If you’re looking to paddleboard, Bend Oregon lakes and rivers are the place to be this summer.
Whether you prefer stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), kayaking, or canoeing, paddle sports are quintessential outdoor activities in Bend and all of central Oregon.
In this article, we’ll cover the best places to kayak and paddleboard near Bend and include our local tips for how to make the most of your visit!
We’ll also include information on the paddleboard and kayak rentals Bend Oregon has to offer.
Pack your swimsuit and sunglasses and let’s explore the best places to kayak and paddleboard in Bend Oregon.
This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you purchase products mentioned in this post.
Paddleboard Bend Oregon: Overview
The beauty and accessibility of lakes near Bend and the Deschutes River provide an impressive range of paddling opportunities.
As a result, canoeing, paddleboarding, and kayaking near Bend Oregon are popular summer activities that thousands of people enjoy each year.
As central Oregon residents, we want to help you experience the joy of these paddling adventures for yourself.
In this article, we’ve gathered our local knowledge of our favorite paddling spots to help you streamline the planning process and save you time.
Best Places to Kayak and Paddleboard Near Bend
There are over 300 lakes near Bend within an hour’s drive and each one is unique!
Some are remote and undeveloped while others have lakeside resorts and their convenient amenities. Not all offer mountain views
In addition to lakes, much of the Deschutes River is suitable for kayaking and paddleboarding.
The table below shows a high-level overview of the best places to kayak and paddleboard near Bend.
| Location | Typical Drive Time | Great for | Drawbacks |
| Sparks Lake | 45 min | Overall mountain views and scenery | Gets crowded, low water level in the fall |
| Hosmer Lake | 45 min | Unique shoreline, mountain views, campgrounds | No beach area for lounging |
| Devils Lake | 35 min | Stunning turquoise colored water | Water is cold, no mountain views |
| Lava and Little Lava Lake | 45 min | Views, campgrounds, and resort amenities | No ideal beach area for lounging |
| Paulina Lake and East Lake | 50 min | Fishing, hiking, camping, resort amenities | No mountain views |
| Elk Lake | 40 min | Mountain views, resort amenities, beach areas | Gets crowded |
| Deschutes River | Variable | Proximity to Bend and river floating | Rapids limit paddling in some areas |
With so many choices, it can be difficult to choose the best option.
Let’s dive into more detail. These are the best places to paddleboard and kayak in Bend Oregon.
Sparks Lake
Sparks Lakeis a popular lake along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway is 27 miles from Bend and typically takes 45 minutes to drive to the Sparks Lake Day Use Area.
In our opinion, if you only have time for one lake to paddleboard or kayak, we suggest Sparks Lake!
Sparks Lake is known for impressive mountain views, providing a front and center experience with three iconic central Oregon peaks: South Sister, Broken Top, and Mt. Bachelor.
In fact, Sparks Lake has some of the best mountain views from any lake you can drive to in central Oregon.
The unique shape, meandering shoreline, and scattered islands of Sparks Lake lend perfectly to exploring via paddling.
Fortunately, Sparks Lake also has some rocky beach space for lounging and swimming lakeside.
Be aware: The water level can get low later in the late summer and into the fall. Therefore, this lake is best enjoyed late spring to mid-summer.
Local tip: Take a pleasant stroll on the Ray Atkeson Memorial Trail which winds through lava rock fields and borders Spark’s Lake.
In fact, we consider this one of the best hikes near Bend and always recommend it to everyone.
Also, don’t forget your camera. Sparks Lake is one of the most photogenic lakes near Bend.
Our take: Sparks Lake gets our vote for the overall the best lake to kayak and paddleboard near Bend.
Be aware: A bumpy 2-mile dirt road is required but most vehicles should be okay.
Learn more in our full article about Sparks Lake.
Hosmer Lake
Hosmer Lake is located along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway and is about 36 miles and 45 minutes from Bend.
