Cascade Lakes Kayak Tour in Bend Oregon
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 28 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Cascade Lakes Kayak Tour in Bend Oregon worth booking?
Cascade Lakes Kayak Tour in Bend Oregon is a 4-hour experience in Bend, United States, from $140 per person. It scores 67 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 28 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 67 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (28)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $140 per person
Our Cascade Lakes Kayak Tour is often regarded by guests as one of our best tours! As the sun shines above the mighty Cascade Mountains, we will push out onto the pristine waters of our high-elevation lakes and begin our
What you get
About this experience
Our Cascade Lakes Kayak Tour is often regarded by guests as one of our best tours! As the sun shines above the mighty Cascade Mountains, we will push out onto the pristine waters of our high-elevation lakes and begin our kayaking adventure. Our award-winning Naturalist Guides will highlight the sweet spots on these stunning lakes that might not initially meet the eye, taking you into the fingers, coves, and bays that were formed by ancient volcanic activity and are only accessible by Kayak! Along with some fun in the sun, you will also learn about the region's geology - how fire and ice built and sculpted the lakes, mountains, and rivers in Central Oregon! If you'd like to take a refreshing dip, bring a swimsuit and remember to keep your eyes peeled for otters, osprey, and more. With crystal blue waters and incredible mountain views, our Cascade Lakes Kayak Tours are great for the whole family!
What's included
Included
- All necessary equipment is included - Kayak, Paddles, & PFD's
Not included
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Sunscreen
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Bend
All tours depart from our office which is located in the Fred Meyer shopping center. Our office is located on the SE corner of the shopping center near the Fueling Station. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your tour departure to sign waivers, use the restroom, fill up waters, etc.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
All tours depart from our office which is located in the Fred Meyer shopping center. Our office is located on the SE corner of the shopping center near the Fueling Station. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your tour departure to sign waivers, use the restroom, fill up waters, etc.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 13 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Wanderlust Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please dress weather appropriate. Any unneeded layers can be left in the van.
- Bring water, snacks, and sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses) if desired.
- Bring a bathing suit and towel if you'd like to take a dip!
- There is plenty of room in the boat for a daypack; you may want to protect electronics with a waterproof case/bag.
- Expect to get slightly wet on your lower half even if you choose not to swim; you may want to bring a change of pants and shoes for afterwards.
- Our Kayaks are tandem kayaks with one paddler in the front and one in the back.
- All guests must fill out a waiver (by themself or a legal guardian). Waivers can be filled out with your cell phone in our office prior to departure.
- Guide gratuities are not included in the cost of your tour. Please extend the customary gratuity, when warranted, on a voluntary basis.
- Recommended for ages 8 and older.
- Tours run rain or shine. If Wanderlust Tours must cancel the tour due to unsafe weather conditions, you will be offered a different date or refund
- Our Kayak Tours are very beginner friendly. We have guests that range from 5 years old to 95 years old. Please make your own determination if you are fit enough to join us.
- Our award-winning guides will offer instruction if needed and will make the sure the group moves at a pace where everyone stays together!
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 28 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
28 verified traveler reviews for Cascade Lakes Kayak Tour in Bend Oregon. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Alpine lakes kayak
Our guide was fantastic! Had lots valuable information about the area .
via Tripadvisor
Well managed activity and...
Well managed activity and just as the brochures described. Van trip to lake. All kayaks set up for us… guide Kevin shared interesting history of the area while we paddled along. 5 boats in total, 2 to a kayak. Wind was up a bit making the paddle a bit more cold and wet than expected but still really enjoyable for 2+ hours of boating.
via Viator
Beware: Not at all what I paid for!
