To visit Sunriver, Oregon, is to relax, recharge, and escape the hustle and bustle of daily life back home. And how you rest up is up to you.
For some, there’s no better feeling than a day on the links; in Sunriver, that means snow-capped Cascade peak views from seemingly every hole. For others, it involves splashing about in the pool—or relaxing poolside with a good book. For many, it’s a family gathering in a luxurious rental, over the dinner table, or while visiting locally owned shops. It might even mean a casual hike or bike through stately groves of ponderosa pine.
However you define it, you’ll have plenty of options to unwind in the community of Sunriver and across Sunriver Resort. Here are eight reasons why it’s worth it to visit Sunriver on your next getaway—whether with the family, your special someone, or on a solo vacation.
1. Stunning Natural Beauty
Natural beauty surrounds and envelops Sunriver, so you’re never far from another postcard-worthy view or jaw-dropping site.
The community itself resides in a pastoral forest of ponderosa pine that’s broken up only occasionally by wide-open meadows that are blanketed with colorful wildflower blooms in late spring and early summer. The Deschutes River flows lazily by Sunriver’s western edge, and views of Mount Bachelor and other Cascade peaks routinely tower over the treetops to the west.
2. Year-Round Outdoor Adventures
Photo courtesy of Max Rhulen
All year long, you’ll find plenty to love about the outdoors around Sunriver.
If you’re planning a summer getaway to Sunriver, take your pick of outdoor adventures. The nearby Newberry National Volcanic Monument pays tribute to its namesake volcano with lava tubes, hiking trails, and educational opportunities galore. The Sunriver Resort Marina rents tubes, kayaks, rafts, and stand-up paddleboards for fun and frolic on the water. Sunriver Resort Stables offers seasonal horseback riding trips through the forests and meadows around town. For more, get the lowdown on the top 8 things to do in Sunriver in summer.
When the season’s first snow falls, it’s time to dig out your snowshoes, buy a lift ticket, and get ready for winter. Sunriver’s winter offerings include easy access (and daily shuttles) to fresh powder on Mt. Bachelor, custom snowmobile tours into the Central Oregon backcountry, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at nearby Sno-Parks, and ice skating at The Village at Sunriver. If you’re ready to chase fresh powder and break new trails in the snowy backcountry near Sunriver, check out our guide to the top Sno-Parks in Central Oregon.
3. Family-Friendly Fun
Almost since its founding as a resort community, Sunriver has been popular with families looking to entertain and educate children of all ages.
One of the most popular local family activities is the Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic and Recreation (SHARC), a year-round aquatic playground with a hot tub, lap lanes, and a shallow pool for new swimmers; in summer, the SHARC’s outdoor offerings expand to include a lazy river, slides, and a pool just for young tots.
The Village at Sunriver, meanwhile, pairs its shopping and dining opportunities with seasonal experiences—including ice skating (generally available between late November and early April) and an 18-hole mini golf course in summer.
Looking to get active? Roughly 34 miles of paved trails—largely set back from the road and protected from vehicular traffic—offer pedestrians and cyclists access to Sunriver’s top attractions.
If you’re looking for attractions that mix fun and curiosity, several excellent offerings reside in and around Sunriver. The Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory hosts live animal displays, a botanical garden with native plants, and educational panels on the natural history of Central Oregon; when the sun sets, the center’s Oregon Observatory invites visitors to stargaze and admire the night sky with the largest collection of telescopes for public use in the United States. A short drive away, the award-winning High Desert Museum enchants with displays of local wildlife, educational exhibits on the region’s past, living-history reenactments, and more.
4. World-Class Golfing
Whether you’re playing just one round or are building an entire getaway around golf, the four world-class golf courses at Sunriver Resort offer an unforgettable experience.
The fun includes the wide-open, heathland-style Crosswater (dubbed one of the 100 greatest golf courses in the United States by Golf Digest), the graceful Meadows, the forested Woodlands course, and the family-friendly, nine-hole Caldera Links. Each course delivers a unique look and feel, and each pairs a variety of landscapes (including the area’s ponderosa pine forests) with views of the Cascade mountains nearby.
Other amenities for golfers include lessons at the resort’s Golf Academy, an 18-hole putting course, and an indoor simulator.
Ready to play? Grab your golf bag, book a tee time, and start planning your next trip with our guide to golf courses in Sunriver, Oregon. And if you’re staying locally, make the most of your trip with Sunriver Resort stay and play golf packages.
5. Relaxing Getaway with Luxury Accommodations
Whether you’re booking a solo getaway, planning a family reunion, or thinking of something in between, find the right overnight stay for your crew at Sunriver Resort.
