This is a great trail if you are an intermediate rider who likes rocky terrain. I myself am not a…read morehuge fan of this trial overall. But do have some favorite sections here and there. The elevation gain and loss on this trail are pretty up and down. I am not a huge fan of this as I don't like uphill pedaling. But if you are looking for a good workout, you might find this trail to suit you. It travels from the Storm King Trail to The Lair and can be a great connecting point from the Wanoga Trailhead to Phils Trailhead. This trail is pretty low in elevation in the section near Phil's Trailhead and can thaw quicker than the Wanoga trials. Overall, if rock features are not your favorite, this trial may not be ideal for you. However, if you're looking to get from the Wanoga Trailhead to Phils Trailhead, this is a great option to consider and might save your day. Here is a good link to the trail etiquette in this area https://bendtrails.org/ Here's a good map and elevation information on a good loop option from this trail. https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/25918/cod-storm-king-loop Here is a link to the land management agency that manages this area https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3794824.pdf

Located in-between South and North Sisters, this peak is also in the middle in terms of difficulty…read more In good weather/conditions, South is very much a hike or "walk up". North, is always a technical climb. There are many "you fall, you die" zones on it. Most everyone takes a rope and climbing gear. Middle...well, you definitely want an ice axe and crampons, but you can probably leave the rope at home. The summit offers incredible views of the other Sisters (duh). It's also big enough and flat enough to set up a couple tents. It's not anywhere NEAR as big as South Sister though, so don't get any crazy ideas!

Anytime I have a friend that wants to learn to mountain bike, I take them to Marvins Garden Trail…read more This trail starts at Phil's Trailhead and ends at the COD Trail. If you really want to inspire yourself or a friend take them to the Lair and witness some gnarly jumps. I pee a little in my pants everytime I look at them. A good portion of the trail has some gradual elevation gain and loss that makes it rideable in the uphill and fun and fast in the downhill. I often fantasize about the Star Wars speeder bike scene when I am the ripping downhill on this section. This is a two lane trial and makes sure you stop for the uphill riders. There are a few jeep roads that cross paths with this trail that give you some options if you're needing a break from the singletrack for some reason. Lastly, there is a steep section in the middle of this trail that will have you huffing and puffing, but you make it, it has one of the best views of Bend from any other mountain bike trail. Overall, if you are looking for a short little exciting ride or have a friend who wants a proper intro to the Phil's Trailhead system, check this trail out for sure. However, if your looking for speed or berms you may want to try out some of the other trails that Central Oregon has for you. Here is a link to a website that has some trail etiquette information. https://bendtrails.org/ Here is a good link to a good map of this trail and some elevation information. https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/26326/marvins-garden Here is a good link to the land management agency that manages this area https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3794824.pdf

Tam McArthur Rim appears on many 'must do' lists for Central Oregon hiking trails. Rightfully so…read more It's spectacular and accessible. Clocking in at about 6 miles round trip from the trailhead to the rim overlook, the trail gains some 1300 feet in elevation, so it's not easy. More like moderate. The trail can be negotiated with pretty much any athletic shoes. There is a steep section near the beginning and also somewhat near the end. Although it's fairly well marked and apparent, the trail does split in two during the second half and it's not apparent which path is the 'officail' one. It doesn't matter we took the rim-side path going up and the other one coming down. I suspect one may be designated the horse trail (a horse trail joins TMR along the way). From the rim you'll get great views of the Three Lakes area below as well as the Cascade Range volcanoes. When we hiked, the fires in the region caused limited visibility but Broken Top and the Three Sisters were nicely in view, as well as Bachelor looking the other way. Being super popular, I expected a lot of traffic on the trail even on a weekday. Not so much. we saw maybe six other groups/singles and had the overlook to ourselves for a good half hour. The trail continues on to Broken Top but even if you're not doing that, do hike a bit further along the rim (a few hundred yards) - there's a loop that comes back around to the trail to Three Lakes. This is a lightly shaded trail. You'll be among the trees for a good bit but more often you'll be exposed to full sun. As always with area hikes, check out Chris C's review too.

