Spring is a magical time in Central Oregon. Cascade peaks remain covered in snow, still teeming with legions of skiers and snowboarders who aren’t quite ready to bid farewell to winter. Further down the mountains, dazzling wildflowers bloom in the high desert and sun-kissed forests—and cool, sunny afternoons pave the way for climbing, cycling, hiking, horseback riding, and other fun activities.
So as you plan your springtime outing in Central Oregon, here’s a round-up of what to get excited about.
Sun and Fun Sweepstakes
Escape to Central Oregon this Spring! Enter for your chance to win a stay at Sunriver Resort, experiences with Outriders NW and Wanderlust Tours, and more. One lucky winner will be selected on or around May 15, 2025.
Spring Skiing and Snowboarding
Central Oregon boasts one of the region’s longest ski seasons, thanks to a deep base of snow, bluebird days, and mild weather—so you can hit the slopes well into April and May.
Hoodoo Ski Area, just northwest of Sisters, invites skiers and snowboarders to tackle its terrain as late as mid-April—and adds to the fun with Central Oregon’s only night skiing. Just outside of Bend and Sunriver, the expansive Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort offers one of the state’s longest seasons—beginning as early as mid-November and continuing until late May. Learn more about skiing in Central Oregon this spring.
Golf
Dozens of scenic golf courses in Central Oregon welcome golfers from around the world with high-desert landscapes, sunny skies, and creative layouts.
In Bend, the 18-hole, Scottish-style links course at Tetherow Resort was designed by legendary architect David McLay Kidd, with scenery that includes shrubs, pine, and numerous Cascade peaks.
And at Sunriver Resort, four courses showcase iconic views across 63 gorgeous holes. The resort’s Crosswater Golf Course, for instance, was named one of the 100 best courses in the United States by Golf Digest—while Meadows Golf Course is beloved for its vintage design and sweeping mountain vistas.
At the foot of the Cascade Range, Black Butte Ranch hosts a pair of courses that show off panoramic views of the nearby Three Sisters. And south of Redmond, Pronghorn Club at Juniper Preserve features an 18-hole course designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus—and another designed by renowned architect Tom Fazio; both work Central Oregon’s lava flows and juniper trees into their creative layouts.
Climbing
Cliff sides, khaki-colored rock faces, and craggy rock formations dot the Central Oregon high-desert landscape—all offering excellent opportunities for climbing and bouldering. Spring’s mild temperatures make it an idyllic season to try the sport yourself.
Smith Rock State Park, which in 1986 became the birthplace of sport climbing in the United States, is ground-zero for climbing in Central Oregon today. The park, just outside Terrebonne, features several thousand climbs (more than a thousand of which are bolted) on numerous formations and rock walls—all geared toward beginners and veterans alike. Learn more about climbing in Central Oregon
Biking
In spring, pleasant temperatures and excellent trail conditions make for memorable biking around Central Oregon.
Road cyclists love exploring our Oregon Scenic Bikeways—state-designated routes that show off panoramic mountain vistas, the crystal-clear Deschutes River, massive lava flows, and other dramatic landscapes. Families, meanwhile, enjoy easy outings on the 5.5-mile Sun-Lava Paved Path, which heads between Sunriver and the Lava Lands Visitor Center (part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument). Get the scoop on road biking in Central Oregon.
If shredding the trails is more your style, you’ll find plenty to love about mountain biking in Central Oregon. Find epic rides on more than 300 miles of trails across several exciting trail systems—including Mt. Bachelor Bike Park, the well-maintained Phil’s Trail Complex near Bend, a range of trails in Prineville, and the Peterson Ridge Trails system just south of downtown Sisters.
Hiking
The spring season brings wildflower blooms, sunny skies, and crisp afternoons—essentially, all you could want from a day of hiking in Central Oregon.
Outside Redmond, the 1-mile (round-trip) Steelhead Falls Trail takes hikers past springtime wildflower blooms, through a high-desert expanse, and to a viewpoint of its namesake cascade in the Deschutes River. Watch for golden eagles and other raptors soaring overhead.
