Spending time in Bend, Oregon savoring the sights and enjoying time away from the daily hustle is always a treat for travelers. It’s also an opportunity to jump in the car and explore some of the most spectacular scenic drives in around! When you’re ready to pair the miles with mesmerizing views, these scenic drives in Bend, Oregon are sure to inspire.
Travel the Willamette Highway
Loved as one of Central Oregon’s most scenic roadways around, the Willamette Highway is accessible from Bend using Highway 97 and provides adventurers with more than 86 miles of tantalizing terrain, road, and views to enjoy along the way. Willamette Highway is sometimes referred to as Highway 58 but the beauty that comes along with the journey is all the same. A ride along this route is a chance to take in everything from glittering lakes and lush forests to amazing wildlife as well. You’ll head over the Cascade Range when you take to Willamette Highway and will also have a chance to set your sights on the Diamon Peak Wilderness. There are opportunities to stop at places like Salt Creek Falls along the path which is known as the second-highest waterfall in the entire state. The Willamette Pass Ski Area sits along Willamette Highway and McCredie Hot Springs is a popular drive stop when you’re looking to relax with a soak. The Lowell State Recreation Site is on this route as well and is a great place to stop and enjoy time at the two reservoirs or picnic, boat, or fish. You’ll want to set aside about two hours to see this entire route with more time built in for stops. A must for taking scenic drives near Bend, Oregon!
Explore the Cascade Lakes Highway During Your Scenic Drives in Bend, Oregon
If you have three to five hours of travel time to spare in the name of scenic drives near Bend, Oregon, make sure you add a drive along the Cascade Lakes Highway to your to-do list in Bend. This route encompasses 66 miles of terrain and can be easily accessed from the west side of Bend. The route takes adventurers past Mt. Bachelor as well as the Three Sisters Wilderness Area which is a prime stop for outdoor adventurers looking to pair their drive with fishing, hiking, or biking too. There are a variety of alpine lakes to be enjoyed along the Cascade Lakes Highway a few of which include Cultus Lake, Elk Lake, and Davis Lake. A stop at Crane Prairie Reservoir can be built into a Cascade Lakes Highway drive as well. Along the way, be sure to enjoy views of forests, lush meadows, and volcanic peaks too.
Enjoy Your Oregon Adventure
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