Pilot Butte (Oregon)

Pilot Butte is an extinct cinder cone volcano, not an active one. It is protected as Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint and rises roughly 500 feet above the surrounding city of Bend, making it one of the few extinct volcanoes located within a city limits in the United States.

A paved road leads to the summit of Pilot Butte, allowing visitors to drive to the top during seasonal open periods. There is also a hiking trail for those who prefer to reach the summit on foot, and both routes provide panoramic views of Bend, the High Desert, and the Cascade Range peaks.

From the summit of Pilot Butte, visitors can see broad views of the city of Bend, the surrounding High Desert landscape, and major peaks of the Cascade Range including Mount Bachelor, the Three Sisters, and Mount Hood on clear days. The 360-degree vista makes it one of the best accessible viewpoints in central Oregon.

Pilot Butte is operated as an Oregon State Scenic Viewpoint and does not charge an entrance fee for day use. The summit road is typically open seasonally from spring through fall, weather permitting, while the hiking trail remains accessible year-round for those willing to walk to the top.