Welcome to
Central Oregon
Here in Central Oregon, your idea of adventure is limited only by your imagination. No matter the season, you’re bound to find several weekends’ worth of fun around our rich region.
Planning a winter getaway? Take the family ice skating in Sunriver, sip your way through Central Oregon’s famous craft breweries, or ski and snowboard the slopes of Mount Bachelor—the sixth-largest ski resort in North America.
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Visiting the Best Vacation
Spots in Oregon
Truth is, there’s no single “best” vacation spot in Central Oregon.
Your next favorite trip may take you to any of our thriving cities in Central Oregon,
each offering a stay to suit your style and taste. We might be biased, but here’s our
rundown of the best vacation spots in Central Oregon:
Bend
Bend
The high-desert mountain town of Bend sits at the foot of the Cascades and boasts a little something for everyone: more than 80 parks and open spaces (perfect for frolicking with Fido), 300 miles of single-track trail, dozens of high-quality craft breweries, charming boutiques, hip hotels and upscale resorts, close proximity to fresh powder at Mount Bachelor, a bustling downtown district—and breathtaking Cascade views wherever you go.
Sunriver
Sunriver
Kids of all ages find plenty to love in the Pacific Northwest’s premier destination resort and residential community. Your little ones will enjoy riding bikes on the 30 miles of paved trails criss-crossing Sunriver, ice skating and rocketing down water slides at Sunriver Resort, and learning a little about the world around (and above) us at Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory. Meanwhile, you’ll appreciate the seasonally rotating menus at nearby restaurants and playing up to 63 holes of world-class golf, including the famed Crosswater Club—a Golf Digest Top 100 course.
Redmond
Redmond
With a burgeoning restaurant scene, some of the region’s best-loved craft breweries, and a bustling downtown district, Redmond makes an ideal basecamp for your next adventure—whether staying in town and enjoying Redmond’s many fairs and festivals or heading out to nearby hiking trails and exploring the Central Oregon high desert. Sitting in Redmond’s backyard is the world-famous Smith Rock State Park, the birthplace of U.S. sport climbing and a hub of outdoor activity all year long; try shredding the park’s multi-use paths on a mountain bike, hiking Misery Ridge, or joining climbers from around the world on steep routes all over the park’s cinnamon-hued rock formations.
Sisters
Sisters
Cowboys and cowgirls alike love the Western-themed town of Sisters, home to the world-famous Sisters Rodeo each June. Sitting in the shadow of the Three Sisters mountains, the region boasts an expanding creative culture (and is home to the Sisters Folk Festival and Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show), several summers’ worth of hiking trails in the Three Sisters Wilderness, some of Central Oregon’s best fishing in Whychus Creek, and summertime cycling and driving routes along the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway—where you’ll pass miles-long lava flows, alpine lakes, and thundering waterfalls in the heart of the Cascades.
La Pine
La Pine
South of Bend and Sunriver, geologic wonders abound around La Pine. Wickiup Reservoir is one of the region’s best wildlife viewing sites keep an eye out for shorebirds, waterfowl, deer, bats, and other animals and is renowned for its brown trout (which can reach 20 pounds or more).
Prineville
Prineville
Nestled at the eastern edge of Central Oregon, and in the heart of the Crooked River Caldera, Prineville has a lot in common with the rest of the region—but has consistently blazed its own trail since being founded in 1870.
Madras
Madras
Madras-the county seat of Jefferson County, Oregon-started in the early 1900s to serve the region’s ranchers. Over the years, it grew into a trading post and community for nearby farmers, many of whom grew (and continue to grow) garlic, carrots, onions, and other crops. Even today, you’ll still see ranches on the rolling hillsides outside of town and farms lining US-97-but change is afoot.
Maupin
Maupin
Sitting along the Deschutes River at the northern edge of Central Oregon, the city of Maupin feels like a mirage in more ways than one. For starters, the city is located largely at the base of the Deschutes River canyon, flanked on either side by dusty rock walls and rolling hills-so it’s entirely possible to approach the top of the canyon (just five minutes from downtown Maupin) and not realize the city is even there.
Culver
Culver
The community of Culver started as a post office in 1900, formally incorporated as a city in 1946—and hasn’t changed much in the decades since. Sitting between Redmond and Madras, the cozy community harkens back to Central Oregon’s earlier years with small-town charm to spare. That means fun annual festivals, friendly eateries, and easy access to outdoor recreation.
Terrebonne
Terrebonne
With vineyards, parks, and attractions dotting the region, you might want a little help finding your way around Terrebonne. Here’s a map to help orient yourself around the region.
Tumalo
Tumalo
Roughly 15 minutes northwest of Bend sits the community of Tumalo, a city of just 500. But don’t let that small population fool you: Tumalo is home to a burgeoning food scene, creative craft beverage producers, and easy access to some of Central Oregon’s top outdoor destinations.
Warm Springs
Warm Springs
Sitting in the heart of the Warm Springs Reservation, the hamlet of Warm Springs is one of the northernmost communities in Central Oregon. You can pass through town in less time than it takes to listen to a commercial on your favorite podcast but a longer stay rewards visitors with fascinating insight into tribal history, home-cooked meals steeped in tradition, and a close connection with the surrounding Deschutes River. Here’s how to make the most of your next visit to Warm Springs.
Where is Central Oregon?
We’re characterized by mountainous wonders—like Mount Bachelor, Oregon’s largest ski resort,
and the snowy summits of the Three Sisters—and legendary landforms, like Smith Rock State Park, where rock climbers test their mettle all year long.
