Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint — Attraction in Bend

I have been to the top of the Butte many times in the last 50 years. It has a gorgeous view of the surrounding country side. I have often taken one or two of my home care clients up to the top so they can enjoy the view also. It is very peaceful up there. If you go up the steps to the very top you will see plaques that name every mountain you can see from there. A year or so back when my client & I went up there we had the privilege of seeing & hearing a group of Indians singing & dancing while we were there. A warning to those who are scared of narrow roads winding up and down a hill...don't look down if you are on the outside edge. The road is really quite safe but I recommend going up & down the hill slowly. There are also a lot of people hiking up & down the hill on the various trails so drive carefully. It is closed too all vehicle traffic after we get the first snow until they re-open it in the spring. The city of Bend has a great fireworks display from the top of the Butte every 4th of July. It is sponsored by The Bulletin which is our local paper. It can be seen for many miles around. I will try to remember to take some pictures the next time I...

pilot butte was such a beautiful, restorative place to go. a little slice of the great out of doors. unfortunately, it has become a victim of its own beauty, and accessibility, as it is now overrun by irresponsible dog owners who allow their best friends to leave evidence of their "passage" (pun intended). the place stinks like a big phatt kennel, despite the fact that the necessary accoutrements are provided for the removal of this unsightly plague. fortunately, construction of a FOUR STORY apartment is progressing nicely, at the very base of our beloved pile. what was the city thinking? i used to run the butte every other day after work, but no more. the smell. the mobs. a second trail straight up the side would be nice. i could use one of the myriad use trails, but that would just hasten the erosion, resulting in pyroclastic flows of dog effluent washing through town- a catastrophe of cataclysmic potential. an official second trail would possibly render the butte enjoyable again, but until then, sorry. i'd rather get a treadmill... p.s. i don't blame anyone for wanting to walk the butte- it is beautiful, but can you PLEASE just grab a bag and pick up your...

Definitely a must-hit stop if your traveling to/through. Amazing views of the city and surrounding valley all the way up the big mountain peaks. The drive is nice and easy while the hiking trail provides a bit more rough of an experience with a decent but short climb. For an in between you can walk up the road and get a nice stroll to the top without having to worry about parking.

Life-pro-tip: the majority of people will take the first spot they see at the top, because of this you can usually find parking with direct mountain views if you just drive the loop at the top first. Unless there's a beautiful sunset.... Then you're...