Take a Trip to 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, Mt. Bachelor and Willamette Pass Resort. 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). Whenever you visit, you're never short on fun things to do in La Pine, Oregon.
Take a Virtual TourThings To Do In La Pine
Best Time to Visit La Pine, Oregon
La Pine sits where the foothills and alpine lakes of the Cascade Range meet the Central Oregon high desert—and at the foot of Newberry Crater; as such, its weather can vary dramatically from season to season. Here’s the skinny on what to expect all year long.
Spring
La Pine is a bit cooler than Bend and Sunriver, with springtime highs reaching the low 50s to low 60s; you may see light rain showers anywhere from four to nine days per month, and low temperatures generally hover around freezing each night. By May, anglers love taking advantage of high water levels in Wickiup Reservoir and fishing for kokanee and brown trout.
Summer
Summer is an excellent time to be in La Pine, with agreeable high temperatures reaching the low 80s and lows dipping into the mid-40s—perfect weather for pitching a tent or parking your RV at LaPine State Park. Up at Newberry Crater (where campgrounds generally open by mid-June), highs top out at the mid-70s, and lows typically reach freezing; bring an extra layer and a suitable sleeping bag if camping in the caldera.
Fall
In fall, brisk mornings give way to cool afternoons. High temperatures generally top out in the low 70s in mid-September, falling to the mid-40s by November; overnight lows can reach freezing as early as September. Rainfall gradually increases as the season progresses, with up to nine days of drizzly rain and snow showers in November.
Winter
La Pine is a veritable winter wonderland, with more than 30 inches of snow falling between late November and February. High temperatures hover right around 40º, with overnight lows dipping into the high teens—so be sure to bundle up when snowshoeing or cross-country skiing at LaPine State Park. (And if you're not into the outdoors, see what’s new at Badlands Artisan Distillery.)
About La Pine
With a population of fewer than 2,500, La Pine seems like an unlikely gateway to some of Central Oregon's most popular outdoor 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. (One not-so-hidden gem? The visitor center in town hosts a colorful mural celebrating the community’s past and present—so stop by for a fun photo to share with your friends and family.)
Where to Stay
You go to La Pine to get away from the hustle and bustle—and you'll find plenty of options for getting into nature not far from the city. In addition to a few motels in town, the well-maintained LaPine State Park hosts 82 full-hookup sites, 47 electrical sites, and 10 log cabins (five of which are pet-friendly). And up in Newberry Caldera, part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, you'll find a pair of rustic lodges and six scenic campgrounds—including the popular Paulina Lake Campground (which hosts 68 tent and RV sites) and the bustling Cinder Hill Campground (home to 108 tent and RV sites). Check out our directory for more lodging options in La Pine.
Dine in La Pine
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, find restaurants in La Pine, Oregon.
Sip in La Pine
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.
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. Interested in other tastings? There a variety of distilleries, tastings and tours to visit within Central Oregon. For more on nightlife around town, check out Drink in La Pine.
Top Things to Check Out Near La Pine, Oregon
Natural Attractions
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 - the Ideal Basecamp
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.
Visit a Lake or Three
La Pine sits surrounded by some of Central Oregon’s most popular lakes: Just a half-hour west of town, Wickiup Reservoir offers fantastic fishing and wildlife-viewing; nearby, Crane Prairie Reservoir offers fantastic bird-watching opportunities and sought-after fishing (rainbow trout known as “cranebows” grow fast in summer and are coveted by anglers in the know). And up at Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Paulina Lake and East Lake sit within the caldera of a still-active volcano.
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.
