Rockridge Community Park

Natural Beauty

Situated in northeast Bend, Rockridge Community Park spans 36 acres of recreational space that feels wonderfully wild. What makes this park special is how it preserves over 60 percent of its original terrain, showcasing old-growth juniper, rugged lava rock outcrops, and beautiful stretches of sage and bitterbrush.

Walking here, you might forget you're still within city limits - the winding trails through this natural setting offer a peaceful retreat into nature. It's an excellent spot to clear your head while exploring a piece of Oregon's high desert environment.

Play Areas

At the heart of the park sits a natural play area where kids can let their imaginations run wild. The Juniper "log forest" features smoothed and repurposed trees harvested from local Bend parks, creating an adventure playground that blends into the landscape. Kids love scrambling over the log steppers, navigating boulder scrambles, and conquering the climbing tree - all encouraging the kind of creative play that's hard to find in standard playgrounds.

That said, if your kids prefer traditional equipment, there's a modern playground here too, with all the usual favorites for children of different ages. It's a hit for family outings and birthday celebrations, where kids can entertain themselves for hours.

Active Recreation

For those seeking more action, Rockridge doesn't disappoint. The park houses a lunar-scape skatepark, a thoughtfully designed 9-hole disc golf course, and some impressive bike skills courses. Mountain bike enthusiasts can test their abilities on beginner and intermediate trails featuring obstacles like log skinnies, corduroy, boardwalk, and armored trail sections.

The disc golf course cleverly offers two tees per hole, essentially creating an 18-hole experience. It's particularly well-suited for newcomers looking to develop their short game without feeling intimidated.

The bike courses are wonderfully inclusive, with options for everyone from wobbly toddlers to fearless teenagers, allowing riders to progress at their own pace by choosing which obstacles to tackle as they build confidence.

Trails and Amenities

The trail network here gives you options. A paved loop measuring just under a mile circles the park - well-suited for a quick workout or teaching the kids to ride bikes - while the natural surface trails weaving through the interior offer a more immersive experience among the junipers and lava rock.

You'll also find open grassy areas for casual games and picnic facilities with tables sheltered under a pavilion. The clean restrooms near the parking lot are a practical touch that makes it easy to spend the whole day exploring.

Special Uses

Rockridge has become something of a quiet retreat for some unexpected activities. The rocky terrain has drawn a community of RC crawler enthusiasts who love navigating their remote-controlled vehicles over the natural obstacles.

The park is dog-friendly too - just remember to keep your four-legged friends leashed. Its location next to Lava Ridge Elementary School and Sky View Middle School makes it a natural gathering spot for families and students looking for after-school adventures in nature.