This is a must go trails if you are looking for a view of the mountains without actually climbing…read moreany of the actual mountains. Things to note, depending on the time of year you go, the parking may be snowed in, there might be a lot of mosquitoes, and you may get fairly sunburned if you do not wear sunscreen. This trail starts out of three creeks lake parking lot. It is a pretty steep incline to start out as you approach the actual rim. Once you reach the rim you can start to ge t a good view of the lakes in the area to the east. Then the trails gets fairly flat and you start to follow a cliff that has a massively steep drop off so be careful. As you walk along this cliff you are treated to one of the most breathtaking views of the three sisters mountains in central Oregon. Depending on the time of year you are hiking you will encounter many snowfields that are quite a sit themselves. If you are a photographer looking for shots, be sure to wake up and leave early as the sun approaches this area fairly quick. This is one of my favorite hikes in central Oregon and I'm always back for more! Here is a link to the land management agency that monitors this area https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=71841 Here is a good website with navigation and distance for the hike http://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/tam-mcarthur-rim-trail

We tried to go to the lava lands visitor center hike and the gate was closed on July 10, 2025. So…read morewe made our way down to a separate path which had a parking lot that lead us along the river. The trail was wider than a car and could easily fit 3 people walking and a biker with ample space. We did 1 mile from the parking lot and back, not completing the 1.9 miles from the point of the sign we found to the north edge of the sunriver. We got to a point where it looked like you could drive up to the water fall. We went early in the morning 630 and so glad we had mosquito repellant because they literally were flying around us as we walked the whole way. I would definitely recommend putting on some as soon as you get out of the car.

This paved bike path starts at the Lava Lands Visitor Center. It is about 5.5 miles of pavement…read more The width of the path is about the same as a car lane on a road. If you are looking to get a scenic road bike ride in, but don't like having cars with angry drivers honking at you. This might be your kind of activity. This trail partially parallels the Deschutes river but does not have many opportunities to actually view the river. If you want to follow next to the river, there is a mountain bike trail in between the bike path and the river, but having a bike with shocks will be needed for it. There are many scenic bike trails in Bend, but not many offer the mellow paved biking experience with the natural feel of a mountain biking trail like this. When I want a ride that is smooth and dustless... this is where I go all of the time! Here is a link to the land management agency that maintains this trial https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recreation/bicycling/recarea/?recid=38394&actid=26 Here is a link to a good map for this path https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3813654.pdf

South Canyon Reach comprises the section of the river trail running on both sides of the river…read moresouth of the Reed Market Road Bridge. Note that the section including Riverbend and Farewell Bend Parks is in the Old Mill Reach. A loop trail of about three miles in length, South Canyon is an easy walk. Much of it is on developed gravel trail. A footbridge spans the river at the loop turn around point. Bikes are allowed on the section running along the east side of the river but not the west. There are connections to other trails on both sides. A cool feature is an outfall from a small Central Oregon Irrigation District hydropower plant. You'll see it on the east side where a boardwalk runs along the river.

I came here on a weekday afternoon to run, and the trail was awesome! It goes along the river, very…read morepeaceful and great views. Not too many people, and it has a one-way path due to covid I think. Lots of water, trees, great views.

Very beautiful lake. A short walk from the parking. Don't forget your parking pass. Very quiet and…read moretranquil.

Did an engagement session, winter 2019 and there were a ton of cars/people in the parking lot. We…read moredecided not to hike the trail since my couples were dressed up and didn't have the proper shoes to hike. We went down to the field and took pictures and found snow to do the rest of the engagement photos in. If you are looking for an intimate wedding or elopement photographer, please visit stunningportraitphotography.com

Chush Falls trail is located in the Deschutes National Forest south of Sisters. Much of the trail…read more(including Chush Falls and Upper Chush Falls) lies within the Sisters Wilderness area, so applicable wilderness regulations apply. This is Whychus Creek Wild and Scenic River territory. The trailhead is accessed by forest road NF-600, which is about a mile long and is passable by regular vehicles (assuming the winter snow has melted). NF-600 is accessed from forest road NF-1514, a good road that comes off the Three Creeks Lake Road (NF-16) running south from Sisters. The turnoff from NF-1514 to NF-600 is right at the Whychus Creek bridge. You can also get to the NF-600 turnoff coming the other way from NF-15 just west of Sisters. The trail itself is moderate with a mostly gentle slope up grade. It's a little over two miles to Chush Falls where the trail officially ends. At the end point, you can see Chush Falls quite well from the elevation of the top of the falls. But if you're inclined, do scramble down the steep trail beyond the trail end to get to the base level. That's your best view of the these falls. But you're not done. After returning up to trail end, continue on the trail upriver (upcreek?). For about a mile (which involves increasing elevation change particularly at the very end), you'll follow Whychus Creek past a few smaller waterfalls and rapids, finally arriving at the gem of the trail: Upper Chush Falls. This cascade is where Whychus Creek tumbles down off a very steep and pretty high cliff face. It's beautiful. Note that the trail might seem to end where there are rocks to sit on and enjoy the view near the base of the waterfall, but take the time to find the short steep trail to your left that goes up to a better view point. Be careful - underfoot will be rocks that are not well embedded and a slip may well end in disaster for you. All along the trail, the Three Sisters, and less so Broken Top, lord over the landscape as you travel through first a section of burn area that has left a rather surreal scene, beautiful in its own right, and then unburnt higher elevation pine forest. Even without the waterfalls, this is a great hike.