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Gary O’Connell Talks Local Banking and Jobs in Bend

Gary O’Connell of Summit Bank on banking local, working with small businesses, and why he keeps beer and kombucha on tap at work.

Summit Bank's Gary O'Connell in Bend, Oregon
Gary O’Connell

Summit Bank has been recognized in the Top 100 places to work in Oregon two years running. Gary O’Connell, the Senior Vice President and Central Oregon Market President of Summit Bank, is here to tell us why Summit has such high employee retention rates and how it works with local businesses to provide jobs in the community.

Summit has been recognized in the Top 100 places to work in Oregon for the last two years. Obviously your employees are happy here. What are you doing to create that environment?

We feel the best workplace environment is where our colleagues want to be here and nobody feels like they have to be here. There’s a great deal of empowerment. We’re smaller than most banks in this industry, so we are able to be a little bit more flexible in our workplace, in our benefits and in our hours. The financial success has been attractive, but the way that works is we have colleagues who want to be here who are driving that success.

Summit Bank was conceived and launched in Eugene in 2004. What attracted Summit to the Central Oregon market?

A few years ago we started looking at the Central Oregon market and [during the recession] there were eight or more banks that were bought or left the market. So, we thought the community banking market was really underserved in Central Oregon and we thought there was a great opening for us to come in and expand our business model that we had started in Eugene. That means being local, being accessable, not having 1-800 numbers and making people feel welcome when they come in. The next largest bank is over thirty times bigger than we are. So, we feel like there’s a lot of runway to grow because we are relatively smaller.

Small banks are the backbone of any healthy local economy. What’s Summit’s lending philosophy?

Our lending philosophy is focused on lending to companies that provide jobs. Small businesses provide seven out of ten jobs in America and that’s roughly the same here in Central Oregon. It’s really fun to help businesses and get to understand them, so we can help them grow and provide more jobs. We’ve heard time and time again from business owners that they want a bank where the bankers understand their business and they can go talk to them when they need to discuss something important.

You just completed a remodel/addition of your headquarters off Colorado Avenue. Is this an indication that Summit is growing locally?

Yes. When we opened in 2015, we did not imagine that, by the end of 2017, we would outgrow our building and need to expand. We doubled our staff from last summer from six to twelve, so it has allowed us to provide more colleagues to provide better and faster service to clients. Unfortunately, it looks like we’re going to outgrow even this expansion by the end of this year. We’ll have to look again for the next expansion. We are looking at all options. It could include expanding this building or it could include another standalone location.

Congress recently acted to soften some of the Dodd-Frank rules that were enacted post-financial crisis a decade ago. How is that decision going to impact your business?

Probably, only marginally. The reason the impact won’t be as great is because as a smaller bank, we think very carefully about not trying to be everything to everybody. We also don’t engage in some of the most heavily regulated lines of business in banking that Dodd-Frank regulates. We stick to core banking services that really aren’t impacted by the Dodd-Frank revisions. What we are really looking at more than the Dodd-Frank would be changes to the regulations calling for increased capital requirements, which is the amount of funding and equity a bank needs to put into its operation that’s required by the regulators.

You have eighteen years of banking experience in Central Oregon. What’s the most rewarding part about your work and Summit’s role?

The most rewarding part is being empowered to make decisions in a way that allows us to be more responsive to clients. I love the work and I love the industry, but I don’t want to be part of an organization that sends clients to 1-800 phone numbers or call centers and sends their credit applications to areas outside of the market. It’s very important for us to be accessible and transparent to our clients and it’s very rewarding that our business model allows us to do that. We don’t think of ourselves as a bank. We think of ourselves as a medium-sized business that just happens to be a bank.

Make a bold prediction about Central Oregon’s economy that will come true in the next ten years.

Over the next ten years, we do anticipate long-term growth in the community, like we have had in the last ten years. I would say that the population could exceed 150,000 by 2030. Bend could become connected to Redmond. I would also say that we will have a vibrant, fully-operational four year university that has grown and flourished and helped the community become more successful too.

Anything else you would like to include that you think is relevant or important to our readers?

