Plan Your Getaway to Sunriver Resort

In a sense, Sunriver Resort feels like something of an oasis: The massive complex sits surrounded on all sides by forests of ponderosa pine, with the Deschutes River meandering nearby. Mountain peaks rise above the treeline, hinting at a wilderness that extends far beyond the celebrated resort’s rental homes and eateries.

In another sense, Sunriver has worked since opening in 1968 to craft the kind of experience that brings families, golfers, couples, and groups back to the resort, time and again. That means designing world-class golf courses, laying down more than 40 miles of paved bike paths, building homes of varying sizes, opening an array of appetizing eateries, and hosting year-round activities—from relaxing spa services to horseback rides to enchanting sleigh rides each winter.

For decades, Sunriver has brought together the best of both worlds—close proximity to nature and a host of high-quality amenities—to develop a one-of-a-kind resort experience just 20 minutes south of Bend. Whatever you’re looking for, chances are good that Sunriver Resort offers it—so here’s how to enjoy the long-standing Central Oregon institution.

Golfing at Sunriver Resort

Meadows Golf Course PC: Sunriver

Golfers from all over the world flock to Sunriver Resort each year, and it’s easy to see why: The resort hosts 63 holes spread across four scenic courses, boasting some of the best views anywhere in Oregon. (And that’s to say nothing of the sunny days and pleasant temperatures, even at the height of summer.)

Crosswater Golf Course, perhaps the resort’s best-loved and most popular course, has been recognized by Golf Digest as one of the 100 greatest courses in the United States. Crosswater incorporates the surrounding wetlands and woodlands into its design, which means you’ll most likely spend time along the Deschutes River while admiring views of the nearby forest and snow-capped Mount Bachelor. Five tee placements cater to golfers of all skill levels.

Meadows Golf Course, meanwhile, evokes classic courses of the 1920 and 1930s with graceful fairways and dramatic bunkers; the course has hosted several championships over the years, and a few of the final holes showcase panoramic mountain views.

Nature is the star of the show on the Woodlands Golf Course, designed by renowned course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. Woodlands takes golfers through (and past) thick forests of pine trees, ancient lava flows, and—for an added challenge—a handful of water features.

Families adore the Caldera Links, a nine-hole course that brings together fast-playing, bent-grass greens; bluegrass tees; and short holes (generally ranging from 60 to 185 yards in length). Mountain peaks rise above the treetops on most of the course’s early holes for a scenic treat.

If you’d rather improve your game before hitting the links, Sunriver Golf Academy is staffed by PGA professionals who offer a variety of lessons geared toward golfers of all ages and skill levels. And if you’re curious about other courses around the region, check out our page on golf in Central Oregon.

Sunriver Resort Lodge and Restaurants

If you’re planning a trip to Sunriver Resort, you likely want to know where to stay and where to eat. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered.

Staying the night? Choose among 245 guestrooms between the resort’s Lodge Village and River Lodge. At Lodge Village, rooms are adorned with a fireplace crafted from volcanic rock—and come with a wide range of amenities, including a private deck or patio, comfortable beds, 65-inch flat-screen televisions, and (on the second floor) vaulted wood-beam ceilings. Suites at Lodge Village sleep up to six and include an upstairs loft, as well as a full kitchen, to serve your whole crew. Several pet-friendly rooms are available. River Lodge, meanwhile, delivers Pacific Northwest-inspired decor, with stone fireplaces, cozy beds, spacious bathrooms, glass-enclosed showers, and easy access to the lodge’s outdoor hot tubs. Views of nearby grasslands, ponds, golf courses, and Mount Bachelor are commonplace from both lodges.

bench sitting and big windows of Carson’s dining space at Sunriver Resort

And if you’re coming with a bigger group, planning a longer trip, or want more space to spread out, Sunriver Resort hosts 275 homes and condos across three rental communities. Stays include community-specific amenities to make the most of your trip (including free or discounted bike and boat rentals, discounted ski shuttles to Mount Bachelor, and access to the resort’s golf clubs and tennis courts). Rental homes range from townhomes for two to spacious houses that sleep up to 16; many come with grills, decks, and large kitchens.

Wherever you stay at Sunriver Resort, bring an appetite: You’ll find nearly 10 eateries throughout the resort, with a variety of cuisines to please even the pickiest of eaters. Lodge Kitchen, for instance, is known for a menu of classic and upscale American fare that changes seasonally. 

Additional Sunriver Resort Offerings

How do you like to spend your vacation? Relaxing poolside, pampering yourself with spa services, or getting outdoors and breaking a sweat? At Sunriver Resort, you don’t have to decide. Here’s just a quick overview of the many activities that make Sunriver one of the most celebrated resorts in Central Oregon.

Check out The Village at Sunriver: A 50-storefront, open-air community hub serves as the heartbeat of the broader Sunriver community—just a short, 10-minute walk from the resort. The Village at Sunriver hosts roughly a dozen restaurants, nearly 20 stores and outfitters, and a variety of other attractions (including ice skating in winter) geared toward the whole family.

Relax and rejuvenate with Sunriver spa services: Sage Springs Club & Spa offers a variety of services tailored to the needs of each individual guest—including several massage techniques, manicures and pedicures, salon services, facials, and pampering body treatments. And if you’re looking to refresh and recharge elsewhere on your next trip to the area, learn more about spas in Central Oregon.

Hop on your bike: Whether you brought your own bike or picked one up at the resort, take a ride on more than 40 miles of paved trails alongside the Deschutes River, through forests of ponderosa pine, and into wide-open meadows that afford dramatic views of the surrounding hillsides. Most of the paved paths are set away from the road, leading to safer, care-free rides for all. Rentals are available and include a helmet, lock, and map.

Take a dip: All year long, the Cove Aquatic Center offers swimming in two zero-entry pools, jetted spas, private outdoor cabanas, and multiple waterslides (indoors and out). The on-site Spotted Frog Restaurant serves pub grub and refreshments to pool guests, roll-up doors invite fresh air into the aquatic center, and a spacious lawn offers plenty of space to dry out.

Go horseback riding: With lush forests and an expansive high desert, Central Oregon sometimes feels like the Old West—so hop in the saddle for a one-hour guided trail ride from Sunriver Stables. The ride lazily passes through meadows (teeming with wildflowers in late spring and early summer) and dense pine forests for a relaxing adventure.

a cowboy standing with his horse at Sunriver Stables
Observatory in Sunriver

Get in touch with your inner scientist: Explore the fascinating Creature Cave, stroll through a botanical garden, see live raptors up-close, and peer into a telescope for a look at the sun and stars—all at Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory.

Make the most of winter: Sunriver Resort hosts four seasons of fun—and it doesn’t get much more fun than in winter, when guests can take horse-drawn sleigh rides, hit the slopes at nearby Mount Bachelor, go for a sled dog ride in the surrounding forests, lace up a pair of ice skates at an on-site rink, go sledding and tubing at nearby sno-parks, and more.

Check out nearby communities: Sunriver Resort hosts several vacations’ worth of fun, but nearby communities add to
the experience. Visit Sunriver, Oregon, for mom-and-pop shops, local eateries, and easy access to outdoor adventure—and
discover Bend, Oregon, to sample libations from dozens of breweries, visit some of the region’s biggest outdoor attractions,
and stroll the city’s brick-lined downtown district.

Explore Nature’s Beauty

From the sagebrush-covered plains of the high desert to the towering pines and majestic mountain peaks, discover the diverse landscape Central Oregon has to offer.