Description

In many ways, Mirror Pond forms the epicenter of the city of Bend.

The still, glassy water is created by a small dam across the Deschutes River.

Ducks flock to this still pond, and paddleboarders take to it in droves during the summer.

You can also enjoy a mellow, scenic walk along the banks of the river that's guaranteed to help the stresses of life fade away. To begin the hike, set your GPS to Drake Park and find a place to park your car somewhere near the park.

The entire hike shown here winds its way through Drake Park, mostly on paved paths.

The towering trees cast welcome shade, and the pond's still surface does offer a mirror-like reflection.

The well-maintained park also offers inviting stretches of grass (a rarity in this arid climate) that are perfect for a picnic lunch.

From certain vantage points, you can easily forget that you're actually in the heart of a city of 100,000 people, as the banks of the river look downright rural. The 1.5-mile route shown here winds through Drake Park near Mirror Pond itself, but if you're willing to venture away from the pond, paths and trails extend both upriver and downriver.

From Drake, you may need to connect along some roads and through some neighborhoods to pick up the next sections of trails, but you can easily create a much longer walk along the Deschutes River.