In the heart of the Central Oregon high desert, Madras is awash in outdoor adventures, natural beauty, and fascinating history. Some of the fun around Madras includes short hikes to stunning waterfalls, colorful gardens that recall the city’s roots as a farming community, and museums that cover history stretching back thousands of years.
To help plan your next getaway, we’ve put together a wide-ranging list of seven fun things to do in Madras, Oregon:
Read on for more—and to start making plans to visit Madras, Oregon, soon.
Outdoor Adventures
#1: Hiking Steelhead Falls Outside of Madras in Crooked River Ranch
Stretch your legs with a short hike to Steelhead Falls, a small cascade in the lower Deschutes River and one of the best things to do in Madras, Oregon.
Steelhead Falls, less than 40 minutes southwest of Madras, can be accessed via a one-mile (round-trip) hike. The mostly flat footpath—one of Central Oregon’s most popular short hiking trails—follows the rocky banks of the Deschutes River while passing in the shadow of khaki-colored cliffs and striking rock formations. Before long, it arrives at a viewpoint that overlooks the 20-foot waterfall as it tumbles over a rocky, moss-covered shelf and into the river.
The hike remains accessible all year long, so consider a hike in fall or winter for a quieter experience—or in spring to see wildflower blooms, golden eagles soaring overhead, and Steelhead Falls at its fullest. Between spring and fall, watch for rattlesnakes that can occasionally be found along the trail; in winter, keep an eye on weather to see if any recent snow or ice might be on the trail.
#2: Water Activities at Lake Billy Chinook Near Madras
About 13 miles southwest of Madras, the Crooked, Deschutes, and Metolius rivers come together to form Lake Billy Chinook within a rocky river canyon. The manmade lake sits surrounded by The Cove Palisades State Park and is home to hiking trails, a pair of well-maintained campgrounds, three day-use areas with boat launches and swimming holes, and a popular marina.
After grabbing a day-use permit from a pay station on your way into The Cove Palisades, get started with watercraft rentals at Cove Palisades Resort and Marina and The Cove Corner Store. The outfitter rents everything from kayaks and stand-up paddleboards to more extravagant offerings like ski boats, houseboats, pontoons, and party barges. Daily moorage reservations are also available at the marina.
Check out water safety information for more about relevant laws, resources, and other tips for a fun day on the water; also consider looking up current water conditions to see whether it’ll be safe for you or your pup to splash about before visiting in summer.
#3: Visit the Cascade Lavender Farm
Step out of Central Oregon and into a colorful fairy tale at Cascade Lavender Farm, one of the top things to do near Madras, Oregon.
At the family-run Cascade Lavender Farm, just eight miles southwest of the city, you’ll find roughly 4,000 lavender plants—representing dozens of varieties of the fragrant flower—that blossom between late June and early August. Fun on the farm includes U-pick opportunities, dazzling display gardens, a gift shop, a curated plant nursery, friendly alpacas, and views of snow-capped Cascade peaks. Outside of peak bloom, the Cascade Lavender gift shop is open by appointment throughout the year.
Family-Friendly Attractions
#4: Madras East Hills Trails & Madras Bike Park
Less than two miles east of Madras, where the city landscape gives way to expansive high desert, sits Madras East Hills Trails—a beloved trail network that welcomes intrepid mountain bikers all year long.
The Madras East Hills Network comprises fast, flowy, cross country-style paths that include a crowd-pleasing mix of speedy descents and a wide range of technical features. On the area’s rolling hills, mountain bikers of all experience levels encounter berms, jumps, wood features, paved corners, and other challenges for an exciting ride. The somewhat sandy trail surfaces offer especially excellent riding conditions in fall, winter, and spring.
In the heart of town, meanwhile, is Madras Bike & Skate Park—where new and experienced BMX riders can practice tricks and jumps in bowls, on rails, and through other fun obstacles.
Whichever you enjoy, make it part of a memorable weekend or a fun Central Oregon day trip to Madras.
#5: Swimming at the Madras Aquatic Center (MAC)
Active kids of all ages find plenty to love at Madras Aquatic Center (MAC), which hosts water-based activities, fitness classes, and more on the community’s east side.
As the name implies, the aquatic offerings are the stars at the MAC—undoubtedly one of the most fun things to do in Madras, Oregon. Attractions include a 25-yard lap pool, leisure pool and lazy river, 100-foot-long water slide, diving board, hot tub, and a rope swing for the adrenaline-seeking swimmers among us. Parents with new swimmers can take advantage of Toddler Time, when family-oriented pool time is dedicated to helping children 5 and younger acclimate to the water.
Other fun activities include gym sports, fitness classes, and more. Daily drop-in rates are available if you don’t already have a membership. Soak it all in while enjoying panoramic views of Mount Bachelor, Mount Jefferson, and other Cascade peaks to the west.
Cultural and Historical Experiences
#6: Attend the Annual Airshow of the Cascades
Every August, the Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras hosts the Airshow of the Cascades, a celebration of vintage aviation set against the collection’s own fleet of WWII-era warbirds. The event features a vintage aircraft fly-in, a motorcycle show, an antique car show, and 20-minute vintage plane rides for those who want to experience flight in a piece of history. There’s also a full slate of family activities, making it as much a community gathering as an aviation event.
Since it’s held on museum grounds, it’s worth checking the Airshow of the Cascades website ahead of time for exact dates and ticket details, as scheduling can shift year to year.
#7: Exploring the Museum at Warm Springs North of Madras
Some 14 miles north of Madras, in the community of Warm Springs, is the Museum at Warm Springs—which explores, in depth, the past, present, and future of the region’s tribes.
The captivating museum shares the history and culture of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs—made up of the Wasco, Warm Springs, and Paiute peoples—through vintage photographs, colorful beadwork, intricate basketry displays, multimedia exhibits, replica lodgings, and more. Numerous interpretive panels cover a variety of important topics—from historic treaty negotiations to how Native Americans are portrayed in pop culture today.
While in Warm Springs, you’re on tribal land—so keep a few tips in mind. Please respect all private property signs and corresponding closures, and do your best to visit and purchase from tribal-owned-and-operated attractions; this supports local tribal members while having a greater impact on the community. Get more ideas for your time in town with our ideas for where to camp, swim, and stay in Warm Springs.
