Central Oregon has grown in popularity in recent years, but there’s still plenty of room to roam. Quiet sites around our beautiful region range from riverside adventures in the shadow of Cascade peaks to underground lava tubes in the heart of the high desert, offering opportunities for everyone to find peace and quiet while embracing our never-ending natural beauty.
To help you plan your next trip that’s chockablock with under-the-radar fun, here are six fun sites where you can get away from it all:
Keep reading for an insider’s guide to off-the-beaten-path adventures in Central Oregon.
Camp & Hike Away From It All
With hiking trails and campgrounds in riverside forests of ponderosa pine, rugged river canyons, and volcanic landscapes, you’re never far from a quiet adventure. Check out our guide to Central Oregon hiking trails, and start planning your next solitary getaway with these suggestions.
Camp Sherman Campground
Roughly 15 miles northwest of Sisters, the hamlet of Camp Sherman sits at the base of the Cascade Range. Its relative lack of development means Camp Sherman never feels crowded, even on summer weekends, and one of the top stops for enjoying a dose of solitude is Camp Sherman Campground. The 15-site campground accommodates tents and RVs along the banks of the Metolius River and sits surrounded by crystal-clear fishing holes, hiking trails that head past springtime wildflower displays, and other outdoor opportunities.
Scout Camp Trail
The 2.3-mile Scout Camp Trail follows a winding stretch of the Middle Deschutes River, roughly halfway between Redmond and Madras, and provides an idyllic introduction to all that makes the Central Oregon high desert such a magical place to play. Highlights along the trail, which gains about 600 feet of elevation, include khaki-colored basalt cliffs, views of the broader Deschutes River Canyon, and springtime wildflower displays (including yellow balsamroot). Hike Scout Camp Trail in fall or spring for a cooler, quieter experience.
Oregon Badlands Wilderness
Heading east from Bend on Highway 20, it doesn’t take long for you to leave the city behind and enter the vast high desert—pockmarked with gnarled juniper trees that date back centuries, lemon-scented sagebrush, and all manner of wildlife. There may be no finer place to enjoy this ancient landscape than the Oregon Badlands Wilderness Area, which resides just 10 miles east of Bend.
In all, the federally designated wilderness area encompasses more than 29,000 acres of volcanic rock, hardened lava, and ash left over from the eruption of Mount Mazama (which led to the formation of Crater Lake 7,700 years ago). Nearly 50 miles of hiking and equestrian trails crisscross the Oregon Badlands, affording up-close views of the area’s dramatic rock formations, so it’s easy to plan a quiet outing tailored to your schedule and fitness levels. Aim to get on the trail by 9 a.m., ideally between fall and spring, for the coolest temperatures and fewest crowds—and, given the Badlands’ lack of shade, always bring sun protection.
Hole in the Ground
Hole in the Ground is exactly what it sounds like: a massive, well, hole in the ground. To be specific, it’s a half-mile-wide volcanic maar—a broad crater—that formed after magma bubbled to the surface and exploded after striking ground water. A two-mile hiking trail follows an old roadbed from the lip of the crater, descends gradually around the edge, and arrives at a playa at its base; views of surrounding pine trees and the unique landscape abound the entire time.
Hole in the Ground is about 28 miles southeast of La Pine in the Oregon Outback and is never crowded, even on summer weekends—making it one of our top off-the-beaten-path adventures; even so, always lather on sunscreen and consider a trip between fall and spring for cooler temperatures in the mostly shade-free landscape.
Roam the Rugged Wonders
Hole in the Ground is one of several geologic wonders in the so-called Oregon Outback—a wide-open range where jagged rock formations and ancient lava beds butt up against working farms and family ranches. Start your visit with these rugged and remote adventures.
Fort Rock State Natural Area
Undoubtedly, one of the top off-the-beaten-path adventures in Central Oregon is a day trip to Fort Rock State Natural Area, roughly 37 miles southeast of La Pine and just off Oregon Route 31. The park’s namesake rock formation is a volcanic tuff ring that once resided in a shallow sea; today, hiking trails take visitors into the heart of the C-shaped rock formation. In spring, keep an eye out for colorful wildflower displays and falcons who nest in the park; all year long, print a stargazing permit and stay after sunset for clear night skies—which afford views of planets, constellations, and other cosmic wonders.
Devils Garden Lava Bed
Ready for one of the region’s most off-the-beaten-path adventures? Follow forest roads out of La Pine, and head southeast to Devils Garden Lava Bed —where sagebrush grasslands meet a jagged lava flow, mountainous cinder cones, and underground lava tubes.
If you have a four-wheel-drive, high-clearance vehicle, one of the area’s top highlights is Derrick Cave, a spacious lava tube that’s 30 feet high, 50 feet wide, and a quarter-mile long. Just note that the rough roads may be difficult, if not impassable, after rainfall—and a number of roads in the area are blocked by private property; ensure you know your route, and have a map handy, before heading out.
Inspired to find other underground adventures? Check out our guide to Central Oregon lava caves for more.
Find Adventure Worth Wandering For
Looking for other ideas to get outside and into nature on your next visit? Explore more Outdoor Adventures, where inspiration includes biking, hiking, rockhounding, and more. No matter your appetite for outdoor fun, you’ll no doubt find off-the-beaten-path adventures suited to your style in Central Oregon.
