Central Oregon Travel Guide 2023

PHOTO CHRISTIAN MURILLO

The Official Central Oregon Travel Guide is the annual publication of Visit Central Oregon. For more information about Visit Central Oregon, please call 800-800-8334, see visitcentraloregon.com, or stop in to the Regional Visitor Center, 57100 Beaver Drive, Bldg 6, Suite 130, Sunriver, OR 97707, or the Welcome Desk at the Redmond Airport, 2522 Jesse Butler Circle, Redmond, OR 97756. The Official Central Oregon Travel Guide is published by Oregon Media LLC. While every effort has been made to provide up-to-date information, the publisher assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of its contents. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without express written permission of the publisher. Printed in the U.S.A. ©2022

Photo by: Jonathon Chandler

PICTURESQUE VIEWS

Central Oregon is a dream for photographers looking to capture nature, landscapes and adventure. Find inspiration while admiring the shots of others, or take out your camera and choose a direction—there’s something magical waiting to be experienced through your lens.

White River Falls State Park

Smith Rock State Park

PHOTO FACING PAGE & TOP JONATHON CHANDLER | BOTTOM CHRISTIAN MURILLO

PHOTO TOP JONATHON CHANDLER

BOTTOM CHRISTIAN MURILLO

Sparks Lake

McKenzie Pass

PHOTO JONATHON CHANDLER

Fort Rock

PHOTOS BOTTOM JONATHON CHANDLER

growing industries did you know? Brewing

Located on the longitude of 121 degrees West, Central Oregon sits farther west than Los Angeles. The 45th Parallel North (halfway between the equator and the North Pole) passes through the region, placing Central Oregon farther north than Boston.

Legendary landforms

Mount Bachelor is an inactive volcano that last erupted 100,000 years ago. Now home to the region’s largest ski resort, Mt. Bachelor’s Summit Express chairlift reaches the 9,068foot peak and offers 360-degree views.

The massive Newberry Volcano began a period of eruption more than 400,000 years ago, shaping Central Oregon’s landscape into what it is today. Lava rock can be found throughout the region, including in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument south of Bend.

Accessible opportunities

For help planning an accessible adventure, contact:

Oregon Adaptive Sports oregonadaptivesports.org 541-306-4774

Central Oregon Disability Support Network codsn.org 541-548-8559

Credit: Economic Development for Central Oregon

Smith Rock State Park, characterized by sheer cliffs of tuff and basalt cut by the Crooked River, is an international rock-climbing destination and considered the birthplace of modern American sport climbing.

PHOTO

LODGING

The Bunkhouse Opening in early 2023, The Bunkhouse is a new 50room boutique hotel perched on a hill at the north end of Madras. Owners Rich and Sandy Priday have been in the lodging business for more than 20 years and know how to create a comfortable and memorable guest experience. The Bunkhouse will have a Western motif to its architecture, constructed with rough rock, real wood and metal. On the third floor, guests will find a patio breakfast area with fireplaces and seating offering great views of the surrounding valley. This classy and rustic hotel sits at the northern gateway to Central Oregon and is the perfect homebase to return to after long days of adventuring. 66 NW Cedar St., Madras

BREWING

Wild Ride Brewing

A downtown Redmond fixture since 2014, Wild Ride Brewing expanded its footprint in 2022 with the opening of a tap room and brewing facility on Northeast Third Street in Prineville. Wild Ride brews and serves small batch beer at both locations in family-friendly environments with indoor and outdoor seating, fire features and food trucks on site. The new Prineville location is open daily and offers year-round and seasonal brews, as well as four food trucks, including the popular Wild Catch, offering English fish and chips, Andale! street tacos, Stone Pine Pizza and Burger Love. 1500 NE 3rd St., Prineville. wildridebrew.com

RANCH TO TABLE

rancher butcher chef

A ranch-inspired butcher counter and dining room, Rancher Butcher Chef, or RBC, opened in Bend’s NorthWest Crossing in mid-2022. RBC supports and partners with ranching communities in Oregon, namely 7-Mile Ranch in Ft. Klamath, which utilizes responsible cattle grazing practices. Stop by the butcher counter for fresh Oregon beef or make plans to dine at RBC for dinner. The family-style dinner service includes dishes such as house charcuterie with elk terrine, beef jerkey and andouille sausage, entrees of seared scallops or cedar planked salmon and more classic American comfort food dishes. In the butcher shop, pick up cuts of sirloin, porter house, rib eye and more. 2838 NW Crossing Drive, Bend. rbcbend.com

ARTS

& ENTERTAINMENT

General Duffy’s waterhole & annex

General Duffy’s Waterhole & Annex in Redmond is one of Central Oregon’s newest live music venues, and is the perfect spot to catch a show and kick back with friends. This venue is a food truck lot, taphouse, pizza kitchen and event space all rolled into one. Grab a bite from one of the five food trucks on site, with offerings including tacos at Barrio, authentic Asian at Sally’s Wok, hot dogs at That Guy’s Bistro, homemade pasta at Nonna’s Cucina and dessert at Sweet Escapes. If you’re feeling thirsty there are 20 local beers, ciders and seltzers on tap. Take a peek at the upcoming event schedule, and find a lineup of country artists making their way to Central Oregon. 404 SW Forest Ave., Redmond.

BY JORDAN CURET, MOONBIKES

FAMILY FUN

Walt Reilly’s and justy’s Two of Bend’s newest eateries offer family-friendly entertainment on site, with options for fun during both summer and winter weather. Walt Reilly’s is an 11,000-square-foot restaurant and recreation center offering indoor mini golf, virtual golf suites, virtual batting cages, a piano bar and stage. Find a selection of shareable plates, healthy options and smash burgers on the menu, along with local beers, wines and a full bar. Justy’s is another new restaurant and bar with rooftop seating, firepits and a sand volleyball court. The volleyball court is a great place for those in the mood for a little friendly competition in the sun. Walt Reilly’s, 225 SW Century Drive, Bend. waltreillys.com. Justy’s, 1787 SW Chandler Ave., Bend. justys-bend.com.

ADVENTURE

Moonbikes

Outriders Northwest is offering a new way for adventure-seekers 18 or older to enjoy and explore the snowy terrain of Central Oregon this winter. MoonBikes, imported straight from the French Alps, are ultra-light electric snow bikes that provide an alternative to the heavier and less environmentally conscious snowmobiles. With a single ski in the front and an electric powered snow tread in the back, the MoonBike combines the freedom of an e-bike with the power of a motorcycle. Thanks to its small size and low center of gravity, these bikes make it easy for just about anyone to hop on and ride. Grab some friends and cruise through the backcountry without compromising it—with zero operational footprint and a silent engine, MoonBikes offer a greener way to experience Oregon’s snowy playground. outridersnw.com

BREWING

Funky Fauna Artisan Ales

Central Oregon’s burgeoning beer scene continues to expand with the opening of Funky Fauna Artisan Ales in Sisters. This hyper-small brewery is focused on crafting beers with the use of local, sustainable and terroir-driven ingredients. Husband and wife duo Michael Frith and Danielle Burns set out to create a community-driven taphouse for people to connect and enjoy delicious, “funky” beer. The wild and sour ales of Belgium inspired the brewing process behind Funky Fauna. The majority of beers produced in the two-barrel brewhouse are fermented with the use of non-traditional yeast along with a variety of other microorganisms to create a taste that is exceptionally complex. 211 E Sun Ranch Drive #101, Sisters. funkyfaunabeer.com

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HISTORY OF CENTRAL OREGON

400,000 years ago

The Newberry Volcano begins a period of eruption, shaping the landscape of Central Oregon.

1820 s to 1830 s

Hunters first pass through modernday Bend on their way to the Columbia River in search of beaver.

1900

1900s

Midwest capitalist Alexander M. Drake arrives in Central Oregon, starts a development company and begins construction of a lodge. Downtown Bend’s Drake Park is named after this early resident.

early 1800 s

Native American tribes settled in Oregon begin to see the first signs of immigrants from the eastern United States. By 1855, Oregon

Territory leaders negotiate treaties with Native Americans in central and eastern Oregon, establishing the Warm Springs Reservation. In the 1930s, the Warm Springs, Wasco and Paiute tribes organized as the selfgoverned Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

1920

Fifteen years after Bend is first incorporated, railroads and lumber mills bring more residents to Central Oregon and Bend’s population hits 5,000.

1928

Members of Redmond’s Ray Johnson American Legion Post and the Redmond Commercial Club stake out land and begin scraping the first dirt runways for what would become the Redmond Municipal Airport.

1940

Cowboys compete for a $500 purse at the first Sisters Rodeo, nicknamed the “Biggest Little Show in the World.”

1880

The logging community of Prineville is officially incorporated, becoming Central Oregon’s first city.

Newberry Caldera

1958

Bill Healy leads the opening of the first ski resort in Central Oregon on today’s Mount Bachelor. The resort, called “Bachelor Butte,” had one rope tow and one Poma lift, and tickets were $3.

1964

1968

The first home site in the resort community of Sunriver is sold, and ground is broken on the Sunriver Lodge.

1982

The High Desert Museum opens, offering a window into the natural world and cultural history of the high desert.

1988

Deschutes Brewery is founded by Gary Fish as a small brewpub in downtown Bend. Today, Central Oregon is home to more than 30 breweries.

2002

2000s

Les Schwab Amphitheater (now known as Hayden Homes Amphitheater) opens for its first season of shows along the Deschutes River in the Old Mill District.

2006

By a vote of local residents, La Pine becomes Central Oregon’s newest incorporated city.

2017

Madras and surrounding Central Oregon is in the path of totality for the total solar eclipse, drawing visitors from around the world.

2021

1990

The 55,500-acre Newberry National Volcanic Monument is established within Deschutes National Forest.

2023

Oregon is expected to experience an annular “ring of fire” solar eclipse on Oct. 14, with La Pine in the path of the event.

NASA astronauts train for the moon landing in Central Oregon, at Hole in the Ground, Fort Rock, Lava Butte and Newberry Caldera.

Visit Central Oregon celebrates 50 years of supporting tourism in the region.

1970 s

Pilot Ron Ochs begins hosting annual fly-ins at his ranch. The event grows and moves to Madras, becoming the airshow of the cascades.

SHOULDER SEASON APPEAL

EXPERIENCE THE PERKS OF AN “OFF PEAK” VISIT TO CENTRAL OREGON.

SHOULDER SEASON—the special time between the popular summer and winter travel periods in Central Oregon. It’s not quite snowy, and not quite time for floating the river, but fall and spring have a charm all their own.

peace and quiet

While there’s a great sense of community during a busy summer Saturday in Sisters, there’s something peaceful about strolling those same streets in the off season. Pop into a Central Oregon art gallery and get the undivided attention of the curator or artist, head north for a quiet stroll along the Metolius River in Camp Sherman or stop by Black Butte Ranch for 18 holes of solitude on the golf course.

get thrifty

Because the shoulder seasons in Central Oregon are traditionally not as busy, there’s an opportunity to save money on flights and lodging in the region. Local resorts offer seasonal specials and less competition means more options when searching for the perfect place to stay.

fish on!

The shoulder seasons are a great time to enjoy outdoor activities that might fly under the radar in summer and winter. Fall is an ideal time for a Central Oregon fishing trip, with anglers eager to catch a steelhead arriving fresh from the ocean. Book a half-day trip with a local guide—try Littleleaf Guide Services in Warm Springs or Brian Silvey’s Fly Fishing Guide Service in Maupin—for insider tips to reel in a fish of your own.

Deschutes River

PHOTO DYLAN VANWEELDEN

Perfect weather

While some visits call for snow to play in or heat to bask in, traveling during the spring and fall is a delightful, relaxing experience. In the fall, take a walk through Bend’s Shevlin Park and marvel at the changing colors—with typical temperatures in the high 60s and low 70s. Take a hike to the top of a wide, open butte to soak up the sunshine. In the spring, watch as deciduous trees regrow their leaves and the dogwoods bloom, while temperatures climb back into the 60s after a chilly winter.

Cycle a scenic bikeway

With fewer cars on the roads and mild temperatures, fall and spring are ideal times to explore Central Oregon’s bikeways—scenic stretches of highway ready for twowheeled travel. Try the 29mile Madras Mountain Views Scenic Bikeway, starting and ending in Madras, exploring farmland and passing along the Lake Billy Chinook canyon rim. Other popular bikeways include Sisters to Smith Rock, Twin Bridges, Sherars Falls and Crooked River Canyon.

Fresh hop Flavor

Beer is bountiful year-round in Central Oregon, but it’s not long after Labor Day each year that the fresh hop harvest begins. Try fresh-hopped varieties from breweries including Deschutes Brewing, Three Creeks Brewing, Sunriver Brewing, Wild Ride Brewing and others during the annual Fresh Hop Festival in Sisters each September. For a fresh hop beer that takes a bit longer, keep an eye out for a barrel-aged option from Funky Fauna Artisan Ales in Sisters sometime in 2023.

Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway

Shevlin Park

Three Creeks Brewing PHOTO

JANUARY

Jazz at the oxford (October through March)

Oxford Hotel, Bend

Cascades Wedding Show Riverhouse on the Deschutes, Bend

FEBRUARY

K-9 Keg Pull Sunriver

Oregon Winterfest Redmond

Eagle Watch

Cove Palisades State Park, Culver

Mt. Bachelor Springtacular

Mt. Bachelor, Bend

Earth Day Fair & Parade Bend

MAY

Crooked River Ranch Steel Stampede

Crooked River Ranch

Pole Pedal Paddle Bend

Maupin Daze on the Deschutes Maupin

Sisters Stampede Bike Race Peterson Ridge, Sisters

Bend Brewfest Bend

JUNE

Sisters Rodeo Sisters

Summer Concert Series

juneteenth celebration

Drake Park, Bend

Crooked River Roundup - PRCA Rodeo and roundup parade Prineville

Pacific Crest Endurance Sports Festival Sunriver

Rockhound Pow Wow Prineville

JULY

Old Fashioned 4th of July Festival

Downtown Bend

La Pine Frontier Days & Rodeo La Pine

Cork & Barrel Sip Wine Event Bend

Crooked River RoundupParamutuel Horse Races Prineville

Beer Festival

Suttle Lodge & Boathouse, Sisters

MARCH

Winter prideFest

Mt. Bachelor and Bend

La Pine Crab Feed

La Pine

APRIL

Gerry Lopez Big Wave Challenge

Mt. Bachelor, Bend

Hayden Homes Amphitheater, Bend

Bend Elks Baseball Season

Vince Genna Stadium, Bend

Rhubarb Festival

La Pine

Munch & Music

Drake Park, Bend

Bend Summer Festival

Downtown Bend

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show Sisters

Oregon High Desert Classic (Horse Show) Bend

Balloons Over Bend Bend

SEPTEMBER

Sunriver Marathon for a Cause Sunriver

Uncorked Sunriver Style Sunriver

Ride Row Run Maupin

Sisters fresh hop festival

Downtown Sisters

Bend Oktoberfest

Downtown Bend

Bend Fall Festival

Downtown Bend

Sisters Harvest Faire Downtown Sisters

NOVEMBER

Grand Illumination Sunriver

Jefferson County Fair Madras

Newberry Music Festival La Pine

AUGUST

Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo Redmond

Sunriver Art Fair

The Village at Sunriver, Sunriver

Theater in the Park Drake Park, Bend Sunriver Music Festival Sunriver Resort, Sunriver

Ghost Tree Invitational Juniper Preserve, Bend

The Airshow of the Cascades Madras Airport, Madras

Art in the High Desert Redmond

Sisters Folk Festival

Downtown Sisters

Oregon 24 MTB Race Wanoga Sno-Park, Bend

OCTOBER

Pumpkin Patch & Maze Smith Rock Ranch, Terrebonne

Pumpkin Patch DD Ranch, Terrebonne

Lord’s Acre Day & Run Powell Butte

I Like Pie Run/walk Bend

Bend Ale Festival NorthWest Crossing, Bend

DECEMBER

Christmas Parades Redmond, Bend, Prineville, Sisters

Holiday Lights Kayak Old Mill District, Bend

Traditions at Sunriver Resort Sunriver

Tenth Month

(BendFilm Festival, Swivel Digital + Creative Conference, Bend Venture Conference, Bend Design Conference, High Desert Mural Festival) Bend

For more events, go to VisitCentralOregon.com/calendar-of-events

Central Oregon

First-Timer’s Guide

THE CENTRAL OREGON REGION has so much to offer that it can be hard to know where to begin, especially planning a trip as a first timer. These next few pages are made for Central Oregon newbies looking to get their feet wet in the Deschutes River, ski a run down Mt. Bachelor or sip a Central Oregon craft beer, all for the first time. We’re glad you’re here.

View from Paulina Peak

Get a Buzz

First things first, caffeine. Central Oregonians love all things brewed, whether it’s beer, kombucha or coffee, but mornings typically call for the latter. Sisters Coffee Company is a sure bet, with its flagship café and roastery in Sisters, offering sandwiches and burritos alongside coffee, and its new Bend coffee shop location in the Old Mill District. In downtown Bend, grab coffee from favorites including Lone Pine Coffee Roasters’ downtown cafe and roastery, or grab a cup from Bellatazza Caffe, situated in the heart of downtown where Wall Street meets Minnesota Avenue.

Notice the Geology

Central Oregon has a robust volcanic past, with eruptions dating back hundreds of thousands of years and much of the area sitting atop past flows of the Newberry Volcano. Learn more about the history by exploring the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, which includes the Lava Butte Cinder Cone just south of Bend along U.S. Highway 97 and areas east of La Pine. The monument includes the 8,000-foot Paulina Peak, the 17-square-mile Newberry Crater caldera and the Big Obsidian Flow, a 4-square-mile area of black and gray volcanic glass. Visitors who know about Central Oregon’s volcanic past will start to notice lava rock all around, on hikes and other outings throughout a trip.

Sisters Coffee Company

Steelhead Falls

Circle around Intersections

When tuning into one of the local radio stations, don’t be surprised to hear the announcer proclaim, “broadcasting from the land of 1,000 roundabouts,” because when in Bend, it sometimes feels like every intersection has cars looping around. If these traffic circles are new to you, fear not, they’re quite simple to navigate. Roundabouts are used to manage the flow of traffic at intersections—enter when there’s an opening and follow the road around until reaching the desired turn, remembering to signal. Speaking of driving, it is the most common way to travel around Central Oregon, but there are other options, depending on the agenda. If staying in Bend, walking or biking is an efficient way to travel through downtown and the west side of town. In Sunriver, biking along more than 40 miles of paved pathways is an adventurous way to explore. There is also a public bus system (Cascades East Transit), shuttle services to the mountains, taxi services, Lyft and Uber.

Get ready to Adventure

Spontaneity and a desire to explore are key traits of Central Oregon visitors. Those open to stepping outside their comfort zone and trying something new will be left with fond memories and a sense of accomplishment. For high-speed fun and incredible views, make a visit during the summer to the Mt. Bachelor ZipTour, a zip line experience on the mountain with an adrenaline rush that won’t soon be forgotten. For an adventurous way to explore the craft brewing scene, visit the re gion’s breweries from the seat of a moving, ped al-powered vehicle. Book a tour with Cycle Pub Bend to explore the area while also checking off a handful of breweries and other drinkeries off the list. For whitewater thrills, head north to Maupin for an adventure on the Lower Deschutes River. In the cooler months, take the adventure inside with a visit to Unofficial Logging Co., downtown Bend’s indoor axe-throwing bar.

Come Hungry

Central Oregon is known for its vast culinary offerings, with everything from farm-to-table cuisine and award-winning chefs to top-notch food trucks and hole-in-the-wall gems scattered throughout the region. For a variety of dining options in one place, check out The Grove, an elevated food court offering options including fresh seafood at Sebastian’s Seafood and Speciality Market, Thai dishes at Thaipas and Italian at Sunny’s Italian Joint. The Grove also has drinks from Waypoint, juices and smoothies from Greenleaf Juicing Company, ice cream from Elly’s Ice Cream and coffee from Thump Coffee. For food truck fare, try Bend’s original food cart pod The Lot, the Corral Tap Room in Prineville, The Barn in Sisters, The Bite in Tumalo, Reynoso Food Court in Madras or the trucks at Wild Ride Brewing and General Duffy’s Waterhole in Redmond. Central Oregon is home to a handful of full-service resorts which, in addition to lodging and activities, boast impressive dining options. At Tetherow, The Row offers elevated pub fare paired with views of the course, while Solomon’s has a rotating selection of fresh, Pacific Northwest fare in a fine dining environment. At Brasada Ranch in Powell Butte, dining is ranch-to-table, with locally sourced ingredients from partnering farms all over the menu.