Well, I think what’s important to readers is that we appreciate the opportunity to be in this market. It’s very important to know your bank and to understand the value of a local banking institution and its importance to the community. We try and tell people to bank smart and bank local. We hope that message can get out further into the community because we are happy to grow with the community.

10 Things To Do During Fourth of July in Central Oregon

Join the Pet Parade, relax in a beer garden, take a dip in a lake and more. There are activities and events for everyone throughout the holiday and weekend.

Photo by Andrey Larin

Central Oregon has become something of a Fourth of July destination. Summer weather has finally kicked in, the river is begging for a float and the beer is never more refreshing. Bend’s streets are plastered with red, white and blue and there are tons of events and activities to choose from. Whether you are looking for family fun, the best lawns or patios to enjoy craft beer and live music or the most festive outdoor adventures, we have you covered.

1. Join the Pet Parade

Start off the day with one of the town’s oldest traditions: the Pet Parade. Kicking off at 10 a.m. downtown on Wall Street, the Pet Parade welcomes pets of all shapes and sizes. Don’t be surprised to see horses, goats, dogs, cat, snakes, turtles, birds and more dressed to the nines in their best Fourth of July gear.

2. Attend the Old Fashioned Festival

After the Pet Parade, head over to Drake Park for the annual Old Fashioned Festival. Here you will find an abundance of local artisans and food and drink vendors. Take part in the annual pie eating contest at 11 a.m. and play a mix of old fashioned games, including gunny sack races, water balloon tosses and watermelon eating contests. Enjoy live music in the park all day with local musicians.

3. Gear Up for the Freedom Ride

Even if you don’t join the “Freedom Ride,” you’ll likely run into it somewhere around town if you’re out and about. The event is Bend’s unofficial Fourth of July bike ride, and riders conglomerate at Pioneer Park between 1 and 2 p.m. to make the journey through downtown to Columbia Park. Despite no central organization, every year thousands of people gather decked out in their craziest red, white and blue gear for the annual ride. (Recently, the crowd has skewed younger and has become less of a ride and more of a parade, to put it nicely.)

4. Check out festivals in Sunriver or La Pine

If you’re in Sunriver for the weekend, watch or join Sunriver Resort’s annual bike parade with the whole family. Stick around at the resort afterwards for a groovy tie-dye station, obstacle courses and bouncy houses. Then, enjoy more fun and games at the Fourth of July Festival in The Village at Sunriver. If you’re in La Pine, don’t miss the Frontier Days festival. The popular event has traditional activities and games like apple pie contests, lawnmower races, and carnival games and rides.

5. Take a Dip in a Lake or Find a Trail

If looking for outdoor adventure, venture out of town and spend the day on a sandy beach, swimming at one of Central Oregon’s alpine lakes. Bring a floatie and relax on the picturesque water or jump on a kayak or paddleboard and find a more secluded beach spot. Take your pick of the hikes surrounding Bend. Enjoy stunning mountain views or get splashed by one of many waterfalls in Central Oregon.

6. Float the River

Opt to stay in town and float the Deschutes River. Start at Riverbend Park where there are ample floaties to rent. Drift through the Old Mill District, then clear the rapids in the safe passage adjacent to the Whitewater Park before a calm stretch of water leading to Drake Park, the end of the float. This stretch of the river is sure to be packed on the Fourth, so if you’re looking to beat the crowds, head to Tumalo State Park for a lazy float on a shallow stretch of the Middle Deschutes River. Here, bring a picnic or barbecue at one of the many picnic areas.

7. Relax in a Beer Garden

The breweries will be one of the most popular places to go this weekend, and there are a handful with large grassy lawns to play games and let the kids run around. If you’re looking for a break from the chaos, visit GoodLife Brewing to relax with a beer in the grass lawn, complete with cornhole and sand courts for bocce ball. Downtown, Bend Brewing Company recently remodeled its outdoor seating and has plenty of picnic tables and lots of grass to spread out. Venture to Crux Fermentation Project for happy hour, beginning a half-hour before sunset and ending a half-hour afterward, and grab dinner from El Sancho Taco Shop or Broken Top BBQ, the two food trucks stationed at Crux.

