Windswept bluffs and craggy sea stacks. Alpine lakes and snow-capped peaks. Colorful hillsides and cosmopolitan vibes. Starry night skies. The deepest lake in the United States. These various landscapes and atmospheres all come together in one place that’s unlike anywhere else: Oregon.
Natural beauty, outdoor activities, cultural hubs, and other exciting attractions cater to travelers from all over the world and all walks of life. But with so much to see and explore, planning a trip to Oregon can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re excited to help you plan your next road trip, with a special nod to the bustling communities of Central Oregon and highlights across the broader Beaver State. Here’s a sampling of what you’ll find:
Keep reading for tips to plan your trip to Oregon.
Why Visit Oregon
You’ll find plenty of good places to visit in Oregon. Here are a few reasons to plan an Oregon road trip and experience the best of the region
Seasons: You’ll find memorable experiences in all four seasons—skiing on fresh powder in Central Oregon and watching for migrating gray whales off the Oregon Coast in winter, savoring farm experiences and thundering waterfalls in spring, getting outdoors under sunny skies across the state throughout the summer, and enjoying a scenic mix of fall foliage and harvest events in fall.
Festivals: If you can dream about it, a group in Oregon has likely come up with a festival to celebrate it. You’ll find seafood festivals on the Oregon Coast, block parties around Portland, and all manner of community-minded celebrations in Central Oregon—including the Munch & Music series every summer and Sisters Folk Festival in fall.
Natural beauty: Oregon is rich with beautiful landscapes—craggy rock formations, high-desert expanses, old-growth forests, rocky canyons, lush farmland, ancient hot springs, and a rugged coastline. Whatever type of outdoor adventure you’re looking for, you’ll find it somewhere in Oregon.
Top State Destination: Central Oregon
Photo courtesy of Mt. Bachelor
We may be biased, but we think Central Oregon is one of the state’s top destinations. Sitting at the eastern edge of the Cascade Range, our natural beauty encompasses alpine adventures, high-desert fun, trails that cut through lava flows, and more. Top stops within the region include Bend, Sunriver, Redmond, and Sisters—which we’ve highlighted below to help with your Central Oregon vacation planning.
Bend
With a population of about 105,000, Bend is the largest city in Central Oregon—and is where you’ll find the most overnight stays, outfitters, restaurants, brewpubs, and other attractions. In particular, the city is beloved for its prodigious craft beer scene, shopping at the Old Mill District and in downtown, year-round outdoor adventures, easy access to the Cascade Range, and close proximity to Mt. Bachelor Ski & Snowboard Resort. Learn more about some of the fun you’ll encounter when you visit Bend.
Sunriver
Just south of Bend, Sunriver has been a popular family getaway destination for decades—thanks, in large part, to the presence of Sunriver Resort. The expansive resort hosts vacation homes and rentals for groups of all sizes, four world-class golf courses, outdoor adventures on the Deschutes River and at nearby Mt. Bachelor, dozens of miles of paved bike trails, a bustling aquatic park, and plenty of other fun throughout the year. Away from the resort, The Village at Sunriver hosts roughly a dozen restaurants, nearly 20 boutique shops, outfitters, and more—most of which are locally owned. Visit Sunriver for more on the exciting community.
Redmond
When you visit Redmond, which sits just north of Bend, you’re embracing the region’s high desert. Underground adventures await at the Redmond Caves Recreation Site, ancient rock formations rise from the banks of the Crooked River at nearby Smith Rock State Park, and the Deschutes River muscles its way through a verdant stretch of desert at Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint at the western edge of town.
Sisters
Sisters sits at the doorstep of the Cascade Range, offering easy access to Suttle Lake (where you can paddle, hike, camp, and stay at the Suttle Lodge and Boathouse), Hoodoo Ski Area (which offers Central Oregon’s only night skiing), and the McKenzie Highway (which heads into the heart of the Cascades and is open in summer and early fall). The town itself is best known for its Wild West-inspired architecture, which is visible on almost every building in town, as well as a creative culinary scene and cozy lodgings. Learn more about the city’s highlights when you visit Sisters.
For more fun ideas, check out our round-up of the top things to do in Central Oregon.
Other Top Places to Go in Oregon
Whether you’re planning a Central Oregon road trip or are exploring the wider state, you’ll find several fun places to go in Oregon.
Portland is the state’s largest city and is a cultural hub—home to a thriving arts scene, family-friendly attractions, dozens of craft breweries, and plenty of urban hiking trails; Portland sits a three-hour drive from Central Oregon, making it an easy part of a statewide road trip.
To the west, the 363-mile Oregon Coast is home to small towns and cities with family activities, fresh seafood, historic lighthouses, well-kept campgrounds, and outdoor adventures on both land and water.
Southern Oregon spans the Cascade Range, from the sun-kissed history and adventures around Klamath Falls to the Shakespeare-inspired city of Ashland and the fertile Rogue Valley; perhaps the region’s top attraction is Crater Lake National Park—Oregon’s only national park.
And Eastern Oregon covers roughly half of the state; there, it’s easy to string together a road trip that includes small towns, snow-capped mountain peaks, massive wheat fields, and otherworldly rock formations.
Local Tips for Traveling to Oregon
When you plan a trip to Oregon, you’ll want to keep a few tips in mind for navigating the state, what you’ll encounter in each season, how to pack for the Pacific Northwest climate, and more. Here’s a quick round-up of helpful tips:
Transportation: Portland International Airport (PDX) is the largest airport in the state—and, with several car rental companies on site, the perfect jumping-off point for a road trip. You can get around Portland on mass transit, but a rental car is recommended for visiting other parts of the state. Limited train and bus service is available across Oregon. Learn more about Oregon transportation options and getting to Central Oregon for more about intrastate travel.
Seasons: Oregon experiences all four seasons, but that looks different in various parts of the state. Winter snow isn’t uncommon at high elevations in winter, but lower-elevation areas (like Portland and the Oregon Coast) see steady rainfall with occasional sunbreaks. In Central Oregon, you’ll enjoy warm afternoons in summer; cool mornings, brisk afternoons, and chilly evenings in spring and summer; and cold (but mostly sunny) weather in winter. No matter when you visit, see where to stay in Central Oregon.
Packing tips: When (and where) you visit will guide your packing decisions. It’s advisable to pack layers for the Oregon Coast all year long, where weather can alternate between sunny and rainy within the span of a few minutes; layers also come in handy throughout the state in spring and fall. In Central Oregon, lighter clothes will serve you well in summer, though you might want a light jacket for after the sun sets on the high desert. If visiting Central Oregon in winter, bring a water-resistant or waterproof jacket to protect against occasional rain showers and regular snowfall. No matter the time of year, pack sunscreen for Central Oregon’s sunny climate.
Ready to plan your getaway? Check out our weekend itinerary in Central Oregon to get inspired.
Other stories
More inspiring stories, adventures, and tips & tricks for planning and experiencing the best Central Oregon has to offer.
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Choose Bend for An Unforgettably Unique Place to Stay
Whether you spend your day window-shopping at boutiques in downtown Bend, exploring the high desert or mountain trails in the Cascades, or relaxing poolside on yet another sun-kissed weekend, chances are good that you’ll want somewhere cozy and comfortable to lay your head at night.
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Vacation Planning
For people planning a Central Oregon vacation, finding the answer is no small feat, because there isn’t a single best answer…nor a bad one! So many things to see and do, and only a set amount of time. To narrow down your itinerary, you have to ask yourself some tough questions: