Autumn is a magical time in Central Oregon. Clear days and gorgeous fall colors are perfect for taking in the region’s natural beauty, whether from aboard one of Big Sky Balloon Co.’s hot-air balloons or on a hike through the forest. It’s also a time to celebrate the season’s bounty at the Sisters Harvest Faire, Bend Fall Festival, and local farmers markets.
Fall is also a season to prioritize wellness. It’s a time of inward reflection, for slowing down and appreciating the world around you, and Central Oregon’s a great place to do it. Here are seven perfect spots in the region for an autumnal wellness retreat.
1. Soak Away Your Troubles at Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort
After a five-year hiatus, Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort in Warm Springs is welcoming guests once again. Five mineral-rich hot springs pools sit at the heart of the resort, two with therapeutic jets. Other pool-area highlights include 18 private soaking cabanas, a heated lazy river, and a 37-degree cold plunge. There are plenty of opportunities to prioritize your well-being beyond the pools, including a network of hiking and biking trails and other sporty amenities like pickleball, volleyball, and bocce courts. Come for the day or spend the night, either in renovated hotel rooms or in one of the resort’s new tribal tepees.
2. Stretch Out Under the Stars at Sunriver Resort
Just south of Bend, Sunriver Resort is a popular summer getaway, but this sprawling spot is equally magical in the autumn. Spoil yourself with one of the many healing rituals available at The Spa at Sunriver Resort, or sweat it out at one of the resort’s 18 new pickleball courts. Come during the full moon for a gentle Full Moon Sound Healing and Yoga session, followed by a private star party at the Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory. While you’re in the area, head out to the woods with R’oming Yoga for a yoga and meditation forest-bathing experience.
3. Take a Healing Journey at Juniper Preserve
Wellness takes center stage at Bend’s luxurious Juniper Preserve. Visit the spa for a balancing gemstone facial or a traditional ayurvedic massage, or revive your spirit with a transcendental breathwork session or an energy-clearing intuitive bodywork session. Juniper also sometimes offers sound baths in partnership with the sonic healers at Soundshala. For something more vigorous, choose from a long list of activities, from pickleball clinics and bicycle rentals to pool paddleboarding and yoga classes — or, of course, a round at the award-winning Pronghorn Golf Club.
4. Let the High Desert Rejuvenate You at Brasada Ranch
Just 20 miles northeast of Bend, Brasada Ranch has everything you need for a self-contained wellness getaway, including an elegant spa with treatments inspired by the high desert and a 24-hour athletic center with Peloton bikes and free fitness classes, plus adults-only and kid-friendly pools. Saddle up for a trail ride or hike the half-mile trail up to Spirit Rock, either alone or — schedule permitting — with a naturalist guide. Check the calendar for seasonal events, such as fall harvest dinners, and don’t miss the chance to have a meal at Wild Rye, which relies heavily on locally sourced and foraged ingredients.
5. Reconnect With Nature at Black Butte Ranch
Spread over 1,800 acres in Oregon’s Central Cascades, Black Butte Ranch invites visitors to reconnect with nature, especially in the fall, when the area’s aspen trees turn a brilliant shade of gold. Get your heart rate up by cycling along the community’s 23.4 miles of bike trails or paddling across Phalarope Lake to Black Butte’s “Secret Water Trail.” Other rejuvenating autumn activities include hiking, horseback-riding adventures, guided nature walks, and full-moon stargazing sessions. Black Butte offers great things to do indoors, too, from dining on seasonally inspired fare at The Lodge Restaurant to indulging in relaxing facials and body treatments at the spa.
6. Take an Urban Retreat at Tetherow
Experience the healing tranquility of Central Oregon’s high desert at Tetherow. This luxurious yet laid-back resort overlooks its own 18-hole championship golf course on the edge of the Deschutes National Forest, just a few minutes from the quiet of the Deschutes River Trail. You can rent a private cabana at the resort’s year-round pool for some dedicated R&R, or sign up for one of the resort’s many group fitness classes, which cover topics ranging from strength training to vinyasa yoga. Refuel with a sumptuous brunch of breakfast burritos or Scotch eggs at The Row, Tetherow’s pub restaurant, which is inspired by the cuisine of Scotland and the American South.
7. Get Sporty at Eagle Crest Resort
If you like staying active, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy at Redmond’s Eagle Crest Resort. The resort offers two championship golf courses and three sports centers with high-end fitness equipment, indoor lap pools, and sports courts. If you feel like venturing out, the 5-mile Cline Butte loop trail is right by the resort, and the crags and trails of Smith Rock State Park are a 25-minute drive away. Eagle Crest also has plenty of opportunities for relaxation, whether at the on-site spa or in the comfort of a private vacation rental with a hot tub overlooking the Deschutes River or one of the golf courses.
