• Pilot Butte is an extinct volcano remnant within the city limits
• Enjoy a spectacular vista and take awesome photos of nine snowcapped peaks
Pilot Butte is a 500-foot (150 m) extinct volcanic remnant located within the city limits of Bend's city limit. It was formed during a volcanic eruption approximately 188,000 years ago.
Only a few cities in the United States have a volcano within city limits, including Portland (Oregon), Jackson (Mississippi), and Honolulu (Hawaii).
Native peoples once used Pilot Butte as a lookout point to observe wildlife, while pioneers used it to help navigate travel routes across the region.
The 100-acre Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint has been a state park since 1927 and is one of the most visited scenic viewpoints east of the Cascades in Oregon.
Pilot Butte is a popular hiking destination with multiple trail options totaling about 7 miles.
Hikers can choose between the steep one-mile Natural Trail or the more gradual paved road. Both routes lead to panoramic views of Bend, the high desert, and the Cascade Range.
Visitors can also drive to the summit during daylight hours, although the road is closed to vehicles in winter.
From the summit, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of nine snowcapped peaks, including Mount Bachelor, the Three Sisters, Mount Jefferson, Black Butte, and Mount Hood. The scenery is especially stunning at sunset or during a full moon.
Interpretive panels along the trails provide information about the area’s geography, geology, and natural history.
Find Places to Stay
Bend has a ton of lodging options, including hotels, inns, and vacation rentals. You can find comfortable places to stay near the Pilot Butte throughout the city.
Adventures Nearby
Directions to Pilot Butte
Phone: 541-388-6055
Address: NE Greenwood Ave, Bend, Oregon 97701
oregonstateparks.org