A Group Travel Guide to Bend, Oregon's Best Destinations

The High Desert Museum

If you are looking for an educational experience that perfectly encapsulates the spirit, history, and ecology of the region, the High Desert Museum (59800 US-97, Bend, OR 97702) is an absolute must-visit. Located just south of town, this massive indoor/outdoor museum is a favorite for school field trips and private tour groups alike. Your group can explore exhibits featuring live otters, porcupines, and birds of prey, or walk through a genuine 1904 homestead to see how early settlers lived in the high desert. The museum offers ample bus parking, making it an incredibly convenient stop for a motorcoach. Instead of trying to keep track of students or family members across a crowded parking lot, your driver can drop you off right at the main entrance.

When you book a charter bus rental in Bend for a trip to the High Desert Museum, you ensure that your group arrives together and on time for any scheduled raptor shows or guided tours. School groups can take advantage of our fleet’s onboard DVD players and TV screens to watch educational documentaries on the way to the museum, setting the stage for learning before you even step off the bus. Plus, with plenty of undercarriage storage, there is room for everyone’s packed lunches and backpacks. After a day of learning, everyone can relax in a climate-controlled cabin while your driver handles the traffic back into town on Highway 97.

Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort

Towering over the city, Mt. Bachelor (13000 SW Century Dr, Bend, OR 97702) is the crown jewel of Central Oregon’s outdoor recreation scene. Whether you are visiting in the winter for world-class skiing and snowboarding or in the summer for downhill mountain biking and scenic lift rides, Mt. Bachelor is a top destination for large groups. However, the drive up Century Drive can be treacherous in winter conditions, and parking at the lodge can be a major hassle on busy powder days. By renting a charter bus from Charter Bus Rental Company Bend, you eliminate the stress of winter driving. The drivers handle snowy roads and mountain passes, ensuring your ski club, youth group, or corporate team arrives comfortably.

One of the biggest advantages of a charter bus rental for a ski trip is the storage. Skis, snowboards, boots, and thick winter gear take up a lot of space—space that standard SUVs and minivans simply don’t have. Our full-size charter buses come equipped with spacious undercarriage luggage bays that can easily accommodate all your winter sports equipment, keeping the aisles clear and the cabin comfortable. Your group can stretch out in reclining seats, crank up the heat, and rest their legs after a long day on the slopes. We can arrange drop-offs right at the West Village or Sunrise Lodge, so you don't have to lug your gear through the massive parking lots.

Newberry National Volcanic Monument

For a truly unique geological adventure, take your group to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. This area, managed by the Deschutes National Forest, offers incredible sights like the Lava River Cave (52000 US-97, Bend, OR 97702) and the stunning Paulina Peak. The Lava River Cave is a mile-long lava tube that offers a cool, subterranean hiking experience perfect for scout troops and nature lovers. Because cell service can be spotty and the locations are spread out, having a single mode of transportation is vital for keeping your group together. A private bus rental allows you to travel between the Lava Lands Visitor Center, the Lava Cast Forest, and Paulina Lake without anyone getting lost in the wilderness.

When you book with Charter Bus Rental Company Bend, you can customize your itinerary to hit multiple sites within the monument in a single day. Your driver stays with the vehicle, ensuring that it is secure while you explore the caves or hike the obsidian flow. For groups planning a picnic at Paulina Lake, our buses offer plenty of storage for coolers and food supplies. Please note that some areas of the monument require recreational passes, and bus parking may need to be coordinated in advance during peak summer months—our reservation specialists can help you plan these logistics when you call 541-243-7911.

The Old Mill District

Built on the site of a historic lumber mill, the Old Mill District (450 SW Powerhouse Dr, Bend, OR 97702) is now the premier destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment in Bend. Situated right along the Deschutes River, it is a beautiful place for groups to spend an afternoon or evening. Whether you are catching a concert at the Hayden Homes Amphitheater or just browsing the boutiques, traffic and parking in this popular area can be difficult, especially during events. A charter bus rental allows your group to be dropped off centrally, perhaps near the Regal Cinemas or the footbridge, avoiding the circling for parking spots that plagues most visitors.

If you are in town for a concert at the Amphitheater with a large group of friends or a corporate team, a party bus or minibus is the ultimate way to travel. You can pre-game on the bus (check with us about our alcohol policy!), enjoy your favorite music on our premium sound systems, and forget about the post-concert gridlock. Your driver will be waiting at a designated pickup location to whisk you away to your hotel or the next stop on your night out. It is the safest and most convenient way to enjoy Bend's vibrant riverfront district.