PHOTO TAMBI LANE

pray for snow

There’s something enchanting about fresh, powdery snow falling on a brisk winter day, especially while on vacation. Central Oregon’s snowstorms vary from year-to-year, but each of the region’s cities offer plenty of ways to enjoy wintery conditions. We’re lucky to experience heavier snow in the mountains and just enough in town for snowball fights and sledding. Travel out Century Drive toward Mt. Bachelor to find a series of sno-parks with areas for sledding, snowshoeing and other winter fun. Daily or annual sno-park

permits are required to park in these areas, so before heading out, pick one up from the U.S. Forest Service, at local ski shops or Visit Central Oregon’s Visitor Information Center in Sunriver. Snowshoeing is a great introductory activity for those new to snow, and many local gear shops provide daily snowshoe rentals. For skiers and snowboarders, Central Oregon is blessed with Mt. Bachelor, the sixth-largest ski resort in North America, as well as Hoodoo Ski Area, north of Sisters on Santiam Pass, a smaller, family-friendly mountain with killer views and great deals.

Hoodoo

Make time to tube

Pass by the Deschutes River on a warm, sunny day, and chances are dozens of tubers and other river users are cooling off with a float down the water. Want to partake? Buy a tube, or better yet, rent one from a local gear shop or Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe, which also operates a tubing shuttle. The most common stretch in Bend starts at Riverbend Park and ends at Drake Park near downtown. It’s a mellow ride, with the exception of one section of rapids halfway along the route at the Bend Whitewater Park. Young or nervous river users can get out and walk around, but if you ask us, the rapids are the best part. Remember, wear a life jacket, don’t bring glass on the water, and be sure to attach or hold onto all your belongings before descending the tubing lane at the whitewater park. For a longer float with less traffic, plan a tubing afternoon in Sunriver. Check with Tumalo Creek, Sunriver ToyHouse, Sunriver Resort Marina or Sun Country Tours for rentals and recommended routes.

plan a hike

The wilderness surrounding Central Oregon’s cities and towns is packed full of hiking trails, and there are dozens more weaving through our communities, too. Hiking is an all-ages activity, and there are options here for all abilities, with everything from wide, paved walking trails to mountainous trails dotted with lava rock. In Redmond, go for a stroll through the heart of town, along walls of rimrock, via the 3.7-mile Dry Canyon Trail, with parks and various access points along the way. For a picturesque waterfall view, take a visit to Benham Falls, on the Deschutes River between Bend and Sunriver. Follow a flat, accessible trail to view the falls, hike around the area or hop on the Deschutes River Trail heading north toward Bend or south toward Sunriver for a longer hike. Permits are required for overnight and day hiking on many popular trails in the Central Cascades wilderness areas, a system that mitigates crowds, protecting these natural wonders for years to come. Visit recreation.gov to book permits for desired hikes on a seven-day rolling basis.

Be ready for brews

An introduction to Central Oregon isn’t complete without a word about beer, the perfect end to a long day of first-timer adventures.

The region is home to more than 30 breweries, with Bend specifically boasting enough to earn it recognition as the city with the third-most breweries per capita in the nation. Stop into any of these breweries or dozens more taprooms, restaurants and bars to find local brews created with Pacific Northwest hops, crisp and clean mountain water and hints of other tasty ingredients. Not sure where to start? Pick up a passport from Visit Bend or a participating brewery, or download the Bend Ale Trail app to begin exploring the region’s beer, one territory at a time. For non-drinkers, a growing number of local breweries are experimenting with non-alcoholic varieties, such as the non-alcoholic Black Butte Porter from Deschutes Brewery, packed with all the flavor of the iconic original but coming in at less than 0.5 percent ABV. Cheers!

TASTE the INNOVATION

INVENTIVE FOOD, DRINK AND ATMOSPHERE IN CENTRAL OREGON

AMONG THE BOUNDLESS LIST OF THINGS TO DO IN CENTRAL OREGON, there are ample food and drink establishments dotting cities end-to-end. With so many options, finding a tasty place to fill up might be one of the easiest parts of a trip. But dig a little deeper, and visitors will find eateries and watering holes that are deviating from the norm, getting innovative and offering something a bit different. Excellent food is part of the program, as is ambiance, history and culture. These restaurants offer an allure for visitors to not only satisfy their taste buds, but to have an experience that is exceptional.

Yoli, Bend

Yoli, Bend

The story behind Bend’s new Korean restaurant begins with Chef Joe Kim, who made a name for himself during more than 12 years in Bend kitchens, including 10 years at downtown’s 5 Fusion Sushi & Bar, where he worked as chef and his wife, Laura Kim, managed the front of the house. The Kims left 5 Fusion in early 2022, and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where Joe Kim began working as a sous chef. It wasn’t long, however, before the Kims were headed back to Bend for a fresh start, and with a dream to open a new restaurant that reflected Joe Kim’s own Korean culture and heritage. Thus, Yoli was born.

After moving back and noticing a lack of Korean food in the Central Oregon area, the Kims made the leap to fill this void. With these endeavors, they hope to “show that Korean cuisine is as important and wonderful as every other cuisine in the world and to erase some of the stereotypes and hesitations people may have about trying Korean cuisine,” Joe Kim said.

When diners step into Yoli, they are greeted by an intimate setting of 10 tables which mirrors the ambiance the Kims set out to achieve, focusing more on the quality and experience at the restaurant as opposed to the volume of customers. “The décor of Yoli is meant to represent modern Korean décor in its simplicity and welcoming warmth; we wanted a restaurant where the community can enjoy a casual meal but also see that Korean cuisine can be your elegant special occasion meal,” he said. Here, visitors will find a menu of traditional Korean cuisine, including popular dish Ssam—chili sauces, protein, Korean miso and fresh lettuce. The lunch menu is a stepping stone into traditional Korean food culture, and the dinner menu is focused on more complex, modern Korean dishes that feel a bit more like fine dining.

The innovative spirit of bringing a sense of heritage to each dish is not lost on each visitor. “The team at Yoli wants people to [leave] feeling that they have enjoyed something that they cannot find anywhere else in Oregon both in the cuisine and the experience,” Laura Kim said.

Porter Brewing and The Cellar, Redmond and Bend

Central Oregon is a region known for its abundance of craft breweries, which typically churn out delicious hoppy IPAs and other ice cold varieties packed with Pacific Northwest flair. Redmond’s Porter Brewing employs a different approach, however, taking inspiration from across the pond and serving up 100 percent cask-conditioned “real ales,” that are unfiltered, unpasteurized and self-carbonated, just like brews are served up in English pubs. Porter Brewing opened its first taproom in Redmond in 2018, and followed with an underground pub in Bend, The Cellar, in 2021. Both spots offer drinks, food and unique atmospheres to boot. “We chose the specific niche of offering

cask ales because there aren’t many places in Oregon where you can find them,” said Porter Brewing co-owner Avara Roberts. “When brainstorming about our brewery, we knew we wanted to offer something to the community that was unique, and being cask ale lovers ourselves, we thought it would be a great opportunity to introduce them to Central Oregon on a larger scale.”

The process of making ales at Porter Brewing is similar to other brewing techniques, however the carbonation level and serving temperature are what makes them unique from typical draft beers. Roberts said that cask ales go through a secondary fermentation process, meaning the carbonation is not forced; instead, it occurs naturally.

In addition to English ales, both locations also offer Vi’s Pies—named after owners Deven Roberts and Avara’s daughter, Violet—which are savory meat pies that add a layer of British pub food to the mix. “They’re all made from scratch by a team of four, including my mother-inlaw, Ronna, my father-in-law, Joe, Jane (a close family friend) and myself,” Avara Roberts said. Among the many flavors of pies to choose from, the most popular is the Scottish meat pie. When visitors walk into The Cellar in Bend, the environment reflects the essence of an old English pub—original stone walls and large wooden beams. Roberts said that the Redmond location is similar in environment but with a more eclectic feel. In either location, walk in preparing to feel the homey, cozy environment of a place built for gathering.

PHOTO KEVIN PRIETO

The Barn, Sisters

When looking for variety, or trying to figure out where to eat with an indecisive stomach, The Barn in Sisters is a delicious answer. Daniel St Lawrence said he was inspired to establish The Barn after owning and operating his mobile food truck, Boone Dog Pizza, and wanting a permanent home for it. After that, he and his family and friends joined forces to create a stunning building that stuck to the Western-style of Sisters but has a contemporary feel. “The ambiance of The Barn is rustic, quality, spacious [and] authentically Western,” St Lawrence said. “We wanted to make intimate spaces for people to find a nook to cozy up into to feel like they were able to get away from the business of life and enjoy the beautiful space that we created.”

At The Barn, visitors will find food trucks surrounding the charming outdoor space, serving Mexican cuisine, barbeque and pizza, along with gluten-free and vegan options. Inside, find

seating and a bar serving up beer, wine and craft cocktails that rotate seasonally. “We are the parents of two young children and really appreciate the flexibility and fun atmosphere that [food truck gatherings] provide,” St Lawrence said about the conception of The Barn.

Although the tap list at The Barn changes often, some local names found here are Boss Rambler, Van Henion, and Bend Cider. The dynamic energy at The Barn goes well beyond food and drink. The venue plays host to sculptures, artwork and live music two to three times a week. St Lawrence said that they are working on recording live shows available for download called The Barn Sessions. “Ultimately we would like to expand our food offerings so that we continue to support the local farmers more and more, and feed our community with the food that is grown here in Central Oregon. Too often that is the missing link when I eat out at restaurants,” St Lawrence said.

PHOTOS TOP GRITCHELLE FALLESGON | BELOW KEVIN PRIETO

Carnaval mexican grill, Redmond

A venture of husband and wife Emmanuel and Yadira Medina, Carnaval Mexican Grill has been serving up craft cocktails and Mexican cuisine in downtown Redmond since early 2020. The pair were both born in Mexico but met years ago working in another Redmond restaurant. Together they created Carnaval from their influences of heritage and culture.

Carnaval has a lively atmosphere with elements of natural wood and pops of color splashed on the walls. Here, the bar is fully stocked and ready with creative Mezcal-infused cocktails—the signature smoky alcohol that draws in visitors. On the menu, find authentic Mexican cuisine with unique twists and fresh seafood in the heart of Central Oregon.

Perhaps the most sought after dish on the menu is the grilled octopus (purple Spanish octopus with a smattering of salsa, fresh citrus and a dusting of sea salt), which can be found on the appetizer menu. As for entrees, the flavors of the traditional cuisine with fresh ingredients come through in dishes such as Alambres—a fajita-style dish with bacon and pineapple—and locally sourced ribeye steak.

Carnaval has the ambiance of excitement and comfort, as if walking in gives diners a reason to celebrate. With the inspiration from Mezcal and the Carnaval Autlán Festival, dining in the restaurant is an experience on its own; adding the flavorful and rich cuisine and a signature cocktail is the cherry on top.

PHOTOS

TAMBI LANE

Way LEADING THE

PHOTO COURTESY OF COG WILD BICYCLE TOURS, KATIE SOX PHOTOGRAPHY

CENTRAL OREGON IS HOME TO some of the most breathtaking mountains, glistening lakes and rushing rivers around. With so much to see and do, figuring out the nitty gritty details of each adventure can be overwhelming. Thankfully, Central Oregon outfitters offer many guided tours, where everything from the itinerary to the transportation to the necessary gear is all taken care of for you.

Exploring with a guide who knows all the local intel means you can be sure you’re experiencing the best hiking trails, river rapids and mountain biking routes the region has to offer. Guided tours provide important historical and ecological context which cultivates deeper insight and understanding of the surrounding environment. With several different outfitters, all of which offer unique tours, it’s guaranteed that everyone will find the adventure they’re looking for. Regardless of season, there is an endless variety of ways to enjoy the beauty and fun of Central Oregon. Check out some of the great tour experiences and start planning your next adventure—or rather, let a local guide or outfitter do the planning for you.

Cog Wild Bicycle Tours

Warm Weather Outings

The warmer months are some of the most glorious to spend in Central Oregon with an endless number of trails to be hiked and rivers to be rafted. One of the best parts of the snow melting away for the season is the restored access to all of the beautiful and crisp alpine lakes found dotted along Cascade Lakes Highway.

Wanderlust Tours leads an iconic kayaking tour that takes guests to parts of these large lakes that are only accessible by kayak, canoe or standup paddleboard. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never paddled a day in your life—guides will customize the experience depending on the desires and skill level of the group. All of the guides are knowledgeable about the surrounding environment and will paint a detailed picture of the natural and cultural history of the area.

Wanderlust works to connect people to the places they visit to inspire environmental preservation. “Once you are connected to a space, you’re more likely to want to take care of it and take action to protect it,” said Courtney Braun, co-owner of Wanderlust Tours.

Wanderlust Tours will handle all of the gear and transportation details, with two-hour expeditions departing from the Wanderlust offices in Bend twice each day. Simply pack an eco-friendly sunscreen, a water bottle and a swimsuit for a refreshing mid-paddle dip.

There are, of course, a ton of other ways to enjoy the Central Oregon sunshine. For those looking to explore the area from the seat of a bike, check out Cog Wild, Let it Ride Bend, or Bend Breakaway Bike Tour for guided rides through scenic landscapes. Mountain biking can be intimidating, which is why Lev Stryker of Cog Wild strongly recommends going with a guide. “We want people to have a blast on bikes, and feel safe and secure while doing so,” Stryker said. “Central Oregon is a mountain bike hot bed, but making sure you get on the right trails that fit your style can be tough.”

Want to cool down from the heat? Check out Sun Country Tours, Ouzel Outfitters or Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe to enjoy the fun of whitewater rafting. Or try fly-fishing with River Borne Outfitters, The Hook Fly Shop and Littleleaf Guide Services, all leading expeditions along the Deschutes.

Colder Season Tours

Central Oregon turns into a winter wonderland during the colder months and is the perfect playground for snow sport enthusiasts of all kinds. While skiers and snowboarders flock from all over to enjoy the great conditions of Mt. Bachelor or Hoodoo, there may be no better way to explore the snowy terrain than with a snowmobiling tour. With an extensive trail system reaching out into acres of

Chockstone Climbing Guides

beautiful backcountry, Central Oregon offers some of the best snowmobiling in the Pacific Northwest.

To make the most of your time on the snow, take a tour with one of the professional guides at Central Oregon Adventures who will ensure you ride safe while having an absolute blast. Instead of trying to figure out where on the map you are or where the best viewpoints are, go with someone who already knows all of the hidden sweet spots for views and good terrain.

All tours meet at the Wanoga Sno Park 45 minutes prior to departure so that riders can sign waivers and go over safety protocols. Goggles and helmets are provided, and snow clothing is available for rent. Once everyone is suited up and knows the rules of the trail, it’s time for a thrilling ride through open snowfields and miles of old growth pine forests.

For a snowy adventure that comes with a bit less of an adrenaline rush, try snowshoeing under the stars with Wanderlust Tours. Love mountain biking? Luckily it’s no longer just a summer sport—book a fat tire biking tour with Cog Wild to explore the backcountry in a whole new way. Whether you’re a thrill seeker or just want to enjoy the beautiful scenery, a guided outing is a great way to enjoy the snow.

All Season Adventures

Regardless of the season, Central Oregon breweries are bustling. Whether you just

finished an epic mountain bike ride or spent the day shredding some powder, a cold drink is one of the best ways to end the day. While beer may be what Central Oregon is known for, there is also a growing number of local cideries, wine tasting rooms and artisan distilleries worth visiting. The Local Pour, run by Wanderlust, will take you on an immersive tour of Bend’s best craft beverage companies.

It’s way more than just a tasting. Learn how the surrounding environment, snowmelt, volcanic history and water impact the taste and quality of libations produced in Central Oregon. Dive deep into the process of distillation, fermentation and the craft of production.

With always more to do and see in Central Oregon there are plenty of ways to explore and learn about the area year-round. History buffs should check out the Deschutes Historical Museum for the Heritage Walk which provides a look into the history of Central Oregon. No matter how someone wants to experience the playground of Central Oregon there is a tour ready to help visitors make the most of their time here. Leave the planning to the pros and get ready to experience the beauty of Central Oregon in depth.

Learn more about other tours available at visitcentraloregon.com/things-to-do/tours.

Suttle Lake

PHOTO GRITCHELLE FALLESGON

PARTDoing Our

HOW LOCALS AND VISITORS ARE EMBRACING SUSTAINABLE AND REGENERATIVE TRAVEL

IN CENTRAL OREGON, there’s one thing that first-time visitors, seasoned travelers and those lucky enough to call this region home can all agree on: it’s an incredible place to experience. As more people catch wind of this region, it becomes increasingly important to take steps to ensure the longevity of Central Oregon, from its outdoor spaces,

to its culture, to its economy. A new buzzword in the world of travel and outdoor adventure is “regenerative tourism,” and it’s a concept that’s gaining traction for good reason. Regenerative tourism encompasses every way we can explore sustainably, whether that means supporting a local gear shop, taking a history tour to learn about the cultural

heritage of the region, giving back through a trail maintenance project or exploring lesser-known attractions to keep crowds lighter. Read on for a handful of ways to travel to Central Oregon (and elsewhere on your bucket list) with purpose—in a way that supports the longevity and sustainability of these locales for generations to come.

OPPOSITE

TOP GRITCHELLE FALLESGON BOTTOM CHRISTIAN MURILLO

Benham Falls

Get the Lingo

The first step in embracing regenerative tourism is understanding the concept. Regenerative tourism builds upon sustainable tourism, both of which are practices supported by public land stewards, including the U.S. Forest Service. “Sustainable tourism means making sure we leave places (both natural and cultural resources) so that others and future generations can experience them,” said Lisa Machnik, recreation, heritage, lands and partnerships staff officer for Deschutes National Forest. “Regenerative tourism/ travel means finding a way to be part of the solution to our increasing demands on and use of these natural resources.”

Plan with purpose

Planning a trip that embodies sustainable or regenerative tourism likely means deciding on details in advance. In Central Oregon, many busy trailheads in the Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington and Three Sisters Wilderness areas are part of the Central Cascades Wilderness Permit System, a seasonal program created to lessen the impact of people on natural resources such as trails and popular camping areas. Travel sustainably by making reservations to popular trailheads in advance, or consider visiting trails that are outside the permit system. (Find hikes that don’t require advance permits on page 89.)

Embrace our Places

Learning about the history and culture of a region is an engaging way for travelers to show respect

Matthieu Lakes Trail, Three Sisters Wilderness

for the places they’re visiting, connect more directly with locals and get ideas on how to contribute to the longevity of a community. Just south of Bend, the High Desert Museum offers a look at the history and culture of the region through the lens of natural resources. Learn about the Indigenous people of Central Oregon here, or at The Museum at Warm Springs. Looking ahead, The Warm Springs Commissary is a project under development that involves the reclamation of the reservation’s oldest building, which is to become a small business incubator for tribal entrepreneurs. Appreciating and experiencing these cultural spaces is a special way for folks to embrace the rich history of Central Oregon.

Give Back

In Central Oregon, opportunities abound to get your hands dirty with river cleanups, trail maintenance work and other

activities to give back. Groups including the Central Oregon Trails Alliance, Wanderlust Tours, the Forest Service’s Discover Your Forest nonprofit and Cog Wild offer give-back events. Longtime bicycle tour operator Cog Wild has dreams of a Ride and Dig event that would include two days of guided rides with a day of trail maintenance sandwiched between. With growing interest in riders looking to give back, this

event could be a game changer for the region’s trails and the people who look to get involved. “If you mountain bike, you realize how much work goes into those trails, and if you don’t give back, the trails won’t be maintained for the future,” said Sara Perry of Cog Wild. For those who don’t have the time or ability to give back physically, donating is also a way to show support for these organizations that are putting in the hard work.

The Museum at Warm Springs

High Desert Museum

Rethink Waste

Outdoor adventurers are no strangers to “leave no trace” principles. Keeping our outdoor spaces as we left them, if not better, is a big part of traveling sustainably and regeneratively. To take it a step further, consider the impacts of the type of waste each of us creates, from to-go containers at restaurants to over-purchasing food and supplies before outings. The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste campaign challenges people to consider our waste and take steps to reduce it, while keeping the environment in mind. Does your hotel or rental have what you need to enjoy a meal? Consider opting out of single-use cutlery, condiments and to-go containers whenever possible.

