The sun is out, the heat is slowly coming in and flowers and trees are blooming. We all know what that means, Summer is rolling in! Everyone here in Bend, Oregon absolutely loves Summer activities. There is always something fun and adventurous to try here. This is why we wanted to share some of our favorite JEM Organics Summer Activities to do in Bend, Oregon. If you try some of these suggestions, don’t forget to bring a jar of JEM Organics as a snack.
Climbing at Smith Rock
Visit Smith Rock for an epic rock climb! Even if you don’t rock climb, there are plenty of ways to enjoy these amazing rock formations. Go for a beautiful walk, bring a delicious picnic, take a relaxing horseback ride or venture up Misery Ridge for a great panoramic view. It’s also always fun to watch other rock climbers make their way up these flat and bare cliffs. Make some JEM Hazelnut Butter Bark with Raspberries for a quick pick me up when burning those calories on the wall or hiking the trails.
Horseback Riding
There are so many beautiful ranches here in Bend. You can book a horseback ride down Deschutes River, through the meadows, in the forest and along Smith Rock. It’s the perfect chance to feel like a true cowboy or cowgirl. Sisters, Oregon (30 minutes away from Bend), they host a rodeo every summer. Definitely a must see! Have a wonderful mid ride snack with some Cashew Curry Hummus in a to go container and some carrots. Some for you and some for your horse.
Hiking
The options are endless! Take a small hike to Tumalo Falls or a long hike to the top of South Sister for an epic view. Head to Paulina Peak for a day on the lake and a short hike to the top. Drive a bit further to get to Crater Lake, a beautiful lake that happens to be the deepest in America. If you want a very short hike with a spectacular 360 view, hike Pilot Butte right in Bend. It’s an easy 1 mile up and you get a lay of the land. The river trail is also a classic loop that spans about three miles along the scenic Deschutes river! When hiking, don’t forget a healthy and satisfying snack. Make some Beauty Bites with JEM in order to fuel up.
Lake/River Sports
Bend has moving water and plenty of lakes for a fun day in the sun. Float down the Deschutes on a tube, paddle board, kayak, canoe, whatever your choice and have a relaxing day on the water. Or, head to a nearby lake for a beach day. Elk Lake is a go to! You can also venture up Cascade Lakes highway where you will find all of the most popular Central Oregon lakes like, Cultus, Sparks, Todd, Hosmer and more! Some other fun places are Paulina and Crescent Lake. You can even enjoy some adventurous white water rafting along the Deschutes. There are plenty of local companies, like Sun Country Tours that will take you on adrenaline pumping guided tours! Be sure to bring some chilled JEM Raspberry Bites to help cool off during those hot days by the lake and rivers.
Fishing
Rainbow trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, black crappie, kokanee, and brown bullhead. These are the fish you can expect to catch in Central Oregon. Fly fishing is very popular out here, but don’t let that stop you from fishing the way you’d like. Head to the Deschutes River, which runs right through Bend, or go to the windy Crooked River, the crystal clear Multnomah River, or one of the many lakes surrounding Bend, such as Cultus or Davis. If you get hungry on the water, all you need is a jar of JEM and a spoon. The best way to enjoy JEM nut butter.
Mountain Biking
Welcome to mountain biking country! Downhill, trail rides, road biking, you name it, we got it. If you’re into a little thrill, ride down Mt. Bachelor for some gnarly downhill biking. Head to Phil's Trail for a wide variety of mountain biking trails. Or take a visit Northeast for some desert riding on Horseback Ridge. Bring some JEM Chocolate Coconut Nut Butter Cups for an easy snack while working hard on the trail.
Camping
Come camp on one of our amazing mountains! Backpack up Broken Top, South Sister, Middle Sister, North Sister, Washington, Three Finger Jack or Jackson. There are countless campsites to choose from, but make sure you get there early! If not, don’t worry, you can always camp off site. There’s always an opportunity to car camp at one of our amazing sites. Rivers, lakes, forests, dessert, or whatever you desire. Elk Lake Campground, Tumalo State Park and Paulina Lake Campground are some popular spots not far from Bend! A must try when camping is a JEM Smores Dessert Pie! Smores will never be the same.
Golfing
Bend has an abundance of golfing. There are 30 courses within 45 minutes of each other and three in Golf Digest's top 100. There are a variety of courses to play, some of our recommendations are Pronghorn, Black Butte Ranch, Aspen Lakes, Juniper, and Widgi Creek. If you are up for a challenge Tetherow is a great place to test your skills! If you find yourself staying in Sunriver there are four highly rated courses to play as well! Feel free to make and bring some Almond Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies to enjoy between holes.
Breweries
Bend has the breweries. Deschutes, 10 Barrel, Sunriver, Worthy, Bend Brewing, Crux, Good Life...shall we go on? If you’re a beer drinker, Bend, Oregon is a place to visit. Do our epic Bend Ale Trail to take a sip at each monumental brewery in Bend. Gain stamps on your passport to unlock prizes! It’s a great way to view the city while having a great time with friends and family.
Whether you're from Central Oregon or anywhere else in the country, we invite you to come visit and enjoy everything Bend, our home, has to offer.
