Plan Your Visit to Sunriver, Oregon
Experience all that Sunriver has to offer - outdoor recreation, seasonal kid-friendly amenities including pools, bumper cars, a rock climbing wall, ice skating, sleigh rides and a variety of restaurants and cafes all within a close proximity.
Take a Virtual TourThings to Do in Sunriver, Oregon
Best Time to Visit Sunriver, Oregon
The forested community of Sunriver sits just south of Bend and at the foot of Mt. Bachelor. Here’s what to expect, whenever you visit.
Spring
Expect brisk weather around Sunriver in spring, with highs between 50º and 60º and lows hovering around freezing. March and April mark the end of the rainy season around town, with six to eight days of showers per month.
Summer
Summers in Sunriver are a bit cooler than in nearby Bend, thanks in part to the canopy cover provided by ponderosa pine forests; high temperatures range from roughly 75º to 85º. Expect minimal rain or the occasional thunderstorms. Temperatures can dip on average into the mid-30s in summer.
Fall
As summer turns to fall, temperatures cool a bit around Sunriver—with highs dropping from the mid-70s in September to the low 50s and high 40s in November.
Winter
The season’s first snow sticks by early December, and an average of 60 inches falls over the rest of winter. High temperatures range from the mid-30s to the low 40s, and lows can dip into the teens.
What is Sunriver Known For?
Sunriver, about 15 miles south of Bend is a quaint resort town where snow-capped Mt. Bachelor gleams in the distance and the meandering Deschutes river cuts through picturesque fields of sagebrush and wild grass. This resort community, also home to about 1,500 full-time residents is one of the original Central Oregon destination resorts, and it has a rich history. The land was part of Camp Abbot, a World War II-era military training post. The Great Hall, a beautiful original Camp Abbot building served as the officers’ mess hall and now plays host to weddings and other events.
Today, Sunriver serves as a perfect vacation spot - a day can start with a bike ride along the 40+ miles of walking/biking paths to fresh coffee and pastries from a one of the local eateries and end with a cocktail or locally brewed beer, and every outdoor adventure (golf, hike, kayak, swim, nature center) is within reach.
Stay in Sunriver
As a resort community, Sunriver has plenty of lodging options including the well-known Sunriver Resort, vacation rental homes, small condos to luxury rentals that sleep up to 16 people (a great option for family reunions or weddings). No matter where you settle in for your time in Sunriver, you'll be able to access 40 miles of bike trails, the marina on the Deschutes, kid-friendly pools and it's a short 20-minute drive from Mt. Bachelor. Find your next perfect vacation stay.
Dine in Sunriver
When you've worked up an appetite, the Village at Sunriver has a variety of dining options, including Sunriver Brewing Company, a mainstay for locals and visitors alike to grab a beer and pub fare. The Fold, Craft PIzza + Kitchen has excellent pizza options, sandwiches and a full bar, or swing by Cafe Sintra for some Portuguese flavors. Looking for something quicker? Grab picnic makings at Sunriver Country Store and take them with you on your next adventure.
Finish your perfect meal with a shave ice from Good 2 Go or an ice cream cone from Goody’s, which has been delighting visitors of all ages for decades. Just on the outskirts of the Village, check out Sunriver Resort Lodge Kitchen, or grab a beverage and bite at the Backyard Cafe & Bar.
Sip in Sunriver
Whether you're waking up with a warm cup of coffee in winter or spending a sunny summer Saturday relaxing with friends on the patio, you'll find plenty of local libations around Sunriver.
Perhaps the best-known watering hole in town is the home-grown Sunriver Brewing Company, which since 2013 has produced a variety of award-winning ales and lagers. For oenophiles, the Lodge Kitchen at Sunriver Resort pairs its Pacific Northwest-inspired cuisine with a stellar wine selection that includes regional pours from producers in Oregon, Washington, and beyond.
If you're easing your way into the day, meanwhile, stop by Hot Lava Bakery for house-made pastries and fresh-roasted coffee. And if you're winding down for the night, enjoy locally brewed beer and creative cocktails and custom infusions at Owl's Nest at Sunriver Resort.