Support Local

Travel is all about exploring local communities, but sometimes it’s easy to overlook our small businesses in favor of chains and box stores with familiar names. Our local economies thrive on the support of visitors who patronize the independent coffee shops, gear guides and outfitters, food carts and more. Keep Central Oregon thriving well into the future by shopping small and exploring the eclectic selection of businesses and organizations that make this region so special.

PHOTOS GRITCHELLE FALLESGON

Junction Roastery & Social Club in Redmond

The Fold Kitchen Sunriver

SUNRIVER

A GLITTERING RESORT TOWN WITH EVERY ACTIVITY UNDER THE SUN.

STEP INTO SUNRIVER, one of the Pacific Northwest’s top destination getaways and residential communities. Find beautifully appointed vacation homes, luxury condos and river-view lodge suites, perfect for family vacations, romantic retreats and weekendgetaways with friends. Sunriver’s 63 holes of world-class golf are stationed in wetlands, meadows and forests; providing both a challenge and a beautiful view. These include the famed Crosswater Club, a Golf Digest Top 100 course, the

SUNRIVER BY THE NUMBERS

Population: 2,023 full-time residents

Homes and lodging units: 4,700 Elevation: 4,164 feet

Tennis Courts: 26 Miles of paved paths: 40+

nationally acclaimed Meadows and Woodlands courses and the family-friendly Caldera Links short course. Off the course, enjoy more than 40 miles of paved bike paths and waterpark fun at SHARC, The Cove and Sunriver Aquatics. The Village at Sunriver is the 50-storefront community hub for dining and tax-free shopping. At Sunriver Brewing, try a flight of locally brewed beer. Inside the resort, delicious dining options include Lodge Kitchen, Owl’s Nest, The Grille at Crosswater and Zeppa Bistro.

Sunriver Lodge

9 STEPS TO FUN IN SUNRIVER

SUNRIVER IS THE HUB OF RECREATION in Central Oregon; there’s a new adventure for every day of the week. The resort and surrounding community offer plenty of outdoor activity options for families, friends and solo travelers, and with cozy lodging, mouth-watering dining and inviting shops, there’s something for everyone.

cycle town

Travel town on two wheels to discover Sunriver. The majority of Sunriver’s 40 miles of paved pathways are away from the main roads, making them very bike-friendly and safe. Need a bike? Stop by Sunriver Resort’s Bike Barn to pick from one of 300 rental bikes. Once comfortable on the paved paths, consider an off-road adventure on a mountain bike, such as the nearby Benham Falls trail, an 8-mile long loop along the Deschutes River, or explore Sunriver Trails system with access located over Cardinal Landing Bridge.

dip in the pool

Visit the Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic & Recreation Center, or SHARC, for year-round indoor aquatics and outdoor aquatics in the summer. Many Sunriver rentals include SHARC passes, and day passes for the public are also available. The newly revamped Cove at Sunriver Resort offers year-round swimming, a waterslide and cabanas.

visit the marina

Take your pick of watercraft to paddle the Deschutes at the Sunriver Marina. Choose from kayaks, canoes or standup paddleboards, and head out

for a scenic paddle. Launch right from the dock and the marina, and consider taking a class to up your paddle game, or joining a group float for a little on-thewater company. Afterwards, try the P.E.A.K. food truck at the marina.

float the day away

Floating the river in Bend might be popular, but visitors can have an even calmer float surrounded by nature in Sunriver. Rent the floating vessel of your choice and hop on the water at the marina, floating 6 miles down the scenic Deschutes toward Benham Butte. Grab the shuttle from the resort for your trip back.

Sunriver

Play in the powder

Sunriver is a great basecamp for snowy fun, with nearby opportunities for sledding and snowshoeing and Mt. Bachelor just down the road. Try the winter tubing hill at SHARC in town or load up your ski and snowboard gear or sleds and take off on U.S. Forest Service Road 45 toward the mountains. After a day of winter fun, slip into your rental’s hot tub to relax your ski legs.

PHOTO

dinner, resort style

Enjoy breakfast, lunch, beer, cocktails and dessert at Lodge Kitchen at Sunriver Resort. Play a round at the family-friendly putting course behind the lodge before dining on cedar plank salmon and wine, or truffle mac and cheese with an IPA. Zeppa Bistro has stunning views of both Obsidian Lake and Mount Bachelor, not to mention a delicious, Italian-influenced menu.

hit the links

Known for its award-winning golf courses, Sunriver offers the Crosswater, Meadows, Woodlands and Caldera Links courses. Many holes border the meandering river, wetlands, forest and meadows and offer scenic views of the Cascade Range, with holes for all skill levels, and plenty of challenges for more experienced golfers.

sunset roundup

Take part in watching a Sunriver tradition: the running of the horses. The stables team rides out to round up the horses, running them from the pasture through the field and over the bridge to corral them for the evening. Plan a late afternoon walk at this time to experience a fun and unique daily ritual at the resort. At Sunriver Resort you can also participate in horseback riding with summer trail rides; in the winter there are horse-drawn carriage rides.

skate all day

Picture yourself a figure skater or an ice hockey champ and lace up a pair of ice skates to go for a few laps at Sunriver Ice Arena. The rink is open seasonally from mid-November to mid-April. Listen to fun music as you steady your feet and glide from one end of the rink to another, or watch the skaters and play designated photographer from the comfort of the viewing area.

PHOTO TOP BRIAN OAR PHOTOGRAPHY | BOTTOM GRITCHELLE FALLESGON

Crosswater

Sunriver Stables

SUNRIVER ITINERARY

Morning

If you want to relax, book a spa treatment and restorative soak at Sage Springs Spa.

If you’re ready to get moving, visit the indoor pickleball courts at the Sage Springs Fitness Center.

Afternoon

If you want some perspective, spend an afternoon flexing your mental muscles with a visit to the Sunriver Nature Center to see the wildlife and plant life that call Central Oregon home. Or, head 15 minutes north to the High Desert Museum to learn about cultural history and meet some of the region’s native wildlife.

If you love shopping, head to the Village at Sunriver for boutiques, home décor shops, toy stores and art galleries. Finding a souvenir should be no trouble.

If you want to get outside, book a round of golf at one of Sunriver’s four courses, or plan a guided flyfishing trip to one of the region’s world-class waterways.

High Desert Museum

Evening

If you need some alone-time, visit the marina later in the afternoon to score a kayak or SUP for a leisurely float during long summer days.

If you’re happiest with a crowd, listen to live music at the SHARC Turf Tunes or the Backyard Summer Concert Series while enjoying a meal from Lodge Kitchen at the resort.

Late night

If you love the night sky, gaze at the stars from the Oregon Observatory, where you’ll find the largest collection of telescopes for public viewing in the United States. Plan a nighttime visit to learn from staff astronomers, enjoy a guided constellation tour, meteorite displays and an educational presentation. Sunriver is recognized as Oregon’s first International Dark Sky Place for the area’s pristine skies, free from light pollution.

PHOTO BOTTOM JONATHON CHANDLER

Oregon Observatory

BEND BY THE NUMBERS

Population: 103,686 Elevation: 3,623 feet Parks: 80+ Miles of trails: 65

BEND

THE HEART OF CENTRAL OREGON, THIS OUTDOOR-CENTERED CITY IS YOUR NEW HOME AWAY FROM HOME.

VISITORS AND LOCALS LOVE BEND for its easy access to all things skiing, mountain biking, hiking and mountainous beauty. Bend is also known for the popular summertime float down the Deschutes River through town, hiking on 65 miles of urban trails and playing at more than 80 parks and open spaces in town.

When the play stops, it’s time to eat, drink and be merry. A vibrant cultural arena is alive with art galleries, art walks, live music and a lively theater scene. Craft beer is king here, and local wine, cider and distilled spirits are plentiful. From white linen to food trucks, great eats abound.

Hike to Shevlin Park

NEIGHBORHOODS TO EXPLORE

POCKETS OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND CONTEMPORARY NEIGHBORHOODS ARE WHAT MAKE BEND A NEVER-ENDING ADVENTURE.

Downtown/Old Town

Bend’s downtown is full of life on the main streets of Wall and Bond, packed with shops, great food and galleries. But don’t miss out on the side street exploration here, where you’ll find art tucked in alleyways and lots of popular eateries and shops a block or two off the main drags. Downtown is home to the Tower Theatre, which hosts comedians, concerts and shows year-round and borders the 13-acre Drake Park, full of walking trails. On First Fridays, galleries and businesses stay open late and the sidewalks swell with art lovers out on the town.

Old Mill District

The Old Mill District is Bend’s open air mall located along the Deschutes. Find fitness studios such as Orange Theory and Cyclebar, and a variety of shopping from REI to Sephora, along with one-of-akind local boutiques, wine tasting rooms and a fun tiki bar, Rapa Nui. Find the Bend location of Sisters Coffee Company here, as well as waterfront restaurants Anthony’s and Greg’s Grill. The district has a paved river trail, and opposite the shops is the Hayden Homes Amphitheater, which has recently played host to artists such as The Chicks and Bob Dylan.

Box Factory

Between downtown and the Old Mill District is the Box Factory. Look for red buildings that house more than 30 businesses, including Immersion Brewing, Bend Wine Bar, Stoller Wine Bar, Bledsoe Family Winery and Avid Cider, along with places to eat, play board games and shop. Check out the businesses on the outskirts of the development, including Crosscut Warming Hut No. 5 taphouse. Walk through the Box Factory’s interior corridor to learn the history of one of Bend’s original box factories, built during the logging boom of the early 20th century.

Tower Theatre

Old Mill District Miyagi Ramen

PHOTO D. HURST / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

West Side

Anchored by Newport and Galveston avenues, the west side is a walkable area with lush greenery and a mix of historic housing and commerce. Highlights include Boss Rambler Beer Club and 10 Barrel Brewing on Galveston and the Prost! taproom on SW Century Drive; or try a casual lunch at Parrilla Grill. Stop by the employee-owned Newport Market for groceries, or restaurants such as CHOW (breakfast and brunch), Spork (Asian fusion) and BOSA Food & Drink (Italian and French). The west side is also home to the hilly campus of Central Oregon Community College and to Oregon State University-Cascades, which continues to expand.

NorthWest Crossing

This neighborhood on the west side of Bend is almost like a town of its own. Find restaurants, shops and businesses, including The Grove, offering ice cream, dining and drink options. Check out Elly’s Ice Cream, Waypoint and many more in the market hall. Stop by Washington Dining + Cocktails across the street for epic Bloody Marys or try an artisan pastry at Sparrow Bakery.

Midtown

The funky, eclectic spirirt of Bend’s midtown is home to music, beer, dancing and delicious food. Find gems like the taphouse/food truck pod Midtown Yacht Club and the last Blockbuster video store in the world. The Midtown Ballroom and Domino Room is the city’s largest indoor music venue, and is across the street from Silver Moon Brewing.

East Side

Hike or drive to the top of Pilot Butte to see a panoramic view of Bend and the Cascades. Access the butte by car mid-April to October, or walk up the trail open year-round. From the top, try to scope out the destinations of the east side, including the massive Worthy Brewing Company and the nearby On Tap food cart pod. Check out Juniper Swim and Fitness, an award-winning facility for exercise classes and swimming, visit the four-story, 55,000-square-foot Pickleball Zone or stop by Pine Nursery Park, with sports fields, picnic shelters and a 14-acre off-leash dog park.

Washington Dining + Cocktails

Boss Rambler Beer Club

Pilot Butte sunset from Worthy Brewing

PHOTO

BEND BEER RUNDOWN

5 FACTS ABOUT THIS BEER-LOVING CITY

Bend is home to 23 breweries, and at last count, has the third-highest number of breweries per capita in the country (we’re coming for you, Portland, Maine, and Asheville, North Carolina!).

There’s one brewery for every 4,500 people in Bend.

Bend’s first brewery, Deschutes Brewery, originally incorporated as Fish Breweries, Inc. in 1987. By January 1988, the company changed its name to better connect the business to the local community.

Spider City Brewing, which operates an east side brewery and downtown tasting room, is the only strictly women-owned brewery in the city.

Van Henion Brewing Company is Bend’s newest brewery, founded in 2021 by three former Boneyard Beer brewers. Try the brewery’s clean lagers and bright IPAs at the taproom in northeast Bend.

Bend Brewing Company

PHOTO GRITCHELLE FALLESGON

BEND ITINERARY

Stay

If you want quick mountain access, stay at Tetherow, WorldMark at Seventh Mountain or LOGE Bend. Tetherow’s fine dining and well-appointed rooms are great for romantics or group vacations, Seventh Mountain’s ice rink and family-friendly atmosphere add to its charm, and LOGE is a great budget-friendly option for outdoor lovers.

If you want to be riverside, The Riverhouse on the Deschutes is located in town, yet offers the nature, beauty and luxury of getting away from it all.

Morning

If you like easy hikes, hop on the Deschutes River Trail upstream

from town to see waterfalls, including Dillon and Benham Falls.

If you like parks, gaze upon the glory of Drake Park on Mirror Pond, one of the loveliest city parks in the state of Oregon. Or, check out Farewell Bend Park for a paved walk near the Old Mill.

Afternoon

If you want to get on the water, float the tubing route from Riverbend Park to Drake Park, splashing through the rapids at the Bend Whitewater Park.

If you’re excited for tax-free shopping, browse the downtown boutiques or the Old Mill District, or explore the Workhouse to find locally made gifts.

If you want an adrenaline rush, head to K1 Speed for an exciting round of indoor go-kart racing.

Evening

If you’re looking for après ski, gather around the fire at Cascade Lakes Brewing Company.

If you’re craving amazing food, dine on fresh flavors and international cuisine at spots including Wild Rose, the Phoenix, The Lemon Tree, 900 Wall, Roam and 5 Fusion & Sushi Bar.

If you want to be entertained, watch a live show at the Tower Theatre or Cascades Theatrical Company. See a movie at Tin Pan Theater.

PHOTO TOP RIGHT KEVIN PRIETO BELOW MARVIN WALDER

K1 Speed

The Pavillion

Tin Pan Theater

Celebration rings as individual as your love

CITIES Sisters SISTERS

NESTLED AT THE BASE OF THE MOUNTAINS, SISTERS IS A WESTERN-THEMED TOWN WITH CULTURE AND CHARM.

BENEATH A CANOPY OF SNOW-CAPPED MOUNTAINS and expansive wilderness, Sisters is home to bakeries, art galleries, restaurants and boutique shopping. Sisters is known for its festivals and as a great place to buy a cowboy hat and pair of authentic Western boots. Getting outside is easy here—nearby is the Peterson

Ridge Trail System, offering miles of mountain biking and hiking. Launch a backpacking trip into the Three Sisters Wilderness, fly-fish the Metolius River, play golf at Black Butte Ranch or Aspen Lakes or cycle one of two Oregon Scenic Bikeways from this quaint little town under the pines.

SISTERS BY THE NUMBERS

Population: 3,064

Elevation: 3,182 feet

Miles of Trails: 260

Black Butte Ranch

GETAWAY GUIDE

CELEBRATION, CREATIVITY AND RELAXATION ARE THE CORE OF THE SISTERS SPIRIT.

festival season

Pick a season and a mood, and Sisters has a festival for it. For creative inspiration, the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show takes place in July. If you’re feeling musical, The Sisters Folk Festival has music to satisfy every September. Add these to a list that includes the Art & Antiques in the Park celebration, Rhythm and Blues and of course the annual Sisters Rodeo, and you have one busy summer in Sisters. Check the calendar and find a festive weekend.

spa day

Sisters is a great place to relax and focus on wellness. Settle in at Shibui Spa, on the FivePine Lodge campus near downtown Sisters. Enjoy a massage, facial, waxing, body wraps, Ayurveda and other holistic services in an atmosphere that exudes Zen. Sip tea, sweat in the sauna or soak in the tub. Also in Sisters, Radiant Day Spa specializes in facials, massages and other body treatments offered during a fully customizable experience.

get artsy

Sisters is home to a handful of eclectic art galleries, including 10 that are part of the Sisters Art Association, a nonprofit promoting the arts in the city. Stop by Hood Avenue Art for artwork by more than 20 local artists, including paintings, pottery, jewelry, woodwork and photography. Sisters has its own Fourth Friday Art Walk where residents and visitors can walk from gallery to gallery discovering local creators.

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show

Shibui Spa

Downtown Sisters art gallery

PHOTO

SISTERS ITINERARY

Stay

If you’re looking for a family-friendly retreat, Black Butte Ranch has been just that for more than 50 years, surrounding a meadow in the shadow of the Cascades. For a romantic getaway with an on-site spa, book a stay at FivePine Lodge and Spa.

Morning

If you’re waking up hungry, fuel up with scrambles and hash from the adorable Cottonwood Cafe, or try one of the city’s classic favorites—Sisters Coffee Company or Sisters Bakery. Angeline’s Bakery & Cafe offers gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options.

If you like a quiet morning on the course, book a round at Aspen Lakes Golf Course or Black Butte Ranch’s Glaze Meadow or Big Meadow.

If you love ski resorts with small-town charm, head 30 minutes northwest to the family-friendly Hoodoo Ski Area for skiing, snowboarding and tubing, with access for skibikes and snowskates.

Afternoon

If you love shopping, don’t miss Hen’s Tooth for home décor, Bedouin for jewelry and home goods, Paulina Springs Books, or Stitchin’ Post, a knitter’s and quilter’s dream store.

If you like action, hold on tight for the Sisters Rodeo, known as the biggest little show in the world, held the first weekend in June each year.

Evening

If you love a trip down memory lane, hit the Sno Cap Drive In for milkshakes, burgers and fries.

If you’re in the mood for a drink, sip the bourbon at Cascade Street Distillery, visit the taproom at The Barn or sample beers at Funky Fauna Artisan Ales.

Black Butte Ranch

PHOTO TOP COURTESY BLACK BUTTE RANCH

Sisters Rodeo

REDMOND BY THE NUMBERS

Population: 33, 274

Elevation: 3,077 feet

Parks: 23 in city limits

REDMOND

A COMMUNITY CENTERED AROUND THE HISTORIC DOWNTOWN AREA AND THE SURROUNDING NATURAL BEAUTY.

KNOWN AS THE HUB OF CENTRAL OREGON, Redmond is packed with delicious eateries and eclectic shopping options lining the streets of downtown. Nearby are craft breweries, farmers markets and parks waiting to be discovered. Give spelunking a try at the Redmond Caves Recreation Site. Just north is Smith Rock State Park, a world-famous destination

for rock climbers who yearn to scale its volcanic tuff cliffs. Redmond is also the region’s commercial air hub (RDM), served by Alaska, Delta, United, American and Avelo. Near the airport is the Deschutes Fair & Expo Center, which annually hosts concerts, sporting events, trade shows, weddings, reunions, the Deschutes County Fair and more.

Redmond Caves Recreation Site

TO-DO LIST

THREE WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OF REDMOND.

Discover Downtown

With shops and restaurants popping up throughout downtown Redmond, there’s always something to discover around the corner.

Visit the One Street Down Cafe for artisan coffee and incredible bites, try Oishi for authentic Japanese cuisine, or eat, drink and catch a film (all at the same time) at the Odem Theater Pub. Shop for art and instruments at Art & Music, great reads at Herringbone Books or gear for your next adventure at Redmond Snow and Skate.

see Smith Rock State Park

One of the most striking natural wonders of Oregon, Smith Rock lies just 15 minutes north of Redmond. Known as the birthplace of U.S. sport climbing, the park’s sheer, umber-colored cliffs attract rock climbers, while hikers and mountain bikers come for the diverse trail system. If you’re a photography buff, you’ll want to make a beeline for the spires during sunrise or sunset. Keep an eye out for soaring raptors overhead.

Lively Libations

Travel through town on a personalized beverage tour. Wild Ride Brewing is a favorite, with food trucks and fire pits outside to keep you warm. Stop by The Vault Taphouse to taste the full lineup from Kobold Brewing. Grab beers and pub fare at Initative Brewing on the north end of downtown. Or visit Gompers Distillery’s Prohibitionthemed speakeasy for signature gin, made using hand-picked Oregon juniper berries.

Smith Rock State Park

Odem Theater Pub

Gompers Distillery

PHOTO RIGHT GRITCHELLE FALLESGON

| BOTTOM

JOHN G. WILBANKS

/ ALAMY STOCK

PHOTO

REDMOND ITINERARY

Stay

If you’re looking for trendy vibes in a great location, SCP Hotel Redmond is a classy and historic destination in the heart of downtown.

If it’s pampering you seek, head southeast about 15 miles to Brasada Ranch, which takes luxury resort life seriously.

Morning

If you aren’t afraid of heights, get high in the sky with a balloon ride at Big Sky Balloon Co.

