Bend
Tours

Our most recommended things to do in Bend

Bend: Guided Kayak Tour on the Cascade Lakes

Bend: Guided Kayak Tour on the Cascade Lakes

Experience a tandem kayak lake tour and enjoy the best mountainous views in Central Oregon. Meet your local guide in the heart of Bend, Oregon. Along with the rest of your group, make your way out of town and up into the Cascade mountain lakes where your kayaking adventure begins. Receive a lesson on kayaking safety measures before climbing into your tandem sit-on-top kayak.  Navigate your way through little-known caves, bays, and wetlands with the help of your naturalist guide. Keep a look out for the otters, mink, osprey and eagles that inhabit this area, and bring a camera for the best mountain views in Central Oregon. After around 2 hours of paddling and admiring your surroundings, you'll have time for a quick dip in the lakes to cool off. Prior to leaving, take in the views of mountains Three Sisters, Broken Top, and Paulina Peak. You’ll then head back to your kayaking starting point and be driven back to Bend. (During the month of October, our Kayak tours may take place on a flat stretch of the Deschutes River as temps drop and snow begins to fall on the high elevation lakes. If the sun is out, we will be on the lakes. But if there is precipitation, colder temps, or high winds in the mountains, we will head down to the river!)

Bend: Half-Day Lava Tube Cave Tour

Bend: Half-Day Lava Tube Cave Tour

Journey into subterranean cave's in Bend’s pine-studded high desert on this half-day tour. Follow your naturalist guide as they highlight features of these cool caverns for you. Meet your guide and board a comfortable vehicle. Sit back and relax as you take in the countryside on the way to the caves. Venture underground into the dark and quiet caves with a high quality headlamp, a protective helmet, and a local guide. Learn about the region’s geology as your guide explains how massive volcanoes created these caverns. Uncover the role that the caves play in the wider eco-system. Admire defining features in these caverns. Let your guide show you through the natural caves which have no lights or walk-ways. Enjoy the untouched beauty of this pristine environment before heading back to the meeting point in Bend. ** Please note: These are wild caves. During the tour, we will encounter uneven, rocky terrain, rock features that will involve stepping up and over, and a very short crawl. We rate our Lava Tube Cave Tour as Moderate but also understand that everyone has different ability and comfort levels. If you have questions about the cave's difficulty, it is best to contact us directly!

Deschutes River Half Day trips

Deschutes River Half Day trips

The 12 miles of the half day trip on the Deschutes Rivers contains numerous exciting class II-III + rapids. Soon after launching onto the river, you’re sure to get wet paddling through Wapinitia & Boxcar rapids (Class III). You’ll float a mild section of the river before running several fast and fun back-to-back rapids, including Surf City, Oak Springs, White River Rapid, and The Elevators. The half day Deschutes River trip will last just under 3 hours on the water with a 15 minute shuttle to and from the river back to our office.

Electric Bike Tour of Bend & Deschutes River

Electric Bike Tour of Bend & Deschutes River

Imagine taking in the stunning views of Bend and the Deschutes River with snow-capped mountains in the background – all while pedaling effortlessly on a quality electric bike. Your safety is our top priority. Before the tour begins, we will go over how to operate the bikes in great detail as well as take a practice lap to make sure every client is completely comfortable on an electric bike. We will hit some incredibly scenic spots while staying on multi-use paths so cars will not be present. We will learn a bit about the town, the river and the Old Mill area while casually exploring on e-bikes and hopefully encounter some river otter and other such wildlife. This will be an intimate group (limit 6 people) so that we can maximize our time in these incredible surroundings.

Bend: Half-Day Brews & Views Canoe Tour on the Cascade Lakes

Bend: Half-Day Brews & Views Canoe Tour on the Cascade Lakes

Take in the stunning views of the Cascades Lakes while sampling some of Oregon’s most celebrated artisanal beverages. After getting all geared up, you’ll head off towards the lake with your naturalist guide and get to paddling through the pristine mountain waters. Gaze out across the crystal-clear lake, situated on the foot of snow-capped peaks. All the while, taste delicious local craft beers while learning about their production. Your guide will highlight the hidden spots on these beautiful lakes that might not initially meet the eye. You will spend over 2 hours on the water exploring areas accessible exclusively by boat, including fingers, coves, bays, and wetlands created by ancient volcanic activity and erosion. You can even pop into the lake for a dip if you get too toasty. After your excursion, you’ll be transferred back to the meeting point in Bend, having soaked up some of Oregon’s foremost natural beauty. (During the month of October, our canoe tours may take place on a flat stretch of the Deschutes River as temps drop and snow begins to fall on the high elevation lakes. When we transition down to the river, we will also transition to using kayaks as they are more maneuverable on the river! If the sun is out, we will be on the lakes. If there is precipitation, colder temps, or high winds in the mountains, we will head down to the river!)

Oregon: Oregon Outback You-Drive ATV Adventure

Oregon: Oregon Outback You-Drive ATV Adventure

Drive the landscapes of central Oregon on an exciting ATV adventure. Explore the ever-changing terrain and head through the backcountry. View spectacular lava flows and spot wild life along the winding roads with amazing geologic features. Breathe in the fresh air of The Deschutes National Forest. Meet your guide at the trailhead, located just a 15-minute drive from downtown Bend. Enjoy the freedom, fun, and scenery in your very own 2024 four-seater Polaris RZR ATV. Go it alone, with the one you love, or your whole family on this exhilarating tour. See breathtaking views of the eastern slope of the Cascades and High Desert panorama. Take in vistas of Mt. Bachelor, Broken Top, The Three Sisters, Mr. Washington, Mt. Jefferson, Black Butte, and Pilot Butte in Bend. Find your way under the brush and explore an ancient lava flow hidden among the inner-forest. Encounter the perfect mix of adventure and education and create lasting memories with your group. Take advantage of the opportunity to safely thrill your senses.