Things to Do in Sunriver, Oregon
Go for a Hike, Bike or Float
Just a few minutes from Sunriver is the Lava Lands portion of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, where you can access family-friendly hikes through the Lava Cast Forest and the Big Obsidian Flow or head underground into the Lava River Cave.
Or try renting a bike from Village Bike and Ski or another shop in the Village at Sunriver, then use it as your primary mode of transportation on nearly 40 miles of paved trails around the resort.
Or head to the Sunriver Marina, where in the summer you can rent a paddleboard, canoe, raft or other float and hit the Deschutes River. Enjoy a meandering float in the cold mountain runoff, with Ponderosa pines shading you from the high desert sun.
Golf a Top 100
This premier golfing community has four courses providing golfers of all skills a variety of different options. From Woodlands (dense forests and lava rock) to Meadows (any golfter looking to experience the big leagues), Crosswater (a Golf Digest's Top 100) to Caldera Links (9-hole family friendly), each course leaves it's own mark. There is even a 18-hole putting course, also known as Gray's Trail. Just be sure you call before arriving, many require either a membership or golf pass. Learn more about these and others on the Central Oregon Golf Trail.
Rides at Sunriver Stables
Looking for a fun experience for kids and adults? Head out to Sunriver Stables. They offer a variety of guided horseback riding excursions for kids 7 and older. The younger kiddos (age 2+) can opt in for the short but sweet pony rides. Double check schedules and times, they can vary depending on the season.
Kid-Friendly Activities
The Village at Sunriver always has interesting events taking place. In summer, you’ll find family-friendly activities, including a climbing wall, mini golf and a tiny train for the little ones. In the winter, the pavilion transforms into an ice-skating rink ready for the magic that comes with a snowy Central Oregon day.
When high desert temperatures rise or cool down, head to the Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic and Recreation Center (SHARC), which boasts an indoor and outdoor pool, lazy river, water slides, disc golf and a tubing park in the winter. Admission fees do apply, though some vacation rentals (if you're lucky) do include free passes. Double check the website for hours of operation. Or check out the Marina for kayak or tube rentals to float the river. For those staying at Sunriver Resort, the Cove is also another pool option for families on a hot day.
Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory offers family-friendly ways to learn more about the region’s diverse flora and fauna, or to check out the night sky through state-of-the-art telescopes. It’s one of several observatories in the region, all well worth your time. The Stables are also a great option for horse lovers.
At 4,100 feet, Sunriver receives nearly double the snowfall than its neighbor city, Bend. And with that comes, many fun activities to be had in its backyard and beyond. Within the Sunriver community, there is tubing at the SHARC hill or ice skating in The Village at Sunriver. If you are looking to nordic ski or snowshoe, there are a handful of options to be had within 20 miles of The Village at Sunriver. Or head up to Mt. Bachelor for a day of skiing or snowboarding. Don't have the equipment? Check out the village for a variety of rental shops to rent all types of gear.
Mt. Bachelor, a Year-Round Experience
In the winter, Central Oregon’s mountains are a big draw for visitors. Sunriver serves as an excellent home base for a ski or snowboard trip to Mt. Bachelor, which offers 4,300 acres of skiable terrain. You can rent skis and snowboards in Sunriver -- the mountain is just 30 minutes away. Mt. Bachelor increasingly offers summertime activities as well, including a zip line and lift-accessed mountain bike trails.
Relaxing Spas to Try
For many of us, the best thing about vacation is pampering ourselves—and there is no shortage of spa services around Sunriver.
Sunriver Resort Sage Springs Club & Spa is a full-service spa whose offerings include massage, facials, body treatments, and more—all offered with environmentally friendly products and a commitment to sustainable practices. Elsewhere in Sunriver, EarthTouch Therapeutic Massage provides a variety of services that incorporate Eastern- and Western-inspired influences for a relaxing, refreshing experience.
