Hwy 20 west through Vale and continue on Hwy 20 for another 244 miles to Bend. Watch for wildlife as you travel including antelope, deer, coyote, elk, and bighorn sheep. Hundreds of magnificent wild horses roam the land near Burns, and a variety of raptors and songbirds can often be spotted in the sky or perched on fence poles and in trees.
