Sunriver Resort welcomed its first visitors in 1969, setting the stage for decades of couples getaways, family vacations, joyful reunions, and memorable group trips. More than 50 years later, the resort remains an acclaimed destination just 20 minutes south of Bend, offering thoughtful, locally inspired flourishes for travelers from all walks of life.
Over the years, countless golfers have teed off on scenic, award-winning courses celebrated for their dramatic views and engaging challenges. Casual eateries and upscale restaurants dish house-made fare that spotlights locally sourced ingredients. And family-friendly amenities, from paved bike paths to a rip-roaring indoor-outdoor pool facility, ensure kids will ask to return before your next vacation even ends.
So no matter when you visit, whether on a quiet winter retreat or a boisterous summer outing, here’s a guide to the year-round outdoor adventures at (and around) Sunriver Resort.
Experience Award-Winning Golf Courses at Sunriver Resort
When booking a golfing trip to Sunriver Resort, the question isn’t whether you’ll have time for a round; it’s how many courses you can fit into your vacation.
You’ll find four stellar courses across Sunriver Resort, each offering their own amenities and challenges. (And whether your desired course is closed for the season or you’d rather stay inside, the Sunriver Indoor Golf Simulator features several courses—including three of Sunriver’s own—as well as interactive games, skill challenges, and more.)
Here’s a look at what each offers—and what sets the courses apart from one another.
Crosswater Golf Course
You can’t go wrong with any of the courses at Sunriver Resort—but Crosswater is a favorite among dedicated golfers. Crosswater was named one of the United States’ 100 greatest courses by none other than Golf Digest—and earns that acclaim with 18 scenic holes that head through wetlands, cut through forests, and offer spectacular views throughout. (One of the most spectacular sights is Mount Bachelor, which rises above the forests beyond the tee on Crosswater’s ninth hole.)
After your round, grab a quick bite (washed down with a local craft brew) at The Turn Café.
Meadows Golf Course
Sunriver Resort’s Meadows golf course, designed by architect John Fought, is beloved among casual and dedicated golfers alike for the rich variety you’ll enjoy across its 18 scenic holes. Water hazards, deep bunkers, shallow greens, gentle slopes, sweeping mountain views, and thick forests of pine are just some of the features you’ll encounter throughout this accessible course.
Woodlands Golf Course
Few courses at Sunriver Resort celebrate (and take advantage of) the Central Oregon landscape quite like Woodlands, designed by internationally renowned course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. The 18-hole course takes golfers through stately forests of ponderosa pine, occasional lava rock formations, and myriad water hazards. Relax after an invigorating round with breakfast sandwiches, burgers, sandwiches, and other snacks at Mcdivot’s Cafe.
Caldera Links Golf Course
Looking for a family-friendly round? The nine-hole Caldera Links golf course features tees that range from 60 to 185 yards in length—the ideal distances for sharpening your skills, improving your game, or introducing a friend or loved one to the sport. Bolstering its beginner-friendly credentials, Caldera Links features graceful slopes, classic sand traps, and several fun water hazards.
Relax and Unwind at Sunriver Resort’s Pools
Eager to get in the water? At Sunriver Resort, it’s not just a summer activity. Enjoy year-round fun at The Cove Aquatic Center, or get in a more rigorous workout in the lap pool at Sage Springs Club and Spa. Here’s a bit more about each offering.
The Cove Aquatic Center
Open year-round and exclusively to Sunriver Resort guests, The Cove Aquatic Center has something fun and exciting for kids of all ages.
Take a dip in The Cove’s indoor or outdoor pool, relax in a jetted spa, enjoy a thrilling ride on the indoor-outdoor waterslide, and take a soothing ride on a lazy river. Private cabanas are also available, as is the Spotted Frog Poolside Restaurant—which dishes indulgent pub fare, healthy snacks, and crisp beverages from a full bar.
Sage Springs Club and Spa
Sage Springs Club and Spa boasts a variety of wellness-oriented services for resort guests and members—one of which is a three-lane, saltwater lap pool that is open all year long. An on-site hot tub offers relaxation after you’ve gotten a few laps in.
Explore Sunriver’s Lodging Options
No matter the experience you’re after or the size of the group you’re with, you’ll find a variety of enchanting overnight options at Sunriver Resort. Here’s a look at what’s available—and what to expect.
River Lodge Resort Rooms
Immerse yourself in Pacific Northwest-inspired design with a luxe stay in the River Lodge, where every room comes outfitted with a fireplace fashioned from river rocks, a private balcony or patio, and upscale amenities that include vaulted, wood-beamed ceilings (on the second floor), soaking tubs, and marble vanities.
Lodge Village Resort Rooms
Just north of the Main Lodge and in the heart of Sunriver Resort, rooms and suites in the Lodge Village feel like home away from home. Amenities and offerings include in-room fireplaces crafted from volcanic rock, private balconies or patios, ADA-accessible rooms, flat-screen TVs, and more. As a bonus: Select rooms and suites are pet friendly.
Sunriver Vacation Rental Homes
Planning a getaway with friends and family? Hosting a reunion? Or just looking for a little more space? Whatever the case, Sunriver Resort offers 275 rental homes and condos spread across three idyllic communities. Options include cozy condos for two, comfortable homes with two or three bedrooms, and larger properties that sleep up to 16. Perks include discounted bike and boat rentals in summer, access to The Cove Pool and Sage Springs Spa all year long, and more.
