Pilot Butte Summit Trail

Whether you are visiting Bend for the first time or you are a longtime local, the short trek up this 480-foot extinct volcanic cinder cone is a must.  In fact, Bend is one of only three cities in the United States with a volcano within its city limits.*  The entire city of Bend visible from the trail, and so is much of Oregon.  From the top, you'll see an impressive panoramic display of the cascade peaks from Mount Hood to Mount Bachelor, Smith Rocks to the north and Newberry National Volcanic Monument to the south.

* The other two are Honolulu, Hawaii and Portland, Oregon.  Almost all of Portland’s east side lies on top of the extinct Boring Lava Field, which has been dormant for roughly 300,000 years.  Numerous landmarks in Portland are actually some of the 30-plus cinder cones that make up the field, including Powell Butte, Mount Tabor, Rocky Butte and Larch Mountain.