There’s something magical about visiting a charming mountain town. You get to spend your days hitting the slopes, hiking trails to stunning viewpoints, or paddling crystal-clear alpine lakes. You can while away an afternoon around the fire pit at a neighborhood brewpub, then you can take an evening to dine at cozy restaurants and enjoy historic downtown cores—all with snow-capped peaks towering above.
If you’re craving a mountain town getaway, you’ll find plenty of stylish outposts across Central Oregon—from the bustling downtown in Bend to the Old West-inspired stylings of Sisters and the family-friendly community of Sunriver. So as you plan your next trip, here’s a look at what to expect from some of the best mountain towns in Oregon:
Why Visit Mountain Towns in Central Oregon?
Central Oregon mountain towns, including Bend and Sisters, offer an exciting mix of natural beauty and scenic views year round. Those range from the Cascade mountains rising over the likes of Bend and Sisters to the pastoral pine groves surrounding Sunriver and the alpine forest around La Pine.
Each of these communities offers something unique to their town, as well. In Bend, that might mean creative chefs dishing some of the best food in Central Oregon, a world-class craft beer scene, and close proximity to nearby Mt. Bachelor Ski & Snowboard Resort. Sisters, meanwhile, brings all the small-town vibes with a walkable downtown and charming frontier architecture across the city. And La Pine offers easy access to the surrounding national forests and is a popular stop for outdoor enthusiasts.
Top Mountain Towns in Central Oregon
Bend
If you’ve never visited, you might ask yourself: Why is Bend, Oregon, so popular? And if you’ve already fallen in love with the city, you probably have your own answers.
Whatever those answers may be, we can all agree that Bend offers a unique mix of urban amenities, relaxing vibes, and epic mountain views.
In winter, fresh powder at Mt. Bachelor sits just 21 miles southwest of town. In summer, the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway takes hikers, campers, and paddlers into the heart of the Cascade Range—where they frolic on crystal-clear alpine lakes and in the shadow of snow-capped peaks. And in spring and fall, Bend itself comes alive with dozens of craft breweries pouring-award winning ales and lagers, home-grown boutiques selling handcrafted goods, and dazzling sunny skies—which provide the perfect playgrounds for high-desert hikes, mountain bike rides, and peaceful paddles in the area’s waterways.
Learn more about what you can expect when you visit Bend, Oregon.
Sisters
Less than 23 miles northwest of Bend, the community of Sisters sits at the doorstep to the Cascade Range—and has earned acclaim over the years for its wholehearted embrace of frontier architecture. You’ll see false fronts, wooden buildings, covered porches, and other nods to the Old West on seemingly every building in town. Those Western vibes, after all, are one of the top reasons Sisters is worth visiting.
Even with its affection for the past, Sisters remains a thoroughly modern community with a thriving arts scene (where you’ll find plenty of art galleries on the city’s main drag), a bustling culinary scene (where food carts and restaurants alike serve appetizing fare from around the world), and its closeness to all manner of outdoor attractions. Just outside of Sisters, choose among dozens of miles of hiking trails (including several along the McKenzie Highway, open in summer), blue ribbon fly fishing in the Metolius River, and—of course—a wide range of scenic runs at nearby Hoodoo Ski Area.
If you’re looking to make the Sisters area your home base for a memorable getaway, consider a few nights at Black Butte Ranch—one of Central Oregon’s first resort communities and today a pillar of family fun. Visit Sisters, Oregon, to get inspired for your next stay.
Sunriver
Roughly 17 miles south of Bend, the community of Sunriver offers plenty of mountain-town activities to keep couples, families, groups, and solo travelers coming back time and again. (Is it any wonder that Sunriver has become a go-to destination for generations of travelers?)
The heart of the community is the expansive Sunriver Resort, which hosts waterslides and other aquatic offerings, 63 holes across four award-winning golf courses, tasty dining options to please every palate, and comfortable overnight stays that welcome groups of all sizes. Dozens of miles of paved bike trails wind through it all, and family-friendly activities range from summertime horseback rides to year-round stargazing at the Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory. Of course, Mt. Bachelor sits just 19 miles away, making Sunriver a hub for visiting the mountain in all seasons.
Check out our list of the top 10 must-do activities in Sunriver, and see what awaits when you decide to visit Sunriver, Oregon.
La Pine
Roughly 30 miles south of Bend, the city of La Pine sits surrounded by much of what makes Central Oregon special—scenic mountain views, prolific fishing holes, and more. You’re never far from your next adventure while in La Pine—named, yes, for the groves of ponderosa pine trees that splay out across the community.
If you’re looking to spend a day in the mountains, La Pine makes an excellent base camp. In summer, access the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway—and its many campgrounds, handful of resorts, fishing holes, hiking trails, and backcountry adventures—from just outside of town. Summer is also an excellent time to visit the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, where you’ll get to walk through the 1,300-year-old Big Obsidian Flow, paddle crystal-clear lakes, traverse an underground lava tube, and camp inside a volcanic caldera. Come winter, La Pine sits just 35 miles south of Mt. Bachelor and its endless runs. And in spring, brown trout—weighing up to 20 pounds—are common catches in nearby Wickiup Reservoir.
Excited to learn more? Discover what to expect when you visit La Pine, Oregon.
Tips for Planning Your Visit
Ready to book that next getaway? Get started with these tips for planning your visit to the best Oregon mountain towns.
When to visit: Truly, there’s no bad time to visit the mountain towns of Central Oregon; each season offers unique experiences. Summer is the popular time of year, thanks to clear conditions on trails, available campgrounds, ample opportunities for paddling, and plenty of time to explore food and drink offerings on summer vacation. Fall brings crisp afternoons and colorful foliage displays, winter means fresh powder and bluebird days on the slopes at local ski resorts, and spring provides the perfect opportunity to cozy up around fire pits while exploring our thriving culinary scene.
When to book: Generally speaking, it’s best to book your overnight stay as soon as you know your dates. In summer (when trails are snow-free and the weather is warm), try to book three to six months out to give yourself the best possible chance at choice sites in regional campgrounds and preferred overnight stays at local lodges. And in winter, typically between January and March (when the slopes are teeming with skiers and snowboarders at Mt. Bachelor and other Central Oregon ski resorts), try to book one to three months out.
Lodging options: Whatever kind of overnight stay you prefer, you’ll find it in Central Oregon. Our sublime offerings include renovated motels, chic hotels with plenty of charm, family-friendly lodges, expansive resorts, rustic cabins, and more. See what’s available—and what suits your group’s wants and needs—with our look at where to stay in Central Oregon.
Other stories
More inspiring stories, adventures, and tips & tricks for planning and experiencing the best Central Oregon has to offer.
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Top Luxury Resorts in Bend, Oregon
In 1965, plans were announced to build a luxury resort in the midst of a ponderosa pine forest just south of Bend—the first of its kind in the region. When it opened a few years later, Sunriver Resort ushered in an era of rest, relaxation, luxury, and self-care that continues to resonate today across Central Oregon.
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Top Ski Resorts and Lodging Near Bend, Oregon
When the first snow falls in the Cascade Range every autumn, outdoor enthusiasts across the Pacific Northwest dig out their skis, wax their snowboards, and start planning epic getaways to ski resorts near Bend, Oregon. Across the region, our slopes are dotted with fast-running, dry powder that caters to skiers and boarders of all skill levels—with a season that begins as early as November and continues until Memorial Day in May.