Drake Park is a worthwhile free 30–60-minute downtown Bend stop for Mirror Pond views, shade, and an easy riverside walk; it works best when paired with downtown rather than treated as a stand-alone destination.
Walk over from downtown
The park is about a 10-minute walk from central downtown Bend, avoiding its main practical constraint: limited parking.
MoreUse Mirror Pond lots for longer stays
For a longer car visit, use the City of Bend’s North or South Mirror Pond lots on NW Brooks Street, which charge US$1 per hour with a six-hour maximum.
Visit early or near sunset
Go early for calmer water and relative quiet, or in the final two hours before sunset for warmer light on Mirror Pond and the trees.
MoreChoose May–September or October
May through September brings the best riverfront and picnic weather, while late September through October is the foliage season for the park’s maples.
More| Monday | 5 AM – 10 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 5 AM – 10 PM |
| Wednesday | 5 AM – 10 PM |
| Thursday | 5 AM – 10 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM – 10 PM |
| Saturday | 5 AM – 10 PM |
| Sunday | 5 AM – 10 PM |
Hours from Google; check before you go.
Free to enter — no ticket needed.
Drake Park is Bend’s 13-acre downtown riverfront park at 777 NW Riverside Blvd, running along roughly half a mile of the Deschutes River and Mirror Pond. Saved from subdivision by a campaign led by May Arnold and the Women’s Civic League, it was bought by the city in 1921 and named for developer Alexander M. Drake in 1928. It has broad lawns, mature ponderosa and maple trees, paved river paths, a newer railed boardwalk, picnic tables, public art, restrooms, river access, and a small outdoor stage; Mirror Pond was created by the 1909 power dam.
It is Bend’s easiest, most representative scenic stop: a short, accessible river-and-pond walk beside downtown, with shade, old trees, people-watching, and especially good autumn maple color. Allow 30–60 minutes for the boardwalk, pond edge, lawns, and public art; it suits families, limited-mobility visitors, dog walkers, and anyone between bigger Central Oregon outings. Skip it if you want wilderness, solitude, a dramatic natural landmark, or a substantial hike—this is a sociable urban park, often busy with events and river users.
Before you go
No. Drake Park is free to visit, with no admission gate, tickets, timed entry, reservations, or capacity sellouts. Visit during the public park hours of 5 a.m.–10 p.m.
For a longer visit, use the City of Bend’s North Mirror Pond Lot at 925 NW Brooks St or South Mirror Pond Lot at 801 NW Brooks St. City parking costs US$1 per hour, with a six-hour maximum. Nearby street spaces may be free but are signed and time-limited; do not use Old Bend residential streets as overflow parking.
Walk. The park is about 0.5 mile west of central downtown Bend—roughly 10 minutes on foot—via NW Franklin Avenue and NW Riverside Boulevard. The main street-side access is at 777 NW Riverside Blvd.
Allow 45–75 minutes for the full short riverside experience: the boardwalk, Mirror Pond edge, public art, and time to sit by the water. A quick photo-and-stroll stop takes 20–30 minutes; allow two to three hours only for a picnic, children, fishing, an event, or a combined downtown visit.
May through September is best for comfortable walks, picnics, lawns, and the lively riverfront atmosphere. Late September through October is also excellent for maple foliage. For quieter conditions and softer light, go early morning; the last two hours before sunset are also attractive. Weekday mornings are best if you want easier parking and fewer people.
Avoid or shorten the stop during wildfire-smoke episodes, lightning, icy-path conditions, or unsafe/high river conditions. Summer event evenings, especially July 4 and Thursday Munch & Music programming, can make parking difficult. The park is open until 10 p.m., but it is better to visit before dark.