We think Hosmer is one of the best lakes for paddling near Bend because of the unique shape of the lake and excellent mountain views.
The lake is super long and skinny with lots of different nooks and crannies to explore and get lost in.
Because of the unique shape and reedy bays that line the lake’s edge, Hosmer Lake is also popular for fly-fishing, so you may have to dodge a few casts from friendly anglers.
Be aware: There is not really a beach space, so don’t expect to spend much time not on the water. Rather, the boat launch is where you park and launch.
Local Tip: Stay at Mallard Marsh Campground or South Campground right on the edge of Hosmer Lake to extend your adventure overnight. Take advantage of your prolonged visit and enjoy a sunrise or sunset paddling session!
Our take: Keeping mind the lack of beach space, Hosmer Lake is still a top choice for kayaking and paddleboarding near Bend. The main draws are the engaging shoreline, immersive scenery, and iconic mountain views.
Check out the official USFS webpage for Hosmer Lake.
Devils Lake
Devils Lake is a small and shallow lake along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway located about 27 miles west of Bend, with a typical drive time of 35 minutes.
Devils Lake earns a spot on this “kayak and paddleboard Bend Oregon” list of mainly because of its beautiful turquoise colored water and close proximity to Bend.
There is no main day use area or beach space, but rather lots of easily accessible scattered hangout spots along the shoreline which can be great to set up for the day.
Be aware that the parking lot can get crowded during busy weekends, but you can usually find parking alongside the road.
Local tip: There are 10 first come first served walk-in campsites at Devils Lake Campground. These sites are usually full during summer weekends, but if you get there Thursday night or early Friday you can likely get a spot.
Be aware: The water can be quite chilly due to the close proximity to mountain snowmelt. Also, you don’t really get any mountain views unfortunately.
Our take: Acknowledging the relatively cold-water temperature and lack of mountain views, the fantastically clear and turquoise water and undeveloped shoreline Devil’s Lake makes us keep coming back.
Check out the official USFS webpage on Devils Lake.
Lava and Little Lava Lake
Lava Lake and Little Lava Lake are located about 38 miles west of Bend and typically take about 50 minutes to drive to from Bend.
Lava Lake is a fairly large lake with some excellent mountain views, a campground, an RV resort, boating and fishing, and a shoreline hiking trail.
Lava Lake Campground and Lava Lake Resort make this a great lake for paddleboarding and kayaking near Bend for overnight stays.
Lava Lake Resort has RV sites, paddleboard and kayak rentals, and a small store. This is a great place to rent a boat, kayak, or a paddleboard.
Little Lava Lake is right next to its companion and is the source of the mighty Deschutes River. There is a small campground and a small beach area that is also used as a boat ramp.
Like Lava Lake, Little Lava Lake is a great lake for paddleboarding near Bend because of the mountain views.
Drawbacks: There isn’t a great beach day use area that is nice for lounging at either of these lakes. Also, it can be hard to get a campsite during busy summer weekends.
Our take: Overall, the nice mountain views, variety of camping options, and amenities of Lava Lake Resort make this a great spot for paddleboarding and kayaking near Bend.
Check out the official USFS webpages for Lava Lake and Little Lava Lake.
Paulina Lake and East Lake
Paulina Lake and East Lake are fairly large lakes nestled in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, about 50 minutes or 40 miles south of Bend.
Both of these lakes have a ton to offer including lakeside resorts, shoreline campgrounds, lots of hiking trails, beautiful viewpoints, and excellent boating and fishing opportunities.
If that wasn’t enough, there is even a hot spring you can hike or paddle to and a beautiful waterfall. As you can see, there are at least a weekend’s worth of activities in this area.
Paulina Lake Lodge and East Lake Resort are great options for folks who want a classic lakeside lodge experience. They both have lodging, restaurants, watercraft rentals, and other resort amenities.
Local tip: You can’t miss the incredible views from Paulina Peak. This has to be one of the best viewpoints in central Oregon. You can hike or drive to this viewpoint.
