Big Butte Challenge

Big Butte Challenge

The Big Butte Challenge is a self paced summer event in Central Oregon running May 22 to October 1, 2026. Participants work to reach the summits of nine local buttes over the season. Registration opens in Spring 2026. There is also a Micro Butte Challenge that covers a single butte and includes one pint.

Participants may complete the nine butte challenges in any order. Course routes are set one way from trailhead to summit and only the uphill effort is required for completion. After each summit participants submit a Summit Submission Form to track progress and then visit the sponsored brewery for a complimentary pint. A physical beer token included in the swag bag is required to redeem each drink. All registration options include custom merch, sponsor perks, and a beer token for every sponsored brewery.

The nine one way distances to summit are:

• Barnes Butte - 1.36 miles to summit
• Black Butte - 1.90 miles to summit
• Smith Rock - 3.32 miles to summit
• Overturf Butte - 2.79 miles to summit
• Paulina Peak - 3.06 miles to summit
• Pilot Butte - 1.03 miles to summit
• Tumalo Mountain - 4.04 miles to summit
• Vista Butte - 2.15 miles to summit
• Tam-a-lau - 3.30 miles to summit

Packets are available at The Haven Coworking front desk in Bend starting May 22 and remain available throughout the challenge. One listed butte has been removed from the event due to forest service wildfire management restrictions; new hikes added during the challenge will be included for already registered participants. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.