The High Desert Food Trail is a self-guided journey that highlights the stunning landscapes, resilient farms and ranches, artisan makers, and farm-to-table restaurants of Central Oregon. Choose from these themed itineraries below or download the official brochure to craft your own adventure.

Two people on horseback in front of snowy peaks

Stunning Landscapes

Sisters to Redmond

Sample handcrafted goodness with a view.

Kick off your day with a visit to Sisters Coffee Co. for a specialty coffee drink, a house-made pastry and a slice of history — they’re the first coffee roaster in Central Oregon.

If you’re visiting the area on a Sunday between June and October, peruse the locally grown food and handmade crafts at the Sisters Farmers Market. Stick around to enjoy the live music and splash pad, which is a favorite among the kids. For lunch head over to Boone Dog Pizza, a food truck that serves up wood-fired pies with seasonal ingredients like heirloom tomatoes. Don’t leave without snagging a loaf of their wood-fired sourdough bread. If you’re craving a good sandwich, stop into artisanal butchery and eatery Sisters Meat and Smokehouse for its next-level tri-tip sandwich. Regional craft beer is on tap at both eateries.

Next head east to Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards, where you can sip wine while looking out over stunning views of the Three Sisters. Learn how the winery manages to fight the frost and grow grapes that they transform into award-winning wine.

After you’ve had your fill of wine, end your day in downtown Redmond with dinner at Terra Kitchen, where plant-centric and sustainably grown ingredients take center stage. Consider staying the night at SCP Redmond Hotel, where Terra Kitchen is located. In addition to the hotel’s adventure, wellness and work-away packages, guests can enjoy the panoramic views of the Cascade mountains from the hotel’s rooftop bar — the only one in Redmond.

Artisan Offerings

Tumalo to La Pine

Lift your spirits with high-desert inspirations.

Begin your trip with a lakeside overnight at The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse in Sisters, where you can start your day with an alpine-style breakfast. Head south to Tumalo and fill your picnic basket with u-pick and farm stand goodies from Well Rooted Farms, and locally sourced meats, snacks and libations from Schillings Garden Market.

Before making your way south, tour the facilities and sample the creations of Crater Lake Spirits. Be sure to try the Prohibition gin, made with high-desert juniper berries.

For lunch try the burger at Bend’s Jackson’s Corner, which sources its ingredients from local farms and ranches, and partners with the city’s many quality craft breweries. If you’re visiting on a Wednesday between May and October, spend the rest of the afternoon meandering through the stalls at the Bend Farmers Market. Locally sourced gifts and products can be found year-round at Central Oregon Locavore.

Bend is known for its regionally inspired beer, so don’t leave without sampling The Ale Apothecary, which uses water from the Deschutes River as well as Oregon wildflower honey and grain from nearby Mecca Grade Estate Malt in Madras.

End your day in La Pine, where you can sit back and relax on the outdoor patio of Legend NW Cider Company and sample beverages made from Northwest apples. Stick around for the live music and a dinner of wood-fired pizza.

A girl feeds two alpacas food
Courtesy of Steve Heinrichs Photography

Resilient Agriculture

Warm Springs to Prineville

Experience high-desert ranching.

Start your day off by visiting Twisted Teepee on the Warm Springs Reservation, where you can choose from menu items like huckleberry pancakes and Indian fry bread.

If you’re visiting on a Saturday in summer, spend the rest of your morning strolling past the local produce and artisan goods at the Madras Saturday Market in the beautiful Sahalee Park. Then duck into New Basin Distilling Company for a tour of the facility, and sample their spirits made from Opal Springs water and rye grown in Jefferson County.

The ranches in Terrebonne are worth the stop. If you’re visiting in fall, head over to DD Ranch — known for its pumpkin patch, hay rides and petting zoo. If alpacas are more your thing, stop by Crescent Moon Ranch, where you can pet and feed their herd (even the babies) while also sampling their fiber products.

In Prineville head to Sun Life Farm and Ranch for a U-pick lavender experience and to see the apiary. The property is home to 5 miles of hiking trails overlooking the Ochoco Mountains. Make sure to factor in a stop to L & S Farm and Garden, a farm store that offers homemade, canned, pickled and preserved goods including jams, jellies, syrups, seasonings and more.

End your day at the Wine Down Ranch, a working cattle farm with overnight accommodations including a tiny house, a bunkhouse and campsites. In addition to experiencing life on a ranch, the Wine Down is a great spot for hiking, biking, bird-watching and stargazing.

More Tasty Stops

There are 44 stops on the High Desert Food Trail, from restaurants to farm stands, to cideries and distilleries, and place to stay along the way. Make your base camp in one of these charming towns and find a delicious farm-to-table meal around the corner. Here are some of the locales to explore.

 

Warm Springs to Prineville

 Sisters to Redmond

Bend to La Pine

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Travel Tips

This year-round, self-guided High Desert Food Trail is designed to be explored at your own pace — you are welcome to start and finish wherever you like. We encourage you to inquire at individual businesses about seasonality and hours of operation before visiting.

High season varies by business but is typically May-October. Seasonality of key products is listed below:

• Leafy greens: March – December

• Rhubarb: June – September

• Lavender: July – August

• Squash and zucchini: July – September

• Tomatoes: July – October

• Potatoes: August – December

• Pumpkins: October – December

The working farms along this trail provide some of the most unique and engaging experiences. We ask that you respect the invitation to enter each property and be cautious around farm animals and equipment. Children must be supervised at all times and you should be prepared to follow all site-specific rules. For your safety and comfort, be prepared with appropriate footwear, sun protection and water.

Annual Events

La Pine Rhubarb Festival | June

La Pine Coop and Garden Tour | August

Lavender Festival | August

DD Ranch Pumpkin Patch | October

Your experience along the High Desert Food Trail should not end when you leave the area. We encourage you to bring a taste of your journey back home to share with friends and family as a reminder of the bounty available in Central Oregon.

Learn more and plan your trip to Central Oregon at visitcentraloregon.com. Read up on how to explore the High Desert Food Trail.

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