Adventures
Lava Butte Lookout, Bend, Oregon
Rising like a cinder cone sentinel just south of Bend, Lava Butte offers one of Central Oregon's most rewarding short hikes for the payoff it delivers — a fire lookout perched atop a 500-foot volcanic cone with 360-degree views stretching across the Cascade peaks, the sprawling lava fields of Newberry National Volcanic Monument, and the ponderosa forests below. Whether you tackle the steep half-mile trail on foot or catch the seasonal shuttle to the summit, the lookout rewards visitors with a front-row seat to the region's fiery geologic past and a panorama that makes it easy to see why this spot has been used to spot wildfires — and stunning sunsets — for generations.
Lava River Cave, Bend, Oregon
Beneath the sun-scorched high desert just south of Bend, Oregon, a different world waits in total darkness—one carved not by water, but by fire. Lava River Cave stretches more than a mile through a lava tube formed some 80,000 years ago when molten rock from a nearby cinder cone drained away and left behind a hollow, cathedral-like tunnel of basalt. Step inside and the temperature drops to a steady 42 degrees no matter the season above; the desert light fades to black within a few dozen yards, and the only sounds are your own footsteps echoing off rock that's been waiting patiently since long before any trail led here. Whether you're chasing an underground adventure, an escape from summer heat, or just a genuinely strange corner of Oregon's volcanic history, this cave beneath Bend delivers all three.
Smith Rock State Park
Smith Rock State Park is recognized as one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon. Renowned as the birthplace of American sport climbing, offering over 1,800 climbing routes and an extensive trail system for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. The park serves as a vital habitat for wildlife such as golden eagles and prairie falcons. It is a stunning nature park that needs to be seen to be believed.
Three Bears, Watchman, & Five Mile Gulch Trails Loop
A return hike, but this time we did it in reverse. The elevation gain came faster, steeper, and harder going this direction. However, we knew the most beautiful part of the hike was going to be waiting for us at the end. This is one of our favorite Boise Foothills hikes. You cover a substantial area with creeks, grasslands, and wildflowers. We highly recommend it.
Baby Bear, Sleepy Hollow, Blue Ridge, and Grand Traverse Trail
It's a repeat trail for us, but it is a favorite. It has decent views, magnificent wildflowers, interesting trees in some places, and a fun switchback area built for bikes that is also enjoyable to run down. The trail is primarily flat or downhill, with a gradual incline where one exists. It is also well-managed and nearly free of tripping hazards. You may have to share the trail with bikes and other hikers, especially on the section designed for bikes. Enjoy the hike, but pay attention to your surroundings.