8. Attend a Bend Elks Game

Attending a Bend Elks Game is a Bend must-do and what better day to do it than the Fourth of July? Show your American pride by singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and eating peanuts at the Vince Genna Stadium. The game begins at 6:35 p.m. After the game, stick around and spread a blanket on the field to watch the fireworks show.

9. Listen to Live Music

Enjoy outdoor live music at Worthy Brewing with Tony Smiley or join Leadbetter Band at On Tap, the newest food truck lot on the east side of Bend. In town for the whole weekend? Dance to your favorite oldies at Avid Cider Company’s monthly “Bring Your Own Vinyl Night” on July 5. Then, the following night, either walk the town for the First Friday Art Walk or spend your evening at the Les Schwab Amphitheater with Steve Martin and Martin Short and the Steep Canyon Rangers. On July 6, listen to music on the water with Broken Top Guitars at Elk Lake Resort, one of Central Oregon’s most scenic concert venues.

10. Watch the Fireworks Show

There’s no better way to cap your Fourth of July than watching Bend’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular, starting at 10 p.m. and launching from Pilot Butte State Park. The shows can be viewed from almost anywhere in Bend as long as Pilot Butte is in sight. Venture to one of Bend’s many parks such as Blakely Park off Brookswood Boulevard or Juniper Park behind the swim and fitness center. Grab a picnic blanket and lay under the stars at Les Schwab Amphitheater near the Old Mill District or find your way up Overturf Butte, a local favorite for viewing the show.

Uniting the Bouldering Community is a Tough Climb
Maitreya Sriram climbs “Bulletproof,” a V5 at Widgi Boulders. Courtesy of Central Oregon Bouldering.

Author Jason Chinchen aims to unify the Central Oregon bouldering community with his new guidebook and the High Desert Climbers Alliance.

Bouldering is a style of climbing on smaller rock formations and uses “crash pads” as protection instead of ropes or harnesses. It started out as a means to warm-up and practice for rope climbing. Over time, however, with the spread of bouldering gyms, competitions and media coverage, it has evolved into its own subcategory of climbing. While climbers have been bouldering in Central Oregon for decades, up until last year, information about Central Oregon’s many bouldering spots spread through word of mouth from climber to climber.

Last fall, Jason Chinchen, a man of many trades including woodworking and graphic design, authored and designed Central Oregon Bouldering, the first guidebook for Bend’s bouldering areas. The book has more than 1,200 climbing routes or “problems” at ten areas near the Deschutes River Trail and off Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.

Chinchen has lived in Bend intermittently since the ’90s, originally moving to Central Oregon to climb at Smith Rock. Over the years, he has also lived in Bishop, California, the epicenter for bouldering in the United States. There, the climbing community rallies around bouldering and has a developed guidebook with more than 2,300 routes. Upon returning to Bend, Chinchen found the outdoor bouldering community here underdeveloped.

“When I came back here, the climbing community was really focused around the climbing gym and around Smith Rock, and there were very few people bouldering,” said Chinchen. “I tried to find people to go out and climb with me, but I had a really hard time.”

When word got out about the book being published, there was some pushback. Local climbers argued that the book would bring more traffic, increasing risk of misuse and expose spots that had formerly been well-kept secrets. Alan Watts, the developer of many Smith Rock routes and the author of the Smith Rock climbing guidebook, explained this dilemma in the foreword of Chinchen’s book.

“Bouldering in Central Oregon has long been shrouded in mystery — a closely held secret protected by tight-lipped locals,” said Watts. “Guidebooks are a paradox. On the one hand there’s little question they bring far more people into bouldering areas once enjoyed by a privileged few. But on the other hand, the influx of people sparks development and brings fresh blood and energy to scenes that might otherwise grow stagnant.”

Mike Rougeux, the Climbing Program Director at Bend Endurance Academy (BEA), argued that the book continues the tradition of passing information down between climbing groups but in a different format.

“Either someone was going to write a guidebook for the bouldering in Bend and it would be someone that wasn’t from Bend or someone who was a part of the climbing community,” said Rougeux. “I think it was better that it was someone who was part of the community.”