If you’re an aspiring coffee connoisseur, swing by Honey and Pine Coffee Company for a donut and a specialty coffee.

Afternoon

If you like searching for antique treasures, go on the hunt for vintage finds in Redmond’s many shops.

If you love deep-fried delicacies, rodeo action and farm animals, say hello to the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo in August.

If you like sliding and gliding, get on the ice at Redmond’s ice rink in the heart of the city during winter.

Evening

If you like wine tasting, visit Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards northeast of Redmond for flights of French, American and European varietals, pizzas and live music, surrounded by incredible mountain views.

If you want to dine on surf and turf, visit Brickhouse Steakhouse in the heart of downtown for USDA Prime beef steaks, wild-caught seafood, pastas, a full bar and an award-winning wine list.

If you have a sweet tooth, look no further than The Chocolate Company to find handcrafted chocolates, caramel apples, cookies and more.

Big Sky Balloon Co

Brickhouse

PHOTO BOTTOM TAMBI LANE

MADRAS-CULVER

THE CENTRAL OREGON COMMUNITIES OF MADRAS AND CULVER ARE SCENIC LOCALES FOR RECREATION, AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRY.

THE BEAUTIFUL HIGH DESERT destinations of Madras and Culver in Jefferson County are Central Oregon gems. The nearby lower Deschutes River is a hub for fishing, boating and hiking. Anglers can wade into the flowing waters of the Deschutes, Metolius and Crooked rivers. Set up camp at Lake Simtustus west of Madras or a state park near Lake Billy Chinook, or spend a weekend houseboating. Take a scenic hike at the Crooked River National Grassland, where The Peninsula

and The Island are standout landmarks. Come late August, Culver gears up for an annual Crawdad Festival. See vintage and historic planes at the Erickson Aircraft Collection, a museum on the north end of Madras. If you’re feeling daring, check out the Madras Skate and Bike Park or the Madras East Hills Trail System, a newly developed network of biking trails. Enjoy delicious Mexican restaurants, including the Rio and Mexico City in downtown Madras.

MADRAS & CULVER BY THE NUMBERS

Lake Billy Chinook

Downtown Madras

PHOTO TOP LEFT AND BOTTOM JONATHON CHANDLER | TOP RIGHT CODY RHEAULT

Aquatic Center

County fair Scenic Parks

WARM SPRINGS

THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF WARM SPRINGS, THIS REGION IS RICH IN CULTURE AND COMMUNITY.

FIND THE WARM SPRINGS RESERVATION, home to the Warm Springs, Wasco and Paiute Native American tribes, in stunning scenery that stretches from the Cascade Range on the east to the Deschutes River on the west. The reservation encompasses more than 1,000 square miles of central and northern Oregon and includes the community of Warm Springs in Jefferson County. Learn about the tribes’ history at The Museum at Warm Springs, created to sustain the culture of the Warm Springs, Wasco and Paiute tribes and preserve traditions for children and visitors. The museum has one of the largest collections of Plateau Native American artifacts around. Find paintings, sculpture, masks, ceremonial clothes, ritual implements and beadwork inside. Outside the museum, stroll the ¼-mile Twanat Interpretive Trail to learn about the plants, animals, fish and geology of the area. Warm Springs is also the site of the Indian Head Casino,

owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and offering dining, cocktails, blackjack and slot play 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

WARM SPRINGS BY THE NUMBERS

Population: 2,435 Elevation: 1,539 feet Reservation size: 1,019 square miles

Pi-Ume-Sha Treaty Days, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation

The Museum at Warm Springs

PHOTO BOTTOM GEORGE OSTERTAG / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

PRINEVILLE

DISCOVER THE QUAINT LIFESTYLE OF DOWNTOWN PRINEVILLE; A PERFECT PLACE FOR HISTORY LOVERS.

FOUNDED IN 1870, Prineville is known for its rockhounding opportunities, the historic Crook County Courthouse and spectacular options for outdoor enthusiasts. The fishing here is legendary—try your fly on the Crooked River or Prineville and Ochoco reservoirs. Camp, hike and mountain bike in the Ochoco National Forest and Ochoco Mountains, then explore shops and dining downtown.

PRINEVILLE BY THE NUMBERS

Population: 11,558 Elevation: 2,868 Founded: 1880

Crooked River

TO-DO LIST

THREE IDEAS FOR EXPLORING PRINEVILLE TO THE FULLEST.

Culinary Wonderland

Prineville has great options for foodies. Try Creekside Food Court for eats, drinks and live music or the Corral Taproom, which opened in 2021 with a permanent taproom building and three food trucks. Don’t miss Barney Prine’s Steakhouse & Saloon, a dinner spot with nightly prime rib and big wedge salads. Or for a taste of Prineville’s brewery scene, try Crooked Roots Brewing, which has great pizzas or Wild Ride Brewing, which opened a Prineville location with four food trucks in 2022.

Prime Shopping

Embrace the small-town charm of Prineville, with boutiques and shops decorating the streets. Spend a day strolling downtown to enjoy the tax-free shopping all of Oregon offers, with ample parking. Visit Bayberry Lane for home décor, The Wild Rose for women’s clothing or Prineville Men’s Wear for clothing and Western accessories. Prineville has great antique and vintage stores, too, including The Sage Door and The Vintage Cottage downtown.

Cycle Town

Find yourself in biking distance of a Wild and Scenic river while pedaling along the Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway. This 37-mile route is a local favorite, weaving through valleys and squeezing into canyons with views of the Powell Buttes, Bear Creek Buttes and Ochoco Mountains. After the ride, grab a beer at Good Bike Co. back in Prineville or visit the A.R. Bowman Museum to better understand the area you just explored.

Prineville Men’s Wear Wild Ride Brewing

Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway

Visit Prineville & Crook County and come eat, shop and play while you're here. You'll be glad you did.

MAUPIN

SERENE OREGON NATURE AND THRILLING ADVENTURE AWAIT IN MAUPIN.

ALONG THE WILD AND SCENIC LOWER DESCHUTES RIVER, find Maupin, home to an abundance of options for fishing and rafting. Maupin is known for Redsides—the brilliantly colored, hard-fighting native Deschutes River trout that anglers obsess over. Add whitewater thrills, and it’s easy to see why Maupin continues to grow, with more lodging and dining amenities to please outdoor enthusiasts. Find exceptional upland bird and big game hunting on public and private land, breathtaking cycling routes and hiking trails to explore. The White River empties into the Deschutes and has a great series of waterfalls, accessed by a trail from White River Falls State Park. There’s also an access road that follows the Deschutes River, leading to hikes up side canyons through incredible landscapes. Riverside lodging right in town includes the Imperial River Co., offering 25 guest rooms along the Deschutes, with a bar and restaurant on-site. The Oasis Cabin Resort is also

along the river, with cabins, a diner and a chance for some arts and entertainment—catch regular live music on-site. A warm and dry climate and small-town charm make Maupin easy to love and the perfect getaway for year-round outdoor recreation in Central Oregon.

MAUPIN BY THE NUMBERS

Population: 429 Elevation: 1,345 Deschutes River: 252 miles

Rafting the Deschutes River

White River Falls

PHOTOS JONATHON CHANDLER

LA PINE

CENTRAL OREGON’S NEWEST CITY OFFERS PICTURESQUE VIEWS OF TOWERING PINES, PEAKS AND THE NEARBY NEWBERRY CALDERA.

LA PINE BY THE NUMBERS

Population: 2,512 Elevation: 4,236 feet Incorporated: 2006

LA PINE IS A SPARSELY POPULATED, FORESTED COMMUNITY in the heart of some of Oregon’s most stunning volcanic scenery. It’s also a place for unique small-town shopping, dining and drinking, with a growing number of establishments catering to locals and visitors. The Newberry National Volcanic Monument features the biggest volcano in the state. The volcano’s massive dome collapsed around 500,000 years ago, leaving behind the spectacular caldera we can all visit today. Explore thousands of acres of

lava-laden scenery, including obsidian flows, vents, cinder cones, hidden pockets of magma, the nearly 8,000-foot Paulina Peak, the Big Obsidian Flow and East and Paulina lakes.

La Pine is situated south of the Newberry Caldera, and is a quiet city where pine trees, open spaces and small-town charm reign. Events liven up the summer, from La Pine Frontier Days and Rodeo to the Rhubarb Festival. From here, explore the wide-open high desert, mountains and rivers of Newberry Country.

Big Obsidian Flow

PHOTO JONATHON CHANDLER

TO-DO LIST

HERE ARE THREE WAYS TO ENJOY A WEEKEND IN LA PINE.

Cider Tasting

Is there anything more refreshing than ending a day of hiking with a cold hard cider? The ciders at Legend Cider are juice-inspired with a strong focus on wellbalanced flavors, without the use of artificial ingredients. Examples include the Siskiyou Strawberry Lemonade, the PCT (pineapple, coconut, tiki) punch or the Mt. Mazama Mango.

Towering Trees

See the largest known ponderosa pine in the world which is located near La Pine and is easily accessible from La Pine State Park, about 11 miles (or 15 minutes) north of town. A short, paved trail near the park entrance leads to “Big Tree,” thought to be 500 or more years old. The park also offers year-round camping and hiking along the Deschutes River.

Artisan Town

La Pine is known for its creative community. Find handmade goods and learn more about local makers at Made in La Pine. The store is located at the La Pine Chamber of Commerce and features apparel, cards, woodworking, squeaky dog bones, books and more. Find one-of-a-kind gifts by local artisans and great souvenirs.

Legend Cider Company

La Pine Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center

“Big Tree,” La Pine State Park

WELCOME TO SUMMER IN CENTRAL OREGON

IT’S A TIME FOR MORNING RUNS on the river trail, daytime floats down the winding Deschutes River and evening sips of craft beer under the stars. Long days of sunshine, clear skies and fun adventures make Central Oregon a summertime paradise. Spend your vacation days at some of the world’s best alpine lakes, hiking up or riding

down scenic singletrack trails, exploring wildflowercovered meadows, casting a line into a trout-filled river or taking a swing on a world-renowned golf course. Spend crisp evenings casting a flyline, hanging out by the firepit and listening to music. Sleep peacefully in the cool high desert air dreaming of the next day’s adventures.

Soak up the sun! Daytime highs in sunny Central Oregon average about 85 degrees in the summer.

Paulina Peak

A SEASON FOR OUTDOOR PLAY

WHETHER YOU HAVE A WEEKEND, a week or longer, aim to check as many of these summer activities off your to-do list during your warm weather visit to Central Oregon.

Hit the greens

With 30 golf courses less than an hour’s drive apart, Central Oregon is a internationally recognized golf destination. Reserve a tee time and pack your irons. Check out centraloregongolftrail.com to get started.

Play on the water

Cruise southwest out of Bend on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, where a watery wonderland of 12 alpine lakes awaits. Here you’ll find views

of snow-capped peaks and opportunities for kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding. Prefer a flowing river? Fish, float or swim in the Deschutes, Metolius or Crooked rivers.

Hop on two wheels

Choose from 300 miles of singletrack, some mellow enough for beginners, some technical and adrenaline inducing. On the pavement, Central Oregon is home to five of the state’s 15 scenic bikeways. Competitive? Check local calendars for mountain biking, cyclocross and road races traditionally held in the area.

Hit the trail

Whether you’re after an easy, flat stroll or a dawn-to-dusk trek, there’s a hiking trail for you. Waterfalls, 360-degree views, lake loops and river walks are all here.

Drop a line

The Deschutes is famous for its native redside rainbow trout and annual steelhead runs. The small er Metolius boasts monster bull trout, and Crane Prairie Reservoir, Davis Lake and East Lake are noted for their trophy trout. Wade or boat the waters on your own, or hook up with a guiding service for the inside scoop. Get a fishing license online at myodfw.com.

Paddle the river

On summer days, the river through Bend’s Old Mill District is full of floaters on rafts, kayaks, paddleboards and tubes. Put in at Farewell Bend Park, navigate the Bend Whitewater Park (experts only in the center lane!) and take out in Drake Park.

Stay on designated trails and areas to protect the landscape. Don’t take anything home but your trash—and please, please take your trash with you. Make wildfire prevention a top priority.

PHOTO

MOUNTAIN BIKING

TAKE A RIDE ON HUNDREDS OF MILES OF SINGLETRACK.

Newberry Caldera

The Paulina Plunge Downhill Waterfall Mountain Bike Tour is a spectacular, shuttle-powered climb with a fun and steep elevation change back to the base of the mountain. Take a dip in Paulina or East lakes to cool off after a big day of riding. Learn more at paulinaplunge.com.

Mt. Bachelor

Mt. Bachelor’s Bike Park delivers downhill thrills in the summer and fall. Hop on the chairlift and cruise down intermediate and advanced trails with more than 1,300 feet of vertical drop per run, or check out the base area jumps.

Redmond

The Maston area is a winter riding option just off Cline Falls Highway. Try the Rockbar Trail over lava rocks and overlooking the Deschutes River.

Prineville

The Round Mountain/Lookout Mountain loop offers 35 miles of riding and nearly 6,000 feet of climbing. Gravel riding near Prineville has taken off in popularity, with trails through the Ochoco Mountains. In town, try the Lower 66 trail system for singletrack in city limits.

Bend

Phil’s Trail is the region’s most popular network, accessed by the trailhead just a couple of minutes from Bend off Skyliners Road. Riders will find a well-marked maze of diverse singletrack through ponderosa pine forest.

Sisters

Peterson Ridge Trail System is a local favorite, accessible from downtown Sisters. First developed in 1989, a major expansion in 2008 pushed the system to more than 20 miles of trails.

Terrebonne

Smith Rock State Park offers some of the most scenic trails in Oregon. Connect to adjacent BLM land for extended rides.

Prepare before you head out, consider what you want to see and experience, your group’s physical abilities and what’s realistic to do in the time you have. Can you visit off peak to avoid crowds?

Mt. Bachelor

OUTPLAY ALL DAY.

MILES OF TRACKS THAT EVEN MOM & DAD CAN HANDLE AT THE BEST PLAYGROUND IN THE WEST.

GRAVEL BIKING

HEAD OFF-PAVEMENT FOR SOME GRAVEL ROUTE EXPLORATION.

LOOKING TO ENJOY A SCENIC RIDE through beautiful Central Oregon, but aren’t in the mood for the adrenaline rush of singletrack mountain biking or want to avoid the traffic of road cycling? Then gravel cycling, which continues to grow in popularity, might be the perfect solution. A cross between road biking and mountain biking, riding gravel offers stunning views and off-the-beaten-path adventures.

Gravel Bikes

Gravel bikes are designed to be ridden across various terrain, combining the drop handlebars and sporty geometry of a road bike with the wider tires and lower gearing of a mountain bike. This design creates a comfortable ride on and off roads, allowing riders to link together gravel, dirt and paved routes. Sagebrush Cycles and Pine Mountain Sports in Bend and Blazing Saddles in Sisters offer gravel bike rentals for those itching to get some riding under their belt.

gravel rides to try

Once you have your hands on a bike, it’s time to find a route that works for you, and Dirty Freehub is a great resource for all things gravel cycling. Husband and wife duo Kevin and Linda English created Dirty Freehub as a way to share the best gravel riding routes out there. Detailed route descriptions, photos, maps, podcasts and more are available at dirtyfreehub.org to help cyclists. To get started, try one of these routes that are part of the Cascades Gravel Scenic Bikeway, curated by Dirty Freehub and Visit Bend.

water & Lava 15 OR 31 MILES | EASY

The 15-mile version of this entry-level ride takes riders from the Aspen Day Use Area southwest of Bend to the Lava Lands Visitor Center and back. For a longer ride, start at LOGE Bend on Century Drive.

big red 17-MILE LOOP | EASY-MODERATE

This scenic loop begins in the Three Rivers area south of Sunriver and takes riders to La Pine State Park. At mile 5.5, stop to see “Big Red,” also called “Big Tree,” a ponderosa pine tree that is among the oldest and biggest in the world.

poke the bear 33-MILE LOOP | CHALLENGING

See views of Mount Jefferson and the Three Sisters while completing this loop just east of Madras, passing hills, creeks and historic ranches along the way. The route ends with a 27-foot sculpture of a bear in the center of a roundabout back in town.

SCENIC BIKEWAYS

EXPLORE AT YOUR OWN SPEED ON ONE OF THE REGION’S MANY SCENIC BIKEWAYS.

Twin Bridges Loop

36 MILES ROUND TRIP | EASY-MODERATE

Begin in Bend’s downtown Drake Park and pedal into farm and ranch country, rolling through rimrock canyons with views of snow-capped peaks. Cross the Deschutes River at Twin Bridges Road and roll through Tumalo State Park before returning to Bend.

Crooked River Canyon

37

MILES OUT AND BACK | MODERATE

Start at Rimrock Park in Prineville and within just a few miles, find yourself in a scenic, rural landscape, with buttes and mountains in every direction. Follow the Crooked River south past llama farms and cattle ranches into the Crooked River Canyon. Towering basalt cliffs guide the way to scenic views of the river, anglers and wildlife. After 19 miles, take a break at Big Bend Campground before turning around and riding back the way you came.

Sherars Falls

33-MILE LOOP | MODERATE

Begin in the heart of Maupin, then climb onto the high plateau between the Deschutes and White rivers. After 1,000 feet in elevation gain, drop into Tygh Valley, cross the White River and Highway 197, pass White River Falls State Park and wind down toward the Deschutes River and Sherars Falls.

Sisters to Smith Rock

37 MILES ONE WAY | MODERATE

This route weaves through Sisters Country to Smith Rock State Park and the Crooked River, which winds at the base of the volcanic, multi-colored formations. It is a perfect point-to-point ride if you leave a support vehicle in the public parking area at each end.

McKenzie Pass

37 MILES ONE WAY | CHALLENGING

Climb through the forest up to a volcanic lava rock, moonscape-like summit. Stop at the Dee Wright Observatory, built from lava rock, and take in spectacular views of the Three Sisters mountains.

Crooked River Canyon

TRAILS FOR ALL

CENTRAL OREGON IS A PARADISE FOR HIKERS AND EXPLORERS, with hikes of all lengths for all abilities. Whether you’re backpacking in the wilderness, trail running through the trees, meandering along the river or peering up the walls of a rimrock canyon, hiking in Central Oregon is full of rewards. Find the trail that best suits you.

Know Before You Go

On your way out of Bend on the Cascade Lakes Highway, stop at the Deschutes National Forest Service Interpretive Center for parking passes and info on hiking, including the new Central Cascades Wilderness Permit system, launched in 2021 for summer hiking.

Steelhead Falls

EASY TO MODERATE | 1 MILE OUT AND BACK | CROOKED RIVER RANCH

A short hike along a steep riverbank takes you to this wide falls and its pool, perfect for a quick swim on a hot summer day. Fishing is also popular at spots along the riverbank here.

Steelhead Falls

Dee Wright Memorial Trail

EASY | 1 MILE OUT AND BACK | HWY. 242, WEST OF

SISTERS

View the Cascade Mountains from a paved trail with interpretive signs throughout one of the most recent lava flows in America. Closed in the winter.

Deschutes River Trail

EASY

| 3-MILE LOOP | SW REED MARKET ROAD, BEND

From Farewell Bend Park, hike upstream into a canyon with soaring pines and steep lava tuff walls. A scenic footbridge midway completes the loop.

La Pine State Park

EASY | UP TO 11 MILES | NORTH OF LA PINE

Flat trails follow the Deschutes and Fall rivers. Hike the Big Pine Loop, named for the 500-year-old ponderosa pine you’ll encounter along the way.

Pilot Butte State Park

EASY TO MODERATE | 2-MILE LOOP | HWY. 20, BEND

On this volcano right within city limits, a nature trail and paved road (closed to vehicles during winter) offer routes to fantastic panoramas from the top.

paulina creek Falls

MODERATE | UP TO 4 MILES ROUND TRIP | EAST OF LA PINE

A short, accesible trail descends 200 feet to an upper viewing area, while a longer 4-mile hike leads to a lower viewpoint ending at Paulina Creek.

Black Butte

MODERATE | 4 MILES OUT AND BACK | NORTHWEST OF SISTERS

A steep climb to a glorious view, Black Butte is a heart-pounder with an amazing payoff view of the Cascade Range. Check out the fire lookout at the top.

Canyon Creek Meadows

MODERATE | 8 MILES OUT AND BACK | JACK LAKE TRAILHEAD

Travel through wildflower meadows with craggy mountain peaks towering overhead to views of an alpine lake, a waterfall and more Cascade peaks.

