BEND
Bend Oregon, where everyone owns hiking boots, drinks craft beer like it’s vitamins, and casually explores lava tubes like that’s a normal weekend plan. One minute we were above ground, enjoying mountain views and pretending to be athletic. The next? Deep in a lava tunnel. Spoiler: it was awesome. If you’re into hiking, caves, or just want to feel mildly unprepared in the best way possible, keep reading. Bend might be your next favorite mistake.
Boyd Cave
Think hiking in Bend is all sunshine and views? Nope. Boyd Cave is where it gets weird. This lava tube is nature’s secret tunnel—dark, cold, and full of rocks.
The hike? Easy. Less than a mile round trip. Enough to feel outdoorsy without dying. When you reach the cave, stairs take you down into pitch black. You’ll crawl, squeeze, and maybe swear a bit.
Bring a headlamp. Trust me. And wear good shoes unless you want to slip and slide. It’s chilly inside, so dress warm.
Hiking info:
- Distance: Approximately 0.75 miles round-trip
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation Gain: Around 90 feet
- Trail Type: Out-and-back
- Trailhead: Off China Hat Road, accessible via Highway 97
Hidden Forest Cave
Hidden Forest Cave is nature’s way of saying, “Surprise! You’re going underground now.” This lava tube is like a giant collapsed tunnel with a forest growing right in the middle.
Hike Info:
- Distance: About 0.9 miles round-trip.
- Trail Type: Out-and-back.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
- Trailhead: Starts near Arnold Ice Cave.
- Terrain: Uneven and rocky. Wear shoes that won’t betray you.
- Dog Policy: Nope. No pups allowed. Sorry, Rover.
