Plan Your Visit To
La Pine, Oregon
With a population of fewer than 2,500, La Pine seems like an unlikely gateway to some of Central Oregon’s most popularoutdoor destinations. But what the city lacks in size, it makes up for with close proximity to several trips’ worth of recreation—from the nearby Newberry National Volcanic Monument to the chilly waters of Wickiup Reservoir. And even after you’ve enjoyed a day outdoors, the city still has plenty of hidden gems—ranging from small-batch distilleries to up-and-coming dispensaries—that invite visitors to linger a little longer.
Here’s a rundown of things to do in La Pine, where to go nearby, and how to have a fun adventure on your next visit to the city (named, yes, for the surrounding stands of ponderosa pine).
Map of La Pine, Oregon
Want to find your way around the La Pine area? Here’s a map with attractions, highlights, highways, and other important information:
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Open Jump
TRAMPOLINE PARKJump, Twist, and TrickWith more than 50 trampoline beds, TZAP is Bend’s premier family fun destination. Fight your way across the Gladiator Beam, challenge your friends to a Slam Dunk contest, join a sky-high game of Dodgeball, or learn freestyle acrobatics at the Trick Pit.NINJA COURSEDo you even Ninja?You’ve seen it on TV. You may have thought about building a few obstacles in your backyard. And we all have said “I could have done that…” Well here is your chance. We have 15 obstacles to hone your strength, endurance, and mental grit. Do you have what it takes to be a ninja?WALLTOPIARace to the topSix interactive climbing walls take the standard rock-climbing wall to a whole new level. Pit your wits against spinning holds, a racing clock, and flashing lights. Do you have what it takes to reach the top? Harness in and hold on tight.
$1 - $20
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Visit Erickson Aircraft Collection
Recommended by TRIP ADVISOR, The Erickson Aircraft Collection proudly displays a vintage aircraft collection started by Jack Erickson in 1983. This collection features over twenty rare aircraft, most of which are still in flying condition. P-38 Lightning, P-51 Mustang, Ki43 Hayabusa, F4U Corsair, SBD Dauntless, Grumman Duck, and B-17 Flying Fortress are some of the ones included in this one-of-a-kind collection.
$9
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Night Photography Tour
Since Bend is located in such an amazing spot with hardly any ambient light, it lends it's self to some awesome night photography. Whether it's the milky way, star trails, light writing or the moon... we can target your tour to your specific night photo goals.Private Tour capped at 2 people to ensure personalized instruction and individualized attention.Tour Price: $325 up to 2 people
$325
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Scenic Hot Air Balloon Flight
We operate flights from Smith Rock Ranch in Terrebonne OR, about a 30 minute drive north of Bend. When preparing for your flight with us remember to dress warmly and in layers. Early mornings are always cool in the high dessert, but it warms up quickly and you'll want to adjust accordingly. Temperatures in flight are actually much warmer than on the ground. A hat and comfortable shoes or boots are recommended, no open toed shoes or sport sandals.We conduct one flight a day early in the morning when wind conditions are calm and the air is stable. Safety is our top priority, flights are conducted only when the weather and wind conditions are favorable. Departure times vary from 6AM-8AM depending on the time of year. We will check-in with you the night before your scheduled flight to confirm the meeting time and location. we typically like to be in the air within 1 hour of sunrise.Flight time is approximately one hour with the entire experience taking about three hours. We can carry up to six passengers per flight, cost is $275/person for 2 and $250/person when booking 4 or more. Please inquire for private charters. All passengers must sign the Flight Waiver prior to your scheduled flight.
$250 - $275
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Full Day Walk-In Upper Deschutes River
This is an adventure for the angler looking to “stalk” fish on foot at one of our local rivers. Never is a strenuous hike required, often the fishing “hole” is located within a few minutes of walking from the guide’s vehicle. This is the perfect trip for families and new anglers looking for an unforgettable day of fly fishing near Bend. Both the Fall River and the Crooked River are perfect for Walk-In trips. For our walk-in trips, you will meet your guide at a predetermined location and then either carpool or caravan to the chosen water.
