Snowshoeing & Winter Hikes Bend Oregon
Where to snowshoe in Bend, Oregon
Discover trails in the Deschutes National Forest and surrounding woods of Bend Oregon that many don’t get to visit in the wintertime. The area gets up to 462 inches of average snowfall per year making it some of the best winter hiking in Oregon. If the snow gets too deep for you to hike then no worries, slap on your favorite set of snowshoes or find one of the many places that offer snowshoe rentals (or even tours)! Bend Oregon is a magnificent place to soothe your wanderlust spirit in the backcountry or trekking some of the great trails and loops that are groomed for snowshoeing. Whatever your preference… we invite you to discover all the wonder of our winter hikes and snowshoeing trails.
Nearby Snowshoeing Trails, Loops, & Activities
The Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center provides some of the best nearby snowshoeing trails, loops, & activities close to Bend. This includes over 10 km of signed and packed snowshoe trails that have different elevation variations, plus a variety of Snowshoe Tours. Learn about the winter ecology and the geology of Central Oregon, the Deschutes National Forest watershed, and the plants & animals found throughout the area. The U.S. Forest Service Naturalists provide a FREE 90-minute interpretive tour from Mid-December to the end of March from the West Village Base Area. They also offer Snowshoe rentals if you do not have a set of your own. For ease, you can purchase tickets in advance, reserve your rentals, and set up lessons online.
This breathtaking snowshoe trail takes you on a 4.5-mile loop that is located just 3 minutes from Bend. This is a great trail for all skill levels and you can even bring Fido and friends, just remember to keep them on a leash and clean up after them. Set in a forest of great trees containing aspens and ponderosa pines you can catch beautiful views of Tumalo Creek in the canyon below.
Sitting at 5,800 feet elevation, Swampy Lakes Sno-Park is closed to snowmobiles and dogs. With two dozen miles of groomed and ungroomed trails, we are sure you will find the perfect trekking or snowshoe experience. If you should get chilled, there are several warming shelters to enjoy along the way. Make sure to check out the trail map below as it’s easy to cross cover to another trail either extending or shortening your hike. Swampy Lakes Sno-Park is located just west of Wanogo Sno-Park on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. Don’t forget to get your Sno-Park Parking Permit and place it on the dash of your vehicle before hitting the trail.
Best Winter Hiking Trails
This six-mile loop is one of the best winter hiking trails for kids and families, especially in winter when it’s not so busy and hot. The conditions average cooler and there is not much accumulation of snow making it perfect for seeing a variety of different wildlife, plus breathtaking beauty from the Cascade mountains around.
This trail is made up of three different trails in the Deschutes National Forest, and is the best winter hiking for someone who wants a long trail system to enjoy. The Coyote Loop Trail, Boyd Cave Trail, and the Arnold Ice Cave Trail together make the 9.8 mile long Horse Butte Loop Trail. This winter hike is considered moderate but depending on current conditions it could be harder. Check the forecast as the area has few trees and if it’s windy it can be darn cold and uncomfortable for most, but its amazing on a bluebird day!
Located on the northwest side of Bend and the east side of the Deschutes River sits the Riley Ranch Nature Reserve. This 185 acre reserve is former ranch land that has nearly 1 1/2 miles of compacted gravel paths and soft-surface trails that wind through amazing untouched wilderness. The hiking terrain varies from meadows to groves of juniper and pine trees, it includes lava flows and a river canyon from a long time ago. Come hike one of the best winter hiking trails in the Bend, OR area.
Winter Vacation Rentals Close to Ski Trails
More Fantastic Bend Oregon Winter Activities
Winter Vacation Rental Homes & Condos
Find your perfect nordic & cross country ski vacation rental in Bend OR, stay with Alpenglow Vacation Rentals. We offer a wide variety of vacation rentals to suit your winter outdoor activities of choice, allowing you to play hard all day and come back to the perfect home base for the evening.Check out our Local Area Guide for great recommendations on restaurants and other services in the area or read through our Winter in Bend Oregon info for even more amazing winter activities to help you plan the best Bend Oregon winter vacation!