Tag: Bend Ale Trail

Enjoy Nature’s Paradise in These Outdoor Towns

It’s summer and everyone’s Summer Bucket List likely includes a host of activities to do outside. Why not add a visit to one of these “Best Outdoor Towns” to your list this summer to maximize outdoor fun. These towns were included on the list of thediscoverer.com’s “9 Best Outdoor Towns in the U.S.”

Cabins on the River at Yosemite Lakes
Cabins on the River at Yosemite Lakes

Mammoth Lakes, California: From an outdoor standpoint, isn’t most of California the best outdoor space? According to thediscoverer.com, Mammoth Lakes is one of the best thanks to the breathtaking scenery and the mountain and lake activities to enjoy here. From a biking standpoint, there are paved trails for road biking as well as a bit rougher terrain for the mountain biking enthusiast. Take a dip in Horseshoe Lake if you want to swim or try your hand at stand-up paddling here, a favorite spot for those that enjoy this way to take on the water. Other ways to explore this beautiful portion of the Sierra Nevada Range include horseback riding, rock climbing and hiking. Check out visitmammoth.com for specifics as well as trip planner guides and maps. The Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza is set for August 1-4 featuring blues music and craft breweries.

Book a glamping yurt, bunkhouse, cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes to explore stunning Mammoth Lakes this summer.

Cabin at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver
Cabin at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver

Bend, Oregon: Bend is one of those four-season towns when it comes to the outdoors as there is always something to do outside here from skiing in winter to whitewater rafting in summer. One fun thing to do here in summer is to float the Deschutes River in a colorful innertube, a must for its perfect combination of fun and relaxation. Other fun on the Deschutes can include paddleboarding, kayaking, and the afore-mentioned thrilling whitewater rafting. If you’re looking for something unique, take the drive from Bend to Tamolitch Falls (about an hour) to see the Blue Pool. Once you’re here, it’s about a 2.5-mile easy hike on the Tamolitch Pool Trail to reach the unique turquoise waters. There’s also the Bend Ale Trail (bendaletrail.com) and the Bend Summer Festival, featuring live music, food and artisans, is set for July 13-14, for summer fun outdoors!

Book a cottage, cabin or yurt glamping accommodation at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver to enjoy Bend in summer.

Leavenworth Tiny House Village
Leavenworth Tiny House Village

Leavenworth, Washington: Another four-season town thanks to the mountains and lakes here, a visit to Leavenworth should always include “outdoor time.” The bonus is that the quaint Bavarian-style town will make you feel like you’re having a European vacation! The Wenatchee River is one of the draws here with opportunities to paddleboard, whitewater raft and fish. Hiking options include Icicle Gorge Trail (4 miles) or the Alpine Lakes Wilderness offering 600 miles of trails. For a unique way to see the scenery, consider Leavenworth Ziplines (leavenworthziplines.com). You might also check out Village Art in the Park, a three-day vibrant outdoor art market held every weekend through mid-October.

Book one of the charming tiny houses at Leavenworth Tiny House Village to explore this beautiful mountain town in summer.

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The Ultimate Guide to Pet Friendly Vacation and Glamping Destinations

Speaking of happy places, if you’re a pet lover, then any place you can travel with your pets has to be a happy place. Here are a few ways you can bring the pup(s) along, glamp, and have the freedom to let them tag along at these dog friendly places.

Cottage at Tall Chief Campground
Cottage at Tall Chief Campground

Seattle, Washington: The pet-friendly cottage at Tall Chief sleeps four humans and is the perfect glamping spot to host a getaway with your pet. Dog-friendly outings when heading into Seattle can include the Washington Arboretum; Gas Works Park, a lovely grassy park built on the site of a former gas works plant that offers paved walking paths and great views of Lake Union; and leashed dogs are welcome to explore the iconic Pike Place Market. Several breweries welcome dogs too including Fremont Brewing and Outer Planet Brewing.

Cabin at Lake George Escape
Cabin at Lake George Escape

Lake George, New York: Our Lake George Escape resort is extremely pet-friendly as all of the glamping accommodations welcome pets. Once you settle in, get ready for an Adirondack adventure with your furry friend. Don’t miss all the opportunities to explore Lake George with your pup in tow – from a brewery (Bolton Landing Brewing Company) or a winery/cidery (Adirondack Winery & Extreme Heights Cidery) to a hike with views of the Hudson River (Hudson River Park) and a sunset cruise on Lake George (Lake George Waterfront Cruises).

Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver Yurt
Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver Yurt

Bend, Oregon: Choose from a pet-friendly cabin, cottage, or yurt at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver and explore “the outdoor playground of the West” on four legs or two! Most of the Deschutes National Forest is dog-friendly. The North Fork Trail is shady thanks to all the Douglas firs and offers a shorter 4-mile loop as well as a 6.7-mile loop. Of course, you’ll find the Bend Ale Trail here – because Bend is also known as “Beer Town USA” and most of the breweries along the trail welcome pets. If you’re up for shopping for new gear for you and your pet, check out the Patagonia store in Bend which welcomes pets and has some good gear for them (and you), too!

