Wanderlust Tours May–Sep
Lava tube cave tour
- From $120 a person
- About 3 hours
- Ages 5+
What the guide solves: Access. These are wild caves with no lights, no paths and no signs, and the best one is closed to the public.
Two hours underground with a naturalist, a helmet and a headlamp, 20 minutes from town. Expect some scrambling and a short crawl. Kids 11 and under are $85. The limited-entry cave runs May to mid-September at $130 with groups capped at seven. The standard cave tour is paused until May 2027 under a Forest Service closure, so check which one is running.
Wanderlust Tours May–Oct
Half-day volcano tour
- From $130 a person
- About 4 hours
What the guide solves: Context. You can drive to a lava flow on your own. A naturalist explains why it is there.
A naturalist-led trip into the volcanic country around Bend. A good pick for mixed ages, and for anyone who would rather understand the landscape than race through it.
Sun Country Tours May–Sep
Big Eddy Thriller rafting
- Price on their site
- Under 3 hours
- Ages 6+
What the guide solves: Everything. You cannot do this stretch without a guide, a raft and a shuttle.
Bend’s signature raft trip since 1978. Three miles of the upper Deschutes with four Class III rapids packed into a quarter mile. About 90 minutes on the water, and a bus runs from their Bend or Sunriver office. Summer only.
Seventh Mountain Rafting May–Sep
Big Eddy whitewater, the short version
- From $64 a person
- About 1.5 hours
- Ages 6+
What the guide solves: The same rapids for less time and money, if you can drive yourself to their base.
Same Big Eddy rapids, launched from Century Drive with five departures a day, rain or shine. About an hour on the water. $64 plus a $3 river fee, or $55 on Locals Tuesday. They also run a calmer two-hour kayak and paddleboard trip for $89.
Wanderlust Tours Jun–Oct
Cascade Lakes canoe or kayak tour
- From $130 a person
- About 4 hours
What the guide solves: The boat, the roof rack and knowing which lake is calm today.
They drive you up the Cascade Lakes Highway and put you in a canoe or kayak under the peaks. No experience needed. In October the fall-color trips are the last ones before the highway closes.
Wanderlust Tours Jun–Oct
Moonlight and starlight canoe
- From $140 a person
- About 4 hours
What the guide solves: Being on an alpine lake after dark, which most people would never try alone.
Paddle out at dusk and float under the stars with something warm to drink. It is the most romantic thing on this list. Bring more layers than you think you need.
Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe May–Sep
Paddling lessons and classes
- Price on their site
- Varies
What the guide solves: Skill. This is for people who want to get better, not just get a ride.
The paddling shop on the river in the Old Mill teaches kayak, canoe and paddleboard classes and rents boats and float tubes. Take a lesson on day one and the rest of your trip on the water goes better.
Cog Wild Apr–Oct
Half-day guided mountain bike ride
- Price on their site
- Up to 3 hours
What the guide solves: The map. Bend has hundreds of miles of trail, and a guide picks the right 10 for you.
A shuttle takes you up, so you ride more down than up. 7 to 15 miles matched to your skill, with e-bikes available. They also run a mellow family ride and a full day for strong riders. Based at LOGE on Century Drive.
Cog Wild Dec–Mar
Winter fat bike ride
- From $149 a person
- About 3 hours
What the guide solves: The bike, the pogies and knowing which snow trails are firm enough to ride.
Riding groomed snow on four-inch tires is a real thing here from mid-December to late March. $149 each for two or more, or $225 solo, with the bike, shuttle, snacks and a drink after.
Let It Ride Electric Bikes Apr–Nov
E-bike tour of Bend
- From $75 a person
- 1.5 to 2 hours
What the guide solves: Orientation. You see more of town in 90 minutes than most visitors see in a weekend.
Leaves from Minnesota Avenue downtown. The 90-minute Short & Sweet is $75, the two-hour Deschutes River Tour is $100, and the Taste of Bend with drink stops is $150. Do it on your first afternoon, then you know where everything is.
Wheel Fun Rentals May–Oct
Old Mill e-bike and family bike tours
- From $75 a person
- 1.5 to 2 hours
What the guide solves: A route along the river that works with kids in tow.
Guided rides from the Old Mill: six miles in 90 minutes from $75, or 13 miles along the river in two hours from $99. There is a family ride on regular bikes too. Their self-guided route is free when you rent a bike for half a day.
Paulina Plunge Jun–Sep
Downhill waterfall bike tour
- Price on their site
- Several hours
- Ages 4+
What the guide solves: A shuttle to the top, and a guide who knows where the waterfalls and natural slides are.
A six-mile coast down the flank of Newberry Volcano on fat-tire bikes, dropping about 2,000 feet, with stops to swim at waterfalls and ride two natural rock slides. A long-running summer favorite out of the Sunriver area.
Wanderlust Tours Dec–Apr
Snowshoe tour
- From $130 a person
- About 4 hours
What the guide solves: The snowshoes, the sno-park permit, the drive and a route with no one else on it.
Snowshoeing through the forest near Mt. Bachelor with a naturalist who knows the trees, the tracks and the volcanoes. If you can walk, you can do it.
Wanderlust Tours Dec–Mar
Bonfire on the Snow
- From $165 a person
- About 4 hours
What the guide solves: A fire and warm drinks waiting in a snow amphitheater in the dark.
Snowshoe out under the stars to a bonfire dug into the snow. It is the winter trip people talk about afterward. A moonlit snowshoe without the fire starts at $140. New Year’s Eve sells out early.
Discover Your Forest Jan–Mar
Snowshoe with a Ranger
What the guide solves: The best free guided thing in Central Oregon.
