Bend Car Tours: Top 5 Reviewed

Okay, so, you’re thinking about checking out Bend, Oregon? Pretty great choice, I must say! Bend really offers up some truly gorgeous landscapes, and one superb way to soak it all in truly is by car. It’s almost like having a front-row seat to an amazing movie, only it’s real life. What I’ve put together here is very, very, much my take on five superb car tours that might be, or might not be just right for you when you’re in the area. This is your guide to making the most of your driving tour adventure, highlighting must-see spots and what exactly makes each option distinct. Consider this very your road-trip playlist, all mapped out and ready to roll! And, really don’t worry if planning seems like a bit too much; really a well planned tour does all the heavy lifting for you. Let’s motor!

1. The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway

That Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway? Really that’s often touted, I would argue, as one of Oregon’s super-amazing drives, and honestly, they wouldn’t be wrong, just to be honest. That route winds through some stunning alpine scenery, with seriously great views of the Cascade Mountains. What really makes this Byway something special actually, you know, has to be those unbelievably gorgeous lakes – places like Sparks Lake, Elk Lake, and Cultus Lake, like your are gonna wanna just spend the whole day hanging out by one of those. So, too, the Byway really offers fantastic photo opportunities pretty much at every turn, and honestly that makes it a winner in my book. Pack a picnic and your camera; like you’re totally set!

The route actually goes on for 66 miles, and tends to be is usually open late spring through fall, give or take, like your snow depending. So, you may well have want to check conditions very beforehand. Along the way, there actually are hiking trails of many skill levels to test you, from quick and very easy strolls up to full day tough climbs if very you’re up for the exercise and challenge. Honestly the detour will do you very good. Seriously the changing fall colors really just are another advantage to keep in view if considering scheduling.

2. The High Desert Discovery Scenic Byway

Okay, so for very something very different, why not venture out onto that High Desert Discovery Scenic Byway? So, too, very unlike that Cascade Lakes route, and honestly this Byway really will take you through some totally unique high desert landscape. That almost feels like driving on Mars, yet. Is that so crazy?

That 127-mile drive winds through arid terrain, with views of colorful rock formations and wide-open skies that are vast and gorgeous, actually. Now the region around this route just happens to be rich in geologic history. A good illustration tends to be is the Oregon Badlands Wilderness. Here you might want to wander through ancient Juniper stands where some of those old timers can be older than one thousand years!

Bird watchers will really find a wide and amazing display of colorful birds soaring around. Seriously keep that in mind. Just very imagine expansive views coupled very with utter peace and quiet. Like you might even tend to think, very this must be what those monks find so good.

3. The Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Bikeway (and Car Tour!)

Just so you know, that’s technically termed a “Bikeway,” just you know, but that road really makes for a brilliant driving tour as well, which is a lot very of how I roll! The trek starting nearby Sisters definitely takes you over towards Smith Rock State Park, which could be, or might not be that is just such an amazing place. It really offers those super dramatic rock formations that definitely stand straight up from that surrounding valley, and definitely a fantastic spot in case you feel like getting a shot or three of rock climbers doing things at crazy heights, by the way.

I swear you may well not tend see sights like that every trip, just saying! While just hanging out near to Smith Rock, keep in consideration swinging on by Terrebonne. That’s one of those small town vibes really, in a place like Oregon. So, too there is The Cline Falls State Park, for even greater picnic stops, anyway. So, too the area near Sisters is very popular among road bike riders very if feeling sporty is important to very your journey.

This journey really mixes great outdoorsy options actually, and the drive? Simply terrific.

4. McKenzie Highway (OR-242)

Oh, that McKenzie Highway; such a gem and delight, is what very you might very well agree with later! Only seriously available in months that tend be without snow, and honestly that highway definitely carves right through very the Cascade Mountains. This route really tends have views of old lava flows to show, thick forests and waterfalls – it is, very, that complete. I’ve really always thought it just tends to have very diverse terrain! When it actually is clear, then that Dee Wright Observatory basically is a must stop, naturally. It is what it is.

Built from lava rock really, it’s more or less like some olden day outpost. Also there tends be those “picture windows” set up inside that just make amazing and attractive, so that tourists can get just the nicest scenic view. The entire construction shows off some very tremendous forethought and artistic ability very at work back there in those ancient times; well almost ancient. Consider all things great and amazing, you should travel these hills if you get an opportunity. Also explore Sahalie and Koosah Falls while passing to fill that experience cup!

5. Bend Ale Trail… by Car (Designated Driver Required!)

Alright, I can’t not just put this together; if what very you are searching for includes something pretty amazing with, that also includes a totally yummy beer stop for the adults, honestly, then just checking out Bend’s Ale Trail in your auto must definitely make your itinerary! As a matter of fact Bend can seriously be called a paradise if actually you truly and greatly like craft beers! With loads of absolutely yummy and interesting microbreweries dotted all over, crafting a trail through, by car and with at least that assigned responsible friend obviously, becomes one awesome afternoon for anyone, you. Definitely visit very Boneyard Beer for a totally good IPA or then perhaps, just maybe, stop right into Deschutes Brewery really for such wide selection of really fine craft beverages. Really use Bend’s truly excellent taxi or very ride sharing programs, instead.

What happens actually is that very by stringing along just many and assorted breweries to examine very closely really becomes an amazing experience and really creates lasting impressions. Keep the Bend Ale Trail Map in hand to make absolutely sure that nothing wonderful, actually, ends up missing out, naturally! This truly is an interesting different take over such classic driving trips; really stay protected! This option seriously allows seeing what the neighborhood shows with very some unique flavors along at each turn!