PaulinaCreekFalls

All trails listed in this section are dog-friendly. Please leash and clean up after dogs. PHOTO

MORE HIKES

TIME TO CLIMB

TOUTED AS AN INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED CLIMBER’S PARADISE, Smith Rock in Terrebonne has more than 1,800 climbing routes. Comprised of welded tuff, or compressed volcanic ash, the major rock faces include popular climbing routes such as Monkey Face, The Dihedrals and Morning Glory Wall. Scale these routes high above the Crooked River or find a local shop in Bend or Redmond to inquire about other climbing opportunities in the Central Oregon area. Known as the birthplace of U.S. sport climbing, many of Smith Rock’s routes were developed by

Bend resident Alan Watts, who went on to write a guidebook on climbing at Smith Rock. Check out Rock Climbing: Smith Rock State Park for detailed info on the routes within the park.

Smith Rock State Park has helped put Central Oregon on the map in the world of sport climbing, and in 2019 and 2020, USA Climbing’s Bouldering National Championships were held at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in nearby Redmond.

Smith Rock State Park

GET TO KNOW THE PARK

Where it is

Smith Rock State Park is located in Terrebonne, 40 minutes north of Bend or 15 minutes north of Redmond.

When to go

The park is typically open dawn until dusk, yearround. The best climbing is during spring and fall, when temperatures are cooler.

What it costs

Stop by the park’s Welcome Center for a $5 day-use parking permit (debit/credit cards and exact cash accepted), or bring an annual Oregon State Parks pass for entry.

Where to stay

Walk-in tent camping is typically available year-round at the Bivouac Camp (aka The Bivy), the on-site campground at the park. Camping is $8 per person per night. There are some nightly rentals in the area and the closest hotel lodging is in nearby Redmond.

where to learn

Take an intro to climbing class at Bend Rock Gym if you’re a beginner, or a private lesson to brush up on your technique and prepare for the outdoors. An indoor climbing wall can be a great way for kids to burn off energy.

Get guided

With an experienced guide, you’ll find the best sunny winter routes and shady summer crags. Established in 1983, Smith Rock Climbing School is the oldest guiding service for Smith Rock State Park. Climbing can be a great family activity, and children 7 or younger are free with a family climbing lesson. Other options include Chockstone Climbing Guides and Now! Climbing Guides, and She Moves Mountains is a great option for women looking for female guidance and climbing mentors.

Let someone know where you’re headed and when you plan to be back. Tuck some cash in your pocket for park fees (that help maintain our natural spaces).

Smith Rock State Park

MORE ON SMITH ROCK

CAST A LINE

FLY OR SPINNER, LAKE OR RIVER, you’re going to get hooked on fishing in Central Oregon. There’s no shortage of fishing holes in this region, with 50 different locales within 90 minutes of Bend identified as good fishing spots by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Find year-round trout fishing in the Deschutes, Metolius and Crooked rivers and excellent trout and kokanee fishing in many Central Oregon lakes. The lower Deschutes, a tributary of the

Columbia River, also boasts Chinook salmon and summer steelhead. Link up with an experienced guide for a better chance of reeling one in. The Hook in Sunriver offers half- and full-day guided trips to the Cascake Lakes, while Littleleaf Guide Service offers trips on the Deschutes River within the Warm Springs Reservation. Most local fishing shops can connect would-be anglers with guides.

License to Fish

New to fishing? Oregon fishing licenses are required for youth and adults and are available as daily, multi-day or annual permits. Keep an eye out for free fishing weekends, planned seasonally by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Find more info at myodfw.com.

FISH ON!

Trout

Oregon’s No. 1 game fish; look for native rainbow trout in the Metolius and lower Deschutes or hatchery fish stocked in lakes.

Bass

Try Wickiup Reservoir or Crane Prairie Reservoir in late spring and early summer for bountiful bass fishing.

Steelhead

Take advantage of impressive summer steelhead runs on the lower Deschutes, a tributary of the Columbia, between July and early December.

Kokanee

Landlocked sockeye salmon thrive in deep coldwater lakes. Try East, Paulina, Odell and Crescent lakes, Wickiup Reservoir and Lake Billy Chinook.

PHOTO MAX RHULEN

WHITEWATER RAFTING

AT TIMES, OUR LOCAL RIVERS RUN LAZILY through Central Oregon—carrying floaters through Bend and Tumalo with soft and easy currents. At other points though, the Deschutes and McKenzie rivers barrel through narrow canyons, churning past rocks and creating class-II, class-III, and class-IV rapids that offer some of the best rafting in the state. For those who consider themselves to be more of the adventurous whitewater seeker than the lazy afternoon floater, these are some of the best spots in Central Oregon to find a fun filled day on the water.

Upper Deschutes

Just a few miles south of Bend is the popular Big Eddy Thriller, a three-mile stretch of river that offers scenic flatwater as well as adrenaline inducing class-II rapids. Most tours run about three hours with plenty of time to cool off at the various swimming holes between rapids. The guides at Sun Country Tours ensure that everyone on board is comfortable and prepared to run through the rapids, making the trip just as fun for first-time visitors as it is for seasoned rafters.

Lower Deschutes

Some of the biggest whitewater thrills that Central Oregon has to offer can be found on the lower Deschutes near the river-centric town of Maupin. Splashy class-III rapids, such as Boxcar and Oak Springs, rush through rugged rimrock canyons and offer high adrenaline fun in gorgeous landscapes. With half- and fullday tours available with Ouzel Outfitters, Sun Country Tours and Imperial River Co., everyone will be able to find the experience they’re looking for.

McKenzie River

The Mckenzie River, just west of Sisters, flows through beautiful alpine scenery and is home to an abundance of swirling rapids. Take in the beautiful clear waters and tree-filled river banks as you splash through numerous class-II rapids. The Mckenzie’s consistent but mild rapids make it a favorite rafting trip among families and beginners. Book a half-day or full-day expedition with Ouzel Outfitters or High Country Expeditions to take in the beauty of the Mckenzie River.

UNDER THE NIGHT SKY

STARGAZE UNDER SOME OF THE DARKEST SKIES IN THE WORLD.

CENTRAL OREGON’S MINIMAL LIGHT POLLUTION and wide-open skies have earned it worldwide acclaim, with two areas—Prineville Reservoir State Park and Sunriver—officially recognized as International Dark Sky Places. Beyond these dark sky hubs, the region is home to a variety of other ways to see the stars in clear focus.

Sunriver

Sunriver, a certified International Dark Sky Place, keeps light pollution low and stargazing top-notch. The community has implemented lighting restrictions on residential and community buildings and has minimal street lights to keep the night sky pristine. Check out the Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory, the largest publicly accessible observatory in the country. See snco.org.

Pine Mountain Observatory

The Pine Mountain Observatory, located southeast of Bend, is operated by the University of Oregon’s Department of Physics. While the observatory’s primary purpose is research, it is typically open to the public on Friday and Saturday nights during the summer. Just across the road from the observatory is a campground offering stargazers a place to rest their heads after a visit. See pmo.uoregon.edu.

Worthy Brewing Hopservatory

Worthy Brewing in Bend stands out not only for the great craft beer on tap but for the onsite “hospervatory” at the east side location. Walk up the spiral staircase to find a 16-inch research-grade telescope, perfect for viewing the stars, galaxies and planets while under the guidance of the brewery’s resident astronomer. Grab a beer and do some stargazing. See worthygardenclub.com.

More Stargazing

Take a drive on a clear night or plan a camping excursion anywhere in the region to take advantage of Central Oregon’s dark skies and minimal light pollution. Canoe under the stars with Wanderlust Tours of Bend or learn to capture the night sky from pros at Bend Photo Tours

PHOTO RICHARD BACON

Todd Lake

PLAY Golf BLAZE A GOLF TRAIL

EXPLORE THE CENTRAL OREGON GOLF TRAIL, OFFERING MORE THAN TWO DOZEN SCENIC AND DIVERSE COURSES, DESIGNED BY THE GAME’S GREATEST NAMES.

WITH 30 COURSES WITHIN 30 MILES OF BEND, golf might be the only attraction more plentiful than breweries in Central Oregon. With an abundance of courses, including at luxury resorts, and plentiful sunny days, Central Oregon is a golfer’s paradise. Accolades for Central Oregon’s golf resorts pour in each year. Pronghorn Club at Juniper Preserve, Crosswater and Tetherow are among Golf Digest’s best courses in Oregon. Thanks to an 18-hole, real-grass putting

course and Caldera Links, a nine-hole short course, Sunriver Resort was named a top-10 family golf destination by Golf Digest. Not sure where to begin?

Let the Central Oregon Golf Trail guide your way, offering an overview of the 30 courses within Central Oregon in one place, at centraloregongolftrail.com.

Set up shop in Sunriver or Bend and try a new course every day. The website also offers ideas for where to stay, eat and what else to do in the region.

Looking for more golf insights?

See centraloregongolftrail.com for more information.

Black Butte Ranch

PLAY A ROUND

WITH EPIC HIGH DESERT AND FOREST SCENERY AND IMMACULATE CONDITIONS, OUR COURSES ARE SOME OF THE BEST.

Masterfully created Renowned course designers have made their mark in Central Oregon. These include Jack Nicklaus, who designed the Juniper Preserve course that bears his name, and David McLay Kidd, the mastermind behind Tetherow’s course.

Scroll-stopping views

Course features such as the tight tree-lined fairways of Widgi Creek or the railcar bridge to the 16th hole on an island at Lost Tracks will add photo ops to your game. Take in beautiful canyon vistas at Crooked River Ranch or bask in the sun between massive mountains and an 11,000-square-foot putting green at Aspen Lakes, just east of Sisters.

Year-round possibilities

Several courses are open year-round, including Meadow Lakes in Prineville and Redmond’s Juniper Golf Course. The latter has hosted the Oregon Open numerous times. Each golf course has its own story, and there’s a home for every level of player.

Brasada Ranch

Meadow Lakes

Top 100 Courses

GOLF DIGEST’S PICKS

No. 40

Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Pronghorn Club

This course cuts through lava outcroppings over which snowcapped peaks loom in the distance. It plays fast and firm and features some of the finest putting surfaces in all of Oregon. Juniper Preserve is a true luxury experience in Central Oregon, with a Tuscan-style clubhouse, tasty (and tasteful) restaurants and vacation rentals. Stay at the 105-room, luxury accommodation Juniper Lodge.

No. 61

Crosswater Club at Sunriver Resort

The resort’s signature course has been beloved since it opened more than 20 years ago. The heathland-style layout is inviting off the tee, but a beast from the fairway where approach shots have to find challenging, narrow greens. Sunriver Resort is home to 63 holes of golf, including Meadows, the site of several NCAA championship events.

No. 82

Tetherow

This David McLay Kidd masterpiece is in the middle of Bend—yet looks like it was transported straight from seaside Scotland. The true links-style course features plenty of fescue, knobs and knolls and is truly known as a local favorite, located between town and the national forest. The resort and surrounding neighborhood continue to develop, so stop by to see the lodges, event center, spa and pool and the newest homes here.

THE LATEST BI-ANNUAL RANKINGS OF COURSES ACROSS THE U.S. HAVE ONCE AGAIN IDENTIFIED THESE CENTRAL OREGON RESORTS AMONG THE TOP IN THE COUNTRY.

Tetherow

Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Pronghorn Club

Crosswater Club at Sunriver Resort

These Central Oregon courses are among the best in the country, according to Golf Digest

Golf COURSE COMMUTE

STEP ASIDE GOLF CARTS, THERE ARE NEW WAYS TO GET AROUND THE COURSE.

HERE IN CENTRAL OREGON, golf meets innovation with a growing number of golf course transportation options available at area courses, offering alternatives to walking the course or traveling in a golf cart. Golfers have been exploring more sporty, exciting options for on-the-course transportation for some time, including those inspired by surfing, skateboarding, scootering and more. Next time you hit the course, ditch the traditional golf cart and consider one of these fun means of alternative transportation instead.

GolfBoards

Take a surfboard-shaped platform, add a lithium-ion battery pack, four turf tires and power control system, and you have what many in the golf industry say is one of the best products on the course. GolfBoards offer individual riders their own space when cruising from one hole to the next. They’re part golf cart, part

skateboard and part surfboard, powerful enough to carry a golfer and gear for 18 holes, and yet more turf-friendly than the typical electric or gas-powered golf cart. GolfBoard was founded right here in Central Oregon. The Bend-based business brings local and national credibility, with surfing legend Laird Hamilton a co-founder of the company.

Scooters and cycles

Electric golf scooters or cycles combine the look and feel of a motorcycle and a scooter, with space for a golf bag and gear and a single rider. They’re electric and lightweight, meaning there’s minimal wear on the course and they travel a bit faster than a traditional cart. Head directly to your own ball, wherever it may land, on these fun modes of transportation. In Central Oregon, try Phat Golf Scooters or Finn Cycles, which both offer rentals at local courses.

WHERE TO TRY

GOLFBOARDS

PHAT GOLF SCOOTERS

FINN CYCLES

GolfBoards at Tetherow

Home to four award-winning golf courses, outstanding accommodations, homestead inspired cuisine, an amazing full-service spa, horseback riding, as well as a wide variety of once-in-a-lifetime Western experiences.

“There’s year ‘round fun for everyone” at The Retreat, Links & Spa at Silvies Valley Ranch.

Bend

Awbrey Glen Golf Club** 541-385-6011 awbreyglen.com

Bend Golf & Country Club** 541-382-3261 bendgolfclub.com

Brasada Canyons* 888-373-3563 brasada.com

Broken Top Club** 541-383-8200 brokentop.com

Pronghorn Club Jack Nicklaus Signature Course 866-320-5024 juniperpreserve.com

Pronghorn Club Tom Fazio Championship Course** 866-320-5024/541-693-5365 juniperpreserve.com

Lost Tracks Golf Club 541-385-1818 losttracks.com

Old Back Nine at Mountain High 541-382-1111 oldbacknine.com

River's Edge Golf Course 541-389-2828 riversedgegolfbend.com

Tetherow Golf Club* 844-431-9701 / Tee Times 541-213-2424 tetherow.com

Widgi Creek Golf Club 541-382-4449 ext. 1 widgi.com La

Quail

Eagle

BLANKETS OF SNOW AND BLUEBIRD SKIES

AS THE SEASONS CHANGE, Central Oregonians swap out gear and prepare for a different set of adventures, this time in the snow. Winter offers a whole new world of activities, from skiing and snowboarding to snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice skating and fat biking. Grab fresh tracks at Mt. Bachelor in the morning and then head down the mountain for fireside après ski at any number of restaurants and breweries.

Know your limits and when to stop for the day. Follow the signs; they’re there to tell you important stuff like how to avoid injuries and not get lost.

Mt. Bachelor

PHOTO COURTESY MT. BACHELOR

Trudge along

Try marked snowshoe routes with warming huts at Virginia Meissner or Swampy Lakes sno-parks, off Century Drive (no fee, but look for donation boxes to contribute to grooming), or join a U.S. Forest Service naturalist at Mt. Bachelor on a free tour to learn about winter ecology, local wildlife and plants.

Twirl on ice

Explore four rinks around Central Oregon. In addition to the rinks at The Village in Sunriver and Seventh Mountain Resort near Bend, visit Bend’s NHL-sized recreation hub, The Pavilion. In Redmond, visit the 4,000-square-foot downtown ice skating rink.

Cruise on two big tires

Enjoy the winter wonderland on two wheels via a fat bike—a mountain bike with extra-wide tires, perfect for churning through snow. Try ProjectBike, Cog Wild or Pine Mountain Sports in Bend for rentals.

Earn your turns

For those experienced in backcountry safety, explore the skiing opportunities north and northwest of the Mt. Bachelor ski area. For longer but worthwhile runs, try the backcountry in Newberry National Volcanic Monument or the Three Sisters volcanic peaks. Visit coavalanche.org for the forecasts and observations from the Central Oregon Avalanche Center before heading into the backcountry.

Slide down hills

Bring the whole family to Wanoga Sno-Park, located off Century Drive on the route to Mount Bachelor, for a day of sledding. There’s ample parking and plenty of room for sledding, tobogganing or tubing. Pack a thermos with a warm drink or grab hot chocolate from the snack trailer in the parking lot. North of Sisters, visit the Autobahn Tubing Park at Hoodoo Ski Area. Or visit SHARC’s snow-tubing hill in Sunriver for all-day family fun.

ride a sled

Explore the backcountry via snowmobile on hundreds of miles of groomed and well-marked trails. If you don’t have a snowmobile, rent one through Central Oregon Adventures. Take off from Wanoga Sno-Park, Edison Butte on the road between Mount Bachelor and Sunriver, Newberry National Volcanic Monument in La Pine or the Ray Benson Sno-Park west of Sisters. Locals love the trip from Dutchman Flat to Elk Lake.

Kick and glide

Charge along trails groomed for skate and classic cross-country skiing at the Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center. Or for volunteer-groomed trails, head to the Virginia Meissner Sno-Park. Ungroomed skiing on marked trails is also available at 14 sno-parks, or blaze your own trail in the Deschutes National Forest.

Local Tip

Cliff Agocs, Oregon Mountain Guides

“Our local avalanche center (coavalanche.org) provides a daily hazard forecast. I check it every time I travel in the backcountry. Even if you’re not going into avalanche terrain, the detailed weather discussion and crowd-sourced conditions updates are helpful while planning your trip.”

Swampy Lakes Shelter

PHOTO TOP BY RICHARD BACON | BOTTOM AUSTIN SHEPARD

GUIDED EXCURSIONS

Dog sledding

In addition to downhill sports, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, Mt. Bachelor offers regularly scheduled dogsled tours led by qualified guides. Oregon Trail of Dreams, owned by an Iditarodcompeting family, takes guests on once-in-a-lifetime adventures to parts of the forest many people never see. Meet some of the team’s 100 Alaskan huskies, and feel their power as they pull you along.

Fat biking and Moonbikes

Bundle up for a guided fat tire biking tour with outfitter Cog Wild, venturing to fat tire bike-specific trails at local sno-parks or farther into the backcountry on groomed roads at higher elevations. The all-levels tours end at Cog Wild headquarters with post-ride refreshments. For more snowy exploration, try a MoonBike tour, offered by Outriders Northwest Zip around on ultra-light electric snowbikes, a greener alternative to snowmobiling.

OREGON ADAPTIVE SPORTS

Backcountry skiing

In the backcountry, there’s no worrying about the best runs getting tracked out by noon—there’s always plenty of powder to go around. For rentals and information, Pine Mountain Sports in Bend is a good place to start. For guidance exploring, book a backcountry skiing adventure with Oregon Ski Guides, like a one-day Broken Top Bowl Tour to explore the couloirs and open faces of Broken Top in the Cascade Range.

LOOKING FOR ADAPTIVE ADVENTURES IN CENTRAL OREGON? Oregon

Adaptive Sports was established in Bend in the 1990s as a way to get people of all abilities on the ski slopes. More than two decades later, the organization has expanded to offer adaptive activities year-round, including golfing, cycling and rock climbing, to locals and Central Oregon visitors alike.

Winter programs with Oregon Adaptive Sports include skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Mt. Bachelor or Hoodoo Ski Area. Private, individual lessons are offered during the ski season, with each lesson crafted to fit the needs and goals of the participants. Take to the slopes and experience the beauty of the Cascade Range from the top of the mountain. Learn more at oregonadaptivesports.org.

Broken Top Bowl

PHOTO TOP BRANDON NIXON

POWDER PERFECTION

MT. BACHELOR’S REPUTATION FOR DEEP POWDER, a long season and incredible vistas is well deserved. The 360-degree, lift-served mountain provides views for miles north over the Three Sisters Wilderness, west over the high Cascade Lakes, south toward Crater Lake and east over the high desert.

One of its newest lifts at the 4,318-acre resort is Cloudchaser, a 1,448-vertical-foot high-speed quad on the east side of the mountain. Get your

adrenaline pumping with big air and tricks at the terrain parks. Or take it a little easier at the Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center, with 56 kilometers of groomed trails for both skate skiing and classic skiing.

Stop for a bite at Egan’s Outpost, a mobile food truck that moves around the mountain, or refuel at the car before heading back into a winter playground. This is the stuff dreams are made of.

Experiencing the quiet, awe-inspiring beauty of nature can not only uplift your spirits, it can improve your health. Think of Oregon’s vast outdoors as your place to relax and recharge.

