Shevlin Park — Hidden Rimrock Trail
An obscure rimrock trail along the eastern bluffs of Shevlin Park, offering panoramic views of Bend and the Three Sisters. Known only to trail runners and mountain bikers who have quietly maintained these paths for decades.
Most visitors stick to Tumalo Creek. The Three Sisters Overlook gives an unobstructed view of South Sister that no postcard captures. Serious elevation gain without driving to Mt. Bachelor.
From the Shevlin Park main lot, take the unmarked social trail uphill behind the picnic shelter — look for stacked rocks. Follow cairns 1.5 miles along the rim. Bring a headlamp — return involves technical downclimbing in fading light.
Packing Checklist
- ☐ Sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes
- ☐ 1-2L water (no refill sources)
- ☐ Trail snacks / energy bars
- ☐ Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
- ☐ First aid kit basics
- ☐ Map or downloaded trail (no cell service expected)
- ☐ Layers — mountain weather changes fast
Shevlin Park’s Tumalo Creek trails are lovely. The rimrock trails above them are something else entirely.
Local trail runners and mountain bikers have quietly maintained the eastern bluff paths for decades as training routes with serious elevation gain — the kind you’d otherwise drive to Mt. Bachelor to find. The BLM tolerates these user-created trails because they concentrate impact on already-disturbed volcanic scree.
Follow cairns 1.5 miles to the Three Sisters Overlook: an unobstructed view of South Sister at a angle no guidebook photograph captures. Visit at sunset for alpenglow on the peaks, and don’t underestimate the return — technical downclimbing in fading light without a headlamp is a real problem.
Sources
- City of Bend Parks — Shevlin Park official trail map and conditions
- BendTrails.net — local trail community, conditions reports and user-created trail documentation