Oregon Horseback Riding

Oregon Horseback Riding

Bend Area Trails

Few towns in Oregon have as many nearby horseback riding opportunities as Bend. There are a number of trails within 15 minutes of town, and several are on large tracts of national forest or BLM land that offer multiple routes. With few exceptions, these trails are uncrowded despite their proximity to town.

Bessie Butte Trail: This ride meanders pleasantly through the forest for several miles, then up a steep trail to the top of Bessie Butte. The view of the Cascades and the forest-covered buttes south of Bend is worth the climb. Cline Buttes Area: The Cline Buttes area offers nearly year-round riding, as it is often snow-free in winter and the soil is generally well drained. The trails and dirt roads provide access to plenty of riding opportunities in the central plateau between Cline Buttes and Dry Canyon.
	Deschutes River Trail: The trail follows the Deschutes River for about 3.25 miles and offers lovely views of the river, the lush vegetation it supports, and the rapids created by ancient lava flows that partially blocked the river and pushed it into its present course. Dry Canyon Area: This expanse of BLM land includes narrow canyons flanked by basalt cliffs, juniper- and sage-covered hills, and dry washes. With its low elevation and sandy soil, this area offers good trail riding almost year-round.
Skeleton Cave Loop Trail: This is an easy, low-elevation loop trail that begins at the base of Horse Butte and ends at Skeleton Cave. The ride goes through ponderosa forest, past several large cinder-cone buttes, and through broad expanses of grass and rabbit brush punctuated with the blackened and sun-bleached trunks of trees torched by a mid-90s forest fire. Skyliner/Swampy Lakes Trail: This loop winds through the forest and traverses manzanita-covered ridges. It offers several excellent views of Broken Top and South Sister, and from the Swede Ridge shelter you can see Tumalo Falls on the opposite ridge.
	Tumalo Reservoir: There are numerous dirt roads and single-track trails that traverse the sagebrush flat and ponderosa pine forest near Tumalo Reservoir. On a clear day, the views of the Three Sisters are breathtaking.

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