Rougeux said that the book has solidified and legitimized bouldering in Central Oregon and established boulderers as actual user groups. These bouldering areas have seen more traffic recently, not just because of the book but because of the growth of Bend. The book includes ten areas, so instead of climbers being concentrated at a few of the more well-known spots, it actually spreads them out.

After publishing his book, Chinchen helped establish the High Desert Climbers Alliance (HDCA), a nonprofit dedicated to working with land managers to protect these areas and mitigating any problems caused by increased traffic. Newly-formed, HDCA has taken on the responsibility of protecting all rope climbing and bouldering in Central Oregon aside from Smith Rock, which has its own organization.

HDCA is now working with the Forest Service and has coordinated trail work plans at Meadow Camp, an area along the river with both rope climbing and bouldering. Rougeux is one of HDCA’s four officers, in addition to working with BEA. He is currently working with Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA) on the mountain bike trail being rerouted through the Widgi Boulders, near the Widgi Creek Golf Club.

“The biggest thing for us right now is putting the pieces in place for the continued growth of the sport and the growth of Bend,” said Rougeux. “We are trying to make sure climbers are represented in the community.”

Both the book and HDCA were created to bridge divides in the bouldering community.

“When you have a community that’s unified, we can get things done,” said Chinchen. “I think that my part has been done to give a central view and something for the community to gather around.”

Chinchen distributed the book throughout the Pacific Northwest in local outdoors shop and climbing gyms. It can be purchased in Central Oregon at Bend Rock Gym, Mountain Supply, Dudley’s Bookshop Cafe and Redpoint Climbers Supply.


Read more Central Oregon CLIMBING articles here.

 

3 Local Climbers Share Their Favorite Spots to Boulder
Photo of Trevor Roosen climbing “Hieroglyphs,” a V4 near the Depot, courtesy of Central Oregon Bouldering

Grab your climbing shoes and chalk bag and head out to these locals’ favorite bouldering spots in Bend. Looking to skip the Smith Rock State Park summer heat and crowds or squeeze in an evening climbing session after work? There are boulders scattered across Central Oregon begging to be climbed and, with the recent publication of Central Oregon Bouldering, these spots are more accessible than ever. Check out these local climbers’ picks for the best areas to boulder around Bend.

Bouldering Term Cheat Sheet

Bouldering: A style of climbing utilizing “crash pads” rather than ropes or harnesses on relatively small rock formations.
Approach: The hike or walk to get to a climbing area.
Problems: Bouldering routes or projects
Traverse: Climbing left or right instead of straight up, oftentimes lower to the ground
V0-V13: The rating system used in the bouldering, with a V0 being the easiest and V13 being the hardest.

Trevor Roosen | Route Setter at Bend Rock Gym

“I’d say one of my favorite spots in town is ‘Mile Marker 5’ up Skyliners Road. I like that spot because it is always in the shade and perfect for hot summer days. There is a small concentration of problems, but they are all very high quality. There is a wide range of difficulties and most problems have nice, flat landings.

Tick Ranch has some cool boulders in a pretty rad setting next to Tumalo Creek. The boulders are big chunks that have fallen off of the big cliff band above. The cliff above is about thirty-feet- to forty-feet-tall and has some rad four- and five-bolt-long sport routes. It sits in the sun for most of the day, so it can be very warm in the summer.

The Depot is a cliff line right on the Deschutes in town. It gets shade almost all day and really cool air because of the close proximity to the river. Most of the boulders here are really tall, like fifteen feet. Fun fact, the Depot has one of Oregon’s hardest problems, a V11 called ‘The Goblin.’”

Mile Marker 5: Dirt parking lot on the left side of Skyliners Road at the 5 mile marker, 5-minute approach
Tick Ranch: Off Skyliners Road along Tumalo Creek, open seasonally from March 1 to December 1, up to 15-minute approach
The Depot: Off the Deschutes River Trail on river right, 15- to 25-minute approach from Farewell Bend Park

Mike Rougeux | Climbing Program Director at Bend Endurance Academy

“Mount Bachelor Village boulders are really good for newer climbers because there’s a super long traverse. There’s some stuff that’s a little bit lower, so you don’t have to feel like you’re committing to hard moves up high. It’s right on the river, so you can’t really beat the scenery.

