Welcome to
Central Oregon
Here in Central Oregon, your idea of adventure is limited only by your imagination. No matter the season, you’re bound to find several weekends’ worth of fun around our rich region.
Planning a winter getaway? Take the family ice skating in Sunriver, sip your way through Central Oregon’s famous craft breweries, or ski and snowboard the slopes of Mount Bachelor—the sixth-largest ski resort in North America.
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Volcano Tour
Adventure: Wanderlust Tours is the premier destination to explore the belly of a volcano in Bend, Oregon! Join us on this super engaging series of walks inside this massive volcano. Naturalist Guided Experience: At 6,300 feet, our journey will take us to a mountain of pumice and obsidian— black volcanic glass integral to human life! We may explore the shores of the sparkling Paulina Lake where Native Americans once called home. Our knowledgeable guides can introduce you to an old-growth hemlock forest where you’ll see decaying logs that possess more living mass than when the tree was alive and standing. Cool facts like this await illumination on our volcano trip. A combination of short, easy walks totaling just under 2 miles.Our Volcano Tour is the perfect outing for your corporate group or family reunion in Bend, Oregon because it caters to all ability levels! Don’t see the date you’re looking for? Please call our office at (541) 389-8359 to check availability.
$70 - $95
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Snowcat Ride And $35 Dining Certificate
Get outside with your friends for a unique winter experience with Elk Lake Resort’s Snowcat. Just park your car at Dutchman Flats Snow Park and we will get you through the snow-blanketed terrain along the scenic Cascade Lakes Highway. When you are booked on our Snowcat, you can use your $35 dining certificate and reconnect with friends and family over good food, drinks, and conversation. After the dining experience, hop back on the Snowcat for another peaceful ride back to Dutchman Flats. *DOES NOT include special holiday meals such as Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day.
$75
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Smith Rock Sunset Photo Tour
If you enjoy scenic views of deep river canyons, Smith Rock State Park is the place for you. There are several thousand climbs, hikes and mountain bike trails in the park, so we can often see several climbers as well as some wildlife including golden eagles, prairie falcons, mule deer, river otters and beavers.This tour can include some moderate hiking, or we can shoot right from the parking lot. We'll show you our favorite shots based on how active you want to be.Private Tour capped at 2 people to ensure personalized instruction and individualized attention.You'll have around 2 hrs on location. We'll keep shooting up to 30 mins after sunset. A night photography extension can be added.Tour Price: $299 up to 2 people
$299
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Indoor Jump
MAIN COURTOur main court has 26 trampolines, and is surrounded on 2 sides by angled trampoline walls. It includes a super-long jumping and tumbling runway. The main court also contains multiple raised and padded features to add to the excitement. We know, it’s awesome.VALOJUMPValoJump is an interactive trampoline game platform that combines the fitness and exercise benefits of a trampoline with high definition graphics and video game play. The player literally jumps into the game to play solo in SkyTails, Trax, and Toy Watch or go head to head with Stomp.EXTREME DODGE ATTACKOur Extreme Dodgeball court, which is made up of 12 connected trampolines with a raised neutral ground in the center and 3 interactive targets. Use the raised neutral ground as an advanced attack position or duck behind it for protection. Whatever you do, come prepared to have some fun and don’t forget to bring your “A Game.”GIANT AIRBAGHave you ever wondered what it would be like to jump and be caught by a cushion of air? We have you covered! Adjacent to the main court is our giant AIRBAG with two entry trampolines, and one with an angled wall so that you can ricochet yourself off of it into the airbag. With our set-up, the options are endless.TODDLER ZONEFinally, we have an area that is just for kids 46 inches and shorter. Kids under the age of 5 are allowed access to the entire park when accompanied by a parent, but this area is designed for tiny people only. Parents are not allowed to jump inside this area but are asked to continue to supervise those kids under age 5. This area of the park has 3 connected trampolines with a mini foam pit and tons of shapes to climb up, on, under, and over. Your little ones are sure to love this area!