Mt. Bachelor

FORWARD THINKING UPHILL TRAVEL

ON DECEMBER 19, 1958, Bill Healy led the effort to found the Bachelor Butte Ski Area, offering two rope tows and a 3,900-foot-long Poma lift for skiers. During the cross-country ski boom in the 1970s, the folks at Mt. Bachelor were early adopters, adding a groomed trail system. Mt. Bachelor is also one of America’s first ski areas to welcome snowboarders, embrace telemark skiing and install high-speed lifts. The people at Mt. Bachelor have always been forward thinkers.

WITH ITS SURGE IN POPULARITY, resorts around the country including Mt. Bachelor are implementing uphill policies. Skiers and snowboarders looking to skin up Mt. Bachelor are permitted to use three areas of the mountain, though backcountry knowledge and preparation are expected. Hike the Mt. Bachelor Cinder Cone near the West Village parking lot or up to Pine Marten Lodge or Summit, only when lifts are running. For those looking to skin inbounds, check out Mt. Bachelor’s uphill travel policy.

Play Safely!

Ski with a buddy or in a group when possible, obey posted signs and be prepared for changing conditions.

FAST FACTS

Elevation: Summit 9,065 feet Base: 6,300 feet Vertical: 3,365 feet Runs: 101 Skiable acres: 4,318 Average base: 150-200 inches

Alpine terrain: 15% easy, 35% more difficult, 30% most difficult, 20% extreme Day lodges: Six, including Pine Marten Lodge and the Nordic Center. High speed internet in Sunrise and West Village base lodges.

Nordic skiing: More than a dozen trails with 56 km of machine-groomed tracks.

Kids ski/ride free: Kids under 5 always ski free. Open seven days a week mtbachelor.com

PHOTOS CHRISTIAN MURILLO

WHAT’S NEW AT MT. BACHELOR

NUTS for AVY Pups

Mt. Bachelor debuted its newest avalanche rescue dog in training in May 2022. Golden retriever Cashew was born in early 2022, and she joins the resort’s team of rescue dogs, which include golden retrievers Mango, Banyon and Shasta and border collie Ruddy. Between posing for photos and melting hearts at the base area last spring, Cashew was busy training to potentially assist with mountain rescues in coming seasons. Keep an eye out for her and the other avalanche rescue dogs while visiting the resort this winter.

skyliner reboot

More skiers and snowboarders will be cruising up Mt. Bachelor’s Skyliner lift in the near future, as the resort plans to upgrade Skyliner to a six-person, highspeed lift in summer 2023. The new Skyliner will have an increased capacity of 50 percent, helping to move skiers and snowboarders up the mountain faster. CEO John McLeod said, “I’m very excited that Skyliner will be our first six-pack being at the very heart of our resort in so many ways.” Chairs are expected to be spinning on the new Skyliner lift in time for the 2023-24 season.

Mt. Bachelor app

Mt. Bachelor’s smartphone app, launched in 2021, continues to improve, offering guests a more connected on-the-mountain experience. In addition to real-time information for skiers about lift line wait times, the app also allows friends to ski together, tracking their locations while skiing and recapping vertical feet and runs skied at the end of each day. The app has a leaderboard for skiers to compare their number of days on the mountain to others, weather reports and additional features. The app is available for iOS and Android.

PHOTO LEFT AND TOP RIGHT COURTESY MT. BACHELOR

HOODOO

ON THE SUMMIT OF SANTIAM PASS, HOODOO IS A FAMILY-FRIENDLY SKI DESTINATION IN OUR BACKYARD.

THE HOODOO SKI AREA JUST WEST OF SISTERS offers affordable, family-friendly charm on five lifts, including three high-speed quad lifts and 806 skiable and rideable acres. A new carpet lift helps cut down on lines and congestion for novice skiers.

Central Oregon’s only night-skiing destination, Hoodoo lets you ski under the stars (and the lights) on Wednesdays through Saturdays. Another way to enjoy this terrain is on the 19 kilometers of groomed cross-country ski trails. Even non-skiers can tap into

gravity-fueled excitement with downhill snowbikes, essentially bikes on skis. At the Autobahn Tubing Park, one of the largest cable tows in the country takes riders to the top for more than 800 feet of downhill fun.

Hoodoo also offers the most ski-in, ski-out RV hookups in Oregon. With 32 RV spaces just a few steps from the lodge, it’s easy to order a Hoodoo Voodoo IPA and tailgate right from your RV or trailer. Bring plenty of firewood and a fire pit to cozy up around the flame at night and watch the snow fall.

FAST FACTS

Elevation: Summit 5,703 feet Base: 4,668 feet

Vertical Drop: 1,035 feet Runs: 34 Lifts: 5 Skiable Acres: 806 Longest run: 3 miles

Average Annual Snow Base: 120-180”

Alpine terrain rating: 30% Novice, 30% Intermediate, 40% Advanced Day Lodge: Hoodoo has a lodge with rentals, ski shop, restaurant and bar.

Night Skiing: Offered Wednesday-Saturday nights until 9 p.m.

Nordic Skiing: Trails are groomed Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays. Open Wednesday-Sunday skihoodoo.com

Central Oregon Makers Santiam Snolab

The Santiam Snolab is a ski and snowboarding manufacturing workshop located slopeside at Hoodoo Ski Area. Here, snowsport enthusiasts can design and craft their own pair of skis or snowboard in just one day. Build gear suited to your own style and ability, offer design input for the graphics and cruise on your new equipment the next time you hit the slopes. See santiamsnolab.com.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

ONCE USED AS A MODE OF TRANSPORTATION IN SNOWY CLIMATES around the world, today cross-country skiing is a fun, low-impact sport that offers exercise, fresh air and the opportunity for exploration, guided or of your own volition. In Central Oregon, traverse hundreds of miles of groomed and ungroomed trails and explore the Deschutes National Forest in our backyard. Cross-country ski rentals are available at most ski rental shops in the region.

Groomers

If groomed, structured trails for skate and classic cross-country skiing are what you like, head to the Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center, Hoodoo Ski Area, Swampy Lakes Sno-Park or Virginia Meissner SnoPark. At Hoodoo, 19 kilometers of trails are groomed Friday through Sunday and holiday Mondays, with free access to the trails on non-groomed days. The Meissner Nordic Club manages grooming for 40 kilometers of trails at the Virginia Meissner Sno-Park each winter season, with a variety of trails to please beginners and experienced skiers.

Marked routes

If you prefer ungroomed skiing on marked trails, then try one of the region’s 14 sno-parks, designated snowy areas with parking, trails and varied services. Try the Peterson Ridge trail system near Sisters or the dog-friendly Edison Butte between Sunriver and Bend, where you can venture out to a warming hut, a great stop for hot cocoa or lunch.

Blazing trails

If making your own path through the forest is the order of the day, almost any place that has snow in the Deschutes National Forest is there waiting to be tracked. Just be sure to plan your route and prepare for the backcountry.

Don’t forget! When parking in Oregon’s sno-parks, a daily, three-day or annual sno-park permit is required.

Dutchman Flat

SNOWSHOEING

ALL AGES AND ABILITY LEVELS CAN ENJOY THIS FUN, relatively easy activity that gets us out into our Central Oregon winter wonderland. Bundle up in jackets, snow pants and gloves and strap into snowshoes to feel like you’re floating through freshly fallen snow in the forest. There’s nothing quite like the silence and peace experienced when you take a moment to pause deep into a snowshoe adventure.

Gear Up

Snowshoe rentals are available at locations around the region including Powder House Ski & Snowboard, REI, and Pine Mountain Sports in Bend, 4 Seasons in Sunriver, Eurosports in Sisters, and at Mt. Bachelor.

Mt. Bachelor

U.S. Forest Service naturalists offer free, 90-minute educational tours on weekends from mid-December to March each winter season. Tours leave from the West Village base area twice each day, and snowshoers learn about winter ecology, geology, the Deschutes National Forest watershed and plants and animals found throughout the area. Ages 10 or up, and snowshoes are provided. A junior program for kids is also offered on Sundays.

Swampy Sno-Park

At an elevation of 5,800 feet, this park has access to trails for skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers, with the Swampy trailhead launching more than 25 miles of trails with several warming shelters along the way. A few different snowshoe loops are available, including the Porcupine Loop, a 4-mile loop that travels through lodgepole pine, fir and spruce trees, gradually climbing 200 feet over Telemark Butte.

Dutchman Flat Sno-Park

One of the most popular snowshoe trails is just across from Mt. Bachelor at the Dutchman Flat Sno-Park. The Tumalo Mountain hike offers a truly spectacular view of Mount Bachelor in the distance, and while 3 miles out and back might not sound like much, 1,400 feet of elevation gain through the snow isn’t for the faint of heart. Save this snowshoe outing for after you’ve gotten your snow legs.

If you’re lucky enough to spot wildlife, use your zoom lens and observe from afar. Share trails with others. Know who manages the land you access and what the rules and regulations are.

SNOWMOBILING

THE CENTRAL OREGON WINTER BACKCOUNTRY is a wide-open national forest oasis ready to be discovered by snowmobile, with hundreds of miles of snowmobilefriendly trails. Start your trip at Wanoga or Dutchman Flat sno-parks near Mount Bachelor, or explore Edison Butte north of Sunriver or the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. If you didn’t bring your own snow machine, opt for a rental or better yet, an experienced guide to safely show you how to have the most backcountry fun you can handle. All you need is a sense of adventure and exploration.

Edison Butte

Seven miles north of Sunriver find the Edison Butte Sno-Park, a popular spot for many winter activities, with a heavy snowmobile presence. The park has restrooms, 27 miles of snowmobile trails and two warming shelters on the trail system to warm up after a morning on the snow. For experienced snowmobilers looking to rent, Central Oregon Rentals offers five- or 10-hour rentals with helmets, trail maps and a tank of fuel included.

Paulina Lake

There are more than 150 miles of snowmobile trails and surrounding terrain in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Start at the 10-Mile Sno-Park and make your way 3 miles through the snow by snowmobile (or snowshoe or cross-country ski) to the rustic Paulina Lake Lodge, typically open Friday to Sunday, late December through early March, with reservations required. Visit paulinalakelodge.com.

Dutchman Flat

Begin your snowmobile journey from Dutchman Flat, opposite Cascade Lakes Highway from the entrance to Mt. Bachelor, and travel through the snow until you reach Elk Lake Resort, a popular summertime destination not accessible by car in the winter. Here you can warm up with a hot meal before venturing back out. For a guided excursion and rental snowmobiles, link up with Central Oregon Adventures, which offers guided trips in the same region in two- or four-hour increments. The company also offers a two-hour sunset ride to watch the sun go down from a scenic vista in the mountains.

Check conditions. Pack your Ten Essentials. Got the right shoes for the terrain? Water? Cell phone? You may not always have coverage, so take a picture of the trail map or bring one with you. Consider hiring a guide.

PHOTO LANE PEARSON

PLAY, REST AND RECHARGE

THE PERFECT COMPANION TO ADVENTURE IS SOME DOWNTIME, IMMERSING THE BODY AND MIND IN FITNESS PURSUITS AND SPA EXPERIENCES.

McMenamins Old St. Francis School

BEND

Distance and endurance

With more than 50 miles of trails in Bend and hundreds of miles throughout Central Oregon’s high desert climate, it’s no surprise that Bend is regularly topping the list of the best trail-running towns in the nation. Stop into FootZone downtown for info on upcoming races, weekly runs and clinics, or pick out a new set of running shoes to lace up.

Sweat tribe

Try the Yoga Lab in the Box Factory for boutique classes, or see the growing number of fitness offerings in the Old Mill District, including Free Spirit for yoga, Orangetheory Fitness and CycleBar.

day at the spa

After you’ve worked your muscles, visit Jinsei Spa, Spa W, Radiant Day Spa or Anjou Spa. Drift Spa is the Riverhouse’s go-to relax zone. Overnight guests at McMenamins Old St. Francis School hotel can relax in the semi-enclosed soaking pool on site.

take a load off

After exploring the region’s trails or a walk around town, enjoy a pampering, holistic treatment centered around the feet and lower legs at Sole Footbar. Book a “Sole Sampler” foot soak and massage or indulge in a restorative treatment such as “My Dawgs are Barking.”

Fitness and Swim

Juniper Swim & Fitness Center and the Athletic Club of Bend offer a mix of fitness options. Try a restorative yoga class, get your cardio on with a bootcamp conditioning class, jump in the pool for a lap swim or take a swing at kickboxing.

Juniper Swim & Fitness Center

SUNRIVER

indoor aquatics

Enjoy a refreshing swim in the lap lanes at SHARC, or soothe tired muscles in the adults hot tub (ages 16 or older). Elevate your heart rate with water basketball and volleball in the pools, heated to 84 degrees.

Pamper

After a day of swimming, settle into a pampering and tranquil experience at Sunriver Resort’s Sage Springs Club & Spa. Order food and beverages as you unwind in the luxurious Relaxation Room, book a massage or have your nails done.

LA PINE

holistic wellness

Art and relaxation are on the agenda at The Studio in La Pine, which offers yoga (traditional and aerial), massage and meditation along with paint nights and art therapy.

REDMOND

wellness getaway

There’s no better place to relax and unwind than at SCP Hotel Redmond, an eco-friendly hotel with warm and earth design elements. Book a “Peaceful Room” with a meditation pillow, oil diffuser and yoga mat and without any electronics. Elevate your heart rate at The Studio, a boutique fitness space in the hotel. Afterward, the meditation room is a great place to clear your head before a day out.

SISTERS

Club classes

Step inside the 19,000-square-foot Sisters Athletic Club to find classical music playing and a lobby that doubles as an art gallery. Find a diverse selection of fitness classes and indoor fitness equipment, as well as a Mind Body Studio. The club is within the cozy mountain campus of FivePine Lodge.

Zen retreat

Settle in at Shibui Spa, a Japanese-influenced spa with a Buddhist approach to restorative relaxation. Shibui offers a sauna and soaking pool to enjoy before or after your treatment. Think of your time here as a spiritual retreat in a peaceful, Asian-influenced atmosphere enhanced by special therapies using techniques such as hot oils and crystals. The spa is also connected to FivePine Lodge, which offers romantic lodging at modern cabins in the ponderosa pines. Sisters is also home to Radiant Day Spa, offering facials and other spa treatments in a space downtown.

Sage Springs Club & Spa

Radiant Day Spa

PHOTO TOP COURTESY SUNRIVER | BOTTOM GRITCHELLE FALLESGON

For your next visit to Bend, make your own mixture of discovery and play with Bend Park & Recreation District.

• SKATE at The Pavilion’s NHL-sized ice and roller rink.

• FLOAT the Deschutes River and ride the rapids at the Bend Whitewater Park.

• SWIM and workout at Juniper Swim & Fitness Center and Larkspur Community Center.

• PLAY in the parks including Drake Park, Shevlin Park, Riley Ranch Nature Reserve and Alpenglow Park. View maps and details online and explore all the ways you can play.

Plan your play at bendparksandrec.org p. 541-389-7275

ARTS &

Stage, Screen & Festivals

POWERFUL PERFORMANCES

FROM MUSIC TO THEATER TO ART TO FILM, ARTISTIC SOULS HAVE THE SPACE TO CREATE HERE.

LIVE MUSIC

MANY RESTAURANTS AND BARS, including Worthy Brewing, and McMenamins Old St. Francis School in Bend, offer live music. Find more live music and events at Volcanic Theatre Pub, Midtown Ballroom/Domino Room and Silver Moon Brewing in Bend, The Belfry in Sisters, High Desert Music Hall in Redmond and Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards in Terrebonne.

Concerts

Summer nights are filled with international music acts—such as Jack Johnson, The Avett Brothers and Modest Mouse—playing to the crowd at the Hayden Homes Amphitheater. The sunsets are divine at this riverside venue under the open skies. Two other outdoor venues in Bend are the Athletic Club of Bend and the Century Center. DiamondStone hosts the Newberry Music Festival in July, near La Pine, and there’s a summer concert series right on the shore at Elk Lake.

music festivals

Regional and visiting musicians play free concerts during the summer at Munch & Music in downtown’s Drake Park and at the Backyard Summer Concert Series at Sunriver Resort. Bend Roots Revival in the fall features only Central Oregon artists. Classical music fans will enjoy the Sunriver Music Festival. September’s Sisters Folk Festival is a three-day event drawing the best of local and national American folk acts to the small town. Jazz fans will be pleasantly surprised to hear about Jazz at the Oxford.

Local Tip Eric Leadbetter, Central Oregon musician

“Central Oregon has a great pulse for live music, unlike anywhere else. Check out breweries like Silver Moon Brewing for live music six or seven nights a week!”

INSPIRING EVENTS

EACH OCTOBER, a series of independent events including Bend Design Week, BendFilm Festival and Bend Venture Conference bring fresh ideas and cultural perspective to town. Bend Design Week features speakers, films and conversation on design. The BendFilm Festival screens feature-length and short films from around the world in Central Oregon and virtually, hosting more than 100 films and filmmakers each year. The Bend Venture Conference shines the spotlight on entrepreneurs and businesses shaping the region. This trio of events, sometimes labeled as “Tenth Month” for when it takes place, celebrates ideas that will shape the future of the region and beyond, filling October in Bend to the brim with thoughtful, creative fun.

ART FAIRS

ARTISTS FROM AROUND NORTH AMERICA display their work in Central Oregon at a host of art fairs taking place each year. The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show each July remains the largest show of its kind in the U.S. Each August, Art in the High Desert takes place at the Deschutes County Expo Center in Redmond and Sunriver Art Fair takes over the Village in Sunriver, with proceeds supporting local nonprofits. Saturday markets and farmers markets throughout the region often feature the work of artisans and artists.

ART WALKS

ONCE A MONTH, LOCAL GALLERIES AND BUSINESSES stay open late to celebrate the talent of local artists and artisans. Stroll the streets to see a selection of art, often paired with samples of wine or snacks. Join the art walkers in downtown Bend or Redmond on the first Friday, downtown Sisters on the fourth Friday and downtown Madras on the first Monday of every month for these vibrant community celebrations.

Munch & Music

Tin Pan Alley in Bend

ART GALLERIES

CENTRAL OREGON SERVES AS THE INSPIRATION for art of many varieties, and that work goes on to be showcased in galleries throughout the region. Pick a Central Oregon community, and there’s likely a gallery (or a few) worth exploring.

Bend

Bend is home to more than a dozen art galleries and studios that are open to the public. For fine art, stop into Mockingbird Gallery or Peterson Contemporary Art, both downtown, or Tumalo Art Co. or Lubbesmeyer Art Studio & Gallery, both in the Old Mill District. Visit Jeffrey Murray Fine Art Photography downtown for crystal-clear landscape photography.

prineville

For paintings and bronze sculptures, stop by Rimrock Art Gallery, owned and managed by Pamela Claflin, who founded Bend’s Mockingbird Gallery before returning home to Prineville.

Redmond

Four Redmond locales—the Redmond Senior Center, Grace and Hammer Pizza, the SCP Redmond Hotel and the High Desert Music Hall—showcase local art as part of the Lend Me Your Walls program by Dry Canyon Arts Association. The LTA, or Lighter Than Air Gallery, has work inspired by the “art of flight.”

Sisters

The Hood Avenue Art Gallery features the work of more than 20 artists. The Sisters Gallery and Frame Shop has been a Sisters staple for nearly 30 years, showcasing photography, painting, sculptures and woodworking, as well as fine art reproductions.

Sunriver

Artists’ Gallery Sunriver Village displays the work of 30 Central Oregon artists, specializing in everything from ceramics to jewelry to photography. A rotating selection of art is on display at the Betty Gray Art Gallery at Sunriver Resort’s Main Lodge.

terrebonne

For art described as “evocative” and “symbolic,” visit the gallery of Austria native and oil painter Alfred A. Dolezal, on 11th Street in the heart of town.

Mockingbird Gallery

PHOTO ALEX JORDAN

Mockingbird Gallery

Galleries & Museums ARTS &

A. R. Bowman Museum

Launched in 1971 thanks to the generosity of Prineville’s Bowman family, the museum was expanded through contributions from community members and supporters a decade ago. Stop by to learn about the vivid pioneer history of Prineville

and surrounding Crook County. In addition to hosting visitors, the museum publishes books and field guides, offers a lecture series and conducts historical field trips.

The Museum at Warm Springs

This museum in Warm Springs has been a cultural anchor for 25 years. Discover the largest and most complete artifact collections of original art from American Indians in the West, both past and present inside the 25,000-square-foot museum. See family heirlooms, items from trades and other tribes and keepsakes passed down through generations.