Bend: Moonlight and Starlight Canoe Tour

Bend: Moonlight and Starlight Canoe Tour

Join in on this astounding paddle on the high elevation mountain lakes in the mighty Cascade Range. Your renowned naturalist guide will highlight the sweet spots on these stunning lakes that might not initially meet the eye. During your 2 hours on the water, along with the fun and intrigue, you can take in an understanding of heaven’s starlight illuminating the darkness. Your guide will explain age-old stories and myths mixed with astronomy. The silence of the evening hours provides a chance to hear companions of the forest going about their evening activities. On this tour, you can enjoy the peaceful pristine waters at night on the Cascade Lakes.

Bend: Guided Snowmobile Tours In National Volcanic Monument

Bend: Guided Snowmobile Tours In National Volcanic Monument

Our 2 hour guided snowmobile tours will take you throughout the Newberry National Volcanic Monument located in the heart of Central Oregon. The massive caldera of the Newberry Volcano, is the largest shield volcano in the Cascade Mountain Range. Our experienced guides will lead you to some of the areas natural wonders such as Paulina Lake, Paulina Falls, East Lake, The Big Obsidian Lava Flow, and weather permitting up to the summit of this 7,989-ft active shield volcano! On our two hour tours, you’ll enjoy world-class views and an endless variety of trails for all skill levels and rider abilities.

Bend: Deschutes River Guided Flatwater Kayaking Tour

Bend: Deschutes River Guided Flatwater Kayaking Tour

Spring in Bend is stunning. The wildflowers are starting to bloom, there is still snow in the mountains but sun on our backs and wildlife are beginning to scamper around! Join us as we explore a beautiful stretch of the incredible Deschutes River on Kayak! The paddle is a flatwater (no rapids) stretch of the Deschutes where we will be able to immerse ourselves in the stunning surroundings, teeming wildlife & more! Our renowned naturalist guides will highlight the sweet spots on these stunning waterways that might not initially meet the eye. During our 2 hours on the water, along with the fun and sun, we may impart an understanding of the area’s hydrology and how water sustains all living things. Departure Times: 9:00am - 1:00pm & 1:30pm - 5:30pm Tour Includes: Professional guide & award-winning naturalist interpretation Transportation: departing from our office, 30-45 minutes each way Gear: kayaks, paddles, Pfd's Please bring: Sun Protection: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen Layers: warm clothing including a shell jacket for variable weather Miscellaneous Gear: Water bottle, snacks, camera, swimsuit (optional), waterproof storage for electronics Great for all ages!

Bend: Cascade Mountains Snowshoeing Tour and Bonfire

Bend: Cascade Mountains Snowshoeing Tour and Bonfire

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind snowshoe tour with a naturalist guide under the light of the night sky in Bend, Oregon. Cruising on snowshoes through the Cascade Mountains, wander to a hand-carved amphitheater in the snow where a crackling bonfire awaits. Your tour takes place in the area around Mt. Bachelor and the surrounding Deschutes National Forest of the Cascade Mountain Range of Oregon. Don't worry if you are new to off-trail snowshoeing as each tour starts with an introduction to the best techniques and tricks. Kicking through the snow-laden forest after dark, walk to a snow-built amphitheater. Breathe in the smell of fresh pine and sit down to a range of desserts with hazelnut espresso vodka-laced hot cocoa. Relax in the glow of the fire as your guide points out planets, stars, and constellations.

All activities

16 activities found
Sort by:
Recommended

Frequently asked questions about Bend

Other Sightseeing Options in Bend

Want to discover all there is to do in Bend? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Bend

Overall rating

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8
4.8 out of 5 stars
(21 reviews)
5 out of 5 stars

Dylan was personable, knowledgeable, and informative. We were taught about the geological processes responsible for the formation of the local topography, the hydrologic cycles contributing to the varied ecosystems and lake formation, speculations on human migration and ancient signs of habitation in the area, as well as the poor (though improving) health of the surrounding forest due to misinformed and outdated fire suppression practices. I was impressed by the broad scope of information touched on - and the activity was easy enough that no prior experience with water sports was necessary. I would have felt confident taking a young teenager or able bodied senior as a companion. My sister and I had a blast and I'll likely be looking into the other activities they have on offer for future getaways. My only regret is that it felt short lived. I would have enjoyed more time out on the water. I have been inspired to look into single person kayak options for personal use though!

5 out of 5 stars

This was SO much fun! We opted for the driving tour since it was a bit cold out. Of note since I saw someone reviewed this with 1 star and that “no one showed up”, This is a SELF GUIDED TOUR! No one will be at the locations with you. You are solving a murder on your own. We liked that we could play the audio as we were driving to each location to save time. Parts of it are a bit cheesy, like the voice actors that were used, but overall we found it so fun and interactive, and only had to get out of the cars a few times to solve parts of it. We had such a good time and it took us a little over two hours to finish the course. A great date night activity and I’ll be telling everyone about this. Thanks for the fun tour! :)

5 out of 5 stars

The "crater" lake and warm aquafer feeds at Paulina were amazing. A majestic trip. Our guide Dillan had a geology degree; the historic background he shared about Oregon's volcanic foundation was very interesting. An added bonus for sure! I would definitely recommend Wanderlust. Five stars all around.

5 out of 5 stars

Loved the drive....lots of views, the waterfall and the overall views were amazing. Thank you.

5 out of 5 stars

Jefferson was very helpful and I bugged him twice and he was very patient with me