Entire home

Bluebird Day - River Gem Bungalow, perfect for a cozy getaway by the river.

Photo gallery for Bluebird Day - River Gem Bungalow, perfect for a cozy getaway by the river.

A cozy cabin with a wooden deck, outdoor seating, and a well-lit entrance.
A spacious living area with a dining table, sofa, and TV.
A compact kitchen with a dishwasher, a coffee maker, and a sink. There are shelves above the sink holding dishes and bottles.
A dining area with a large table, chairs, and a jar of jam on the table.
A neatly arranged bedroom with a bed centered in the room, flanked by two bedside tables with lamps and decorative items.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Bring your furry friends
    Top-rated for creating memorable stays with your pets.
  • At the center of it all
    Stay in a top rated central location, steps from the best attractions, dining, and entertainment.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Near Hayden Homes Amphitheater
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Air conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Pet-friendly
  • Internet
  • Bathtub
  • Non smoking

Explore the area

View in a map
Bend, OR
  • Place, Deschutes River
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Drake Park
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Hayden Homes Amphitheater
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Airport, Redmond, OR (RDM-Robert's Field)
    ‪24 min drive‬

Where you'll sleep

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom #1

1 Queen Bed

Common Space

1 Double Sofa Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Kitchen

About this property

Bluebird Day - River Gem Bungalow, perfect for a cozy getaway by the river.

Welcome to River Germ Bungalow!

The River Gem Bungalow is a bright and cheerful one bedroom treasure nestled in the heart of Bend`s popular Westside with a location that can't be beat!

This natural-contemporary style home features high ceilings, lots of windows, a cozy loft and a queen size sleeper sofa. Relax on the deck or under the aspens in the backyard surrounded by mature trees and landscaping. This home features European style bedding with fresh clean duvet cover and high thread count linens. There is a fully equipped kitchen, very small washer and dryer, and a gas grill in the backyard for grilling.

Right across the street from the Deschutes River, within walking distance of the Old Mill District, historic downtown, Hayden Homes Amphitheater, and numerous breweries.

Directly behind the house is Miller`s Landing park: a riparian strip of riverfront with nesting osprey, walking trails, and excellent river access.

Only a few steps away is a charming footbridge that takes you over the river on an easy walk to Columbia Park and "Pirate Playground," a wonderland for kids.

If you prefer to get out and explore, there are plenty of hiking and mountain bike trails just minutes from town in the Deschutes National Forest. The spectacular Cascade Mountains and many lakes are an easy 20 minute drive providing endless opportunities for outdoor adventures.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 385653
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the neighborhood

Bend

Old Bend, a neighborhood in Bend, is home to this vacation home. Old Mill District and Bend Farmers Market are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Pilot Butte State Park and Tumalo State Park. Bend Rock Gym and Sun Mountain Fun Center are also worth visiting.
View more Vacation Homes in BendOpens in a new window
Map
Bend, OR

What's nearby

  • Deschutes River - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Drake Park - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Hayden Homes Amphitheater - 12 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Old Mill District - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Downtown Bend Business Association - 14 min walk - 1.2 km

Getting around

  • Sunriver Station - 23 min drive
  • Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) - 28 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪10 Barrel Brewing Company - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Willieburger - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Big Skis Perogis - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Monkless Brasserie - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Da Nang - ‬12 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Bluebird Day - River Gem Bungalow, perfect for a cozy getaway by the river. pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Bluebird Day - River Gem Bungalow, perfect for a cozy getaway by the river.?

As of Oct 2, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Bluebird Day - River Gem Bungalow, perfect for a cozy getaway by the river. on Oct 6, 2026 start from $221, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What time is check-in at Bluebird Day - River Gem Bungalow, perfect for a cozy getaway by the river.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Bluebird Day - River Gem Bungalow, perfect for a cozy getaway by the river.?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Bluebird Day - River Gem Bungalow, perfect for a cozy getaway by the river. located?

