Pilot Butte — Local services in Bend

​Pilot Butte is an absolute must-visit landmark in Bend, offering one of the best "big payoff for little effort" experiences in Central Oregon. This extinct cinder cone volcano, located right within the city limits, provides unparalleled 360-degree panoramic views of the region. ​The main draw is the breathtaking vista of the Cascade Mountain Range, including clear sightlines to the Three Sisters, Mount Bachelor, and Mount Hood on a clear day. Looking east, you see the vast high desert, and below, the entire city of Bend sprawls out. ​Getting to the top is flexible: you can drive the paved, seasonal road (closed in winter) or hike one of the trails. The hike is short—about a mile one-way—but quite steep, providing an excellent, quick workout. The summit features informative plaques to identify the surrounding peaks. ​The atmosphere at sunset is legendary, with the city lights twinkling below and the Cascade peaks glowing, though it can get very crowded. Whether you hike up to "earn your view" or drive for accessibility, Pilot Butte is a quintessential Bend experience and a perfect spot to appreciate the scale of Oregon's high...

Pilot Butte has a great vantage point to see a lot of great scenery across Bend, including various mountains, volcanos, lava fields and a caldera. The National Forest Service has a ranger at the top during their working hours and are helpful in explaining what you're looking at. There is also a fire ranger station there, but they're on duty, so limited conversations with them.

Tips: If you're going in summer, be mindful that there is barely any shade, so bring ample sunscreen, hat and water. No bathrooms at the top of the butte, so go before! You can walk the quarter mile around the caldera, but it's fairly rocky. Wear close-toed / appropriate shoes. If you have a car, you can park at the top (limited to ~10 cars). The National Forest Service suggests you take the bus. It comes every 20 mins. It's $3 roundtrip per...

A must visit if you come to Bend. This hill has a small road (that is currently, at least as of June 2021, closed to traffic and motor vehicles and only bikes and pedestrians can access to) in a spiral that reaches to the top. There are no straight line shortcuts and it is quite steep and long, so allow at least 30 minutes to get all the way up, but believe me, it is totally worth it. You will have, on a clear-sky day, views to the city from above and of course all the mountains to the west, north and south, most of the year snow covered. At the top there are some information panels and signs and 360 degree...