Top Bend Day Trips

Smith Rock is Oregon’s premier rock climbing destination. There are scores of classic climbs on the tuff and basalt cliffs; development continues to this day with new moderates and cutting-edge routes going up each year. After exploring Smith Rock we will stop for lunch in the town of Sisters, Oregon. This friendly little outpost in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains draws visitors for its profound natural beauty as well as annual celebrations. After your afternoon in Sisters we will drive you back to your hotel in Bend with a stop at magnificent Petersen Rock Garden & Museum. Petersen Rock Garden is one of those roadside attractions that defies description. The garden started in 1935 as the pet project of Danish immigrant Rasmus Petersen. Petersen set about creating castles with moats, fountains, towers, bridges, even miniature models of famous buildings like the Statue of Liberty, all built from rocks, shells, bits of glass, and other found objects.

Choose either to explore around Mt. Bachelor and drive up the Cascade Mountain Lakes Scenic Highway or the Three Sisters Mountains including Three Creeks Lake and views of Tam MacArthur Rim. Learn about the natural landscape with a local photographer by Central Oregon's best scenic view points and get 15-20 high quality edited photos to remember your time here and the picturesque Cascade Mountains.