Book well-appointed rooms and suites—and lounge around your in-room fireplace—in Lodge Village, get cozy in Pacific Northwest-inspired rooms in the River Lodge, or book an opulent vacation rental in one of three communities across the resort.
Each rental home is different, but common amenities include patios with private hot tubs, well-stocked kitchens, cozy fireplaces, and plenty of room to stretch out.
6. Unique Shopping and Dining at The Village
Get to know Central Oregon’s chefs, outfitters, and small-business owners when you stroll through The Village at Sunriver.
The open-air shopping center hosts more than 30 locally owned businesses that reflect the craft and creativity of the area—including restaurants dishing fare from around the world; boutiques selling clothing, toys, books, and more; and outfitters waiting to take you fishing and whitewater rafting.
The acclaimed Sunriver Brewing Company got started here—and remains a must-visit stop today, pairing award-winning craft beers with an appetizing menu of classic pub fare. Nearby, pick up treats, leashes, and other essentials for your furry friends at Sunriver Pet Boutique and Spa. And if you’re looking for a day on the water, stop by Sun Country Tours to see which outing might be right for you.
Looking for more fun ideas on your next trip? Browse our list of the top 10 must-do activities in Sunriver, and add a few iconic stops to your itinerary.
7. Close Proximity to Bend & Mt. Bachelor
At some point, you may choose to venture beyond the borders of Sunriver—where urban life meets small-town charm in Bend and where outdoor adventures make all four seasons spectacular at Mt. Bachelor.
Bend, just 17 miles north of Sunriver, can easily be accessed by Highway 97. Make the short trip, and you’ll find boutiques and locally owned shops across a brick-lined downtown core, more than a dozen bustling breweries, bucolic parks along the Deschutes River and Shevlin Creek, and numerous food cart pods that spotlight a globetrotting lineup of delicious dishes.
Photo courtesy of Mt. Bachelor
Mt. Bachelor, meanwhile, sits just 19 miles west of Sunriver—making it an easy day trip from the community. In winter, Mt. Bachelor transforms into the seventh-largest ski area in North America, with a season that begins as early as late November and continues well into May. Sunriver Resort guests can book a shuttle to the mountain and receive free ski valet service. In summer, the forested slopes of Mt. Bachelor host epic singletrack mountain bike trails, a thrilling zipline adventure with nearly 1,400 feet of vertical drop, scenic chair lift rides, and hiking trails that deliver wide-open views of nearby peaks.
For more fun in the snow check out the top things to do in Sunriver in the winter.
8. Unique Events & Festivals
Whenever you plan your next visit, chances are good you’ll encounter some of the annual events that make Sunriver such an exciting place to stay.
Some of those fun events include the Sunriver Music Festival, featuring numerous orchestral performances every summer; the Sunriver Resort Food & Wine Festival, a springtime celebration of local farmers and regional flavors—complete with cooking classes, live music, and tasting events; and the Sunriver Saturday Market—where you can peruse fresh food from local producers, works from artisans and crafters, and prepared foods from area chefs on certain Saturdays between late spring and early fall.
In November and December, the long-running Traditions program at Sunriver Resort invites you to make memories and celebrate the holidays with horse-drawn sleigh rides, festive meals, colorful light displays, and plenty of family fun.
For more Sunriver, Oregon, activities, see what’s coming soon with our Sunriver events calendar.
Why Make Sunriver Your Next Getaway
Feeling inspired? No matter what brings you to Central Oregon, several vacations worth of activities await around Sunriver. Start planning a getaway today so you can see firsthand what makes the region so special, from its natural beauty and outdoor adventures to plush lodgings and abundance of fun activities. Get ready for a joyous vacation, and plan your getaway to Sunriver.
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More inspiring stories, adventures, and tips & tricks for planning and experiencing the best Central Oregon has to offer.
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Top 10 Must-Do Activities in Sunriver
Over the years, the location of present-day Sunriver has been many things to many people. Local tribes lived amid the area's ponderosa pine forests and open meadows as far back as 11,500 years ago. During World War II, the forested area along the Deschutes River was a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers training center called Camp Abbot.
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Why is Bend, Oregon So Popular?
Bend and the broader Central Oregon region are unlike anywhere in the state. Nowhere else in Oregon, after all, can you hike to alpine lakes, ride bikes through the sprawling high desert, and celebrate with creative cuisines and award-winning craft beers—all in one day. Couple that with a sunny climate and plenty of Bend, Oregon, tourist attractions, and it’s easy to see why this region resonates so broadly.