Carmel, California: Carmel is considered one of the most dog-friendly cities in California so it’s no wonder dog-lovers and everyone’s favorite Golden Girl, Betty White, kept a beach house here for over 40 years. Rent the pet-friendly cottage at Marina Dunes and see what makes Carmel so dog-gone pet-friendly. Sip and stroll with your pet and enjoy some of the offerings from the Carmel-By-the-Sea Wine Walk which has plenty of pet-friendly tasting rooms or take to the sugary sand at Carmel Beach, which welcomes dogs. After beach time, check out the Fountain of Woof in Carmel Plaza and let your pet drink from the fountain for good and you can explore the shops here, too! Also, most restaurants that have patio seating welcome dogs as well.

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4 Sweet Petite Retreats

Did you know the original recipients of the gift-giving and acts of kindness on the first Sweetest Day was not necessarily romantic partners? The story goes the gentleman who came up with idea, Herbert Birch Kingston, an advertising man for a Cleveland-based candy company, did so with orphans and the elderly in mind. Sweetest Day is recognized on the third Saturday of October. So, whether you choose to celebrate with a sweetheart, or instead show someone a random act of kindness by perhaps taking them glamping, check out these sweet Petite Retreats that are perfect for an October getaway.

Bend-Sunriver Yurt
Bend-Sunriver Yurt

Bend-Sunriver RV Campground: Rent a cottage, cabin, or yurt at Bend-Sunriver and experience the beauty of Bend. Hike, mountain-bike, drink some brews, and enjoy the charm of downtown Bend. There’s also the Bend Ale Trail and Smith Rock State Park, which offers 12 hiking trails and stunning views. An interesting adventure would be a visit to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument where you can explore a lava tube or walk the Trail of Molten Lava.

Palm Springs RV Resort
Palm Springs RV Resort

Palm Springs RV Resort: Here’s an idea for a random act of kindness – take yourself hiking in the beautiful desert lands of Palm Springs. Book a colorful cottage (guaranteed to make you smile) at Palm Springs RV Resort and be kind to yourself (and whoever you choose to take along on your adventure). Get in touch with your artistic side with a visit to the Palm Springs Art Museum. Find out about good things for our environment with a visit to the San Gorgonio Wind Farm or book a Jeep Tour through Joshua Tree National Park and soak up the healing vibes.  

Pacific City RV & Camping Resort: Let the Oregon coast be your sweet spot this October and book a cozy cabin at Pacific City. Walk the beach and listen to the rolling waves or drive into Tillamook and check out the Tillamook Creamery and enjoy a free cheese factory tour with samples! Take a leisurely drive on the Three Capes Scenic Loop and don’t miss the Octopus Tree, a roughly 300-year-old Sitka Spruce and the iconic, and definitely photo-worthy, Cape Meares Lighthouse.

Circle M RV & Camping Resort: Take your heart to the heart of Amish Country with a visit to Pennsylvania’s charming Lancaster County. Book the perfect glamping cottage or yurt at Circle M and get ready to be charmed by a simpler way of life. Take a guided buggy ride through the countryside, visit the Amish Farm & House to learn the Amish ways, or learn how to twist a pretzel at the Julian Sturgis Pretzel Bakery. Stroll downtown Lititz and see what the unique shops have to offer and check out the town’s Wolf Sanctuary (wolfsanctuarypa.org).  For those looking to make their trip to Pennsylvania extra sweet, a stop by the Wilbur Chocolate Store may be in order. Chocolate covered treats, a variety of baking chip flavors, and more Wilbur specialty items are available here. You can also watch candy makers create fudge while delighting in the smell of chocolate throughout the store.

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Five Things to Do In… Bend, Oregon

Yurts at Bend-Sunriver in Bend, Oregon.

According to an article in The Oregonian, Bend ranked 4th in the US as a vacation rental hotspot, based on a 2019 survey. The top three spots went to Florida locations. So, what makes Bend, a small city in Central Oregon, rank fourth on a list headed by some real hot spots? We’ve come up with just five reasons, but there are plenty more to be there now when it comes to Bend.

  1. Spelunking and Caving: First off, spelunking is just a fancy word for exploring caves, of which the area has plenty. There are said to be 400 lava tubes in the area and Wanderlust Tours (wanderlusttours.com) offers a great way to see the ones that are accessible. You can also choose to explore on your own – check out Hidden Forest Cave, Boyd Cave, or Redmond Caves, which has five different lava tubes to explore.
  2. Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint: For more lava fun, head to Pilot Butte, which is actually the lava dome of an extinct volcano, rising 500 feet above the surrounding plains. A nice little trail provides access to the dome, which offers an amazing panoramic view of the snow-capped Cascades.
  3. Tumalo Falls: From June to October, the 90+-foot waterfall is the star of the show in Deschutes National Forest. Hike a seven mile loop trail and you’ll find the viewing platform, which provides the perfect spot for great photo ops. (Do it for the ‘gram.) Further up the trail, Middle Tumalo Falls, a two-tiered cascade is pretty spectacular, as well.
  4. Floating on the Deschutes River: The Deschutes River can easily be considered the biggest playground in Bend from May to September. On any given day, you’ll find kayakers, tubers, paddlers and floaters enjoying the scenery along the river. Floating is just one way to explore and enjoy the Deschutes. Check out visitbend.com to see how you can all float on!

