When you turn off Highway 97 and toward Sunriver, time slows down a little. You enter a thick forest of ponderosa pine. Deer frolic and feed along the road. Families laugh joyfully while pedaling between restaurants and attractions on protected bike paths. The snow-capped summit of Mount Bachelor rises above it all.
Indeed, Sunriver—buoyed by the massive Sunriver Resort—is a magical place with plenty of family-friendly fun all year long.
Sunriver, Oregon, activities range from relaxing around the pool and savoring fresh fare at enticing restaurants to floating the Deschutes River and skiing at Mt. Bachelor. So as you think about your next trip, we wanted to highlight some of the community’s top stops and encourage an unforgettable trip.
Here’s a look at some of the best things to do in Sunriver, Oregon:
Why Sunriver Works for All Seasons
With four seasons of outdoor adventure at your doorstep, it’s always an ideal time to see what’s new in Sunriver.
Forested Settings & Easy Access to Central Oregon’s Outdoors
Sunriver sits in a forest of ponderosa pine, next to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, and at the base of the Cascade Range—a prime location that means you’re never far from another outdoor adventure.
A Well-Served Resort Base with Amenities, Lodging & Activities
Of course, you don’t need to go far for a memorable vacation; in fact, you may not even need to leave Sunriver at all.
If you’re staying in one of the five communities at Sunriver Resort, you’ll enjoy access to four golf courses that pair award-winning designs with sweeping views, nearly a dozen eateries that dish everything from elegant Pacific Northwest fare to poolside snacks, close proximity to the fascinating Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory, and other amenities.
Snow & Winter Activities
With bluebird skies, plenty of snow, and a number of beloved seasonal activities, winter is an idyllic time in Central Oregon. Here’s a primer on why winter is a great time to visit Sunriver.
Ski or Snowboard at Mt. Bachelor
One of the top things to do in Sunriver, Oregon, is to ski Mt. Bachelor. The seventh-largest ski resort in the United States sits just 20 miles from Sunriver and offers more than 4,300 acres of terrain that’s accessible by chairlift.
If you make Sunriver Resort your base for Bachelor, be sure to take advantage of the resort’s Stay & Ski Package. The offer includes breakfast at the Lodge Kitchen, ski storage, discounted lift tickets, and free shuttles to and from Mt. Bachelor.
Ice Skating & Sleigh Rides at Sunriver Resort and The Village at Sunriver
The fun doesn’t end when you get off the slopes and return to Sunriver. Try your hand at ice skating at The Village at Sunriver, taking a horse-drawn sleigh ride through a wide-open meadow, or enjoying any number of snow-day activities in the area—such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or snowmobiling. For other ideas, learn about winter activities in Central Oregon.
Water & River Adventures
When the weather warms up, it’s only natural that we flock to the Deschutes River, which courses through the heart of Sunriver. Here’s how to make the most of your time on the water.
Paddle-Boarding, Kayaking, & Floating the Deschutes River
Start your aquatic adventure at the Sunriver Resort Marina. The marina is open to the public and offers canoe, kayak, tube, and stand-up paddleboard rentals, as well as raft rentals that fit groups of up to 10; discounts are available for resort guests. An on-site gear shop sells hats, sunscreen, and other essentials in case you forgot an item.
Summer Float Trips & River-Based Guided Adventures
Whether you’re new to an activity or simply want someone else to lead the way, a guided adventure can be one of the most memorable things to do in Sunriver, Oregon. Local outfitter Sun Country Tours has an office in The Village at Sunriver and leads guided stand-up paddleboarding and whitewater rafting tours every summer—complete with necessary instruction, gear, and transportation. Check out our guide to Sunriver water sports for more ideas and inspiration.
Family-Friendly Marina & River Outfitters
Looking for an easy day on the water? We get it—and are happy to provide a few recommendations for family-friendly outings close by. Sunriver Resort Marina provides shuttle rides for six-mile river floats that begin at the marina, and Sunriver Raft & Float river trips take floaters onto waterways in nearby communities for a variety of laid-back trips.
