From Crater Lake to Bend

Hi,

We%26#39;ll be traveling in September from Crater Lake to Bend and was wondering what is essential to stop and see before reaching Bend.

We%26#39;ll be travelling Hwy 97.

Thanks for responding !

From Crater Lake to Bend

Do you mean you are looking for stops between Crater Lake and Bend? If so, there isn%26#39;t much at all. We were in Bend (Sunriver actually, just south of there) for a week last month and did a trip to Crater Lake. Not much between the two places.

From Crater Lake to Bend

About the only thing I could recommend it taking the Cascade Lakes Hwy. You will see the signs on Hwy 97 at Cresent/Gilcrest. It should be a pretty drive in September.

Den

Den, I agree. I guess I just think of that as the Bend area, instead of that inbetween. That is such a pretty drive.

I agree about Cascade Lakes, but make sure you stop along the way at some of the lakes. Some nice views from them you miss along road

And Newberry Crater a nice visit. Oregon%26#39;s other crater lake

If you do decide to stick to 97, you could stop at Lava Lands Visitor Center, Lava Cast Forest or High Desert Muesum(this is pretty neat). Of course these are now practically next to Bend now(its growing like crazy) and would be good day trips from Bend. Newberry Crater is pretty neat too- it makes you appriciate Crater Lake even more---how perfect that eruption had to be to create a hole with no outlets(unlike Newberry Crater).

I agree, those are great suggestions! They are only about 10 minutes south of Bend, so if you don%26#39;t get there on the drive you can do it all very easily during your stay in Bend.

Just outside of LaPine (about 30 miles south of Bend) is LaPine State Park. There are some beautiful views of the Deschutes River from this park and the largest Ponderosa Pine in Oregon ';Big Red'; is worth the short hike to see, even if it did lose its top a few years back. It is one humongous tree and is about 500 years old. (It%26#39;s not Oregon%26#39;s largest tree, which is near Seaside, but it%26#39;s the largest Ponderosa). The park would be a nice place to picnic on your way to Bend, or if you like Thai food, there is a hole in the wall place on Hwy 97 in LaPine called Angel%26#39;s that makes terrific Thai food.

I also love Newberry Crater, Lava Lands and the cascade lakes routes. Mtngirl makes a good point though if you are out of time, or just want to land somewhere, all is close to here. I would suggest doing cascade lakes from Bend though as the amazing views are really best taken in from this direction, and there is no real need to go all the way around the entire route. You can cut off many miles and spend more time up near the cascade mtns and lakes if you go from Bend and return along the same route.