Caldera Springs Vacation Homes
Enjoy a luxe stay at Caldera Springs Vacation Homes, a private resort community that brings together luxurious vacation home rentals in the heart of Sunriver. Upscale cabins and custom, mountain-inspired homes feature up to five bedrooms, with the latest additions being two- and three-bedroom Forestbook homes and studio residences. Exclusive amenities include free cruiser bike rentals, free access to tennis and pickleball courts, and more.
Indulge at Sunriver Resort’s Restaurants
Whatever you and the family are in the mood for, you’ll find plenty to love about the seasonal and year-round restaurants at Sunriver Resort.
Lodge Kitchen
Celebrate your special occasion—whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or even a day ending in “Y”—with a special meal at the Lodge Kitchen.
The acclaimed restaurant prides itself on serving Pacific Northwest-inspired fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Lodge Kitchen’s menu varies but typically includes house-made pastries, grass-fed steaks from Central Oregon ranches, seasonal salads, dry-aged ribeye, and more—all crafted with fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. It all pairs well with sunset views of Mount Bachelor.
Owl’s Nest
Enjoy a nightcap, along with a dose of history, at the Owl’s Nest—a year-round restaurant that dates back to 1969. The appropriately named restaurant and lounge overlooks one of the resort’s award-winning golf courses and affords sweeping views of Mount Bachelor rising above the horizon; in addition to a creative cocktail menu, the Owl’s Nest serves farm-fresh salads, sandwiches, burgers, and upscale comfort-food dishes (such as fish-and-chips and macaroni-and-cheese with barbecue pork belly).
Hit the Slopes or Downhill Mountain Biking at Mt. Bachelor
Less than a half-hour from Sunriver Resort sits Mt. Bachelor—the storied ski resort, a popular tourist attraction since 1958, and a four-season outdoor playground boasting some of the best views in Central Oregon.
In winter, the sixth-largest ski resort in North America beckons skiers and snowboarders with more than 4,300 skiable acres, 360º skiing and boarding from the summit, and a breezy 3,365 feet of vertical drop—all spread across more than 100 runs. Even away from the slopes, popular activities at Mt. Bachelor include sled dog rides, ranger-led snowshoe tours, on-site food carts, and restaurants dishing fresh fare. (If you’d rather leave the driving to someone else, a daily shuttle takes skiers between Sunriver and Mt. Bachelor all winter long.)
If you’re more of a warm-weather sports enthusiast, Mt. Bachelor’s popular summer activities include sunset dinners at Pine Marten Lodge, mountain biking at Mt. Bachelor Bike Park (hosting more than 12 miles of downhill trails), chairlift rides, and even thrilling zip line tours.
Just north of the Main Lodge and in the heart of Sunriver Resort, rooms and suites in the Lodge Village feel like home away from home. Amenities and offerings include in-room fireplaces crafted from volcanic rock, private balconies or patios, ADA-accessible rooms, flat-screen TVs, and more. As a bonus: Select rooms and suites are pet friendly.
Try Horseback Riding at Sunriver Stables
Ponderosa pine forests, wide-open meadows, dramatic mountain views, and the occasional elk herd—at times, Sunriver can feel a bit like the Old West.
Complete the experience with horseback riding at Sunriver Stables, open to riders of all abilities and skill levels between mid-April and early November. The horseback adventures include beginner-friendly rides that last 30 to 60 minutes—complete with 15 minutes of instruction. Short pony rides are also available for young children, and hand-led corral rides are offered if you’re not quite ready for a full-on trail ride.
Book Your Vacation at Sunriver Resort
Have you picked out your preferred lodging, perused the menus at the resort’s restaurants, and made plans for all the outdoor adventures at your doorstep? If so, there’s only one thing left to do: Book your vacation at Sunriver Resort today.
Related: 6 Car Free Adventures You Can Have at Sunriver Resort
Ready to leave the keys in your room, savor some fresh air, and enjoy the best of Sunriver? We’ve compiled six car-free adventures you can have at Sunriver Resort, from cycling through lava flows to floating the Deschutes River.
Other stories
More inspiring stories, adventures, and tips & tricks for planning and experiencing the best Central Oregon has to offer.
-
Six Car-Free Adventures You Can Have at Sunriver Resort This Summer
Summer is a time for kicking back, getting out of town, and making memories with the family. And if your travels bring you to Sunriver Resort this summer, you’ll find plenty of popular activities to enjoy at your doorstep—all without ever getting in the car.
-
Top Ideas for Making Magical Memories This Winter at Sunriver Resort
When you close your eyes and imagine the holiday season, what do you see? Many of us picture festive family dinners, while others think of twinkling light displays and dazzling tree lightings. Yet others reminisce on snowshoe outings through quiet forests or shredding the powdery slopes at their favorite ski resort. Whatever you thought about, chances are good it was rooted in tradition—long-standing, cherished events with family, friends and loved ones, some passed down through generations.
-
Adventures Abound Starting at Sunriver Resort
Sunriver is the type of place that takes your breath away no matter what season it is. During the summer you can hop on a horse for your very own wild wild west experience. The team at Sunriver Stables will make you feel comfortable on your ride, even if you’ve never saddled up before. Whether you’re in a tube or a kayak, floating down the Deschutes River is a relaxing activity that’s fun for the whole family.