Guided Adventure
One of the joys of visiting Central Oregon is that there’s always so much to see and do—and yet there’s only so much time to do it all.
On your next trip, let an expert do the planning, curate a tour, and show you the best of the region. Whether you’d like to go behind the scenes at some of Bend’s world-class breweries, break ground on snowy backcountry trails, or saddle up for a horseback ride through peaceful forests, you’ll find a tour to make your trip a memorable one.
Here are few ideas to get started:
- Year-Round Tours
- Winter Tours
- Spring and Summer Tours
- Adventure and Tour Companies in Central Oregon
Keep reading for some of the most popular guided adventures in Central Oregon.
Year-Round Tours
Brewery, Wine & Distillery Tours
Dozens of breweries, wineries, and distilleries reflect our collective love affair with flavorful craft beverages. In particular, Central Oregon’s craft brewing scene attracts beer geeks from around the world and routinely racks up awards at national and international competitions.
See how it’s all done with guided adventures from Bend-based Wanderlust Tours, whose brewery and distillery trips celebrate our scene in several creative ways. In addition to custom tours at top breweries, get to know Central Oregon’s craft culture on a cave tour that hosted a makeshift distillery during Prohibition, a paddling tour that pairs sweeping views with craft beer, and snowshoe trips that include warm beverages around a roaring bonfire. For more inspiration, check out distillery tours in Bend and around Central Oregon.
Bend Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour
Do you love a good puzzle? Work some fun problem-solving into your next visit with the Bend Scavenger Hunt. The interactive, self-guided tour lasts 90 minutes to two hours and is perfect for visitors of all ages. In just over a mile, you’ll figure out riddles, solve puzzles, and complete missions while passing some of Bend’s most iconic sites like Drake Park, the Old Mill District, and the Tower Theatre.
Winter Tours
Snowmobile Tours Near Mt. Bachelor
Every winter, hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails course through snowy backcountry around Mt. Bachelor, La Pine, Sisters, and beyond—inviting visitors to hop on a sled for epic snowmobile tours.
Fortunately, outfitters like Central Oregon Adventures offer guided trips through some of those pristine landscapes. The woman-owned, family-operated outfitter leads snowmobile tours that head all the way to Elk Lake Resort, another that affords sunset views over Mt. Bachelor, custom adventure tours, and other epic, small-group outings.
Backcountry Tours in Sisters, Oregon
A skier’s playground, the Cascade Mountains also beckon for those wanting to explore the backcountry. Those looking for fresh powder turns in pristine locations can enlist a professional from Oregon Ski Guides for private ski tours, where they can climb and descend South Sister, take a mountaineering course or explore smaller stashes around Mt. Bachelor.
A not-to-miss experience for any passionate cross-country skier is the 22-mile, self-guided hut-to-hut tour operated by Skyline Ski Huts. For those looking for steeper adventures, the ski guiding company Three Sisters Backcountry operates tours and clinics out of Three Creeks Sno-Park area, as well as snowmobile trips to well-stocked backcountry yurts that lie at the base of Tam McArthur Rim’s premiere backcountry skiing.
Spring and Summer Tours
Badlands ATV Tours
Get off-road with ATV adventure tours that include speedy rides, sweeping landscapes, and plenty of fast-paced fun. A number of outfitters lead tours past the base of Cascade mountains, across volcanic sands, and through verdant forests.
Octane Adventures provides two- to eight-hour tours that cover the region’s best-loved trails and provide family-friendly thrills around the mountainous Santiam Pass near Sisters and the high-desert expanse of Powell Butte. Outriders Northwest, meanwhile, provides guided outings past lava flows in the Oregon Outback, heads out to backcountry lakes in the Deschutes National Forest, traverses the forests of Sunriver, and more—with each tour lasting two to four hours.
Hot Air Balloon Rides Over Central Oregon
Central Oregon’s mountains, farmland, and rugged landscapes are always impressive from the back of a snowmobile or the seat of an ATV—but what about from the basket of a hot air balloon?
For more than 30 years, Big Sky Balloon Company has led adventure tours in hot-air balloons around the community of Terrebonne and Smith Rock State Park. Each hour-long flight ascends around sunrise and invites small groups to view the sun’s first tendrils bounce of volcanic rimrock, winding river canyons, well-maintained farms, and other dynamic landforms—all while eagles, hawks, and owls take flight nearby.