I really dont like writing negative reviews but I feel I have a duty to do so here. A couple of days before my scheduled date for this specific tour I received a call that my outing was cancelled because “not enough people signed up.” I was offered a multitude of other trip options, such as beer tour, canoe tour, moonlight tour😳 I simply wanted to go on the Cascade Lakes tour with "award winning naturalists" that I booked. The day I had originally picked was going to be sunny (that’s why I had picked it), I was rescheduled to a 30% rainy forecast (per the booking person on the phone), so I came prepared just in case the weather turned during the paddle, but I trusted their policy which stated that "this experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you'll be offered a different date or a full refund". When I got to the office (a 30+ min drive for everyone on the tour), the guide told us that "Cascade Lakes was a no go" due to weather: Why didn’t they call that morning and offer participants the option to reschedule or get a refund per their weather policy stated on this page??? We were then given the choice of 2 locations, one of which was in town, on the river😳(no thanks). We were offered Paulina lake (1hr away from the Cascade Lakes location that we had booked). Once there, it was a downpour. We wait in the van for a while and eventually got on the water, in 40F cold, wind, and at times, rain. We paddled along a campground for half an hour, turning around and making it back only half way because the rest of the group was cold, and had to stop. I wanted to paddle back to where we started but was told that I too had to get off and walk back to the van. So what you get for $140 is 30 minutes of paddling (not the 2hrs stated), along a campground, on a day that wasn't your orignal choice (such as a rainy one), to a location other than what you booked (the guide made a clear distinction between Cascade Lakes and Paulina but the owner debates it), while learning practically nothing (one ecological fact on the van trip to the lake, and another on the kayak). When I called the owner (who wasn't in the office or on the tour that day), to express my disappointment and request a refund (I could not trust again them to go on a free tour), she argued with all my points😳, incl. their own stated weather policy which she removed as soon as we hung up! (I took a screenshot before she could do so). She refused to refund. I would not recommend this tour company to anyone. As you keep getting stirred away from your actual booking, it simply feels fraudulent. We should have been called that morning and offered a refund or a reschedule PER THE POLICY. In any case, the activity was a blatant ripoff, which I naturally expect the owner to continue debating in the replies below...
via Tripadvisor
A terrific way to experience Cascade lakes!
Wow! What a great experience to kayak with a local expert! So easy to meet at their location near downtown, a pretty drive where guide shared interesting info along the way. Great kayak equipment, easy put in, and a really lengthy float where we felt like we got to see so much of the lake and learn about the local flowers and plants, aquatic life and wildlife. Always felt comfortable and had a chance to both relax and get exercise at the same time - all during a beautiful nature experience.
via Tripadvisor
Kayak the caldera
Shea educated us on geology, local power grid, fish, obsidian, trees, logging and fire that shaped what we saw. Her entertaing approach and interactive communication style was just right. Thank you for a fantastic adventure!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 10
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 67
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Cascade Lakes Kayak Tour in Bend Oregon: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Bend.
How much does Cascade Lakes Kayak Tour in Bend Oregon cost?
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Prices start at $140 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Bend usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Cascade Lakes Kayak Tour in Bend Oregon take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Bend is not rushed.
Is Cascade Lakes Kayak Tour in Bend Oregon worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 67 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 28 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable family friendly in Bend, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Cascade Lakes Kayak Tour in Bend Oregon?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Cascade Lakes Kayak Tour in Bend Oregon suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Cascade Lakes Kayak Tour in Bend Oregon?
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Around 10 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Bend can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Bend and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Cascade Lakes Kayak Tour in Bend Oregon start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Bend within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Bend?
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Bend, OR packs its best experiences into walkable neighborhoods, local food, and day trips nearby. Outty ranks every bookable tour and activity in Bend by rating quality, review depth, booking demand and value, so you can see the standouts before you book. On Outty we rank every Bend experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Electric Bike Tour of Bend & Deschutes River, 2 Hour High Cascades Scenic ATV Tour in Bend Oregon, Chocolate Tour Including Hot Chocolate and Samples. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Bend?
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Spring and fall bring the best weather and lighter crowds in Bend, while summer has the widest choice of tours and evening activities. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Bend?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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