Bend - Outdoor Playground of the West

Bend is often called "the outdoor playground of the West," and for good reason. It is one of the few U.S. cities with a volcanic cinder cone—Pilot Butte—within its city limits, and it is known for having one of the highest concentrations of breweries per capita. The city also enjoys nearly 300 days of sunshine each year.

The city is located in the central part of the state of Oregon, east of the Cascade Mountains, where Ponderosa pine forests meet the high desert.

If you travel to Bend from the Willamette Valley, you will notice how the lush, maritime climate of the valley transitions into the cooler mountain climate of the Cascades, and then into the dry, high-desert climate of Deschutes County.

Bend is the seat of Deschutes County, which is named after the Deschutes River that flows through the city. The river received its name in the early 19th century from French Canadian trappers of the Hudson’s Bay Company, who called it Rivière des Chutes (French for “River of the Falls”).

Despite its modest size compared to other U.S. cities, Bend remains the largest city in Central Oregon. According to the 2020 Census, it has a population of just under 100,000 residents. The Bend Metropolitan Area is one of the largest in Oregon and continues to experience steady growth.

Over the past decade, Bend and Deschutes County have been among the fastest-growing areas in Oregon. After the logging era ended, tourism became the city’s leading economic driver. Today, Bend is widely known as an outdoor recreation hub, offering a wide range of activities—from art and dining to hiking, skiing, snowboarding, fishing, rock climbing, rafting, and golfing.

Downtown Bend features art galleries, a variety of restaurants, and unique local shops. Throughout the year, the city hosts numerous events, including live theater, music performances, gallery exhibitions, museums, and art festivals.

The city is also home to 18 breweries, four wineries, and three cideries. Among them is Deschutes Brewery, one of the largest craft breweries in the United States. Bend hosts several beer-related events each year, including Bend Oktoberfest, the Little Woody Barrel-Aged Brew and Whiskey Fest, and Bend Brewfest.

Bend has also received recognition as one of the most dog-friendly cities in the country. In 2012, it was named the nation’s most dog-friendly town by Dog Fancy, reflecting its many off-leash areas and pet-friendly businesses.