Trails, Hiking & Biking
Sunriver is surrounded by miles and miles of trails—some paved, some dirt, and some lava. Here’s the skinny on hiking and biking near Sunriver.
Sunriver’s Paved Bike & Walking Paths
In all, more than 40 miles of paved pathways, all separated from roads for a safer experience, wind through Sunriver. Many vacation rental homes come with loaner bikes, and the Bike Barn at Sunriver Resort offers a variety of bicycles and trailers for the whole family.
Nearby Hiking & Lava-Fields Trails
Sunriver sits surrounded by the far-reaching Newberry National Volcanic Monument & Lava Lands, where hiking and biking trails offer glimpses of Central Oregon’s volcanic past. Ride the Sun-Lava Paved Path out of Sunriver and all the way to Lava Lands Visitor Center & Lava Butte, which sits in the heart of a sprawling lava flow and is open mid-May to mid-October.
Family-Friendly & Kid Activities
Kids and kids at heart find plenty of things to do in Sunriver, Oregon. Here’s more about the area’s top family-friendly activities.
Pools, Aquatics & SHARC Recreation Center
The whole family will love a few hours splashing around the Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic & Recreation Center—known locally as the SHARC.
The indoor-outdoor aquatic park’s many offerings include a lazy river (open late May to early September), lap swimming, water slides, and a hot tub open exclusively to visitors 16 and older. No wonder it’s widely seen as one of the top activities in Sunriver.
Horseback Riding & Stable Rides at Sunriver Stables
Giddy up! The Stables at Sunriver Resort offers guided horseback rides that hug the Deschutes River, head through bucolic forests, and offer occasional views of Mount Bachelor from pastoral meadows. Young riders, meanwhile, can ease into the activity with a short pony or horseback ride in the on-site corral—making a laid-back ride one of the most fun Sunriver, Oregon activities.
Dining, Local Flavor & Resort Comforts
Whether you’re getting off the slopes, wrapping up an epic horseback ride, or are famished after a bike ride, plenty of appetizing eateries are found throughout Sunriver.
Village at Sunriver — Restaurants, Cafés & Local Eats
In all, nearly a dozen locally owned restaurants dish breakfast, and lunch, and dinner throughout The Village at Sunriver. Start your day with pastries or brunch, grab filling pub grub for lunch (Sunriver Brewing Co., pictured, is a fun stop), choose among a globetrotting lineup of cuisines for dinner, and wash it all down with local craft beer, cider, and wine at popular pubs.
Resort-Style Amenities: Spa, Lodging, Relaxation
Kick back in style at Sunriver Resort, which puts comfort, coziness, and relaxation at the forefront of its wide range of offerings. The Spa at Sunriver Resort, revamped and reopening in the spring of 2026, delivers a variety of thoughtful services tailored to your health and wellness needs. The resort’s overnight stays, meanwhile, vary throughout the property but may include soaking tubs, fireplaces, cozy seating areas, and other unique amenities.
Day Trips & Nearby Excursions
When you’re in Sunriver, you’re in an ideal spot for savoring the Central Oregon experience on easy, convenient day trips. Here are a few ideas to inspire your next outing.
Day Trip to the High Desert Museum
Just 15 minutes north of Sunriver, the award-winning High Desert Museum offers educational fun for the whole family—indoors and out. Learn about the tribes who have called Central Oregon home since time immemorial, see how the region took shape in the 1800s and 1900s, stop by the rotating exhibits to see what’s new, and make time for numerous wildlife displays; the museum’s residents include a pair of porcupines, several species of raptor, reptiles and amphibians, and a trio of high-energy river otters.
Quick Access to Bend, Oregon: More Food, Shopping & Culture
Bend is just 20 to 30 minutes north of Sunriver, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t shout out Central Oregon’s largest city as a worthy day trip. You’ll find dozens of creative restaurants in Bend with cuisines to please every palate, locally owned boutiques around the Old Mill District and the Box Factory shopping centers, live performances at the historic Tower Theatre in the heart of downtown, and more.
Getting excited to experience all the fun things to do in Sunriver, Oregon? Take the next step, and plan your visit; our guide brings together information on getting to Central Oregon and moving around the region once you’re here.
