Pilot Butte State Park — Attraction in Bend

Oh, Pilot Butte State Park—the participation trophy of Oregon hiking spots. You’re technically a "state park," but let’s be real, you’re just a glorified hill with an identity crisis. Let’s strap on our dollar-store hiking boots and take a stroll through this "wilderness" (if you can call it that).

The Vibe: "Nature Lite™" Pilot Butte is where people who think walking from their car to Starbucks is cardio go to feel "outdoorsy." It’s not a hike—it’s a slightly inclined sidewalk with delusions of grandeur. The summit view? Bend’s sprawl and a bunch of parking lots. Wow. Majestic.

The "Hike": A StairMaster for People Who Hate Gyms The Trail – A dusty, sunbaked slog where the only wildlife you’ll see is a dehydrated tourist chugging a Smartwater. The Summit – Congrats, you made it! Your reward? A 360° view of… more Central Oregon desert. "Is that… another brewery?" The Drive-Up Option – Because why walk when you can idle your SUV at the top like a true nature enthusiast?

The Crowd: A Parade of Mediocrity Out-of-Shape Hikers – Breathing heavy after 10 steps, muttering "it’s the altitude" (it’s not). Instagram Posers – Taking the same basic sunset pic 500,000 other people have taken. #Blessed #NatureLover #FilterHeavy Local Teens – Parked at the top, vaping and debating whether Dutch Bros or Sonic has better happy hour.

The Wildlife (LOL) The Lone Prairie Dog – The park’s sole attempt at "wilderness," looking as bored as you feel. Aggressive Crows – Eyeing your granola bar like "drop it, loser." That One Guy Running Shirtless – Because nothing says "I respect nature" like sunburned nipples.

Final Verdict ⭐ 2.8/5 Basic Boulders – "It’s not a hike—it’s a walk with extra steps."

Pilot Butte is the microwave dinner of outdoor adventures—quick, unsatisfying, and kinda sad. But hey, at least you can brag "I climbed a volcano!" (…if you ignore the fact it’s extinct, tiny, and paved).

(Bonus Roast: The "butte" in its name is French for "hill that couldn’t commit to being a...

I often take one of my clients up to the top of Pilot Butte. Since she is in a wheelchair she often just sits in the car and looks at the scenery. I usually get out of the car and walk 2-4 times around the top of the Butte for some exercise while she is in the car. In the center at the top of Pilot Butte they have some plaques that have the names of all of the mountains and buttes you can see from there. There are also a lot of hiking trails on the Butte. You can see Pilot Butte from quite a ways away from Bend OR. With the way that Bend OR has grown in the past few years Pilot Butte has ended up well within the city limits. You can get some beautiful views from the top. They may have already closed the road to the top for the winter but hikers can still access it. They close the road because it is a narrow, windy road and very dangerous when there is...

It was a hazy day as I climbed up the Pilot Butte Nature Trail to the summit.

You will need to pick up a brochure at the trailhead for the numbered posts on the trail.

The one mile nature trail is a very steep dirt trail after the short paved section at the trailhead.

The scenic viewpoints with benches along the trail make it easier to climb to the summit.

The summit has nice views on a clear day of the Three Sisters, Mt Hood, and a number of other peaks.

You can drive to the summit as an option to hiking the steep trail.

The park has no water fountains at this time that can be used.

The trail is located at the second exit for the park on Greenwood Avenue near downtown Bend.

A nice park in Bend with three trails, picnics tables, a bathroom, a playground and great views on a clear day of the...