11 Family-Friendly Things To Do During Fall in Bend
One of the most magnificent places in Oregon during the fall is Bend. As more western areas get cloudy, fall in Bend is full of sunshine, warmer temperatures, and fewer crowds. Together, it makes for a perfect trifecta.
I enjoyed spending a long weekend in Bend in early October and fell in love with the area even more. While I usually hit hard trails, this weekend was more low-key, allowing me to see other parts of Bend I normally wouldn’t.
This fall in Bend guide is perfect for families and those looking for a soft adventure trip to Central Oregon!
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How to plan your trip during Fall in Bend, Oregon
Let’s dive into my favorite things to do throughout fall in Bend!
11 Family-Friendly Fall Activities to Do in Bend
Bend Fall Festival
Each year, Bend hosts their Bend Fall Festival. With live music, vendors, drinks, and food, it’s fun to get outside and see what’s happening around town. It’s just like any other downtown festival that you’ve surely been to. There was a nice section devoted to kids (bounce houses, slides, etc.), which looked fun if I was 20 years younger.
After we had seen everything, we ended up heading to Bend Brewing Company’s Oktoberfest, where we enjoyed live music and relaxed near the river.
Note: The 2024 festival was held October 4-6, the month’s first weekend. I’m unsure if this is the same weekend every year, but keep track of it here.
Explore Smith Rock State Park
Smith Rock State Park is one of the top state parks in the country. It offers hiking for all skill levels and is one of the preeminent rock climbing destinations on the West Coast. I’ve been a couple of times and have almost hiked the entirety of the area. It’s gorgeous, and a fan favorite is Misery Ridge—which is precisely what it sounds like.
But if you’re looking to ditch the crowds, do the Misery Ridge and Summit Trail loop counterclockwise, and you’ll find yourself hiking alone even though the parking lot is bonkers.
Smith Rock Pumpkin Patch
A mile from the state park, the Smith Rock Ranch is excellent for families with younger kids to enjoy fall in Bend. It has a massive pumpkin patch, petting zoo, corn maze, and other attractions that the kids will like.
See into space at the Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory
Another family-friendly activity is soaking up the night sky at the Sunriver Observatory. They have a massive array of telescopes, allowing us to see planets, clusters, constellations, and stars. It’s a really cool experience, and having professionals with you to provide insight and background is helpful.
Explore the High Desert Museum
Central Oregon residents are immensely proud of the High Desert Museum, and for good reason. It’s both an indoor and outdoor museum, allowing guests a chance to learn inside and then stretch their legs outside as they walk amongst trees to see the otter exhibit, birds, and an immersive Forest at Night exhibit.
I 100% enjoyed my time there. Located just 15 minutes south of Bend, it makes for a great place to spend half the day learning more about the area and seeing unique rotating exhibitions.
Golf at Sunriver Resort (or elsewhere)
If you want some top-tier golf courses, the Sun River area will give you all you’re looking for. I haven’t been able to play, but I did bike and walk around some of the course, and it looks fantastic.
Hike in the Three Sisters Wilderness
Ironically, this is one area I haven’t gotten to explore. I’ve never been to Bend during the summer months, but this area is beautiful and provides epic backpacking and hiking. The top draw is Sparks Lake (no hike needed), and then some excellent hiking spots are South Sister Summit (hard), No Name Lake (hard), and Broken Top (hard).
Don’t worry; there are plenty of non-hard hikes that you can find, too.
Eat Lunch with Alpaca’s
This ended up being one of the most unique experiences I’ve had. We had a private lunch on an alpaca farm, and before/after, we were able to feed and hang out with some three dozen alpacas! They are so cute and fluffy and made for a wildly memorable time!
Do you need an idea for a date day? Or maybe the kids would love to play with alpacas? This is a failproof way to make someone smile!
Go (Mountain) Biking
Bend is a biking mecca with plenty of mountain biking and road biking. One afternoon, I hopped on the Haul Trail, which takes you towards Mount Bachelor and rode for 35 minutes.
Click here to learn more about your options in the area.
Take a Brewery Crawl around Bend
Bend is known as a goldmine for delicious breweries, so you won’t have trouble finding one that suits you. It’s home to the well-known Deschutes Brewing Company plus another 25, so when I say you can make a day out of it, you truly can!