$475 - $733.32
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Shoes, Brews & Views Snowshoe Tours
About Shoes, Brews & Views Snowshoe ToursAdventure: Wanderlust Tours is the premier destination for snowshoe tours in Bend, Oregon! Join us to go splashing through the powdery snow in the Cascade Mountains west of Bend, Oregon. Bend? You mean where incredible beer is brewed for sipping splendor? YES!Naturalist Guided Experience: Shoes, Brews and Views says it all- snowshoe to a serene spot, sip suds in true Bend fashion and wonder at inspiring views while at it! This is the Bend lifestyle in which our tour will fill your spirit and mind. Following animal tracks, eating some lichens and running downhill in playful powder demands tasty libations as a reward- whether a locally crafted hopped beverage or root beer for the kids it all goes down well in the forest surrounded by visually splendid peaks. And get this connection, the no-impact-nature of our snowshoe tour produces no adverse affect on what becomes the water for the beer you drink on this experience. Baby, that’s goodness!Location: Snowshoeing tours take place in the areas around Mt. Bachelor and the surrounding Deschutes National Forest of the Cascade Mountain Range of Oregon. New to off-trail snowshoeing? Let Wanderlust Tours do the driving and teach you fun snowshoeing techniques and tricks. All tours include instruction. Wear winter boots and powder/ski pants to keep your feet and legs dry while snowshoeing
$75 - $110
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Smith Rock Sunset Photo Tour
If you enjoy scenic views of deep river canyons, Smith Rock State Park is the place for you. There are several thousand climbs, hikes and mountain bike trails in the park, so we can often see several climbers as well as some wildlife including golden eagles, prairie falcons, mule deer, river otters and beavers.This tour can include some moderate hiking, or we can shoot right from the parking lot. We'll show you our favorite shots based on how active you want to be.Private Tour capped at 2 people to ensure personalized instruction and individualized attention.You'll have around 2 hrs on location. We'll keep shooting up to 30 mins after sunset. A night photography extension can be added.Tour Price: $299 up to 2 people
$299
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Cascade Lakes Tour (4 Hours)
Cascade Lake Adventure! Amazing Experience through the Cascades of Oregon. Drive or ride in your private Polaris RZR. Outriders will show you the way through the true back country of Central Oregon. The fresh air and beauty of Central Oregon will surround you. Come check out the fascinating terrain of The Deschutes National Forest
$529
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Starlight and Moonlight Canoe Tours
ABOUT THE TOURAdventure: Wanderlust Tours is the premier destination for canoe tours in Bend, Oregon! Join us on this astounding paddle on the high elevation mountain lakes in the mighty Cascade Range. Naturalist Guided Experience: Our renowned naturalist guides will highlight the sweet spots on these stunning lakes that might not initially meet the eye. During our 2 hours on the water, along with the fun and intrigue, we may impart an understanding of the heaven’s starlight illuminating the darkness. Age-old stories and myths mixed with astronomy will enlighten just as the stars do. The silence of the evening hours provides a chance to hear companions of the forest going about their evening activities. Your crew will be energized with revelations about natural and cultural history that’ll keep your mind humming with delight long after you return home with fond memories of the tour.Location: On this tour, you’ll take in the sights and sounds nighttime has to offer while paddling one of the beautiful, high-elevation Cascade Lakes. There is nothing more peaceful, or spectacular than being out on these pristine waters at night.
$110
Things to Do in La Pine, Oregon
Whenever you visit, you’re never short on fun things to do in La Pine, Oregon. Here’s a rundown of some of the city’s most popular activities all year long.
While the night away: La Pine boasts several bars and tasting rooms with atmospheres ranging from relaxed and laid back to boisterous and lively. Legend Cider, for instance, is the city’s first cidermaker—and pours a variety of fun, fruity flavors; its outdoor space hosts a few food carts and offers plenty of room to stretch out. Just down the highway, Vic’s Bar & Grill is a rollicking roadhouse that hosts live music, elevated pub grub (from massive burgers to broasted chicken), pool tables, darts, and more. For more on nightlife around town, check out our page on bars in La Pine, Oregon.
Play a few holes: La Pine sits just 15 minutes south of the public Quail Run Golf Course, an 18-hole championship course that offers plenty of fun for golfers of all abilities. Four sets of tees create course lengths from 5,400 to more than 6,800 yards—and views range from bucolic forested settings to wide-open panoramas of nearby peaks and hillsides. And if you’re looking to hit the links elsewhere around the region, we have plenty of information on golfing in Central Oregon.
Sample spirits from Badlands Artisan Distillery: Since 2020, Badlands Artisan Distillery has taken a creative approach to crafting its unconventional spirits—like a sweet vodka made with plum and sloe berries, and a vodka finished in repurposed wine barrels. Find its spirits at bars and stores around town, or pick up a bottle from Badlands’ production facility. For more on craft spirits around town, learn more about distilleries in La Pine, Oregon.
Dig into a filling meal: Whether spending the night nearby or passing through, chances are good you’ll want to kick back with some grub in La Pine. Fortunately, several restaurants offer a variety of cuisines—including Ponderosa Pizza Parlor (which serves pies piled high in a classic pizza parlor setting) and Cinco de Mayo (home to creative margaritas and filling chile rellenos since 1995). No matter what sounds good, read up on restaurants in La Pine, Oregon.
Check out La Pine’s dispensaries: Despite its relative size and rural location, La Pine boasts three marijuana dispensaries around town. Since 2015, for instance, HD Botanicals has employed friendly budtenders who can offer personalized recommendations on flower, pre-rolls, vaporizers, edibles, and other products; the dispensary even offers a drive-thru lane where visitors on the go can pick up their pre-ordered product. Learn more about dispensaries in La Pine, Oregon.