$3 - $20
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Deschutes River Photo Tour
Running through the middle of Bend, the Deschutes River offers plenty of amazing photo ops. Starting in town we will either head Dowtown Bend, to Dillon Falls or start at Shevlin Park and explore. This tour can include some moderate walking. We'll show you our favorite shots based on how active you want to be.Private Tour capped at 2 people to ensure personalized instruction and individualized attention.You'll have around 1 hr at each location.Tour Price: $299 up to 2 people
$299
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Scenic Hot Air Balloon Flight
THE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE You're invited to join us for an unforgettable experience! Big Sky Balloon Co. is the premier balloon ride operator in Central Oregon. Our hot air balloon flights float you gently over one of the most dramatic landscapes in the country, encompassing high desert terrain of juniper and sage, volcanic rim rock, deep river canyons, and rural farmland. It all begins at our launch site next to Smith Rock State Park, whereupon take-off you will gently rise up and over one of the most photographed land features in the entire Northwest. As we ascend you will take in the breathtaking panorama of the Central Cascade Mountains which include views of at least nine peaks on a clear day. Also keep an eye out for wildlife and many different birds of prey including Brown and Bald Eagles, Red-Tail Hawks, and Great Horned Owls just to name a few. Ballooning is a real hands-on experience and we welcome you to help with the inflation and deflation of the balloon if you like. After a short safety briefing from your pilot, the inflation begins and you'll watch as this "gentle giant" comes to life. About 15 minutes later the balloon will be upright and ready for lift-off. Following the flight, we'll shuttle you back to the launch site to enjoy a traditional sparkling cider toast. Total time about three hours.DETAILSWe operate flights from Smith Rock Ranch in Terrebonne OR, about a 30-minute drive north of Bend. When preparing for your flight with us remember to dress warmly and in layers. Early mornings are always cool in the high desert, but it warms up quickly and you'll want to adjust accordingly. Temperatures in flight are actually much warmer than on the ground. A hat and comfortable shoes or boots are recommended, no open-toed shoes or sport sandals. We conduct one flight a day early in the morning when wind conditions are calm and the air is stable. Safety is our top priority, flights are conducted only when the weather and wind conditions are favorable. Departure times vary from 6 AM-8 AM depending on the time of year. You will check in the night before your scheduled flight to confirm the meeting time, we typically like to be in the air within 1 hour of sunrise.Flight time is approximately one hour with the entire experience taking about three hours. We can carry up to six passengers per flight, cost is $275/person for 2 and $250/person when booking 4 or more. Please inquire for private charters. All passengers must sign the Flight Waiver prior to your scheduled flight.
$250 - $275
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Cross Country Touring Rentals
Ski, Board and Bike in Bend Oregon! Bend's premiere bike and ski shop offering high end mountain bike demos and rentals, ski and splitboard demos, bike and ski tuning from our pro shop and the best gear to keep you active all year long.
$35 - $90
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Shoes, Brews & Views Snowshoe Tours
Adventure: Wanderlust Tours is the premier destination for snowshoe tours in Bend, Oregon! Join us to go splashing through the powdery snow in the Cascade Mountains west of Bend, Oregon. Bend? You mean where incredible beer is brewed for sipping splendor? YES!Naturalist Guided Experience: Shoes, Brews and Views says it all- snowshoe to a serene spot, sip suds in true Bend fashion and wonder at inspiring views while at it! This is the Bend lifestyle in which our tour will fill your spirit and mind. Following animal tracks, eating some lichens and running downhill in playful powder demands tasty libations as a reward- whether a locally crafted hopped beverage or root beer for the kids it all goes down well in the forest surrounded by visually splendid peaks. And get this connection, the no-impact-nature of our snowshoe tour produces no adverse affect on what becomes the water for the beer you drink on this experience. Baby, that’s goodness! Location: Snowshoeing tours take place in the areas around Mt. Bachelor and the surrounding Deschutes National Forest of the Cascade Mountain Range of Oregon. New to off-trail snowshoeing? Let Wanderlust Tours do the driving and teach you fun snowshoeing techniques and tricks. All tours include instruction. Wear winter boots and powder/ski pants to keep your feet and legs dry while snowshoeing.Unfortunately, we cannot allow dogs on our tours. Please reach out to Ponderosa Paws for your dog-sitting needs.
$70 - $100
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Lava Tube Cave Tours
Did you know there is a vast network of caves near Bend, Oregon? Strap on a helmet and headlamp and join our naturalist guides for a fun, educational, underground adventure! These tours are a great Bend, Oregon family activity. Please Note: We do not visit Lava River Cave (operated by the Deschutes National Forest)Adventure: Wanderlust Tours is the premier destination for cave tours in Bend, Oregon! Join us on this epic subterranean tour on Bend’s ponderosa pine-studded high desert. Our renowned naturalist guides will highlight sweet bits of these cool caverns that might not initially meet the eye. Naturalist Guided Experience: During our 2 hours underground, in the darkest, quietest spot earth can provide, we may impart an understanding of the region’s geology- how massive volcanoes created these wonders. Or we might share how the cave habitat provides for creatures important to human life. Your crew will be energized with revelations about natural and cultural history that’ll keep your mind humming with delight long after you return home with fond memories of the tour. Caves: Bend’s lava caves have a delicate ecosystem that few have experienced to the fullest! Wanderlust Tours is the only guide company permitted in these special lava caves. These caves are also wild, meaning they do not have a paved path or lighting. Closed toe shoes are recommended for navigating the uneven rocky surfaces. Cave Difficulty: Mother Nature has created a wonderfully diverse array of caves that offer a variety of experiences. All of the caves we visit are wild, meaning other than the staircase to enter them there are no man made improvements put into the caves (walkways or lights). The walking surface is uneven and can be varying degrees of rugged and rocky.In our estimation, this cave presents a moderate degree of difficulty as it involves many fun opportunities for scrambling up/down/around rocky areas and crawling through short passages.On all our cave tours, our guides are attentive to keeping the pace suitable to all members of the group so that everyone can move at a comfortable speed.
$70 - $95
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Visiting the Best Vacation
Spots in Oregon
Truth is, there’s no single “best” vacation spot in Central Oregon.
