Summer is undoubtedly the most popular time to visit Central Oregon. After all, summer is when the widest range of outdoor activities is open and accessible, musicians take the stage for outdoor concerts, and patios fill at food-cart pods and popular craft breweries.
But the rest of the year offers plenty to love—like colorful fall foliage, snowy winter adventures, cool springtime outings, and more. Best of all, you can savor every leafy display, dusting of snow, and crisp afternoon with plenty of solitude. So as you plan your next visit, here’s a guide to the best of each season around the likes of Bend, Sisters, Sunriver, and beyond:
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Keep reading for year-round fun throughout Central Oregon.
Try Something New On Your Next Visit
Summer is a great time to enjoy cool mornings in the mountains, relaxing afternoons on the lake, and exciting evenings on decks and at outdoor venues. But if you’re looking to add a new activity to the mix, consider switching it up with a visit in fall, winter, or spring — when you’ll see the region in a different light (literally) and can try fun experiences with more solitude. Here are a few suggestions:
Love hiking? Try snowshoeing: All over Central Oregon, forests of fir and pine transform into winter wonderlands with fresh powder as early as late November — offering the chance to see our natural beauty from along dozens of miles of groomed snowshoe trails. Virginia Meissner Sno-Park offers nearly 50 km of snowshoe-friendly terrain near Bend, and Upper Three Creek Sno-Park showcases views of Mount Jefferson and other nearby peaks just outside Sisters. Learn more about some of the best snowshoe trails near Bend.
Love farmers markets? Explore the High Desert Food Trail: Every summer, Central Oregon farmers sell their crops at markets throughout the region — but the fresh flavors don’t have to end when market season winds down in autumn. Show up hungry for the High Desert Food Trail, a collection of nearly 50 farms, markets, restaurants, craft beverage producers, and overnight stays that take pride in using locally grown goods whenever possible. Since it’s a self-guided experience, you can pick and choose the stops that sound most fun and turn your next trip into a foodie getaway.
Love stand-up paddling? Try skiing or snowboarding: Rather than look up at the mountains from crystal-clear lakes, get a closer view while shredding the slopes at some of the best ski resorts near Bend, Oregon. Between December and Memorial Day, Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort offers plenty of space to roam as the seventh-largest ski area in North America, while Hoodoo Ski Area delivers a quiet experience near Sisters with Central Oregon’s only night skiing.
Love summer concerts? Check out live music all year long: Outdoor concerts and music festivals draw fans in droves during the warmer months, but our stages stay active all year long. In early fall, the Sisters Folk Festival takes over Sisters with three days of live performances, workshops, and other fun events. In downtown Bend, the Tower Theatre routinely hosts cover bands, regional acts, and touring musicians all year long – and be sure to save the date for the annual BendFilm Festival. In Redmond, the High Desert Music Hall also offers a variety of fun live events.
Fall In Love With Autumn Experiences
Fall is a time of change in Central Oregon — when the leaves turn colors, cool mornings give way to brisk afternoons, and a slower pace takes hold after a busy summer. Here’s how to enjoy a perfect fall getaway to Central Oregon:
Harvest season: Every fall, seasonal dishes show up at restaurants all over the region, fresh-hop beers are poured at local breweries and taprooms, and artisans sell their works at local markets. Take it all in along the High Desert Food Trail. Another way to get in on the flavors of the season is at Brasada Ranch – they put the bounty of harvest front and center with special dinners, wine pairings, and other seasonal events.
Harvest fairs and festivals: The arrival of October brings with it a beloved tradition: pumpkin patches in Central Oregon. Head to Terrebonne for harvest festivals that include colorful pumpkin patches, pony rides, food vendors, and other autumn offerings.
Hiking and mountain biking: Summer might be the high season for outdoor adventure, but we’re always excited to get on the bike or lace up our hiking boots every fall. Mountain bikers experience some of the best trail conditions all year in autumn—when trails are less dusty and offer more room to roam — so get started with our guide to mountain biking. If you’d rather hit the road, plenty of low-traffic scenic bikeways showcase the beauty of the region. Hikers, meanwhile, enjoy cool temperatures and plenty of solitude under bluebird skies; check out our guide to hiking trails in Central Oregon for suggestions on where to get outside.
For other fun ideas, browse this round-up of fall activities in Central Oregon.
Plan a Winter Getaway to Our Lavish Resorts
When the season’s first snow falls on our mountain peaks and the last of the leaves have fallen, winter has undoubtedly arrived in Central Oregon. It’s the time of year when a cozy kind of quiet falls over the region, making winter an idyllic time to visit our well-appointed resorts. Each takes a unique approach to offering winter getaways and provides plenty to love for travelers with varied interests.
Sunriver Resort: Planning a holiday vacation? Traditions at Sunriver Resort offers all the hallmarks of a memory-making getaway for the whole family, complete with a tree lighting, U-cut Christmas trees, special menus at Sunriver Resort restaurants, and other kid-friendly events throughout the holiday season. All winter long, Sunriver Resort offers guests a shuttle to nearby Mt. Bachelor, making it an easy basecamp for hitting the slopes.
Tetherow: The sophisticated Tetherow sits along Century Drive at the southern edge of Bend — and is one of the closest resorts to the powdery slopes at Mt. Bachelor. (Daily shuttles are available to resort guests all winter long.) Other highlights include well-maintained lodge rooms and spacious vacation rentals, on-site restaurants with filling menus, a year-round outdoor pool, and a free shuttle into downtown Bend.
Juniper Preserve: Get away from it all at Juniper Preserve, a wellness-minded resort whose location in the high desert makes the resort feel like a secluded getaway. The resort’s wide range of health-minded offerings includes Juniper Spa, curated wellness experiences, a heated outdoor pool, and a poolside barrel sauna.
Black Butte Ranch: Just outside Sisters, the historic Black Butte Ranch has been welcoming visitors for more than 50 years — and continues its tradition of thoughtful luxury today with spacious vacation homes, appetizing restaurants, a full-service spa, and other amenities. If you’re excited to ski or snowboard, Black Butte Ranch is only 15 miles east of Hoodoo Ski Area — where you’ll enjoy great conditions day and night – hours ranging from 9am through 9pm some days, as well as a tubing park for winter enthusiasts of all ages.
For more inspiration, learn about the top winter activities in Central Oregon.
Spring Brings Days of Adventure
Cool mornings, warm afternoons, and sunny skies provide the perfect backdrop for spring activities in Central Oregon — where you can enjoy the best of all seasons in one action-packed day.
Morning adventure: After breakfast, get your turns in at local ski resorts, whose lifts run until April or (in the case of Mt. Bachelor) late May. If you’re not a skier or snowboarder, start your day with a guided excursion through Wanderlust Tours; the well-known local outfitter offers paddling tours, heads into regional caves, provides behind-the-scenes glimpses at our beloved craft breweries, and showcases a variety of other tours — all led by a trained, knowledgeable naturalist or guide.
Afternoon excitement: Make the most of your afternoon with an outdoor activity. Practice your swing at nearly 30 courses along the Central Oregon Golf Trail, stretch your legs with a casual day hike, or put on your helmet for a fast, flowy ride on our mountain bike trails.
Central Oregon is truly a four-season destination.
