Drake Park
Bend, OR
Drake Park in Bend is the ideal spot for attending an outdoor event, relaxing along the nearly half-mile riverfront, or wandering the acres of green spaces and trails. This community park is located just steps from downtown and features a stage, public art, and river access.
The basics
Drake Park is a cornerstone of Bend’s outdoor culture. Walk up Franklin Street and Riverside Drive from downtown, and you’ll hit the park in minutes. You can easily spend a day relaxing on its public lawns or walking its trails, including over the wooden bridge to Harmon Park across Mirror Pond, a dammed section of the Deschutes River. Kayakers and tubers will find several river access points along the park, while hikers can connect to various parts of the Deschutes River Trail—a portion of the Pioneer Reach section cuts through the park on a boardwalk.
Things to know before you go
- Ideal for families, couples, or anyone looking to enjoy Bend’s natural beauty.
- Drake Park is open daily from 5am to 10pm.
- The park is accessible with paved paths suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
- Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash; owners should clean up after their pets.
- There’s a café and taproom on the east side of the park.
How to get there
Drake Park is in the heart of Bend on NW Riverside Boulevard—it’s a public green space on both sides of a dammed section of the Deschutes River running from NW Galveston Avenue up to NW Newport Avenue. You can easily walk to the park from downtown or take the 11 bus to Franklin and Broadway. If driving, there’s a public parking lot on the southeast side of the park.
When to get there
Drake Park is a year-round destination, though winter snowfall can make it hard to fully enjoy the outdoors. The park hosts various annual outdoor events, such as Fourth of July celebrations, free summer concerts, and the Bend Fall Festival, a seasonal celebration of the harvest season usually held in early October.
Where to eat
Drake Park is an urban park near several eateries where you can easily grab a drink or bite to eat. For drinks and baked goods, head to The Commons Café and Taproom near Mirror Pond Plaza. At the east end of the park, Looney Bean of Bend is the place for great coffee, while the Pine Tavern serves American classics, alongside a ponderosa pine tree that grows in one of the dining rooms.
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