Pilot Butte State Park

Awesome park! We chose to drive up the butte when my friends and I were vacationing in Oregon. The butte offered great views of the mountains in the area. It makes for a great hike if you choose to park at the bottom of the butte.

Gotta love this place! Great hiking trails. Clean bathrooms. In summer there is even water at the top. Oh, and the views! They do make you have dogs on leash though.

A most excellent and quick in-​town hike that takes you to the summit of an inactive volcanic cinder cone right near the the center of town. There are two paths to the peak: a nature trail, or the paved trail (which is open to vehicle traffic from May through September.) I recommend the nature trail to experience the juniper and sage that follow along the dirt path. There are a lot of unofficial side trails that are great for runners. This is a place to bring the dogs and the kiddos as it’s only 1 mile to the summit. You can be up and back to your car in a little over 30 minutes. The 360 degree views are truly breathtaking. I love the area at the top with the informational signage, and the sun dial that points to and identifies all the magnificent peaks you can see from this vantage point. This is a must-​do on any visit to Bend!

Bend, OR: spectaular views!
You can hike to the top (2 miles round trip) or simply drive to the top and park alongside on the curb. This state park is an extinct volcano that is visible from miles around. Conversely, the views from the top are worth the effort getting there. Informative signage describes its history and the sights in the views afforded. Elevation is at about 4100 feet, while Bend, OR, sits at about 3600 feet above sea level.
Day use only, with (I think) pit toilet facilities, a telescope, stone steps, and a low surrounding wall good for additional seating to enjoy a picnic lunch with views at 360° No fees at the time we visited, in May of 2015. See details on above business link to Oregon state parks department. Another link is attached below.

Only wish I had more time to spend in Bend – seems like a great town. The view up here is a must – you can see the entire Cascade range, all of which were former volcanoes (!). Oregon is such a treasure – Bend being one of the biggest.

Pilot Butte is a great place to get the best view of Bend. The hike to the top may be a challenge for those not used to hiking but it’s totally worth it. This is place for everyone, individuals, families, and your furry friend. You can get an amazing view of the Cascades which makes the hike to the top worth it.

Y’all know i love this outdoors and this is no exception!
An extinct/​inactive volcano in city limits and you can climb it! Score!
Cute park, wonderful looking picnic area and a good amount of parking.
During the winter the road to the top is closed, but the trail (about a mile) and the road are open to foot traffic.
The top has a stone area to hang out, the center had a circle with descriptions of everything you are looking at — i love it!
It was a wonderful cardio boost, amazing sights, and just a great state park to have close to civilization!

Great view at sunset.

Though the road is as narrow as it has always been, I love the butte. Day or night, it has a great view of Bend!

Dude: We didn’t get a good view of the sunset. (Sad face)
Me: Let’s go to the top of Pilot Butte! (Excited face)
Dude: We don’t have time to hike. (Sad face)
Me: We can drive! (Excited face)
Dude: Show me the way! (Excited face)
Pilot Butte turns frowns upside down.

Same as before. Wonderfull view. Really shines on a clear day. Park closes at 10pm.

Great walk or drive up the butte. When you get to the top the view will not dissapoint of the sister. Mt Jefferson. And mt hood.

This hike was recommended by fellow Unilocalers. M & our friends along with our combined four dogs made the trek on a Saturday before noon. I could swear it is longer than a mile up because of the steep incline. Be sure to bring water. The views are lovely. If you are into hikes, you will enjoy it.

Haiku for PBSP:
you are in plain sight
but are difficult to find
lost in the Bend maze
you are worth the search
rain snow or sun I climb you
you help keep me fit
the view is worth it
I can see for miles and miles
you are so special

Superb views! We drove up the spiral road on a recent weekend trip to Bend. I’m so glad they allow cars to drive, otherwise, we wouldn’t have been able to take in the beauty since we were in a rush.

Fabulous views!

Like the swirl of a soft serve ice cream cone, follow the trail by foot, bike or car for a wonderful view of all the mountains and buttes surrounding Bend. On a clear day you can see Mt. Hood — 92 miles away. On an average day, you still get wonderful views of Mt. Bachelor, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Three Finger Jack, the Three Sisters and Broken Top.
We were there mid-​week around lunchtime, so the walkers outnumbered the cars. A few were clearly power walking up a mile and back on their lunch hour. You would be more likely to find me at the Pilot Butte Drive-​In down below.
The entrance sneaked up on me, so make sure you are in the left lane and the turn is just past the Drive-​In. Parking at the top is free, but there is no separate shoulder or bike lane, so if you are driving, give a wide berth to your fellow travelers. Share the road.

Okay, I’m going stick my neck out once again on this issue… I’m a «No cars on the Butte» kind of guy. If they closed the Butte to cars, this would get a five star rating.
Years ago, I made the «mistake» of publishing this opinion in the local paper and was practically burned in effigy for it. I think I was even referred to as the offspring of Hitler. Yikes!
For those not in the know, here is the scoop. The Butte is in the middle of town. It’s a popular place to go and burn a few calories…1 mile up, 1 mile down. It spirals up and the view is unparalleled on a clear day for taking in the panorama of our beautiful area.
THAT view is why there are some who think the road should be open to vehicular traffic.
The problem is one of safety. Hundreds of people walk the Butte on a daily basis… I, myself, am currently working on my 500 mile certificate of completion. There are many others with higher achievements. Many who don’t bother to record their progress.
At any rate, the «road» is one option for the hike. The nature trail the other. Many prefer the road as it is more straight forward and conducive to general fitness. Get there, get up, get down. Many mothers with «jogger walker stroller» things take the road. Groups of friends take the road. The nature trail is… just that… more narrow. Dusty. Muddy in winter. Not «jogger walker stroller» friendly.
As such, there is a high incidence of vehicle versus pedestrian confrontation on the road up. Cars whiz past on this narrow two lane road and there isn’t a day that goes by a horn isn’t honked or a pedestrian flips someone the bird.
A solution… if not to close the road entirely… would be to limit it’s hours. There is a gate at the bottom. How about opening the road from 10am to 6pm? But unfortunately, the State Parks have no intention of doing anything pro-​active until someone actually gets hurt.
Off my soapbox now.
For a State Park, it’s free. That alone is incredible. Parking is plentiful and… free. Oh… and if you are here around the 4^th of July, this is the place to be. Well, not up on the Butte, but nearby as they launch the best fireworks show in Central Oregon from it’s summit. Sponsored by The Bulletin (good for them, thank you).

I guess in Oregon, they call «hills” — «buttes»
That’s what this is… a Hill.
You can drive or walk to the top and look at all the brown hills and mountains in the distance.
Tumalo Falls was more interesting.

Here’s a great short hike right near the center of town — a rare find anywhere.
Sure, the straight-​up spiral path and road up to the summit aren’t that interesting, but the view from the top on a clear day is fantastic, with really handy displays to help you find all of the local peaks. The bathroom is surprisingly nice, too — for a public state park facility, anyway.
It’s only a mile to the top, so take a hike! (I guess people can drive up the road too, but that would be so lame.)