Pilot Butte Canal Trail

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Pilot Butte Canal Trail is a scenic path located in Bend, Oregon.


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Summary

It runs alongside the Pilot Butte Canal, which is an important water source for the city. The trail offers picturesque views of the Cascade Mountains and the surrounding desert landscape.

There are many good reasons to visit the Pilot Butte Canal Trail. Hiking or biking the trail is a great way to experience the natural beauty of the area. Visitors can also engage in birdwatching, as many species of birds can be spotted along the trail.

One of the main points of interest along the trail is Pilot Butte, a 500-foot volcanic cinder cone that offers stunning panoramic views of the area. Visitors can hike up to the summit of the butte, which is especially beautiful during sunset or sunrise.

Another interesting feature of the area is the Bend Whitewater Park, which is located near the beginning of the trail. This park features a man-made whitewater course that is popular for kayaking and paddleboarding.

The best time of year to visit the Pilot Butte Canal Trail is during the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the scenery is particularly beautiful. Summer can be hot and dry, while winter can be snowy and icy, making the trail more difficult to navigate.

Overall, the Pilot Butte Canal Trail is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Bend, Oregon. Its natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and unique geological features make it a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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