About 30 miles south of Bend sits a gem of a getaway. Tucked among the pine trees where the Deschutes river meanders beneath wide open skies, LaPine State Park offers about 10 miles of hiking trails. Riverbank meadows often draw area wildlife, particularly deer, while the river itself lures in birds of prey, such as eagles and red-tailed hawks, which can sometimes be seen scooping trout from the cold waterway.

Well marked trails offer a variety of loop options ranging in length. Most of the terrain is level, making it accessible for all ages and fitness levels. The trails are multi-use so you can expect to see mountain bikers, horseback riders, hikers and joggers alike.

Along the Big Pine Loop trail you’ll find Oregon’s largest ponderosa pine. Nicknamed “Big Red,” the tree is 162 feet tall, 28.9 feet around and may be in excess of 500 years old, according to the Oregon State Parks website.

As the fall season settles in, the first hints of winter can often be spied as snow dusts Paulina Peak towering on the distant horizon. Once winter blankets the park in snow, much of the area becomes inaccessible without snowshoes or cross-country skiis, so plan your trip accordingly.