These are the ones I’ve tried:
- Bend Brewing Company (three times somehow)
- Monkless Belgian Ales
- Sunriver Brewing Co
Canoe on a Lake Under the Stars
On my last evening during my October Bend trip, we did the Wanderlust Starlight Tour. As one of the best regions for viewing the night sky in the world, we paddled out onto Paulina Lake, enjoyed looking at the Milky Way and meteors, and even had a faint aurora borealis show.
I love places that make you feel small, and floating on a lake under a trillion stars is truly an experience I’ll remember forever.
Note: The tour can occur where we went or in the Cascade Lakes region. We went to Newberry Volcanic Monument because of the heavy smoke near the mountains.
What to know about your trip to Bend
How far is the airport from downtown Bend?
It’s a 25-minute drive from Redmond to Bend, and it’s super easy and stress-free. There’s plenty of Uber/Lyft in town, or you can use a company such as Shuttle Oregon to transport you to and from. The airport is also small, making life easy getting in and out. You probably don’t need to arrive more than 45 minutes before your flight.
What is the weather like during fall in central Oregon?
The weather in Bend during fall is cozy perfection. As the major cities on the west side of the cascades start to get dreary and gloomy (ie: Seattle/Portland), fall in Bend is full of sun! Yes, the temperatures will start to drop, with highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s/40s, but it still feels fantastic, and you’ll only need a light jacket during the daytime (if even that).
What to pack for your fall trip to Bend
- Light Jacket
- Down Jacket
- Pants
- Beanie
- Water Bottle
- Medium Hiking Pack
How many days should I plan my fall trip to Bend?
I recommend a long weekend (three days) at minimum so that you’re not rushing your trip. It’s about a 6-hour drive from Seattle and from Portland, just over three. Now, if there’s inclement weather at the passes, it can take longer to get to Central Oregon.
In three days, you can see a lot of the things on this list and experience everything that makes Fall in Bend such a magical place.
Do hotel prices fall during the fall?
Yes, prices drop, and fewer people are in the Bend area during fall, making your money go further on your trip. Plus, it’ll be easier to find dining options as this is considered a quiet period before the winter ski/snowboard season picks up.
Bend doesn’t see a lot of fall colors
If you’re looking for vibrant yellows, reds, and oranges, that’s not what Bend is known for. Yes, some aspens are changing, but the trees stay green year-round for the most part. While it would be nice if this area saw the crazy colors, it’s also a good place to avoid the mass crowds as they flock to the Columbia River Gorge or other places in the PNW.
Where to stay around Bend?
Sunriver Resort
I’ve heard of Sunriver Resort for a while now and finally got a chance to stay during my October 2024 trip. Let me tell you, it was a beautiful and fantastic experience. You’re about 30 minutes south of Bend, but you have a thriving community down there with all your amenities (just in case you don’t want to drive to Bend).
But if you want to go up and down, our Lyft was only $35, which, coming from Seattle, felt like a steal.
Back to Sunriver Resort: It was just named the top-ranked resort in the Northwest, and I can say that it lives up to the hype. With golf, an aquatic center, 40 miles of bike trails, and plenty of hiking, this area is a gem.
LOGE
Ten minutes from downtown, as you head toward Mount Bachelor, the LOGE makes you feel like you’re in nature with nothing else. It is a basic hotel meant for those who enjoy being outside and not inside.
It’s right on a bike path, making it super easy to hop on your bike and get cruising. They even provide guests with free bike rentals. I had a free 45 minutes one afternoon and did a 6.5-mile round-trip ride to the Cascade Lakes Ranger Station.
Hotels in Downtown Bend
You can’t go wrong with finding a place in downtown Bend and making your life easy by walking everywhere. The first time I visited, I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn and loved its access to nearby restaurants, breweries, and the Bend River Trail.
Final Thoughts on Exploring Fall in Bend, Oregon
Fall in Bend is one of the best times to visit, and I know you’ll have a great trip and leave with so many memories. And what makes it so nice is that there’s stuff for everyone. Families have tons of options, or for those who enjoy a more adventurous weekend, you can spend it hiking, backpacking, or mountain biking throughout the Deschutes National Forest.
Here’s to an incredible trip and happy travels, ya’ll!
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
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