Photo of Mike Rougeux courtesy of Central Oregon Bouldering.

The Widgi Boulders are great. There’s a lot of hard stuff there, but there are some easier climbs there that are getting more traffic now because of the Central Oregon Bouldering book. People used to go out there and be like ‘There are only these climbs with chalk on them and they are hard’ because that’s what all the people were climbing. Now there are people who are newer to climbing and they are going out there and revisiting some of the older V1s and V0s. There’s great boulders out there with decent landings.”

Mount Bachelor Village Boulders: Off the Deschutes River Trail on river left, 15- to 25-minute approach from Farewell Bend Park
The Widgi Boulders: Turn at the dirt road across the Cascades Lakes Scenic Byway from Widgi Creek Golf Course, park at end of road next to boulders

Claire Christensen | Boulderer in Central Oregon

“I first started climbing last summer out at Meadow Camp on ropes but quickly bought a crash pad so I could go out solo. I was immediately hooked on bouldering at Meadow Camp because of how beautiful and serene it is. It’s so rad to be able to listen to the river while I’m climbing but also being far enough off trail that it feels like you have the whole forest to yourself.

The problems start at the parking lot and stretch all the way down the cliff line for a couple miles. The rock is volcanic, so it can be a little hard on the fingers sometimes, but offers cool finger pockets, crimps and cracks. There are lots of problems that are short and safe and also a lot of high ballers for those who are a little braver.”

Meadow Camp: Park at Meadow Camp Day Use Area, $5 Day Pass or NW Forest Pass required, 2- to 20-minute approach depending on what boulders you choose.


Read more Central Oregon CLIMBING articles here.

5 Waterfalls To Hike To This Summer

Enjoy stunning views of cascading waterfalls with our picks of the best waterfall hikes in Central Oregon.

Hiking to Chush Falls in the Three Sisters Wilderness
Chush Falls. Photo by Alex Jordan

A hike to a waterfall is one of the best ways to escape the Central Oregon heat in the summer. With a handful of hikes to pick from, enjoy astonishing views at the top of these falls or venture to their bases to get splashed and swim around in picturesque pools. Hike through dense forests or along rushing creeks to reach these essential summer destinations.

Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls

Along the McKenzie River Highway, this moderately trafficked waterfall hike begins at Sahalie Falls, a 100-foot-tall waterfall that cascades over a natural lava dam. From here, the gravel trail descends down to seventy-foot-tall Koosah Falls, providing astonishing viewpoints in close proximity to the falls. For a shorter hike, you can head back to Sahalie Falls from here or do the full 2.6-mile loop that returns on the river’s far shore through a thick forest of Douglas firs. This short, yet rewarding, hike can be a great day-trip destination or a nice break from a long car ride.

Distance: 2.6 miles roundtrip
Hiking level: Easy
Parking: Both Sahalie and Koosah Falls have parking areas, but expect Sahalie to be more crowded, free at both parking areas
Open: Year-round but best used March until October

Paulina Creek Falls

Paulina Creek Falls is located in the the Newberry National Volcanic Monument just west of Paulina Lake. These falls, which spill from several parts of the volcanic cliffs, drop approximately eighty feet onto the rocky creek below. If hiking is not in the day plan, park at Paulina Creek Falls day use area, where the viewpoint of the falls are mere steps away from the parking area. Here, you can view the falls from above or hike down to the bottom for exceptional views. If looking for a more challenging hike to these falls, start at the Peter Ogden trailhead, which is accessible even in the winter, for a 5.1-mile moderately trafficked out and back hike.

