Just moved to Bend, or getting back into it after a while? These groups are beginner-friendly and welcoming — no need to be fast, experienced, or know a soul.
Wednesdays, 12:00pm · 2–3 mi, conversational
📍 FootZone, downtown Bend
A lunch-hour classic — order a burrito from the Taco Stand as you head out and it’s ready when you get back.
Seasonal group rides — see Meetup
📍 Rotating Central Oregon trailheads
COTA chapters host rides, chapter meetings, and trail-work days at Phil’s, Tumalo, and trail networks across the region.
Daily by reservation · all abilities
📍 Smith Rock State Park, Terrebonne
The only on-site, state-permitted guide service at the birthplace of American sport climbing.
Wednesdays, 5:30pm · all paces welcome
📍 FootZone, downtown Bend
Mondays, 5:30pm · women’s, all paces
📍 Rotating Bend locations
Tuesdays, 5:30pm · interval workouts, all levels
📍 Rotating Bend locations
Coached interval work; all ability levels are welcomed.
Saturdays, 8:00am (9:00am Nov–Apr) · all paces
📍 Thump Coffee, Bend
CORK’s flagship social run — pastries and coffee afterward, every pace welcome.
Thursdays, 6:00pm · all paces, rotating
📍 Rotating Bend locations
Saturdays, 9:30am · trails, all welcome
📍 Rotating Bend trailheads
Locations posted weekly on Instagram; run-and-socialize vibe.
Tuesdays, 6:00pm (winter) / 6:30pm · all welcome
📍 Rotating Bend locations
Seasonal coached sessions — see programs
📍 Around Bend
Seasonal no-drop rides + skills sessions
📍 Rotating Central Oregon trailheads
The Women of COTA run inclusive no-drop group rides, mentoring, and bike-maintenance clinics.
Seasonal dig days — sign up on Meetup
📍 Rotating Central Oregon trailheads
Seasonal weeknight + weekend rides, all levels
📍 Rotating Bend trailheads
Mostly gravel and MTB; all skill and fitness levels welcome.
Multiple paces — see ride calendar
📍 Rotating Bend-area start points
Road, gravel, and MTB rides at multiple paces; $25–$35/yr membership or a guest ride.
Member-organized rides — see Meetup
📍 Rotating Bend-area start points
Women’s road, gravel, and MTB rides from advanced-beginner to advanced-intermediate.
Open daily · day passes, classes & memberships
📍 Bend Rock Gym, 1182 SE Centennial, Bend
Roped climbing and bouldering across three gyms; intro classes for first-timers.
The Circuit Bouldering Gym — Bend
Open daily · drop-in bouldering & fitness
📍 The Circuit, Bend
Seasonal coached climbing — see programs
📍 Bend Endurance Academy facility, Bend
Scheduled clinics + guided climbs
📍 Smith Rock State Park, Terrebonne
AMGA-trained guides; instructional clinics from intro to advanced.
First Saturday, 9:45am · Nov–Apr
📍 Wetlands Parking Area, Bend
Gather 9:45am, walk 10:00am–noon; free to members and nonmembers.
Tuesdays, 8:00am · Mar–early June
📍 Sawyer Park parking lot, Bend
Monthly meeting + speaker — see calendar
📍 Bend (and online)
Third Wednesday, 6:00–7:30pm
📍 Elks Lodge, 63120 Boyd Acres Rd, Bend
Open meeting with programs; seasonal outings where experienced members teach.
Seasonal outings — see calendar
📍 Area rivers and lakes
Year-round guided trips by reservation
📍 Deschutes, Metolius & Crooked rivers
20+ guided trip options; Euro-nymphing and stillwater expertise.
Guided day trips + Lower Deschutes camps
📍 Lower Deschutes River
Half- & full-day guided trips
📍 Lower Deschutes River
Daily in season · lessons, tours & rentals
📍 Riverbend Park, Bend
Beginning and intermediate classes, kids programs, and half/full-day tours on the Deschutes.
Apr–Nov · ~100 free guided hikes a season
📍 Rotating Land Trust preserves
Naturalist-led hikes on wildflowers, geology, birds, and more; free but registration required. (Dogs not permitted on preserves.)
Last Saturday monthly · Apr–Oct
📍 Land Trust preserves & Bend
Guided family nature walks for kids ages 5–10.
Daily grooming Dec–Mar · ~50km
📍 Virginia Meissner Sno-Park, Bend
Community-groomed classic, skate, and snowshoe trails; free (donation-funded), Sno-Park permit required.
Daily in season · 56km groomed
📍 Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center
56km of groomed classic and skate trails plus clinics and rentals; trail pass required.
Winter coached sessions — see programs
📍 Meissner & Mt. Bachelor, Bend area
Coached classic and skate sessions for adults of all abilities.
OSU-Cascades — Cascades Adventures
Term-time student trips, clinics & rentals
📍 OSU-Cascades campus, Bend
Low/no-cost gear rentals plus guided trips spanning hiking, paddling, climbing, and skiing for students.