Deschutes Brewery & Public House

You cannot visit Bend without acknowledging its status as one of the best beer cities in America, and Deschutes Brewery is the one that started it all. Groups often want to visit the Tasting Room (901 SW Simpson Ave, Bend, OR 97702) for a behind-the-scenes tour of the brewing facility or dine at the downtown Public House (1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR 97703). Organizing a brewery tour for a bachelor party, wedding weekend, or corporate outing? A private shuttle bus from Charter Bus Rental Company Bend is your built-in designated driver. We can transport your group safely from one brewery to the next, ensuring everyone can sample the famous Black Butte Porter or Mirror Pond Pale Ale responsibly.

For a full "Bend Ale Trail" experience, let us build a custom route for you. We can take your group from Deschutes to Crux Fermentation Project, 10 Barrel, and Sunriver Brewing without you ever needing to call a rideshare. Our minibuses are perfect for these types of outings, compact enough to navigate downtown streets but spacious enough for your whole party. Enjoy the social atmosphere of wraparound seating in some of our bus models and keep the energy high between stops. Call 541-243-7911 to plan your custom brewery crawl today!

Smith Rock State Park

Located about 30 minutes north of Bend in Terrebonne, Smith Rock State Park (Terrebonne, OR 97760) is world-renowned for its sheer cliffs of tuff and basalt, making it a mecca for rock climbers and hikers. The scenery here is dramatic and unlike anything else in the Pacific Northwest. If you are organizing a photography workshop, a hiking club outing, or a geology field trip, Smith Rock is an essential stop. However, parking at the trailhead is extremely limited and often overflows onto the road. A charter bus rental solves this issue completely. Your driver can drop your group off at the main parking area or the bivouac area and then park the bus in the designated overflow spaces for large vehicles.

Traveling to Smith Rock in a charter bus also allows your group to prepare for the hike in comfort. You can use the onboard PA system to give safety briefings or describe the geological history of the Crooked River before you arrive. After a strenuous day of hiking Misery Ridge, your group will be grateful for the air-conditioned comfort and reclining seats of the bus for the ride back to Bend. We handle the driving so you can enjoy the spectacular views of the Three Sisters mountains on the horizon.

Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint

For the best panoramic views of Bend and the Cascade Mountain Range, you have to head to the top of Pilot Butte (1310 NE Hwy 20, Bend, OR 97701). Bend is one of the only cities in the U.S. with a dormant volcano inside its city limits! The road to the summit is winding and can be narrow, but the view from the top is worth it, offering a 360-degree perspective of the high desert. It is a fantastic spot for sunset photos or a quick orientation to the city's layout. Charter Bus Rental Company Bend can arrange for a bus to take your tour group to the summit (season and vehicle size permitting) or drop you at the base for a vigorous hike up.

If you are hosting a family reunion or a wedding, Pilot Butte is a memorable stop for out-of-town guests who want to see the lay of the land. Because parking at the summit is very limited, a shuttle bus is the most efficient way to get a group up and down. Instead of taking ten separate cars and fighting for the few parking spots, load everyone into a single minibus. Your driver can stay with the vehicle while you take in the views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, and the Three Sisters.

Tumalo Falls

Tumalo Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Central Oregon, featuring a spectacular 97-foot drop. Located just a short drive west of Bend via Skyliner Road, it is a popular spot for hiking and mountain biking. The parking area at the trailhead is notoriously small, and vehicles often have to park far down the road. For wedding parties looking for a scenic photo backdrop or nature groups wanting to explore the trails, a charter bus rental from Charter Bus Rental Company Bend offers the ultimate convenience. We can drop your group right at the bridge viewing area, saving you a long walk from the overflow parking.

Because the road to Tumalo Falls is gravel for the last few miles, we recommend discussing the specific vehicle requirements with our reservation team. We have rugged minibuses that are perfect for navigating these types of access roads. Ensure your group gets to experience this natural wonder without the headache of parking logistics. With Charter Bus Rental Company Bend, you can enjoy the beauty of the Deschutes National Forest hassle-free.

Book Your Bend Charter Bus Rental Today!

Ready to explore the beauty of Central Oregon without the stress of driving? Charter Bus Rental Company Bend is here to make your group trip unforgettable. Whether you are skiing Mt. Bachelor, hiking Smith Rock, or touring the breweries of downtown Bend, we have the perfect vehicle for you. Our commitment to safety, reliability, and customer satisfaction makes us the top choice for bus rentals in the region. Don’t wait—call our 24/7 reservation team at 541-243-7911 to get your free, no-obligation quote today. Let us handle the road while you handle the adventure!