Located in Old Bend, this vacation home is within a 10-minute walk of Deschutes River and Old Mill District. Bend Whitewater Park and Drake Park are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 80 out of 96 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 12 out of 96 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 96 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 96 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 96 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great, small 1-bedroom property very close to Miller’s park and Deschutes river. Enjoyable stay, Everything required for a couple, Extremely walkable. Will definitely come back again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Love the location, and this area of Bend in general. Good communications. It's a very small place, but was very doable for a couple. We have stayed in several properties in this same area, everything is so walkable. What wasn't as clear is the parking for this unit is the driveway in back that is a shared driveway with the house there. There is a sign noting the parking, but the check in instructions only clearly said street parking isn't free. This unit also shares a wall with another unit. But we heard zero noise from them.All in all, we very much enjoyed staying here.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We were very pleased with the accommodations and amenities. We also appreciated being able to get a hold of someone local right away when we had a question about parking.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was just wonderful! This is my favorite home in Bend! I love staying here by the river and walking path. The owners are so gracious and kind.
Stayed 12 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

We would most definitely stay here again. Such a convenient location to central Bend. Clean and cozy with a great little yard out back.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

River Gem

We really enjoyed our stay. The location was absolutely perfect!
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quick Bend Stay

Great unit, great location, great hosts. Everything went perfectly, we will definitely be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location!

This cottage is in a really nice spot, tiny but well equipped kitchen. Clean.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location, well kept unit.

This place is right near the river in Old Bend, and a short walk to concerts at the amphitheater, shopping in Old Mill or downtown, and many restaurants, etc. It is right on the river front trail and has what you need for a nice stay in Bend.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Re-Visit!!

Our 2nd time at this cozy little spot and we love it! Perfect for a couple and their 4 legged children. Cheers and Thank You!
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Prime location - perfect home

Overall this little accommodation had everything we needed for a little get away. The location was perfect - great for any activities around town. We decided to leave our bikes at home- and we were pleasantly surprised to find bikes available with the property.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

I can see why they named it "River Gem"

Nice, cozy little spot, right by the river and park. Everything you could ask for. Got back home, looked to reserve again for next year, already booked! Great place and Hosts!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mom and son weekend

Loved being in Bend. The house was perfectly located to enjoy walking along the river to downtown. We had a great time. Thank you
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect!

We loved our stay here. Very close to river and walkable to town. Super comfy bed. Clean. Bikes were a huge plus. Would stay here again in heartbeat. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Place for Our Stay

Fantastic property with no better location for my wife and my visit to Bend. Very clean and great layout. We loved using the bikes to explore all of Bend! The backyard is perfect to relax and watch all the activity of passersby running, biking, and walking their dogs. We walked to dinner every night! Highly recommend and would stay again in a heartbeat!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We just wrapped up a few weeks in Bend with our dogs and couldn’t have asked for a better location or experience. Walking distance to great restaurants and a little longer walk to get into downtown itself to enjoy the shops and cafes. An ideal spot for our dogs to enjoy lots of sniffs and walks along the river and even a few swims! The place itself is cozy and has everything you need to comfortably camp out for a longer stay. We also enjoyed the use of the grill and cocktails/meals on the deck. The owner happened to be close by and he and the property management company went out of their way to ensure we had everything we needed. This made us feel at home and part of the neighborhood. Just minutes to world class hiking, trail running, and mountain biking trails. If you have a chance to stay here, do it!
Our boy Hamish having a swim
Hamish in the river at Drake’s park
View of the river from Drake’s
View from a nearby off leash dog park
Stayed 18 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful little gem!

Had a wonderful and easy stay. The location really could not have been better with easy access to parks, the river, places to eat and drink and the amphitheater. We loved the beach bike cruisers that were provided and used them to quickly get to town or tour the area with perfect access to all the bike friendly trails. Also a great location for an easy float of the river. We, and our dogs, we’re very comfortable for the week.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Super cute little place right off the river. So many people walking by with dogs, it was very cool. The cottage is very small, but we enjoyed it. You could not get an adult up in the high loft, but our kid loved it. Only criticism was there were lots of dog hairs on the loft bedding and cushions, besides this, all good!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy spot in the heat of Bend's best!