Our take: Both Paulina and East Lake area great options for kayaking and paddleboarding near Bend. The campgrounds and resorts are ideal for overnight stays.
In fact, these are two of our favorite lakes near Bend. Learn more about this area in our full guide to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
Check out the official USFS webpages for Paulina Lake and East Lake.
Elk Lake
Elk Lake is located along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway about 40 minutes and 32 miles from Bend.
Elk Lake has 3 campgrounds, 4 day use areas, and Elk Lake Resort. Needless to say, this is one of the more developed lakes near Bend.
While it can get crowded, Elk Lake is also very accessible, great for paddling, camping, swimming, lounging lakeside, and enjoying the amenities provided by Elk Lake Resort.
In fact, Elk Lake Resort is a great spot for families who want to take advantage of the convenient restaurant and watercraft rentals for a both single day and an overnight stay.
You can even rent a pontoon boat, and the swim platform is another nice touch. Also, ice cream!
Local tip: In addition to Elk Lake Resort, other nice day use areas include the Sunset View Day Use Area on the east side of the lake and the day use area on the south side of the lake (which has the best mountain views).
Also, there is a nice hiking trail along the south and east sides of Elk Lake which has some great views.
Be aware: Due to the easy accessibility and great day use areas, this is one of the more popular lakes near Bend and does get crowded on weekends with nice weather.
Our take: Overall, the accessible day use areas, campgrounds, and amenities at Elk Lake Resort make Elk Lake great for an accessible family friendly single or multi-day stay filled with paddling, swimming, lounging, and boating.
Check out the official USFS webpage for Elk Lake
Kayaking and Paddleboarding the Deschutes River in Bend
In addition to the beautiful lakes near Bend, it is also fun to kayak or paddleboard the Deschutes River.
The Deschutes River is beautiful, has a variety of sections, and offers a bit more dynamic paddling experience compared to lakes.
One major plus of paddling the Deschutes is its proximity and accessibility from Bend.
If you don’t have a ton of time but still want to paddleboard while in Bend, the Deschutes River is probably your best bet.
In addition, there are also opportunities to float and paddle from upstream to downstream.
River Bend Park
River Bend Park is one of Bend’s most popular hangout spots in the summer. This spacious park has an excellent launching beach, a huge grass field perfect for picnics and frisbee, and even a dog park.
You are able to access about 1.4 river miles from this park, with about two thirds of that being downstream.
It is also worth noting that this is likely the most popular section of the Deschutes River for paddleboarding. This is also the park where most people launch when floating with inflatable tubes.
If you have a large group or are looking to picnic and paddle, then this is a great spot. You can also park across the river at Farewell Bend Park, but there are fewer parking spots, and it is not as conducive to the paddle/picnic duo.
Local Tip: Throw down and blanket and throw around a frisbee at River Bend Park in between paddling sessions. Don’t forget some snacks! This is a great place to spend a summer day.
Aspen Day Use Area
Aspen Day Use Area is a short 20-minute drive outside of Bend. This park lets you access an undeveloped section of the Deschutes River which showcases its natural beauty. There are about 1.5 miles of accessible river and about half are upstream of the day use area.
Launch your paddleboard from the convenient little beach that you can drive to (but can’t park at). We recommend paddling upstream until you see some rapids.
There are some cool offshoots of the river to explore at this spot. Then, float back downstream, or stop somewhere for a riverside snack break.
Local Tip: There are not a lot of parking spots, which reduces crowds and can be nice if you are able to get one!
Besson Day Use Area
Besson Day Use Area is around 30 minutes South of Bend and the most upstream location on this list. This is a unique spot on the river as shown in the image below
As you can see, you are able to launch, enjoy a short float, and exit at the same place! Furthermore, you can paddle upstream and downstream if you want to explore more.
There are some fun islands and inlets to explore upstream. Pack a lunch and find a cool spot to eat on the water!