Near Sunriver, the Deschutes River Trail passes through pine forests and lava flows while offering views of two raging waterfalls in the river. Further east, just a short drive from Prineville, the Steins Pillar trail heads through a forest of ponderosa pine, passes meadows of colorful wildflowers, and ends at the base of its namesake rock formation.
Other Spring Activities in Central Oregon
Looking for more inspiration? Get familiar with our state and national parks, disc golf courses, relaxing spots, and other activities suited to spring.
State & National Parks
State and national parks cover every corner of Central Oregon. Smith Rock State Park is home to unique rock formations along the Crooked River, Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint promises 360-degree views from its pancake-flat summit, Prineville Reservoir State Park delivers clear night skies and epic stargazing, and Tumalo State Park invites visitors to camp in a forested high-desert environment near the Deschutes River.
You’ll also find several parks and monuments managed by the National Park Service across Central Oregon. Crater Lake National Park is Oregon’s only national park—and is home to the deepest lake in North America. Further east, walk among colorful hillsides at the Painted Hills unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. And savor a captivating glimpse at Central Oregon’s volcanic past through tours of lava flows, paved trails, sweeping viewpoints, and other attractions at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
Learn more about national parks and state parks in Central Oregon.
Disc Golf
Numerous disc golf courses offer a fun, laid-back way to get outdoors across Central Oregon. The Pine Nursery Disc Golf Course, for instance, boasts 19 holes, views of Cascade peaks, and plenty of high-desert scenery to navigate—including lava flows and juniper trees. In Sisters, the Hyzer Pines Disc Golf Course winds through meadows and ponderosa pine forests over the span of 18 scenic holes. For more, get the lowdown on disc golf in Central Oregon.
Fishing
Spring is a great time to go fishing around Central Oregon. Anglers love casting a line for the region’s famous Deschutes Redside trout in the Deschutes River around Maupin. Just outside La Pine, Crane Prairie Reservoir hosts some of the biggest rainbow trout in Central Oregon. Not far from Madras, the 3,900-acre Lake Billy Chinook sits in the heart of The Cove Palisades State Park and is home to trout, kokanee salmon, and smallmouth bass. And the Metolius River near Sisters offers blue-ribbon fly-fishing.
See what you’ll catch—and where—with our guide to fishing in Central Oregon.
Photo courtesy of Max Rhulen
Horseback riding
Head along quiet rivers, through pine forests, and across open meadows while horseback riding in Central Oregon.
Smith Rock Trail Rides, for instance, departs from a private ranch that borders its namesake park and offers peaceful jaunts through the Crooked River canyon. And Sunriver Stables offers rides for beginners and experts alike between spring and early fall at Sunriver Resort. Outside of Sisters, Black Butte Stables leads trail rides in the forests around Black Butte Ranch.
Spa
Pamper yourself with spa services on your next getaway. The Japanese-inspired Shibui Spa at FivePine Lodge, for instance, offers massage services, facials, wraps, and other services at the eastern edge of Sisters. A tranquil getaway at Juniper Preserve is another popular choice—where seasonal Wellness Retreats are offered along with a spa that features a barrel sauna and spacious treatment rooms. And at Sunriver Resort’s Sage Springs Club & Spa, you’ll enjoy treatments, mani-pedis, and more. Learn more about health and wellness in Central Oregon.
Kid-Friendly
Kids of all ages find plenty to love about Central Oregon—from educational outings to active adventures. The award-winning High Desert Museum offers indoor and outdoor attractions that include live animals that are native to the area, interpretive exhibits on the history of the region, and more. For a rainy-day excursion, check out K1 Speed in Bend—where zero-emissions go-karts zip around a customized, one-of-a-kind track. In Terrebonne, Crescent Moon Ranch encourages families to learn about, pet, and feed the ranch’s namesake animal. See our round-up of additional kid-friendly activities in Central Oregon.