Central Oregon Makers Kelli Palmer

As a member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, master basketweaver Kelli Palmer places great importance on passing down tradition. She learned the art of creating baskets from corn husks and other natural materials from her mother. Palmer has taught classes, earned awards in juried shows and shares her work regularly. warmspringsartists.org.

PHOTO TOP ALEX JORDAN

The Museum at Warm Springs

Galleries & Museums

HISTORY AND HERITAGE

LEARN ABOUT THE REGION’S CULTURE AND CHARACTER THROUGH THE MUSEUMS THAT PRESERVE AND CELEBRATE IT.

Deschutes Historical Museum

This museum sits in Bend’s first modern grammar school, the Reid School building. Rotating exhibits filled with historic photographs and personal records offer a glimpse of the high desert’s past.

High Desert Museum

Part wildlife sanctuary, part historic site, the High Desert Museum is a nationally acclaimed living-art museum frequently called the “Smithsonian of the West.” Surprises at every exhibit reveal the history, culture and nature of the region. Spend a day getting lost in the native habitat.

Fort Rock Homestead Village Museum

This display of preserved and protected homestead-era structures has been collected and moved to the museum site, southeast of La Pine near Fort Rock. The buildings have been renovated and furnished with 1900s décor, offering visitors an opportunity to step back in time and experience life in Oregon before electricity arrived.

Share your knowledge with others if it’s helpful. Support the community—eat, drink, shop and stay local. Stop by cultural centers to learn our history and relationship to place.

Fort Rock Homestead Village Museum

Deschutes Historical Museum

PHOTO BOTTOM JANA KITTREGE

MAGICAL MURALS

LARGE, HAND-PAINTED MURALS have been popping up across Central Oregon in recent years, thanks to city code changes and eager local artists. The “Greetings From…” series on the Central Oregon Mural Trail by local artists Karen Eland and Katie Daisy draws inspiration from vintage postcards. At the La Pine Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, a bear, campfire and wildflowers give the mural a homey, rustic feel. Bright and lively with horses, butterflies and vibrant florals, the “Greetings From Sunriver” mural can be found behind the main lodge of Sunriver Resort seasonally. Other stops on the Central Oregon Mural Trail include the Oasis Cabin Resort in Maupin, an alley mural on SW Evergreen Avenue in Redmond and the Sisters mural at Barclay Bark. The newest additions from the artist duo can be found in on Fifth Street in Madras and in Bend’s Old Mill District.

MORE MURALS TO

SEE

Find more large, creative installations decorating the rest of the region.

“OREGON IS MAGIC” | PRINEVILLE

A part of the Oregon Mural Trail, and the “Oregon is Magic” series, find this mural at Crooked Roots Brewing in Prineville. The illustration depicts someone lying on the lush grass, surrounded by wildflowers and staring up at the clouds.

“SHÚKWAT” AND “TA’AMINWA NAM AP’XTAT” | WARM SPRINGS

The “Shúkwat” mural by Jefferson Greene can be found on the Warm Springs Community Action Team building, depicting vibrant blues, an eagle and a horse. The “Ta’aminwa Nam Ap’xtat” mural by Winona Garrison is a scene of mountains and rivers with wildlife and imagery from Indigenious cultures.

“SMB MIXTAPE” | BEND

On the brick wall of the alleyway at Silver Moon Brewing, artist Erik Hoogen painted 100 of the world’s most influential musicians.

VIEW THE MURAL TRAIL

PHOTO BELOW KEVIN PRIETO | PHOTO TOP GRITCHELLE FALLESGON

SHOP AROUND

EVERY SHOPPER FROM THRIFTERS TO BOUTIQUE BROWSERS will find something that speaks to them in Central Oregon. Peruse handcrafted and hand-selected goods from shops and stores throughout the region. From apparel to footwear, art to jewelry, there’s something for everyone here. Root

Central Oregon Makers

J Paige handbags are all handmade in Central Oregon by Paige Bruguier. All designing, sewing and cutting is done in-house and due to the nature of leather and the limited quantity of each hide, each bag is one of a kind. Bruguier hand-selects all leather and hardware for the bags from US tanneries and manufacturers. jpaigeco.com.

Local Tip

Oregon

When visiting Central Oregon, look for LGBTQ+-friendly businesses displaying a YOU ARE WELCOME HERE progress pride flag sticker. A quick stop by Somewhere That’s Green indoor plant shop is a must. Experience the ‘culinary magic’ at Spork and some evening drinks at Dogwood Cocktail Cabin or the Canteen (located at Campfire Hotel). And after your outdoor adventures, grab a cold beer at 10 Barrel Brewing or at Crosscut Warming Hut No. 5. See outcentraloregon.com.

BEND

FUEL UP WITH COFFEE from downtown gems such as Looney Bean or The Commons and hit the streets to get shopping. Find curated local products, including art, books, stickers and clothing at The Bend Store. Lark offers mountain modern décor and Lone Crow Bungalow down the street offers handmade gifts and goods. Dudley’s Bookshop Cafe is your destination to discover a new book. Browse on-trend mens and womens clothing at sister stores REVOLVR Menswear and Evergreen Clothing, next door to one another downtown.

On the west side, stock up on groceries and beverages along with a selection of gifts, kitchen accessories and trinkets at Newport Market. Stop in at Fly and Field Outfitters for fishing gear with flair. Pine Mountain Sports is your go-to for all things outdoor

adventure. Ready to refuel? Stop by Backporch Coffee Roasters for coffee. The highly rated Bangers and Brews will fill up the shopping crew with hearty fare. Life + Time is healthy fast food. Village Baker makes delicious treats and lunches from scratch.

At the Box Factory, browse for a new board game or play a round at Modern Games, visit Danner Shoes or the Black Diamond Equipment for new gear, or the Gear Fix for great deals on consignment outdoor gear and apparel. Stop at Fix & Repeat for a lunch or Stoller Wine Bar for a tasting flight.

In NorthWest Crossing, grab charcuterie board fixings at West Coast Provisions or pick up a new book at Roundabout Books. Get coffee at the Sparrow Bakery Northwest, dinner at Mountain Burger or explore The Grove for more snack and drink options.

Lone Crow Bungalow

Dudley’s Bookshop Cafe

Jamie Nesbitt, OUT Central

REDMOND

REDMOND’S PEDESTRIAN-FRIENDLY DOWNTOWN offers modern retail with old-fashioned charm. Visit Forever Sunshine for Bohemian-inspired women’s clothing. Herringbone Books is an independent bookstore with reads for the whole family. Ladybug Flower and Gift Shop has fun surprises for everyone on your list. Grab a coffee at Junction Roastery and keep shopping.

SUNRIVER

THE VILLAGE AT SUNRIVER offers all the shopping your vacation needs. Visit The Lazy Daisy for Sunriver and Oregon souvenirs, women’s accessories and home décor. Fossils, minerals and more are on hand at Sunriver Rocks. Village Threads offers personalized shopping for women. Grab some flies and fishing advice at Cascade Outfitters’ The Hook Fly Shop. Kids will love Tumbleweed Toys. After shopping, kick back at Cafe Sintra, El Caporal, Sunriver Brewing or Marcello’s Cucina Italiana. The Village is also home to the Visit Central Oregon Visitor Center— come in and pick up local maps and guides to the area! The Village

SISTERS

IN A TOWN KNOWN FOR ITS WESTERN VIBE, you can find all the clothing to support the cowboy lifestyle at Dixie’s. Visit the Clearwater Gallery or Hood Avenue Art for fine art and artisan creations, or stop by The Jewel to see an impressive collection of minerals, fossils and specimens, as well as unique home interior pieces. Bring home a bowl or plate from Canyon Creek Pottery. Grab a bite to eat at Angeline’s Bakery or Sisters Meat and Smokehouse. Relax with a robust red wine at The Open Door when you’re done shopping.

Dixie’s

ANTIQUES & THRIFTING

TAKE AN ANTIQUING EXCURSION TO REDMOND, where Beyond the Ranch Antiques, Farmer’s Co-Op Antiques and the Redmond Antique Mall are within walking distance of one another near the center of the city. Sisters offers Kalamazoo’s Antique Mall, Heritage USA and Painted Lady Antiques, all on Cascade Avenue downtown. In Prineville, explore Antique Alley and The Sage Door for antique and vintage finds. In Tumalo, find a second location of Beyond the Ranch Antiques. Bend is also home to many options for thrifting, consignment and antiques. For consignment items and pieces from local designers, try Cosa Cura in NorthWest Crossing. For antiques and secondhand goods including farm and home décor and furniture, check out Eddie’s Iron Horse on NE First Street. Redeux in east Bend offers home décor and furniture and Bag Ladies in west Bend offers women’s clothing and accessories.

TAX-FREE SHOPPING

FROM SHOPPING CENTERS WITH ALL YOUR FAVORITE BIG-BOX STORES

every product, Central Oregon is a shopper’s dream. The best

so there’s no better place to stock up on whatever’s on the list.

Old Mill District

Major retailers in this riverside district include REI, Victoria’s Secret, Sephora and Gap. Find nomadic woven artwork made in Bend at Amejko Artistry and tons of local souvenir and gift options at the Ticket Mill. More local favorites include Saxon’s Fine Jewelers and Vanilla Urban Threads. Stop for lunch at a patio along the Deschutes River at Anthony’s, Greg’s Grill, Red Robin, Pastini Pastaria or Cafe Yumm.

Bend Factory Stores

One of Bend’s bestkept retail secrets, the Bend Factory Stores have everything from sportswear to formal wear to children’s apparel and home furnishings. For those who love a sportswear deal, visit Nike and the Columbia Sportswear Outlet. Other stores in the enclave include Eddie Bauer Outlet, Maurices, Pendleton Outlet, Christopher & Banks, Tuesday Morning and Learning Express Toys.

Bend River Promenade

This shopping center offers familiar stores including Macy’s, Kohl’s, Hobby Lobby, TJ Maxx and Kay Jewelers. Visit Natural Grocers for healthy foods and supplements and D’s Hobbies for remotecontrolled cars and accessories. After shopping, satisfy your sweet tooth at Delish Donuts or check out Chi Chinese & Sushi Bar, serving modern Chinese food and sushi and offering a full bar.

Cascade Village

Located on the north edge of Bend, Cascade Village Shopping Center is where you’ll find names you know, including Trader Joe’s, Best Buy, Ross and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Just north, find Target, Sportsman’s Warehouse and Michael’s and across Highway 97 sits Ulta, Mud Bay for pets and Miko Miko for women’s clothing. Fuel up in Cascade Village at Moose Sisters Restaurant or Shinsei Sushi.

to factory outlets and stores of every size and for

part? Like all of Oregon, shopping is tax-free,

Beyond the Ranch Antiques

PHOTO CALEB THOMAS

Barrio

PHOTO

TASTE Food HUNGRY? YOU'RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE

DELICIOUSNESS ABOUNDS FROM DAWN TO DUSK, WITH A VARIETY OF TASTY OPTIONS TO SATISFY ANY SET OF TASTE BUDS.

Hungry? For more delish brunch spots go to VisitCentralOregon.com/ dining/food

Let's Brunch

Many Bend restaurants serve a great brunch, including CHOW, Jackson's Corner or Washington Dining & Cocktails, where you can find Bloody Marys piled high with fixings on the weekends. In Redmond, don’t miss One Street Down Cafe and its homemade baked goods or Westside Local. The Great Earth Cafe and Market in Madras delivers delicious eats.

Family-Friendly

Looking for a family outing? In Bend, try Walt Reilly's for dining alongside mini golf and virtual games or Justy's, a bar and grill with a rooftop deck, firepits and sand volleyball. Bend Brewing Co., Crux Fermentation Project and Goodlife Brewing are breweries with big grassy areas. In Sunriver, Sunriver Brewing Co. has a designated kids area, and Blondie's Pizza offers pizza and Italian food with free delivery in town.

One Street Down Cafe

19th Hole

Golf clubs with exceptional fine-dining menus include Tetherow, Brasada and Juniper Preserve. Each resort has a more casual option as well. Try The Backyard at Sunriver Resort, overlooking the Meadows Golf Course. Black Butte Ranch’s lakeside bistro has great meals with views, too.

Plant-Powered

Enjoy plant-based dishes at Active Culture, Toasty food truck and Salud Raw Food Bar in Bend. In Redmond, try Terra Kitchen and other eateries inside SCP Hotel Redmond, an entirely plantbased establishment.

farm and ranch fresh

Enjoy a steak dinner at Lodge Kitchen at Sunriver Resort. The Blacksmith and Bos Taurus offer classic fare in downtown Bend and Rancher Butcher Chef is a butcher counter and dining room in Bend's NorthWest Crossing. Rainshadow Organics northeast of Sisters hosts farm-to-table dinners and Sunday brunches, and The Kitchen Table in Sisters serves up "oven to table" eats packed with local ingredients. Ranch House at Brasada Ranch offers ranch-to-table comfort food.

Classic Eats

American classics are the specialty of Dillon's Grill in Prineville, Coach's drive-in in La Pine, and the venerable Pine Tavern and Drake in the heart of downtown Bend. In Redmond, Try E BarGrill for classic comfort food.

Sweet Tooth

Get delectable vegan options at Bontà Natural Artisan Gelato in Bend. Enjoy ice cream cones at Tastee Treet in Prineville and Sno Cap Drive In in Sisters. Savor cakes, pies and other sweet treats at Eagle Bakery in Madras.

Tetherow

Sno Cap Drive In

PHOTO

TRENDY MEETS TASTY

STANDOUT EATERIES AND WATERING HOLES WITH FUN, FUNKY VIBES.

Hip Hangouts

The Flamingo Room in northwest Bend offers handcrafted cocktails and small bites in a plant-packed space. Sen on Newport Avenue in Bend is a Thai noodle house with hot pot soup cooked tableside, by you. The Ski Inn Taphouse and Hotel in Sisters is a rustic-style open-air pub rebuilt after the original restaurant was crushed by a pine tree. In Redmond, Junction Roastery prides itself on being not only a coffee shop, but a social club and gathering space.

Food Carts Galore

Ten years ago, Central Oregon had just one food truck pod, The Lot in northwest Bend. There are now 25 such pods in Central Oregon, with more planned. Many host live music and events, some offer firepits and outdoor games and all serve as great gathering spaces for a meal.

Local Tip

Wesley Heredia, Vamanos Outside

"Looking for the best tortillas in Bend? Many Mexican restaurants have tortillas with their meals and one can find packaged tortillas at grocery stores. However, if you're looking for a fresh tortilla when you make tacos at home, you have to check out Tortilleria Reyes off Reed Market Road. The taco is only as good as the tortilla it is in. Many packaged tortillas just aren't to the quality of what our moms use to make for us. That's where Tortilleria Reyes comes in. It has been around for a long time and is run by a local Bend Latino family. They make the biggest burritos in town and bake Mexican sweet bread, too. Don't miss out!"

Ski Inn Taphouse and Hotel

SCAN FOR FOOD CARTS

BEER

WITH MORE THAN 30 CRAFT BREWERIES, CENTRAL OREGON IS OFFICIALLY A BEER LOVER’S DESTINATION.

Craft Breweries

Central Oregon is packed with craft breweries, each offering their own flavors and specialties, and many boasting award-winning beers. When tasting around the region, be sure to try some classics, some new spots and some with unique flavors.

Fire Pits

Let's face it—beer tastes better fireside. People gravitate toward the fire pits at spots including Crosscut Warming Hut No. 5, O’Kanes at McMenamins Old St. Francis School and Worthy Brewing in Bend. In Sisters, Three Creeks Brewing and The Barn offer crackling fires, and in Redmond and Prineville, Wild Ride Brewing offers gathering spaces with fires.

Tour It

Bend’s Cycle Pub is a pedal-powered bar on wheels, with drinkers providing the the muscle and a guide helping with steering and directions to the next pub. The Taste of Bend Tour, offered by Let It Ride eBike Tours, is a guided tasting experience from the seat of an easy-pedal electric bike, while Wanderlust Tours offers both in-town tours and scenic kayak and canoe getaways, with beer.

Festival Season

Central Oregon’s beer festivals typically take off with Central Oregon Beer Week in May and wrap up with Sisters Fresh Hop Fest and The Little Woody Barrel Aged Brew Festival in September. Don’t miss the mid-summer Bend Brewfest or Bend Oktoberfest in September. See visitcentraloregon.com/calendar-of-events.

PHOTO TOP MARVIN WALDER, BOTTOM KATHLEEN NYBERG/MCMENAMINS

Cycle Pub

O’Kanes

Wild Ride Brewing

BEER AND CIDER

WINE

WINERIES AND TASTING ROOMS THROUGHOUT CENTRAL OREGON OFFER ABUNDANT WINE-TASTING OPPORTUNITIES.

Winery Tour

Spend an afternoon or a weekend exploring the region with a build-your-own wine tour, visiting the wineries of Central Oregon. Catch views of the Cascades and Smith Rock from the Maragas Winery north of Redmond, between Terrebonne and Culver. Enjoy wine along with cheese and Mediterranean appetizer plates, learn about the organically grown grapes and see the Maremma sheepdogs, specially trained to protect the vineyard and chickens on-site from predators (no other pets allowed). Just south in Terrebonne, visit Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards for wine and weekly live music events. The family-friendly vineyard offers a wine-tasting experience on a large patio. Round out a Central Oregon tasting experience with a visit to Ranch at the Canyons’ Tuscan-style estate vineyard at the base of Smith Rock.

Tasting Rooms

In Bend, at least five tasting rooms are within walking distance of one another in west Bend’s Box Factory area and nearby Old Mill District. In the Box Factory, stop by the tasting room of Bledsoe Family Winery, serving up Walla Walla, Washington wines produced by former NFL star Drew Bledsoe. A few doors down is the new Stoller Wine Bar and across the street is Elixir Wine Group. From this area it’s a 5-minute walk to the Old Mill District, where tastings continue at Evoke Winery and Va Piano Vineyards. New to Bend is the swanky Domaine Serene Wine Lounge downtown and the more casual Flights Wine Bar, in northwest Bend. In downtown Sisters, visit The Open Door wine bar for wine along with a full menu including rotating varieties of lasagna, and in Redmond, the Eqwine Wine Bar and Testimony Wine Bar (new in 2022) both offer tastings of regional wines.

Domaine Serene Wine Lounge

MORE TO SIP

A GROWING NUMBER OF DISTILLERIES, CIDERIES AND OTHER BEVERAGE PURVEYORS ARE HERE, TOO.

Ciders & Spirits

Sisters-based Cascade Street Distillery has frame-worthy label art and sip-worthy spirits. In Tumalo, visit Bendistillery’s tasting room, adjacent to the farm where some of its ingredients are grown. In Madras, check out New Basin Distilling. In Bend, Avid Cider pours its beverages in the Box Factory and Oregon Spirit Distillers crafts a bourbon to rival any Kentucky sour smash. In La Pine, visit Legend Cider for juicy cider pours or the new Badlands Artisan Distillery.

Hard Seltzers

As seltzer popularity continues to grow, local brewers are getting in on the action. Try Sisters Hard Seltzer in mango or blackberry lime from Three Creeks Brewing, or stop by Avid Cider in Bend to try Seven Peaks apple-derived alcohol seltzers in flavors including raspberry cosmo, tropical smash and mandarin greyhound.

Fermented or Fruity

For a not-so-boozy beverage to sample, check out Central Oregon’s impressive kombucha brews. Bend’s Humm Kombucha opened the world's first kombucha taproom a decade ago in Bend’s midtown area. For some juicier goodness, check out Just Cut, an organic juice bar in Redmond with options such as the Spicy Wake Up with carrot, celery, lemon, ginger, cayenne and apple. Provisions Market in the SCP Redmond Hotel offers immune-boosting smoothies with local ingredients. In Bend, try Salud Raw Food or Mother’s Juice Café for fresh juices and smoothies.

PHOTO TOP JONATHON CHANDLER

Badlands Artisan Distillery

SPLURGE OR SAVE?

SOMETIMES IT’S PUTTING ON A NICE OUTFIT, making a reservation and indulging in table service while feeling fancy. Other times, it’s last-minute takeout while still in your ski gear. It’s called balance. Thankfully, whatever you’re craving, Central Oregon has plenty of options for dining out.

Mexican

$ Fast, filling tacos—Indulge in tasty, authentic Mexican eats at Los Brothers Taco Shop (formerly Lucy's Tacos) in downtown Redmond. Try favorites including the carnitas tacos or carne asada fries, or taste the new mini birria tacos, washed down with a homemade horchata or hibiscus tea.

$$+ Cuisine to celebrate—For authentic, elevated Mexican cuisine in an upscale environment, visit Carnaval Mexican Grill in downtown Redmond. Enjoy homemade chips and salsa, ensalada de nopales (cactus salad) and entrees such as mole verde and pork carnitas. Pair the meal with a smoky mezcal-based margarita.