Local Tip: Paddle just upstream from the park to explore a cool part of the river. And just beyond that, there is a small inlet that is also super interesting to check out. You can see what I’m talking about on Google Maps!
Float the Deschutes River
A fun and relaxing way to experience the Deschutes River is by floating upstream to downstream. However, this option does require more upfront planning and two cars for transporting.
On the plus side, you are rewarded with a one-way trip that can be as much paddling or floating as you like! This means you won’t explore the same section twice and you won’t need to paddle upstream if you don’t feel like it.
River Bend Park to Whitewater Park
This is the most popular section for floating and paddleboarding the Deschutes River. Both scenic and easily accessible, the 1.4-mile length from River Bend Park to Whitewater Park is a main draw for paddlers and floaters when the weather is warm in Central Oregon.
Ideally, park one car at Bend Whitewater Park (also called McKay Park) or across the river at Miller’s Landing Park. However, both of these parks have small parking lots.
You can try parking on the street close by or parking at a large parking lot by the roundabout that is the intersection between Columbia Street and Simpson Ave. Unfortunately, this lot is about a five-minute walk from where you exit the river.
Regarding the exit point, you can exit just before the bridge (Colorado Ave) on the left (right upstream of Bend Whitewater Park. Make sure you exit before the bridge, or you risk going down the rapids, which isn’t great on a paddleboard.
Park your other car at River Bend Park and launch at the nice beach. Alternatively, you can walk or paddle back to the car, but I would avoid walking. Also, Tumalo Creek offers a shuttle service.
Overall, this is a short but enjoyable float (but it can be extended with upstream paddling) that is right in town and totally doable for everyone.
Local Tip: In the summer, you can hear/see concerts at Hayden Homes Amphitheater from the river. They don’t really want you to do that because you’re not paying for a ticket, but people get creative with anchor systems. It’s a thing!
Paddleboard and Kayak Rentals Bend Oregon
For renting you have two options: rent in town or at a lakeside resort.
The lakes mentioned in this article with lakeside resorts are Lava Lake, Paulina Lake, East Lake, and Elk Lake. Rentals are about $30 per hour.
For renting in town, check out Tumalo Creek, Stand on Liquid, Powder House, or Bend Kayak School. 24-hour rentals should be $60 – $80 per day.
It might be worth it to buy your own paddleboard or kayak. Inflatable paddleboard technology has come a long way. They are reliable and easy to transport. I can’t remember where we got our paddleboard, but this one seems to be a good option on Amazon.
Kayak and Paddleboard Bend Oregon: Other Tips
Prepare Your Gear
In addition to the paddleboard, you’ll want to have a life jacket and probably some dry bags for your stuff. It’s super helpful to have a reliable dry bag.
Prepare for the Weather
The combination of high elevation, dry climate, and sun exposure is no joke. We recommend a solid sun shirt with a hood in addition to a hat and sunscreen.
Also, bring plenty of water and snacks. The central Oregon high desert can really take it out of you.
Finally, prepare for cold temperatures too. Even in the summer, temperatures at the lakes can be in the 40s.
Plan for Crowds on Hot Weekends
Lots of people visit Bend and paddleboard in central Oregon. I guess everyone wants a piece of the action.
We’re all for that! However, it does make planning tough sometimes, especially when the parking situation for some of these spots isn’t exactly a Walmart parking lot.
The best solution to beat the crowds and get a parking spot is to arrive at your destination before 9:00 am, especially at the more crowded places.
Alternatively, shoot for the sunset paddle.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are no shortage of amazing places to kayak and paddleboard in Bend Oregon.
We hope you learned about the best places to paddleboard and kayak near Bend and found this information helpful. Get out there and explore!
If you’re visiting, check out our traveler’s guide for things to do in Bend.
Also, subscribe to our YouTube and follow us on Instagram for more inspiration for exploring the PNW. Happy roaming!