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Top Areas to Check Out Near La Pine, Oregon
La Pine is a fun destination in its own right, but the city also serves as a waypoint for visitors exploring the nearby Cascades, alpine lakes, Newberry Volcano, and more. Here are a few fun day trips or overnight outings for exploring the landscapes surrounding La Pine.
Newberry National Volcanic Monument: Check out the Newberry National Volcanic Monument for a look at 500,000 years of Central Oregon history. Spread across the monument’s 57,400 acres are dozens of explosive attractions—including the Lava Butte cinder cone, the eerie Lava Cast Forest, the mile-long Lava River Cave, Newberry Caldera, the other-worldly Big Obsidian Flow, and the 80-foot Paulina Falls. Within the Newberry Caldera (the centerpiece of the monument) sit six tent and RV campgrounds with shoreline camping, boat ramps, and restrooms—just in case you need another day or two to see it all.
LaPine State Park: Just 15 minutes north of town and set in a forest of ponderosa pine, LaPine State Park is an idyllic basecamp for year-round outdoor recreation. Summer means exploring the mountain biking and hiking trails that run through the park, standing at the foot of “Big Tree” (the largest in Oregon), floating the Deschutes River, or staying the night in the park’s nearly 130 campsites (in addition to 10 log cabins); in winter, visitors cross-country ski and snowshoe the park’s trails, which occasionally afford dramatic views of nearby Cascade peaks. Discover LaPine State Park, and learn more about other national and state parks in Central Oregon.
Wickiup Reservoir: Just a half-hour west of town, Wickiup Reservoir offers some of Central Oregon’s best fishing and wildlife-viewing. Anglers love trying to catch brown trout (which can reach 20 pounds or more in early spring), kokanee, and coho salmon in the reservoir’s cool, deep channels—while wildlife around the reservoir includes several species of gull, sandpipers, falcons, deer, elk, raccoons, and bats.
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More stories from La Pine
More inspiring stories, adventures, and tips & tricks for planning and experiencing the best Central Oregon has to offer.
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Top State Parks to Visit in Central Oregon
A trip to Central Oregon is usually one with ample time spent in the great outdoors. From the expansive high desert landscape to the Deschutes National Forest and all the rivers, lakes and sometimes volcanos in between, Central Oregon is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. What better way to explore the region than to take a tour of the local state parks? To get started, check out these six state parks to get an idea of what Central Oregon is all about.
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The Scenic Waterfalls in Central Oregon
Is there anything more satisfying—anything more awe-inspiring—than gazing upon a thundering waterfall, its raging waters tumbling over ancient rock walls? Does it get any better than seeing a waterfall reach full boil in the midst of an otherwise quiet river as it crashes through a rock-lined canyon?
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Great Getaways: Newberry Country
When plunging into a multi-day adventure in Central Oregon, the number of choices can be well, overwhelming. There is just so much to do in this four-season playground that a traveler can be forgiven for suffering from a little indecision. One strategy is to break down the area by geography, clustering activities together that are within striking distance of a home base, be it a hotel, cabin, or RV parking spot.
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Newberry Crater: Ancient Attraction is an Activity Hub
It’s hard to believe, but 25 years ago, the volcanic features that make up Newberry National Volcanic Monument weren’t protected. If it wasn’t for a group of concerned Central Oregonians, the monument wouldn’t exist. “In the late 80s, at the time, the collaborative process we see today for land-use planning just wasn’t as common.
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Central Oregon Golf: Best Par 3s
Play a good golf course and chances are that when you’re back at the 19th hole, you’re talking about the Par 3s. The short one you made double on. The bear where you snaked in a 20-footer for your only birdie all month. They’re the “short” holes that can make or break a round. Some of the signature holes on the Central Oregon Golf Trail are Par 3s. Here’s a look at some of the best.
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Central Oregon Mountain Bike Trail Guide
The Central Oregon mountain bike scene is 300 miles of diverse singletrack through high alpine forests and sagebrush dotted deserts from Madras to La Pine, Sisters to Prineville. Bulletin newspaper reporter Mark Morical has ridden just about every one of the trails you’ll find on any mountain bike trail map – and he’s written about his experience.
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Central Oregon Winter Adventures
When the snow flies, Central Oregon shines. All you have to do is choose your adventure. Mt. Bachelor - The model of a complete snowsports resort, Mt. Bachelor offers 360-degree lift-served groomed skiing and riding from its volcanic summit.
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Central Oregon Hiking Trails
Head east on Highway 20 (Greenwood Avenue) to the Pilot Butte State Park. The parking area and trailhead are just east of the butte. Walk on either the nature trail or the paved road. The road is also for vehicle traffic, weather permitting. It is a wonderful viewpoint for the entire Bend area. This hiking trail is one of the most popular in Central Oregon.