Distance: Up to 5.1 miles out and back
Hiking level: Easy-Moderate
Parking: Paulina Creek Falls day use area for short hike or Peter Ogden trailhead, $5 day pass or NW Forest Pass required, day passes are not available at parking areas but can be purchased from Forest Service offices or vendors
Open: Peter Ogden trailhead open year-round, Paulina Creek Falls day use area open in summer months

Chush Falls

Just outside of Sisters, Chush Falls is a seventy-foot-high, eighty-foot-wide waterfall on the Upper Whychus Creek. Fed by snowmelt and glaciers from Broken Top, Middle Sister and North Sister, this creek has high water levels all year long and breathtaking views of the mountains. Due to the Pole Creek Fire, which burned the area several years ago, the trail is rarely crowded. The fire drastically changed the landscape and changed what used to be a two-mile round trip hike to Chush Falls into a five-mile round trip hike, or six miles to access the upper falls. In order to access the trailhead, you’ll have to drive six miles on a gravel forest road, so make sure to take a car with high clearance. Once arriving at the falls, hike down to its base and enjoy an up close view of the rushing water from a lush meadow.

Distance: 5 miles out and back, 6 if you head to the upper falls
Hiking level: Moderate
Parking: Immediately before crossing Whychus Creek on a large concrete bridge, turn left and continue on a gravel road for one mile. Park once reaching a pile of rocks that block the road. Parking is free.
Open: Year-round, but snowshoes are recommended in the winter

White River Falls and Celestial Falls

Whitewater rafting on the Deschutes River is not the only water-related activity popular near Maupin; White River Falls, a ninety-foot-tall waterfall tucked in a canyon, is located just out of this small Central Oregon town and can be reached by a 1.4-mile round trip hike. It is a two-tiered waterfall, the lower of which is called Celestial Falls, a forty-five-foot-tall falls frequently run by kayakers. Starting at the White River Falls Trailhead quickly brings you to a viewpoint of White River Falls, which roars in the spring but becomes a series of trickles as the summer goes on. A steep scramble trail leads down from here for a view of the lower Celestial Falls. Then, continue downstream to explore the fifteen-foot Lower White River Falls. The pool below is a great place to take a dip on a hot summer day. While short, this hike is said to be moderate for its uneven ground and steep slopes.

Distance: 1.4 miles out and back
Hiking level: Moderate
Parking: White River Falls Trailhead, free
Open: Year-round

Salt Creek Falls and Diamond Creek Falls

Near Oakridge, approximately 1.5 hours outside of Bend, a 3.2 lightly trafficked loop trail weaves through the Salt Creek and Diamond Creek Canyons. Salt Creek Falls, Oregon’s second tallest waterfall (behind Multnomah Falls), is a short walk from the parking lot and cascades 286 feet. Most visitors stop here and enjoy the stunning views. If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, however, continue past these falls to Diamond Falls, a ninety-foot-tall falls with a series of tiers below that drop an additional 500 feet. A lower viewpoint provides an opportunity to sit at the base of the falls and get splashed. Either loop back to the trailhead from here or continue on a more strenuous hike for several miles to reach Vivian Lake.

Distance: 3.2 mile loop trail
Hiking level: Easy
Parking: Trailhead at Salt Creek Falls Observation Site, $5 day pass or NW Forest Pass required
Open: Year-round but best used from June until October

Take a Dip in These Alpine Lakes This Summer

Escape the summer heat and splash around in these lakes that are great for swimming in Central Oregon.

Summer would not be complete in Central Oregon without days spent swimming at a lake. With beautiful lakes in every direction, splashing around in one of these spots is the perfect activity for a hot summer day. Whether it be a day trip with friends or a camping trip with the family, these lakes have it all. No need to break out that fancy boat or canoe, these lakes are accessible for those looking to relax on a sandy beach and enjoy the beautiful Central Oregon views. Check out our picks for the best swimming lakes near Bend.

Crescent Lake

Crescent Lake, aptly named for its shape, lies on the eastern slope of the Cascade Mountains about sixty-five miles southwest of Bend. With more than twelve miles of wooded shoreline and sandy beaches and 4,008 acres of blue-green water, the lake offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Whether this be jumping off the docks and taking a swim or sailing across the glassy water, this lake has a little something for everybody. Motorized boats are permitted, making it a popular spot for waterskiing and fishing. The surrounding wooded area also features trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking.