Asian

$ Sushi on the go—Visit Bend's first food truck pod, The Lot, to try Maki Maki Sushi. The food truck serves up a-la-carte appetizers, sushi rolls and poke, with most items costing $5-$15. Chef Adam Pan has more than 20 years experience as a sushi chef, and together with his wife Shi, owned a New York sushi restaurant before bringing their culinary craft to Central Oregon.

$$+ Asian fusion—A downtown Bend favorite for more than a decade, 5 Fusion & Sushi Bar offers Asian fusion plates, sushi and cocktails in a sleek, modern space in the heart of Bend. Select a sampling of speciality rolls, paired well with the extensive sake offerings.

Cajun

$ Fast and filling po’ boys—Visit Bend's Silver Moon Brewing to grab a beer, catch a show and fill up at the brewery's food cart patio, home to Southern Accent. This cajun-style food truck is run by Mobile, Alabama-raised chef John Morris. Here you’ll find traditionally made po’ boys, gator tail and gumbo specials with food truck prices.

$$+ Creole-inspired fine dining—Make reservations to indulge in the mouth-watering “fine Northwestern cuisine with a Southern twist” at Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails in downtown Bend. Try the shrimp andouille and crawfish jambalaya with homemade cornbread or slow-cooked baby back ribs with corn on the cob.

Maki Maki Sushi

Southern Accent

Carnaval Mexican Grill

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMPFIRE HOTEL

SETTLE IN, STAY A WHILE

LODGING FOR EVERY TRIP, FROM LUXURY RESORTS AND COZY BED-AND-BREAKFASTS TO VACATION RENTALS, HOTELS AND CAMPSITES.

FINDING A GREAT PLACE TO STAY on vacation should be easy. Whether it’s a luxury resort, a lakefront cabin, a private vacation home rental for the entire extended family or a cozy boutique hotel room for two, it can be found here in Central Oregon. Book in advance

for the widest selection of lodging options and consider visiting in spring and fall to enjoy shoulder season deals. Enjoy amenities, from hot tubs and firepits to pools and barbecues. Rest assured that in Central Oregon, the right lodging is here for you.

SCP Hotel in Redmond

Vacation Rentals

Overnight lodging options are plentiful in the region, with new nightly rental options popping up regularly. Whether you seek a cottage near Bend’s vibrant downtown, a house for the whole family along the river or a secluded forest lodge, there is a vacation rental to meet anyone’s desires somewhere in Central Oregon. Enjoy a homelike environment in residences turned rentals across Bend, or settle into a vacation rental within a resort community nearby. Rental communities with amenities include those in Sunriver, at Tetherow in Bend, Eagle Crest west of Redmond and Black Butte Ranch north of Sisters.

Hotels

Element Bend by Marriott Bonvoy and Holiday Inn Express are nobrainers for business or pleasure in Bend. Boutique options including The Oxford Hotel in Bend, FivePine Lodge in Sisters and The Suttle Lodge north of Sisters will charm even seasoned travelers. The Campfire Hotel in Bend and SCP Redmond Hotel have both undergone trendy remodels. Best Western Newberry Station is a basecamp for exploring Newberry National Volcanic Monument and Crater Lake. The Oasis Cabin Resort in Maupin offers charming historic cabins just steps from the Deschutes River. The Inn at Cross Keys Station in Madras is a modern hotel with Old West aesthetics.

Bed-and-Breakfasts

Innkeepers welcome guests into their homes with truly personalized attention at local bed-and-breakfasts. In Bend, The Mill Inn Bed and Breakfast is perfectly perched between downtown and the Old Mill District, near coffee shops, restaurants and the Box Factory. Bend’s Bunk + Brew offers a hostel vibe with a free craft beer at check-in. Watch wildlife from Juniper Acres between Bend and Sisters or stay at the historic Long Hollow Ranch in Sisters. Stay at Wilson’s Ranches Retreat in Fossil for pioneer hospitality on a 9,000-acre working cattle and hay ranch.

For more information on lodging go to VisitCentralOregon.com/lodging

The Oasis Cabin Resort in Maupin

The Mill Inn Bed and Breakfast

Arrived Vacation rental near Widgi Creek

CAMPING

Perhaps you cruised into town in your own mobile lodging, or maybe tent camping under the stars is calling your name. The national forest land throughout Central Oregon is home to numerous campgrounds, and there are additional private campgrounds, too.

La Pine State Park

129 CAMPSITES AND 10 CABINS

Enjoy peace and quiet among the tall trees at this campground and state park near the Deschutes River, 10 miles north of La Pine and 12 miles south of Sunriver.

Cove Palisades State

Park

271 SITES, THREE CABINS, THREE GROUP SITES

Experience Lake Billy Chinook and the canyons of the Deschutes River and Crooked River from two campgrounds in the park, open seasonally. Located 8 miles west of Culver.

Prineville Reservoir State Park

95 SITES, FIVE CABINS

Enjoy water sports by day and stargazing by night at two campgrounds along the 43-mile park shore. Open year-round, 15 miles south of Prineville.

Sisters Creekside Campground

60 SITES

Tent camp or bring an RV to this municipal campground, along Whychus Creek and within Sisters city limits. Open seasonally.

Element Hotels

Element Hotels

Stay in your element

Stay in your element

Located across from Pioneer Park, just a quick walk to downtown Bend.

Located across from Pioneer Park, just a quick walk to downtown Bend.

Stopping by for a few days or settling in for a few weeks, time away from home shouldn’t mean time away from enjoying life; and if your life includes furry companions we welcome them to live their best life with us too.

Stopping by for a few days or settling in for a few weeks, time away from home shouldn’t mean time away from enjoying life; and if your life includes furry companions we welcome them to live their best life with us too.

Natural Light. Open Spaces. Healthy Options.

Spacious guestrooms, free Wi-Fi.

Natural Light. Open Spaces. Healthy Options.

Signature Heavenly Bed, spa-inspired bathrooms. Fully equipped in-room kitchen.

Spacious guestrooms, free Wi-Fi.

Signature Heavenly Bed, spa-inspired bathrooms. Fully equipped in-room kitchen.

State-of-the-art fitness center, pool and Bikes to Borrow. Rise breakfast and Relax evening receptions, all complimentary. Sustainable design and eco-friendly practices.

Element Bend 1526 NW Wall Street, Bend OR 97703 541-585-7373

State-of-the-art fitness center, pool and Bikes to Borrow. Rise breakfast and Relax evening receptions, all complimentary. Sustainable design and eco-friendly practices.

elementhotels.com

Element Bend 1526 NW Wall Street, Bend OR 97703 541-585-7373

elementhotels.com

Sunriver Resort

AN INCOMPARABLE PACIFIC NORTHWEST SETTING

NESTLED WITHIN A FORESTED WILDERNESS of towering pines and aspen groves, overlooking a great meadow, with the Deschutes River framing its boundary, and the iconic peak of Mount Bachelor nearly always in sight, Sunriver Resort possesses a one-of-a-kind landscape unrivaled in the Pacific Northwest. Here, 3,300 acres of year-round adventure and exploration await, where spirited guests of all ages enjoy access to heartfelt experiences deeply rooted in the land and traditions of this uncommon setting.

Sunriver resort

There is always a welcoming sense of home when you stay at Sunriver Resort. With luxurious lodging options that sit within a few minutes of award-winning golf, bike paths, Sage Springs Club & Spa, dining options that capture the essence of the Pacific Northwest, and year-round poolside fun and relaxation at the Cove Aquatic Center. Both Mount Bachelor and Bend are just 20 minutes away. Book a room or a suite for up to six people and get comfortable. Gas fireplaces, along with stone and wood accents create a soothing lodge atmosphere. All rooms are within walking distance of an array of resort amenities and outdoor experiences, and pet-friendly rooms are available.

Vacation Rentals

Located in the heart of Sunriver’s adventure-filled community, resort-managed vacation homes make ideal accommodations for group travelers and families seeking a private outbound getaway. Coming in all sizes and layouts—from homes to condominiums—there is a Sunriver vacation home to fit every family. Rentals booked through Sunriver Resort give visitors access to resort amenities and benefits.

Caldera Springs

Surround yourself with woodlands and wildlife at this intimate luxury resort community, born from the legacy of Sunriver Resort. Offering vacation rentals and new homes for sale on more than 600 stunning acres adjacent to Sunriver. Enjoy paddleboards and canoes on Obsidian Lake, relax in style at the

opulent Quarry Pool, and relish cozy gatherings with loved ones at the Lake House social and activity center. Looking for your home away from home? Caldera Springs’ new expansion features a variety of spectacular homesites for a one-of-a-kind wilderness getaway surrounded by luxurious amenities.

PHOTO TOP MIKE WEST | MIDDLE TYLER ROEMER

Join us on the second Saturday in July for The Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show , renowned as the world’s largest outdoor quilt show. With a festival atmosphere, 10,000+ visitors from all over the country – and from multiple countries - come to celebrate the creativity, skill, and heritage of quilting arts. Come view over 1,200 quilts on display from quilters of every skill level and all ages. This one-day event is open to the public at no cost.

HIGH DESERT ESCAPE

SITUATED AMONG THE PICTURESQUE POWELL BUTTES, Brasada Ranch is an 1,800-acre resort offering world-class dining, golf, spa and more. The resort was ranked among Oregon’s top 15 courses in 2022 according to Golfweek. Play a round of golf at the 18-hole Brasada Canyons, offering an expansive course layout where no two holes run parallel. Relax and rejuvenate at Spa Brasada, saddle up and go for a trail ride through the property or enjoy ranch-to-table dining at Range Restaurant and Bar (seasonal) and Ranch House. Escape to an award-winning sanctuary amid the towering Cascade mountains and rugged high desert just 20 minutes from the Redmond Airport and 30 minutes from Bend.

Ranch House

This boutique property offers eight warm and contemporary suites and guest rooms with panoramic Cascade mountain views. It’s an intimate escape for guests 14 or older, featuring king beds and indoor/outdoor living with easy access to an oversized firepit and hot tub, reserved exclusively for Ranch House guests.

Sage Canyon Cabins

In addition to the Ranch House, Brasada Ranch offers 65 cabins, perfect for families and groups of friends. Select cabins are also dog-friendly, meaning even your four-legged family members are welcome. The recently renovated cabins boast a rustic yet sophisticated style, and can be reserved as two-, three- or four-bedroom options, ranging in size from 1,200 to more than 2,500 square feet.

OASIS IN THE DESERT

IN THE 1,000-YEAR-OLD JUNIPER FORESTS northeast of Bend sits Juniper Preserve, a wellness-focused community offering luxury lodging, fine dining, nationallyacclaimed golf courses, a restorative spa, wedding venues, corporate retreats and more. Situated south of Redmond, between Bend and Powell Butte, Juniper Preserve (founded as Pronghorn in 2002) is less than 30 minutes from the Redmond Airport, yet close enough to Bend to catch all the action. Golf is playable nearly all year—and you can hone your skills at the critically acclaimed Pronghorn Golf Academy. In the summer, three outdoor pools beckon you to cool off and relax with poolside beverages and food service. The resort embraces the surrounding desert with outdoor living spaces and expansive views across lush fairways and juniper groves, while walking paths provide easy access to onsite dining.

Luxury Lodging

The Juniper Lodge sits in the heart of Juniper Preserve with an architectural design combining rustic elegance with details inspired by the natural surroundings. The west side of the lodge overlooks the Tom Fazio Championship Course, with full decks and sweeping views of Mount Bachelor and the

Three Sisters. Additional lodging options include vacation rentals with up to four bedrooms, perfect for the whole family to gather in one space, as well as vacation homes for extended stays. Settle in and enjoy all the resort amenities while feeling like a Juniper Preserve local.

Black Butte Ranch

MAKING MEMORIES AT THE RANCH

FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY, Black Butte Ranch has been a place where families come together and reconnect. After all, Black Butte Ranch’s unique Central Oregon setting is best enjoyed sharing a round of golf, a day by the pool, a horseback ride, a bike ride, or by simply taking in the views of the Cascade Range. Make a dinner reservation at the lodge and work up an appetite with a hike to the top of Black Butte, or fly-fish along the scenic Metolius River. Browse the shops and galleries in nearby, Western-themed Sisters (or continue to Bend, which is less than an hour away).

Modern Amenities

Black Butte Ranch in 2023 will debut a beautiful new 22,000-square-foot lodge, which will be home to the Lodge Restaurant, Aspen Lounge, expansive deck and indoor/outdoor event space. The new lodge is the latest upgrade over the past decade, with recent additions including a new Lakeside Bistro, pool, hot tub, fitness center, and Kids Activity Center, as well as a new General Store, a new Little Meadow Putting Course and a renovated Glaze Meadow golf course. All this creates the perfect place for friends and family to gather and come together again. Settle in to enjoy one of Oregon’s premier vacation destinations.

PHOTOS COURTESY BLACK BUTTE RANCH

BASECAMP FOR ADVENTURE

WHERE CAN TRAVELERS EXPERIENCE the convenience and fun of Bend, the amenities of a resort and quick access to outdoor, year-round adventures?

Tetherow occupies this ideal piece of paradise. With 50 luxury hotel rooms, 40 vacation rental homes, unique dining options, one of America’s Top 100 golf courses and abundant world-class mountain biking trails, guests who stay here are adjacent to

Deschutes National Forest, just 20 minutes from Mount Bachelor and minutes from downtown Bend. Guests enjoy resort amenities, discounted green fees, free gear storage as well as a shuttle service, the option to borrow a locally made guitar, miles of trails, a mini-park and more perks. The fitness facility includes a wide variety of classes, workout equipment, steam rooms, a sauna and a heated outdoor year-round pool.

Calling All Digital Nomads

Bring your work with you and let Tetherow be your home (work) base. Tetherow offers the flexibility and comforts remote workers need to work and have fun with a variety of lodging options, complimentary wifi and versatile work spaces (including the restaurants, poolside areas and comfy indoor spaces). When work is done, the fun begins with a workout, swim, hot tub soak, golf round or any outdoor biking, fishing, hiking or skiing adventure. Contact Tetherow to learn more at reservations@tetherow.com.

Tetherow was voted #5 in Condé Nast’s “Top Resorts in the Northwest and West” Readers’ Choice Awards 2021. PHOTOS

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EXQUISITE EVENTS

AMENITY-RICH AND PHOTOGENIC VENUES ARE AROUND EVERY CORNER.

CENTRAL OREGON IS A PERFECT DESTINATION for memorable events, from conferences to expos to weddings. An amazing view will get you through any meeting, especially with the knowledge that when the work is done, the play is right outside.

As for weddings, there are a variety of venues throughout the region, ready to host your dream day. Before and after the nuptials, guests can explore all that Central Oregon has to offer, from breweries and dining, to hiking and watersports.

PHOTO COURTESY BLACK BUTTE RANCH

Black Butte Ranch

3 REASONS TO TIE THE KNOT IN CENTRAL OREGON

THE HIGH DESERT OFFERS A TRUE FOUR-SEASON WEDDING DESTINATION.

Amazing outdoor venues

Whether it’s an intimate ceremony at Smith Rock, riverside nuptials in Maupin or a mountaintop gathering at Mt. Bachelor, Central Oregon is home to many incredible venues in nature. Make Suttle Lake home for an unforgettable wedding weekend at the Suttle Lake Lodge or explore Central Oregon vineyard venues such as Maragas Winery or Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards. Let guests breathe in fresh mountain air and dance the night away under clear skies filled with stars.

Epic photo ops

Wedding photos last a lifetime, and couples will have no regrets capturing their big day in an impressive way. Snap photos amid towering Ponderosa pines at venues including FivePine

Lodge in Sisters, Loloma Lodge along the McKenzie River or at Aspen Hall in Shevlin Park near Bend. Capture endless desert views at locations such as Brasada Ranch in Powell Butte, the High Desert Museum south of Bend or Ranch at the Canyons in Terrebonne.

Great weather

Sitting east of the Cascade Range, Central Oregon is blessed with fewer rainy days, warmer summer temperatures and plentiful sunshine. Couples who choose to get married here can find some comfort in knowing the region typically has warm, clear weather all summer long. In the case of inclement weather, most venues offer some indoor spaces to complement outdoor areas.

Planning a Wedding?

Find wedding inspiration and a directory of Central Oregon wedding venues in the annual High Desert Weddings magazine. See visitcentraloregon.com/weddings to order a free copy.

PHOTO ELY ROBERTS

WEDDINGS THAT WOW

CHARM YOUR GUESTS WITH A DESTINATION WEDDING IN SUNNY CENTRAL OREGON.

THE REGION’S SPECTACULAR SCENERY is an ideal backdrop for a ceremony of love and commitment before family and friends. Here are five beautiful venues for tying the knot in Central Oregon.

golf course grandeur

Get married on the manicured lawn above the course at Tetherow, with Deschutes National Forest and the mountains in the distance.

lava cave ceremony

Wow guests with a one-of-a-kind ceremony or reception inside a lava cave at Juniper Preserve, one of several stunning venues at the resort near Bend.

Amid the Pines

FivePine Lodge in Sisters boasts landscaped grounds with a creek and large lawn spaces—a romantic outdoor setting for a special day.

Mountain Views

Mount Washington and the Three Sisters mountains could count as guests at a Black Butte Ranch wedding, because these snow-capped beauties will be showcased in every moment of the magical day.

The Great Hall

Sunriver Resort’s Great Hall is a historic structure with architectural grandeur that oozes charm. The resort’s outdoor backdrop sets the scene for a lifetime of memories.

PRE-WEDDING PARTY ZONE

Central Oregon’s plentiful lodging options, outdoor activities and lively nightlife make it a destination growing in popularity for weekend bachelor and bachelorette parties each summer. In 2021, Men’s Journal even named Bend its No. 1 destination for bachelor parties. Groups will enjoy golfing at one of the region’s 30 courses, brewery hopping and tubing on the Deschutes River through town. Explore wine tasting rooms, shopping and spas for relaxing, while celebrating before the big day.

Conferences and More Events

The region is home to dozens of venues suitable for conferences, business retreats and other events. For comprehensive information about meeting planning in the area, see the High Desert Planners Guide.

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RELOCATING YOUR DREAMS...

Moving to a new place, even one as amazing as central Oregon, can present momentous challenges. The team at LivOregon is uniquely quali ed to address those challenges with you, while getting you settled into your dream home.

LivOregon is rede ning the boutique real estate experience.

RESOURCES Travel Info

GETTING HERE

PLANES, TRAILS AND AUTOMOBILES (and RVs, buses and bikes). Central Oregon may be away from it all, but it’s easily accessible by nearly every mode of transportation. Here it’s about the journey and the destination.

flights

Enjoy nonstop service to Bend/ Redmond (RDM) from Burbank, Denver, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. FlyRDM.com.

Alaska Airlines alaskaair.com

American Airlines aa.com

Avelo Airlines aveloair.com

Delta Airlines (Operated by SkyWest Airlines) delta.com

United and United Express (operated by SkyWest Airlines) united.com

Rent a car

Car rentals are easy and abundant and provided by all major rental companies. You’ll find a variety of options for chauffeured trips and tours if you want to leave the driving to someone else.

travel information

Stop by the Visit Central Oregon Welcome Desk at the Redmond Airport after landing to pick up brochures and other resources to help plan out your visit. The desk sits near baggage claim and features a “Greetings from Central Oregon” mural painted by two local artists.

Redmond Municipal Airport

Visit Central Oregon Welcome Desk, Redmond Municipal Airport

Drive Time

By car, distance and time to Bend

Boise 317 mi/510 km 5.5 hr

Eugene 129 mi/208 km 2.5 hr

Klamath Falls 137 mi/220 km 2.5 hr

La Pine 30 mi/48 km 33 min

Los Angeles 822 mi/1,323 km 13.5 hr

Madras 43 mi/69 km 55 min

Maupin 90 mi/159 km 1 hr 45 min

Newport 177 mi/284 km 3.5 hr

Pendleton 243 mi/391 km 4.5 hr

Portland 160 mi/257 km 3 hr

Prineville 36 mi/58 km 55 min

Redmond 17 mi/27 km 25 min

Salem 132 mi/212 km 2.5 hr

San Francisco 491 mi/790 km 8 hr

Seattle 327 mi/526 km 5 hr 30 min

Sisters 22 mi/35 km 32 min

Sunriver 17 mi/27 km 20 min

Cascade Lakes Highway