A Forest Service naturalist leads a 1.5-mile loop from the West Village base at Mt. Bachelor on select winter dates. Snowshoes are provided, a $10 donation is requested, and you should register ahead because it fills. Ages 8 and up, no dogs.
Schedule from the 2025 season. Dates change yearly.
Oregon Trail of Dreams Dec–Mar
Sled dog rides at Mt. Bachelor
- Price on their site
- About 1 hour
What the guide solves: A team of huskies. You are not sourcing those yourself.
An hour through the forest behind a dog team, run by a family of Iditarod mushers. Kids light up. It is pricey and books out on holiday weekends, so reserve early.
Central Oregon Adventures Dec–Apr
Guided snowmobile trip
- From $175 a sled
- 2 to 4 hours
What the guide solves: The machine, the trail system and not getting lost in a whiteout.
Leaves from Wanoga Sno-Park at 9, noon and 3. Two hours is $175 driving solo or $250 with a passenger. The four-hour ride to lunch at Elk Lake is $250 or $375, and it is the one to book.
Octane Adventures Dec–Apr
Snowmobiling in Newberry Caldera
- From $190 a sled
- 2, 4 or 8 hours
What the guide solves: Getting into Newberry in winter, when the road is closed to cars.
Rides start near Sunriver, 45 minutes from Bend, from $190 for a single sled or $260 for a double. Longer trips reach Paulina Lake. Drivers must be 21 or older.
Bend Ghost Tours Year-round
Ghosts & Legends of Downtown Bend
- Price on their site
- An evening walk
What the guide solves: The stories. You have walked past these buildings without knowing what happened in them.
A guided walk through downtown’s streets and alleys built on local history and legend. October is prime time. There is also a ghost hunt for ages 16 and up that runs on limited dates.
Deschutes Historical Museum May–Aug
Heritage walking tour
- From $15 a person
- 90 minutes
What the guide solves: Bend history from the people who keep the archives.
About a mile through old Bend with a museum guide, on alternating Saturdays from May through August. Groups are capped at 12 and you need to register. Free for museum members.
Cycle Pub Apr–Nov
Pedal-powered pub tour
- From $220 a group
- 2 hours
What the guide solves: Getting 14 friends between breweries without anyone driving.
The big bike seats 8 to 14 from $440. The small bike takes 4 to 6 from $220. Split 14 ways, that is about $31 each. If nobody wants to pedal, the electric tuk tuk carries six from $250 and also does wine stops.
Yellow Brew Bus Year-round
Private brewery bus
- From $500 a group
- 3 to 5 hours
What the guide solves: A designated driver for up to 14 people, door to door.
A private bus picks you up at your rental. You choose the breweries, cideries, distilleries and dive bars, or let them choose. Three hours is $500, and they list $100 off Sunday through Wednesday.
Wanderlust Tours Year-round
Local Pour craft beverage tour
- Price on their site
- An afternoon
- Ages 21+
What the guide solves: A ride, a guide and no need to fill a whole bus.
Three pour-house stops with tastings, transportation and light appetizers. The right size for a couple or a small group that does not want to rent a private bus.
Seahorse Chocolate Year-round
Bean-to-bar chocolate tour
What the guide solves: The closest thing Bend has to a real food tour.
An hour inside a working chocolate roastery, with plenty to taste. A good rainy or smoky day pick. We cover it and the rest of the tasting scene in our food tours guide.
Leading Edge Aviation Year-round
Helicopter tour
- From $399 a flight
- 30 or 45 minutes
What the guide solves: The Cascades from above, which no trail gets you.
Flights leave Bend Airport and carry up to three people, depending on weight. The 30-minute tour is listed at $399 and the 45-minute at $599. Ask whether that is per seat or for the aircraft. Go on a clear morning.
Outriders Northwest Mar–Oct
Drive-it-yourself RZR tour
- From $299 a vehicle
- 2 to 4 hours
What the guide solves: The machine, the trailer and a guide who knows the dirt roads.
You drive, and a guide leads. Two-hour tours run through lava country or the high desert, at $299 to $349 for each RZR. The price is for the vehicle, so two or more people share it.
Octane Adventures Mar–Nov
ATV tour near Sisters or Brasada
- From $379 a vehicle
- 2, 4 or 8 hours
What the guide solves: A four-seat machine and legal trails to drive it on.
From $379 for a four-seat ATV. The Santiam Pass trails near Sisters run May to October. The Hidden Canyon tour at Brasada Ranch runs March to November. Drivers must be 21, or 25 with kids on board.
Smith Rock Climbing Guides Year-round
Guided climbing at Smith Rock
- Price on their site
- Half or full day
What the guide solves: Ropes, gear, safety and picking a wall that fits a first-timer.
Never climbed? This is the place to start. Guides work seven days a week with all ages, and the price drops as your group grows. Spring and fall are best. In summer, book the morning. Chockstone Climbing Guides is the other well-known outfit here.
Smith Rock Trail Rides Apr–Oct
Horseback ride at Smith Rock
- Price on their site
- About 1.5 hours
- Ages 10+
What the guide solves: A horse, and cliff and canyon views most hikers never get.
One small-group ride a day, with a sunset option. Ages 10 and up. Closer to town, FlySpur Ranch in Tumalo rides year-round and adds a cooked meal. Sunriver Stables takes kids from 7 in spring and summer.
Adventure Tours Bend May–Oct
Small-group sampler tours
- From $99 a person
- 2 to 3 hours
What the guide solves: A short, simple version of the classics when you only have a couple of hours.
Paddleboarding on the Deschutes for $99, or on a Cascade lake for $125. A guided Smith Rock hike or an e-bike tour for $109. A brewery tour for $99. Each runs two to three hours.
