This small city blends art, culture, and cuisine amid a magnificent natural setting not far from Redmond, site of FMCA’s next international convention.
By Jan Lee
June 2024
Tucked into the eastern side of Oregon’s Cascade Range and surrounded by miles of high, sunny desert is the popular city of Bend. Some 30 minutes south of Redmond, Oregon — where FMCA’s 109th International Convention & RV Expo will take place August 14 through 17 — Bend is a must-stop for RVers looking to experience Oregon’s best outdoor attractions. Breathtaking scenery and an almost unlimited array of outdoor recreational activities make this destination famous.
Visitors can cycle or walk Bend’s River Trail along the Deschutes River.
Surrounding a 4,142-foot-high extinct volcano called Pilot Butte, Bend is one of only four cities in the United States to have an actual volcano within its city limits. Its many neighborhoods are clustered at the bottom of the extinct cone, offering an easy reach to hiking and scenic views from the mountain. The terrain also affords ample opportunities for biking and city browsing.
Like many towns that were founded by 19th-century European settlers, the city’s name is a nod to its iconic history. Pioneers looking to ford the unpredictable Deschutes River called the area’s most approachable point of crossing “Farewell Bend.” Today, that old crossing is marked by Farewell Bend Park and the Deschutes River Trail, a 2.7-mile partially paved walking and biking path that meanders through the popular Riverbend Park and traces both sides of the Deschutes River. Both parks have boat launches and picnic areas.
BEND’S RESILIENT HISTORY
Bend exudes small-town charm.
Indigenous tribes made their homes in the area that is now called Central Oregon for at least a millennia before European settlers arrived. The Confederated Tribes — Warm Springs, Wascoes, and Paiutes — hunted and fished the waters of the Deschutes River until around 1855 when their people were relocated to the Warm Springs Reservation. But their cultural contributions live on. Today visitors can learn about the cultures and history of these tribes at the Museum at Warm Springs on the Warm Springs Reservation. The museum’s holdings are considered to be among the best collections of artifacts relating to Plateau Native American history in North America. Visitors can view live demonstrations of Native American art and culture each summer weekend.
The Deschutes Historical Museum, located in Bend, offers its own valuable account of Central Oregon history with numerous exhibits and a popular self-directed tour of the area’s historic landmarks (the free tour can be downloaded as an app from Google Play and the App Store). In addition, plan to attend the museum’s free antique fair this summer on August 10 and enjoy the exhibits and live music.
Farm-to-fork is a specialty at the Terra Kitchen, located in the SCP Redmond Hotel.
THE HIGH DESERT’S EPICUREAN FOOD TRAIL
Bend and Redmond are in the midst of Central Oregon’s agricultural region, a collection of almost a dozen towns and a rich tapestry of farms, ranches, niche eateries, and craft beverage producers. Good state roads and highways connect Bend with the towns of Sisters, Terrebonne, La Pine, Prineville, and others, where visitors can sample seasonal specialties. The High Desert Food and Farm Alliance (HDFFA) publishes a downloadable map (hdffa.org/hdft) with a curated list of just about every way one can experience the area’s gastronomic offerings. For RVers attending this summer’s FMCA convention at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond, it’s worth noting that all these destinations are within an hour or two drive of the expo grounds.
Bend is known for its craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries, some of which can be found near the downtown quarter. Most of the establishments offer dining, and some of the outlying attractions are pet friendly. On August 30 and 31 this year, the Deschutes Historical Museum will be the place to sample some of those unique brews at the Little Woody Barrel-Aged Beer, Cider, and Whiskey Festival.
At Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards, grapes ripen in the sun within view of the Three Sisters mountains.
Enjoy farmer’s markets? You’ve come to the right county. During the summer, the Redmond Saturday Market features fresh local produce and meats, as well as live music. Sisters, located 30 minutes west of Redmond via State Route 126, hosts a family-friendly market on Sundays. Check out the High Desert food map for more destinations.
And for those who enjoy cycling, visit HDFFA’s website for a list of recommended bike routes that take you past not-to-miss attractions in Bend, Redmond, and Sisters. Electric-bike rentals are available in each of those towns.
Deschutes National Forest is full of stunning natural vistas, such as Tumalo Falls.
DESCHUTES OUTDOORS
Deschutes County’s year-round parks and outdoor recreation are world-famous, attracting millions of visitors each year. A major reason for that is its stunning beauty. The area’s unusual rock formations and backdrops are magnets to artists and hikers alike. Whether you prefer to see nature by foot, bike, or vehicle, there’s plenty to appreciate in and around Bend and Redmond. Both are surrounded by more than a dozen parks, including three national forests (Deschutes, Ochoco, and Willamette) as well as numerous state parks.
Deschutes National Forest is the closest national park land that offers summer camping. Reservations are required. When planning that visit, travelers will want to keep in mind that the National Forest Service has begun limiting the number of visitors to its most popular attractions to protect sensitive park ecology. Day permits may be required. So, if you’re planning to visit Deschutes National Forest, be sure to check the website first for best times and procedures for scheduling your visit (fs.usda.gov/main/deschutes).
The Deschutes attracts white-water kayakers and rafters.
Redmond Caves Recreation Site, a Bureau of Land Management property, is another popular destination. Its five cavernous lava tubes can be accessed by foot and are within a 25-minute walk of Redmond’s expo grounds. However, there are no accessible facilities in the park.
The Deschutes River meanders through the center of Bend, but don’t let its lazy mood fool you. White-water rafting, particularly at the height of summer, is the Deschutes River’s biggest claim to fame. Most rafting tours start about 1.5 hours north of Bend. Several good outfitters offer Class III rafting on the Deschutes and Rogue rivers. Bend’s visitor center, Visit Bend, can provide contact details.
Bend offers several camping options.
RV PARKS ABOUND
RV parks are peppered throughout Deschutes County, and many are an easy drive from the city center in Bend or Redmond. Bend’s more popular parks all offer full hookups with 30/50-amp service. Early booking is advisable, and six months ahead is best. All accommodate later bookings/walk-ins when possible. In addition, many RV parks offer discounts (military, association memberships, etc.) and other perks, so be sure to ask.
The Camp (thecampbend.com, 541-382-2335), located conveniently near downtown, has 28 back-in sites up to 51 feet in length. The park can sometimes accommodate larger rigs as well. Pets up to 50 pounds are welcome; larger pets need to be approved.
Scandia RV Park (scandiarv.com, 541-382-6206) has over 30 full-hookup sites, including six pull-through sites. Site lengths vary. Most pet breeds are welcome.
Sun Outdoors Bend (sunoutdoors.com/oregon/sun-outdoors-bend, 541-388-1131) has 99 back-in sites that are 75 feet in length and six pull-through sites that are 130 feet. The campground also features an on-site dog park.
Crooked River Ranch RV Park (crookedriverranch.com, 541-923-1441), 20 minutes from Redmond in Terrebonne, has approximately 90 RV sites accommodating RV combinations about 60 feet in length. Summer amenities include a pool, golf, lake fishing, and a nearby tap house. The park is set against the backdrop of Central Oregon’s stunning landscape, where visitors can appreciate the natural, quirky beauty of the high desert.
If you revel in the beauty of the outdoors, savor artisanal foods and craft beers, and enjoy exploring local cultures, you’ll want to make Bend a part of your Central Oregon RV journey.
More Info
Visit Bend
visitbend.com
(541) 382-8048
Visit Central Oregon
visitcentraloregon.com
(800) 800-8334
Travel Oregon
traveloregon.com
(800) 547-7842