Bike Tours Near Bend
Bend and the surrounding areas boast some of the best biking in Oregon: Never-ending mountain bike trail networks are the spinning grounds for kids just starting out and some of the top mountain bike racers in the country, and Bend’s dining and drink scene warrants full days of exploring on wheels, from e-bikes to cruisers. Throw in miles of scenic road cycling routes in all directions, and it’s easy to understand why Central Oregon is a mecca for biking.
When you’re down for hitting the dirt but need some direction, several bike tour companies like Cog Wild based out of Bend are ready to ride with you. Professional guides and bike rentals are often just part of their packages, offering shuttle service, instruction and access to some of the most spectacular natural gems in Central Oregon. Take a mountain bike tour of waterfalls near La Pine, or head to the Ochocos near Prineville for some steeper climbs.
There are also road cycling bike tours to explore off the beaten path on pavement. Cruise the Cascade Lakes Highway to see and swim the high lakes. Start at Mt. Bachelor and finish in Sunriver. Or if in-town exploring to shops and restaurants is more your speed, try an e-bike tour led by a knowledgeable guide.
Check out all of the bike tours available in Central Oregon here.
Rafting Tours
Pick up a paddle and feel the flow of the river with Central Oregon’s many guided river rafting tours. From the Deschutes River’s thrilling Big Eddy rapids and mesmerizing floats through Maupin, to the McKenzie River’s old growth passages, experienced rafting guide companies are geared to let the good times roll.
Guided rafting tours abound to take you from Bend-based Sun Country Tours to multi-day trips by Ouzel Outfitters, you and your group will enjoy experienced guides and endless choices on where to hit the water.
Whether you’re after the turquoise forests of the Upper McKenzie or the stunning high desert canyon rapids of the Lower Deschutes, High Country Expeditions has a trip for your crew. All-inclusive half-day, full-day, and multi-day options (including 2 and 3-day Deschutes overnights) make it easy to find the right fit. High Country Expeditions is family-owned and locally based, proudly serving Oregon for 27 seasons.
Horseback Riding Tours
There’s nothing like a horseback riding tour in Central Oregon to feel like you’re traveling back in time to the frontier days. With ponderosa pines, sagebrush, and the occasional iconic tumbleweed, the high desert is host to multiple guided tours on horseback. Some horseback tour outfitters are just a lasso-throw from downtown Bend, so you don’t have to go far to find these equine adventures.
For a real ranch feel, head to Flyspur Ranch near Tumalo, Oregon, where you can ride right from the barn out to sweeping views of the Cascade mountains. Heading out to Sisters, you’ll find Black Butte Ranch’s iconic horseback riding tours, and Long Hollow Ranch, a rustic working ranch that offers rides as well as instruction along the way. Sunriver Resort also has stables where you can find a steed to explore along the Deschutes River.
Near the eastern edge of Bend, where the region’s ranchland meets the high desert, sits Wilderness Horse Adventures. With access to hundreds of miles of trails, their licensed guides customize every rider’s experience based on their skills, choosing a horse and route for a perfect outing.
Cave Tours in Deschutes Natural Forest
Central Oregon’s landscapes were literally shaped by volcanic forces, so it’s no wonder our caves are such popular attractions today. Get familiar with our underground wonders on a number of adventure tours—including those offered by Wanderlust Tours.
The outfitter’s lava tube cave tours are led by knowledgeable naturalists who discuss Central Oregon’s natural history and the role of volcanoes in creating its myriad caves. There’s plenty of time for hiking and even a little crawling around if you’re up for it. Wanderlust’s other caving trips traverse private lava tubes, take place under starry night skies, and include spirits and mixed drinks from a local distillery.
Adventure Guide and Tour Companies in Central Oregon
No matter your appetite for adventure, chances are good you’ll find guided tours in Central Oregon to help make your experience a fun and memorable one. Our outfitters are led by trained, sometimes licensed professionals who provide necessary instruction, equipment, transportation, historical insight, and other helpful services. Whether you don’t know where to start, would like to see more of the region on your car-free trip, or would simply rather someone else do the planning, a friendly adventure guide is happy to help.
Check out our Tours and Trails page for more suggestions for guided hikes, brewery tours, bike rides, and other iconic Central Oregon adventures.