The bungalow was perfectly suited to our needs and the location couldn't be better for walking the river trail, access to parks, restaurants in Old Mill, downtown, west side pubs too! We loved it. Great neighborhood and friendly people buzzing with a fun vibe. The small kitchen was suitable for what we needed - even the bigger meal prep I was doing for our daughter who had just had a baby. Having the small back yard for the dogs was also great - but the access to the trails just out the back gate was the best! We would definitely stay again...
Stayed 12 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

location

very entertaining. My husband and I sat on our back porch and watched all the dogs riding their bikes and dragging their tubes to the river! Funny!!! Not to often did we not see a dog with a human ! lol ♥️👍Very clean , you can walk everywhere .
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Location is the selling point.

Great location. Pretty outdated house & it was not very apparent that it is a duplex, which would be a nice fact to know. (Share a wall and a window from other unit looks into the private backyard)…Nice little yard, just be aware that the location is so central that people are constantly riding and walking directly by your windows. Welcome brochure gave a little bit of a vibe that the neighbors are not happy with the vrbo thing. Again, the money maker here for the owners is the location.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Walkable indeed!

As others have noted, this is a VERY walkable location, though it is a couple blocks minimum to just about any business. One of the walking bridges across the Deschutes is literally across the street, which is very convenient to wander just about anywhere in central bend. Even in cold, rainy December there were walkers/runners/bikers/dogs coming past the house every 3-5 minutes all day. Overall very clean, pictures represent it very well. Cute bikes available in the shed, off-street parking. Nice yard for the dogs.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This rental is small and housed in an older duplex, but very clean and had everything we needed for a quick getaway. It was an easy walk to the Old Mill District, trails, and great breweries. The host was communicative when we had questions about parking - the rental shares a driveway with the neighboring house, but there was no signage indicating it was OK to park there. Luckily we avoided a ticket during the brief time we were parked on the street while resolving the confusion.The loft is probably best suited to agile young adults or teens since it's not a big space and there wasn't much in the way of padding. If you were planning to sleep up here, I'd recommend bringing a pad of some kind. Despite how the rental is listed, I definitely don't think 4 adults could sleep here comfortably, both because of the loft and because the only bathroom is accessed through the bedroom (which has glass French doors and an opening above them, so no privacy).We were a little surprised to discover this was a duplex since the photos don't show that. If we had next-door neighbors, though, we never heard them. There's a small back patio, but it faces the aforementioned driveway and doesn't really have any privacy. Be prepared for lots of walkers, cyclists, and dogs passing by.If you don't mind a small unit with some old-building quirks like sloping floors, and if you want a great base for walking/biking central Bend, this is a very good option.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Archival

4/10 Poor

Spacious 1 bedroom, centrally located, great for couples...terrible attention to cleanliness.

My husband and I stayed here for a weekend while visiting Bend for his birthday. I feel that giving it 2 stars is generous given the experience we had...upon arriving, we found a dead mouse and mouse droppings in the bathtub. My husband quickly grabbed a garbage bag, picked up the mouse, disposed of it and then cleaned the tub. I don't know how this could happen...was the house not checked before our arrival? Throughout our stay, we would come across more mouse droppings, especially in the kitchen drawers/cabinets. Needless to say, it was an unsettling stay...I found myself constantly watching my step, rechecking cleaned sliver wear, checking the sheets before getting into bed, etc. We're pretty easy-going people so we made the best of it but looking back, I can't believe we stayed there under those conditions. I notified the manager(s) about the mouse and all we got was, "sorry, the weather must have brought the mouse in and we'll look into our cleaning practices." Thanks, so we're the lucky ones who get to take the brunt of gross conditions so that you can make improvements and future guests can benefit? Maybe worse than the mouse was the BBQ....just thinking about it makes me nauseous again. I was excited to use it for steaks but the second I opened it I was sick to my stomach. It looked like it hadn't been scrapped/cleaned in years! It's hard to explain/describe, but it was one of the most disgusting things I've ever seen. On a positive note, the location was excellent and met my expectations. The river is so close and it made for lovely walks and bike rides. The Old Mill District and Downtown were literally just a couple minute drive from the house. The house itself is small but it was actually more room/space than we needed. It definitely could easily accommodate 4 people. The backyard is larger than I expected. The furnishings were nice and stylish. The bed was comfortable. The kitchen had all the essential items we needed for meals and cooking. Though we didn't use the TV much, it is pretty small. Booking the house for the weekend was easy and and fast. Given our overall experience, however, I would not book this place again.
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 26, 2020
In all of the years the wonderful River Gem Bungalow has operated as a vacation home there has never been a mouse inside, nor any signs of mice found in or around the home. An exterminator was called in immediately, and no further signs of mice have been discovered. Just before these guests arrived, the entire back porch was torn off and completely rebuilt. The weather turned from 70 degrees to below freezing literally overnight, which is not uncommon for Bend in October. It must have been these conditions that drove a mouse indoors. Since this sighting, all of the cabinets have been deep cleaned, and any potential entry points for a critter have been sealed up. The grill has also been thoroughly deep cleaned. As is made evident by our 10 other outstanding reviews, "attention to cleanliness" is ALWAYS a top priority in the River Gem Bungalow. We sincerely regret the inconvenience, and do appreciate that these guests acknowledged that other than the mouse sighting, they had an enjoyable time in the home. The stay for these guests was discounted significantly.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Bend with our 2 year old