    Floating on the Deschutes River.
  5. Bend Ale Trail: Is the Pacific Northwest really the birthplace of craft breweries? Maybe, maybe not, but one way to find out the history and enjoy the results of the craft beer craze is the Bend Ale Trail. There are several ways to explore the trail including by bike, trolley and tour bus. Choose one, drink responsibly, and say cheers to the innovation of Bend’s craft brewers. You’ll soon discover why Bend has been referred to as “Beer Town USA” and “Beervana.”

    Enjoy Craft Beer in “Beer Town USA.”

While exploring the natural beauty of Bend and eating or drinking your way through their exciting culinary and craft brewery scene, relax a bit in one of our yurts or cabins at Bend-Sunriver. It’ll make your visit even more photoworthy!

Cabins at Bend-Sunriver in Bend, Oregon.

Go Big in Bend

Kayaking • Bend-Sunriver RV Campground

Bend, Oregon is one big playground regardless of the season. But come summer, Bend is bursting with things to do under the sunny skies of the Pacific Northwest. There are all kinds of adventures to be had from rustic to urban, and from relaxing to exhilarating. There is music, art, a rodeo, theater, fishing, hiking, and the list goes on and on. No matter what your fancy, you’ll find something to tickle it when you visit Bend.

Fishing opportunities in Bend are about as abundant as the fish you can catch when you cast your line here. Consider fly fishing, and if you’re new to this sport, River Borne Outfitters offers a 2.5-hour class that covers the basics regarding terminology, casting, and knot tying. If you feel like you’re beyond beginner but still need some fishing tips, they also offer a 6-hour course that has you fishing the Crooked River. Check out www.riverborneoutfitters.com for more information.

Fishing • Deschutes River

Of course, if you’re a seasoned fisherman, just head down to the Lower Deschutes River which is one of the most popular and prolific places to fish in Oregon. Statistics show that more than 3,500 trout run per mile of water in this area. Make sure to obey all the state rules and regulations, and that you have a license to fish. For licensing information, visit www.odfw.com.

If you prefer dry land to water, and art to fishing, then the Roundabout Art Route might be of interest to you. The Roundabout Art Route is a collection of 20 pieces of art that are on display throughout the city. Stop by the Bend Visitor Center to pick up a map, then get rolling on your art adventure. The name of the route should give you a hint as to where the art installations are located, but we are going to give away the secret. Just head into downtown Bend and get ready to glimpse a bronze logger, a bronze grizzly, the Sunrise Spirit Column, and the High Desert Spiral, which at 39 feet is the tallest public art sculpture in Bend, to name a few.

Take a hike up Pilot Butte and you’re guaranteed a breathtaking vista no matter which of the three trails you choose. Pilot Butte is visible from downtown Bend and is a 500-foot high lava dome created from an extinct volcano. Visit www.oregonstateparks.org for information about the state park and the trails.

Cabin • Bend-Sunriver RV Campground

Tour-wise, there’s plenty of ways to see Bend while eating and drinking some of the city’s offerings. There is the Bend Ale Trail, which offers a do-it-yourself way to visit Bend’s 18 breweries at your leisure. If you want someone else to do the heavy lifting when it comes to touring the breweries, check out the offerings of The Bend Tour Company, which not only offers a craft beer, wine and spirit tasting tour, but also other adventure tours such as an arts and cultural tour of Bend, and a stunning Cascade Sunset tour. Check out what they offer at www.thebendtourcompany.com.

Special summer events in Bend include the Bend Summer Festival, July 12th-14th that will feature food, music, an art fair, and plenty of family fun. July 26th-28th brings Balloons Over Bend to the city as hot air balloon fun takes center stage. Help celebrate a milestone at the 100th Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo scheduled for July 31st-August 4th. This year’s theme is “100 Years of Fun Since Day One.” Bend Brewfest is scheduled for August 15th-17th and features craft brewers, wineries, and cideries set on the banks of the Deschutes River.

Sunset • Bend-Sunriver RV Campground

Of course, when the day’s fun is done, you’ll need a place to bunk in until the next adventure, so consider adding to the experience by staying in a yurt, cabin, or cottage at Bend-Sunriver RV Campground. Situated on the banks of the Little Deschutes River, this 283-acre campground has plenty of onsite fun including fishing opportunities, swimming, pickleball, tennis, and mini-golf.

Plan your time to Go Big in Bend, visit www.RVontheGo.com and reserve your stay today!