Tumalo is the kind of town that takes visitors by surprise. Home to just a few hundred year-round residents, the ranching community sits just nine miles north of Bend and about 15 miles southwest of Sisters—but is filled with appetizing eateries, outdoor adventures, and only-in-Central Oregon shopping. In fact, Tumalo has more cideries (two) than stoplights (zero).
Whether you’re spending the night at nearby Tumalo State Park or swinging through for a quick bite, you’ll find plenty of exciting things to do in Tumalo, OR. To help inspire your next adventure, we’ve rounded up a few fun ideas:
Keep reading to plan your next getaway to Tumalo.
Explore the River & Outdoors
Tumalo sits along the west bank of the Deschutes River and is surrounded by the expansive high desert—complete with forests of pine, khaki-colored rock formations, basalt river canyons, and wide-open sagebrush steppe. Within those landscapes, plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure await. Here are a few ideas for where to camp and hike on your next trip to Tumalo.
Tumalo State Park
Less than two miles south of town, a stop at Tumalo State Park is among the top things to do in Tumalo, OR.
The park sits in the midst of a pine and juniper forest, pockmarked with massive boulders and rock formations, and along the Deschutes River. Those landscapes provide an idyllic backdrop for hiking a stretch of the Deschutes River Trail, savoring a riverside picnic, or wading into the water on warm summer days. If one day isn’t enough, the campground at Tumalo State Park boasts more than 75 tent and RV sites, as well as seven yurts—the latter equipped with electricity and beds for a comfortable stay.
Tumalo Reservoir Canal Loop
Just five miles north of Tumalo, the roughly five-mile (round-trip) Tumalo Reservoir Canal Loop is one of the area’s best hiking trails. The gently sloping footpath largely follows a long-abandoned canal originally built to provide water for the area’s first farmers. Today, highlights include towering stands of gnarled juniper trees, springtime wildflower blooms, and views of numerous notable peaks—including Broken Top, Black Butte, and the Three Sisters. Keep an eye out for elk, deer, and coyotes that patrol the forest today.
Places to Eat in Tumalo
Sampling the local culinary scene is one of many fun things to do in Tumalo, OR—thanks to a palate-pleasing combination of good food and locally crafted beverages. Best of all: It all sits within a few blocks of each other, making it possible to pick and choose a few stops that suit your appetite and curiosity. That means you can start with a cold cider and live music on the back lawn at Bend Cider before sitting down for dinner at Tumalo Feed Co. Steakhouse just across the highway—or you can grab a glass of wine on the patio at The Bite before heading over to Pisano’s Woodfired Pizza.
However you decide to do it, you can’t go wrong. Keep reading for more on the top places to eat in Tumalo.
The Bite
The heart of the dining scene in Tumalo just might be The Bite: a collection of food trucks dishing cuisines from around the world—from tacos and pizza to Hawaiian plate lunches and sizzling smash burgers. After choosing among the wide variety of food trucks, wash it all down with a local beer or wine from the on-site taproom, warm up around the fire pit, and hang out for live performances from local musicians. A mostly shaded patio provides plenty of outdoor seating all year long.
Pisano’s Woodfired Pizza
Pillowy crusts, hand-crafted pies, and fresh ingredients come together at the friendly Pisano’s Woodfired Pizza. The Pisano’s lineup of 12-inch pies includes all the classics with some fun twists; the Extreme BBQ Hawaiian pizza, for instance, comes with fire-roasted pineapple and jalapeños for an added kick—and the Filet Mignon pizza comes topped with pieces of its signature steak and a red wine reduction drizzle. Pair your pizza with a handful of hearty salads or house-made meatballs, and enjoy it all on the sun-kissed patio.
Tumalo Feed Co. Steakhouse
Feeling fancy? Saunter into Tumalo Feed Co. Steakhouse, one of Central Oregon’s premier purveyors of choice cuts. You’ll find filet mignon, rib eye, flat iron, and other cuts, as well as prime rib specials each weekend. Burgers, seafood, and other meaty dishes—from pan-seared pork chops to oven-roasted quail—round out the elegant menu. Adults can sidle up to the old-school bar for local beer, wine, and spirits.
Tumalo Coffehouse
Looking for a quick bite before heading out on the day’s adventure? The cozy Tumalo Coffeehouse is ready to help. Choose among espresso and drip coffee sourced from a Bend-based roaster, grab a breakfast panini or bagel, and pack away a fresh-baked cookie or pastry for the road. If you’re lingering, shelves in the airy space are stocked with gifts, trinkets, and other items from nearby makers.
Shopping Near Tumalo, OR
You won’t find a ton of shops around Tumalo—but what the community lacks in shop-’til-you-drop fun, it makes up for with thoughtful selections from local producers and curated selections of well-loved goods. Here are a few top stores to visit on your next trip.
Tumalo Farmstand
Tumalo sits surrounded by hard-working farmers who have been tilling Central Oregon soils for generations—so it’s only natural that fresh fruits and vegetables are at the heart of one of the community’s top shopping experiences. Stop into the indoor-outdoor Tumalo Farmstand for seasonal produce from roughly a dozen regional growers. The selection varies from season to season but may include crisp greens, ripe berries, plump tomatoes, perfectly tart cherries, and more.
Beyond the Ranch Antiques
Treasure hunters unite! Find the perfect knickknack for back home at Beyond the Ranch Antiques, where an ever-changing selection of old-school goods is geared toward thrifters and antiquers from all walks of life. Give yourself plenty of time to peruse a wide variety of art pieces, jewelry, Western wear, seasonal decor, home goods, clothing, and other curious finds.
Taste the Best of Tumalo
After a day of antiquing, hiking the Tumalo Reservoir Canal Loop, or hanging out at Tumalo State Park, kick back at one of the breweries and cideries near Tumalo. Right in two, two cidermakers deliver their own takes on the classic beverage; both are worth a stop if you have the time and inclination.
Tumalo Cider Co.
Just across the street from The Bite, Tumalo Cider Co. specializes in dry and semi-sweet ciders—often crafted with fun fruit combinations. The selection changes often but creative concoctions might include plum ginger, raspberry mango, or strawberry habanero; one of Tumalo’s flagship pours, meanwhile, is the pleasantly tart huckleberry lemonade cider. Grab a flight, and enjoy it in the quiet tasting room or on a sunny patio.
Bend Cider Co.
Just a block or two from the downtown Tumalo core, Bend Cider Co. has built a strong local following for its botanical ciders with fun flavor profiles. Nearly a dozen house-made ciders are on tap at any given time, with selections that include a balanced dry apple cider, zesty mandarin juniper, and seasonal offerings like guava hibiscus. Sip your favorites in the two-story taproom or on the heated and covered back patio; musicians routinely take the stage for live performances on Fridays.
Plan Your Trip to Tumalo, OR
From the idyllic riverside location at Tumalo State Park to downtown cideries and eateries, there are a ton of fun things to do in Tumalo, OR. Choose a fall, winter, or spring outing for cooler temperatures and more solitude in taprooms and on the trail—or arrive in summer for warm weather and patio hangs that last well after sunset. Either way, there’s never a bad time to visit Tumalo.