Everything about the reservation process was fantastic! The communication with Paige was prompt, courteous, quick and flawless. We were so grateful to Paige and the owners for accurately depicting the local area that the house is set in. The neighborhood is quiet with little car traffic. The back yard was a perfect size for our 2 year old to run around in! We had one wee concern and Paige addressed it quickly!! We knew that if something went wrong or we needed some assistance, Paige was there to help. The kitchen has what you need, no more no less. It actually made us reflect on downsizing back home. ;) True to the previous reviews and the owner's words, we were perfectly central to everything!! There is a great kids park roughly 150 yards from the house - takes you over the river. The downtown core is a 10-15 minute walk. The Old Mill district is a 15 minute walk or less (15-20 minutes or so to Crux). (They are doing some nice work to the park area on the way to the Old Mill District so next year, there should be a super nice park there). If you want to hit up 10 Barrel .... 15-20 min walk. The Deschutes Brewery is about a 15 minute walk. You see the trend .... just about 10-20 minutes to everything! You really can't beat the location. We always had a parking spot available on the street just outside of the house. It would have been ideal to have a second bedroom for our 2 year old as we did not use the loft bed. This has nothing to do with the house, it was our choice to go this way. We do not need a ton of space so the house worked out just fine. If you are not afraid of sleeping up high and you do not need a ton of living space, I would highly recommend this house for anyone with one child in a playpen (our case) or 2 children out of playpens. The temperature on our trip hung around the 80-85 range during the day. All we had was a fan and we were just fine. We did open the front and back doors every now and again to get a fantastic cross draft. As it turns out, the bedroom, with the windows open, seemed to be the coolest part of the house. An air conditioner was not necessary. The only negative to this home would be the condition of the decks - mostly concerned with the back deck. There was one particular area that we were watchful over; a board had split, prior to our arrival and there were a couple of exposed nail heads. The decks could use some TLC. We have let Paige know about this deficiency.
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 26, 2020
Thank you for the fantastic review! Thanks also for bringing the state of the backyard decks to our attention, we have completed minor repair work on it to address the lose nails, so that is now quite safe and sturdy. We have met with our contractor and are scheduled to have it completely rebuilt the second week in September. Cheers to the River Gem!

About the host

Hosted by Bluebird Day Vacation Rentals

Host profile image
We are a couple of nerdy engineers originally from Texas and New Mexico. Our free time is spent crashing our mountain bikes, walking our dog in the forest, and playing with our young daughter.

We love that Bluebird Day Vacation Rentals is a locally owned and operated property management company, and we appreciate that they have a philosophy about celebrating and preserving Bend culture that is right in alignment with our own. They take amazing care of our home, and will provide you with great service!

Why they chose this property

The ease of access to the outdoors really appealed to us. We moved here in 2007 and have loved every minute of our time here. The small town qualities of Bend lend itself as a perfect place to raise our daughter.

What makes this property unique

This house is situated in an amazing location. The Deschutes River is just steps away. Downtown, the Old Mill, numerous breweries, Les Schwab Amphitheater, bike trails, parks and more are all right out the door!

Languages:

English

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