Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint has been a beacon around Bend, Oregon as long as humans have been in the area. Native Americans and European explorers all used the Butte as a landmark and scouting location, and today it is an extremely popular short but steep hike or twisty drive to the summit. Nearly every significant landmark in Oregon is visible from the top. The panorama includes North Sister, Middle Sister, and South Sister mountains (known collectively as the Tree Sisters) and Mt. Bachelor to the west, the Ochoco Mountains to the east, Mt. Hood to the north, and on exceptional days, Washington's Mt. Adams, more than 140 miles away.
Parking and public transportation at Pilot Butte State Scenic ViewPoint
A parking lot on the east side provides easy access to the trailhead. The road to the top (closed to cars in winter) is accessible on the west side, but long vehicles (RVs and vehicles with trailers, for instance) are not allowed. There is very limited parking at the top. The bus, Cascades East Transit, has a few stops within walking distance of the base.
Best and worst time go to Pilot Butte State Scenic ViewPoint
The Butte is a popular spot for walkers, runners, and cyclists. High school cross country and track teams run up it for training. Late afternoons are the most popular weekday times, but the trailhead parking lot is rarely full even on weekends. The road to the top, on the other hand, can fill up very quickly during popular times, frustrating drivers, hikers, and bikers. Park hours and the road gates are generally from dawn until dusk.
Admission to Pilot Butte State Scenic ViewPoint
There is no admission fee for parking or the drive to the top, but donations are accepted. There is no overnight camping or parking allowed.
Must see/do at Pilot Butte State Scenic ViewPoint
Going to the top and checking out the spectacular panorama is the sole reason to visit the Butte, whether that's by driving the mile up, walking the slightly more than one mile nature trail or walking, running, or cycling the road.
Other places to visit near Pilot Butte State Scenic ViewPoint
Nearly every peak or area seen from the top of Pilot Butte is a reasonably easy drive away. From Bachelor to the Sisters, to Drake Park and Mirror Pond and the Deschutes River in downtown Bend, to Paulina Peak and beyond, all are wonderful destinations. If beer is more your thing, there are close to 30 breweries in Bend to enjoy an after-hike refreshment.
Insider tip for visitors to Pilot Butte State Scenic ViewPoint
There have been days I've started at Pilot Butte, gone out and had a full day, and come back and gone up the Butte again. It's seemed like two different hikes. I like hiking up the nature trail and walking down the road. Starting on the east side, the major mountains to the west are hidden from view. Partway up the circling path the Three Sisters come into view through the trees and eventually all the Cascade Mountains pop out, making the entire scene feel like a new discovery. It's also very interesting to compare the old picture from the top of the Butte taken in the 1910s, on one of the signboards, to the exact same view today. It's a small indication of how much Bend and Central Oregon have changed, and yet the remarkable views haven't.
Author's bio: Alex Drude is a Bay Area native. He has taken many, many pictures from the top. Follow his sports and travel musings on Twitter @Alex_Drude and on Facebook.