Your next favorite trip may take you to any of our thriving cities in Central Oregon,
each offering a stay to suit your style and taste. We might be biased, but here’s our
rundown of the best vacation spots in Central Oregon:
Bend
Bend
The high-desert mountain town of Bend sits at the foot of the Cascades and boasts a little something for everyone: more than 80 parks and open spaces (perfect for frolicking with Fido), 300 miles of single-track trail, dozens of high-quality craft breweries, charming boutiques, hip hotels and upscale resorts, close proximity to fresh powder at Mount Bachelor, a bustling downtown district—and breathtaking Cascade views wherever you go.
Sunriver
Sunriver
Kids of all ages find plenty to love in the Pacific Northwest’s premier destination resort and residential community. Your little ones will enjoy riding bikes on the 30 miles of paved trails criss-crossing Sunriver, ice skating and rocketing down water slides at Sunriver Resort, and learning a little about the world around (and above) us at Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory. Meanwhile, you’ll appreciate the seasonally rotating menus at nearby restaurants and playing up to 63 holes of world-class golf, including the famed Crosswater Club—a Golf Digest Top 100 course.
Redmond
Redmond
With a burgeoning restaurant scene, some of the region’s best-loved craft breweries, and a bustling downtown district, Redmond makes an ideal basecamp for your next adventure—whether staying in town and enjoying Redmond’s many fairs and festivals or heading out to nearby hiking trails and exploring the Central Oregon high desert. Sitting in Redmond’s backyard is the world-famous Smith Rock State Park, the birthplace of U.S. sport climbing and a hub of outdoor activity all year long; try shredding the park’s multi-use paths on a mountain bike, hiking Misery Ridge, or joining climbers from around the world on steep routes all over the park’s cinnamon-hued rock formations.
Sisters
Sisters
Cowboys and cowgirls alike love the Western-themed town of Sisters, home to the world-famous Sisters Rodeo each June. Sitting in the shadow of the Three Sisters mountains, the region boasts an expanding creative culture (and is home to the Sisters Folk Festival and Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show), several summers’ worth of hiking trails in the Three Sisters Wilderness, some of Central Oregon’s best fishing in Whychus Creek, and summertime cycling and driving routes along the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway—where you’ll pass miles-long lava flows, alpine lakes, and thundering waterfalls in the heart of the Cascades.
La Pine
La Pine
South of Bend and Sunriver, geologic wonders abound around La Pine. Wickiup Reservoir is one of the region’s best wildlife viewing sites keep an eye out for shorebirds, waterfowl, deer, bats, and other animals and is renowned for its brown trout (which can reach 20 pounds or more).
Prineville
Prineville
Nestled at the eastern edge of Central Oregon, and in the heart of the Crooked River Caldera, Prineville has a lot in common with the rest of the region—but has consistently blazed its own trail since being founded in 1870.
Madras
Madras
Madras-the county seat of Jefferson County, Oregon-started in the early 1900s to serve the region’s ranchers. Over the years,
it grew into a trading post and community for nearby farmers, many of whom grew (and continue to grow) garlic, carrots,
onions, and other crops. Even today, you’ll still see ranches on the rolling hillsides outside of town and farms
lining US-97-but change is afoot.
Maupin
Maupin
Sitting along the Deschutes River at the northern edge of Central Oregon, the city of Maupin feels like a mirage in more ways than one. For starters, the city is located largely at the base of the Deschutes River canyon, flanked on either side by dusty rock walls and rolling hills-so it’s entirely possible to approach the top of the canyon (just five minutes from downtown Maupin) and not realize the city is even there.
Culver
Culver
The community of Culver started as a post office in 1900, formally incorporated as a city in 1946—and hasn’t changed much in the decades since. Sitting between Redmond and Madras, the cozy community harkens back to Central Oregon’s earlier years with small-town charm to spare. That means fun annual festivals, friendly eateries, and easy access to outdoor recreation.
Terrebonne
Terrebonne
With vineyards, parks, and attractions dotting the region, you might want a little help finding your way around Terrebonne.
Here’s a map to help orient yourself around the region.
Tumalo
Tumalo
Roughly 15 minutes northwest of Bend sits the community of Tumalo, a city of just 500. But don’t let that small population fool you: Tumalo is home to a burgeoning food scene, creative craft beverage producers, and easy access to some of Central Oregon’s top outdoor destinations.
Warm Springs
Warm Springs
Sitting in the heart of the Warm Springs Reservation, the hamlet of Warm Springs is one of the northernmost communities in Central Oregon. You can pass through town in less time than it takes to listen to a commercial on your favorite podcast but a longer stay rewards visitors with fascinating insight into tribal history, home-cooked meals steeped in tradition, and a close connection with the surrounding Deschutes River. Here’s how to make the most of your next visit to Warm Springs.
Where is Central Oregon?
We’re characterized by mountainous wonders—like Mount Bachelor, Oregon’s largest ski resort,
and the snowy summits of the Three Sisters—and legendary landforms, like Smith Rock State Park, where rock climbers test their mettle all year long.