Distance from Bend: 1 hour 20 minutes
Water activities permitted: motorized and non-motorized watercrafts
Parking: $5 or NW Forest Pass at day use area
Facilities: restrooms, picnic tables, boat ramp

Scout Lake

Resembling more of a pond than a lake, Scout Lake is the little sibling of Suttle Lake, a higher trafficked destination just a few miles up the road. Although Scout Lake is the local swimming hole for Sisters residents, it is rarely crowded. The warm water and sandy shores make the lake ideal for swimming. A small campground with nine sites is just adjacent to the day use area. Whether you are camping or using the day use area, remember to leave your furry friend at home. For sanitation and safety concerns, Scout Lake is one of the few recreation sites in the Deschutes National Forest where dogs are not allowed.

Distance from Bend: 50 minutes
Water activities permitted: non-motorized watercrafts
Parking: $5 or NW Forest Pass at day use area, limited parking available
Facilities: restrooms, drinking water, picnic tables

South Twin Lake

Among the Cascade lakes, South Twin Lake is one of the smaller, less-frequented spots for swimming. The lake boasts sandy shores and water warm enough to swim in during the summer months. Motor boats are not allowed, enhancing the tranquility of the lake. With a surface area of ninety-nine acres and an average depth of thirty-three feet, it’s a good size to explore on kayak or canoe on for a little family fun. The lake is also known for its rainbow trout fishing, as well as the 1.6-mile-long loop trail along the shore and the offshoot trail leading to North Twin Lake. Both South and North Twin Lakes were formed around 20,000 years ago from volcanic activity that created the two craters that later filled with water.

Distance from Bend: 45 minutes
Water activities permitted: non-motorized watercraft
Parking: $5 or NW Forest Pass
Facilities: restrooms

Cultus Lake

Located approximately forty-eight miles southwest of Bend, Cultus Lake is a popular glacier-formed lake off of the Cascade Lakes Highway. Although it is one of the farthest Cascade lakes from Bend, it is well-worth the travel. Several scenic beach spots are accessible at the day use area without any kind of watercraft. The entire lake is surrounded by a dense, mixed conifer forest with views of Cultus Mountain. The lake is known for being one of the only Cascade Lakes that allows high speed motorized boats. There are opportunities for waterskiing, windsurfing, sailing and jet skiing as well as hiking and mountain biking trails that lead north into the Three Sisters Wilderness.

Distance from Bend: 1 hour
Water activities permitted: motorized and non-motorized watercraft
Parking: $5 or NW Forest Pass at day use area
Facilities: restrooms, picnic tables, boat ramp

Lake Billy Chinook

Lake Billy Chinook lies just west of Madras at the crossroads of the Deschutes, Metolius and Crooked rivers. The lake spans 3,997 acres and reaches depths of 415 feet. It is surrounded by 400-foot cliffs reminiscent of those at Yosemite and, with arms that splinter off in every direction, the lake boasts seventy-two miles of shoreline. The lake features a day use area with picnic tables and a closed-off swimming area fit for the whole family. If wishing to access the more secluded shores or the picturesque Kettle Falls, hop on any kind of watercraft. Cove Palisades State Park is located just up the road on the cliffs towering above the lake and is a hub for all types of family camping.

Distance from Bend: 1 hour 20 minutes
Water activities permitted: motorized and non-motorized watercraft
Parking: $5 or NW Forest Pass at day use area
Facilities: restrooms, picnic tables, boat ramp

Paulina Lake

About twenty-five miles south of Bend, Paulina Lake is situated at the basin of the Newberry Volcano caldera, featuring views of thousands of years of volcanic activity. You can find picnic areas and swimming beaches at the day use area. Since the water comes largely from snowmelt, it can be cold for swimming in early season. Luckily, a short hike on the Paulina Lake Loop Trail leads to geothermal hot springs along the north shore. If looking for more swimming opportunities, turn off Paulina Lake Road before reaching the lake for a short hike to Paulina Falls along Paulina Creek. Just past the falls, you can find swimming holes and natural waterslides great for a hot summer day.

Distance from Bend: 1 hour 20 minutes
Water activities permitted: motorized and non-motorized watercraft
Parking: $5 or NW Forest Pass at day use area
Facilities: restrooms, picnic tables, boat ramp

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