Riding From Bend To Eugene
Western and central Oregon contain so much natural beauty, from expansive lush forests to coursing rivers to majestic mountain peaks. These scenic wonders make it a dream to drive through, or, if you’re more inclined towards motorcycles, they provide a beautiful ride full of fresh air and unforgettable vistas as far as the eye can see.
If you live in central Oregon and wonder where to ride a motorcycle near Bend, we’ve got the path for you. Following Oregon Route 126 west from Bend will take you on a three-hour drive across 130 miles of winding highway.
Here at Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson® of Eugene, we’ve compiled a short list of our favorite stops along that route full of relaxation opportunities as well as fun activities to liven up your day. Make a weekend of it and stop at all three, then come by our dealership in Eugene to get your motorcycle tuned up for your next ride.
Black Butte Ranch
Leaving central Bend, you’ll follow the Deschutes River northwest on the McKenzie-Bend Highway for about 42 miles, at which point you’ll hit the first of our recommended stops, the luxurious Black Butte Ranch just north of Sisters, Oregon. At Black Butte, named for the nearby stratovolcano (don’t worry, it’s extinct!), you’ll find a range of activities and amenities designed to please any palate, including golf courses, fine dining at a lakeside bistro, a full-service day spa, horseback riding, tennis and more. Nestled within the Cascade Range, the ranch contains beautiful views of tree-lined horizons and mountain peaks in the distance. You’re sure to enjoy a night’s stay in this resort community and will want to come back for more because you can’t see it all in one day!
Tamolitch Falls
Once you’re back on the highway, you’ll head due west for another 30 miles through the Willamette National Forest and Cascade Range, then Oregon Route 126 curves south and leads you directly to another one of Oregon’s hidden jewels: the former Tamolitch Falls. Dammed in the 1960s to generate hydroelectric power, this waterway is now known as Blue Pool, an occasionally dry small lake that bubbles up from the McKenzie River. Surrounded by beautiful wildflowers, including rhododendrons, verdant green moss and maple trees, the hikes in this area are prime examples of Oregon’s natural wooded beauty. During periods of heavy runoff, the dry falls come to life and flow into the basalt basin and fill the pool, which reflects a brilliant blue. This area is truly worth a few hours of your time before you resume your ride.
Belknap Hot Springs
Your final stop on this ride is a quick 10-mile drive south of Tamolitch Falls/Blue Pool. Belknap Hot Springs is open 365 days a year, offering two pools of geothermally heated water, one for day use and one for overnight visitors. Opened in the mid-19th century as a mineral spa for convalescents, this resort has been open almost continually for about 150 years. The complex has both cabins and rooms in its lodge for those who want to stay overnight as well as RV hookups. Full of lush natural beauty, this place will provide you with a quiet place to reflect and relax in the soothing mineral-laden waters that bubble up from within the Earth.
The rest of your journey into Eugene will continue for another 60 miles west and slightly south on Oregon Route 126 until you coast into the city proper. Merging onto Interstate 5 and heading south will lead you to the Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson® dealership off exit 189.
Once you’re at our dealership, we can help you out with parts and services for your motorcycle as well as give you a tour of the new and used models we have in stock. Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson® is here for our customers throughout the Eugene metro area as well as those coming from Bend, Oregon. We hope you’ll try our route that takes you through scenic forests, past mountains and over beautiful rivers, allowing you to revel in the beauty of our