Summer in Central Oregon might be commonly known as peak season for hiking, biking, camping and fishing, but the region doesn’t slow down the rest of the year. Whether you’re here to ski snowy slopes, mountain bike on a crisp day, or take a spring swing on an award-winning golf course, there’s always something happening. Here’s where to play, eat and stay in spring, fall and winter.
Spring: Golf, History and Stargazing
Sunriver Resort, south of Bend, is a spring standout, when snow still caps the mountain peaks but the fairways below are clear and ready to play. Book a lodge room or vacation home, then spend the afternoon at Crosswater Club, ranked among Golf Digest’s Top 100 courses. For family-friendly fun, The Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory offers up-close looks at local wildlife, conservation-focused exhibits and stargazing.
Just north of Sunriver, the High Desert Museum houses rehabilitated birds of prey and otters along with exhibits that show the history and culture of life in the high desert. It can also make for a great indoor stop on a cool spring morning. Cap off the day at the Legend NW Cider Company taproom, just south of Sunriver in La Pine, which pours ciders made with local fruits and Italian sodas for the kids.
With three championship golf courses, Eagle Crest Resort just north of Bend has plenty of rooms and vacation homes that make it easy to turn one round into a full weekend. Afterward, head into downtown Redmond to Grace and Hammer, where a historic church now houses a wood-fired pizzeria. You can still see the colorful stained-glass windows.
A quick drive west of Redmond in Sisters is Angeline’s Bakery, perfect for grabbing picnic favorites like sandwiches and pastries before heading to the Metolius River to spot spring wildflowers. Spend the weekend at Lake Creek Lodge, northwest of Sisters, where creekside cabins offer front-door access to fly-fishing. Plus, you can enjoy dinner at the on-site Høst Supper Club when the waders come off.
Head about 90 minutes northeast of Bend to the tiny town of Antelope, Oregon’s first official Dark Sky Community and stay at Antelope Basecamp, perfect for stargazing. Cozy A-frames and RV and tent sites make it a great base for visiting the historic ghost town of Shaniko, just 6 miles away.
Fall: Trails, Rivers and Fresh Flavors
Fourteen miles southeast of Redmond, Brasada Ranch sits on a high-desert hillside with Cascade Mountain views. Stay in a ranch-style cabin, saddle up for a horseback ride or unwind at the spa before dinner at an on-site restaurant. Smith Rock State Park is just a short drive away, where you can get a change of scenery — and elevation. Get moving along golden canyon trails, or book a guided climb with Chockstone Climbing Guides.
Cog Wild leads guided mountain bike tours through the region’s renowned trail systems, where fall brings cooler temps and tacky single-track. After your ride, head east to Prineville to refuel at Golden Coffee Co. or south to La Pine to wind down at Wetlands Taphouse with local beers and bites. Beyond brews, fall flavors take center stage along the High Desert Food Trail, where farms and makers showcase what’s grown here — from apples and squash to locally raised meats and honey.
For a quiet Central Oregon base camp, LaPine State Park, south of Bend, has campsites and cabins close to the Deschutes River with access to hiking and biking trails. When you’re ready to trade pine-scented air for stage lights, head into Bend for an outdoor fall concert at Hayden Homes Amphitheater.
Along the Deschutes River in Maupin, about 75 miles north of Prineville, Imperial River Company offers riverside rooms and RV sites, guided rafting trips and access to fall steelhead fishing. Then walk across the bridge to The Riverside for a loaded burger paired with a local pint. For even more river experiences, book a guided fly-fishing trip on the Deschutes with The Fly Fisher’s Place.
Winter: Fun on the Slopes, Après Hour and Cozy Stays
Grab your skis, take a snowboard lesson or enjoy the snowy scenery via a sled-dog tour at Mt. Bachelor, which offers budget-friendly shuttle service from Bend. The volcano offers more than 4,300 acres of lift-accessible terrain for beginners to experts. For a guided winter adventure, Wanderlust Tours leads snowshoeing trips in the Cascades to stargazing at Fort Rock State Natural Area, complete with hot chocolate. For a boost of speed, ride along with Octane Adventures on a snowmobile tour through the snow-covered lava fields of Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
When it’s time to rest, Tetherow Resort is a short drive from Mt. Bachelor with lodge rooms and vacation rentals close to the slopes. New to Bend, The Westman offers a boutique stay within walking distance to downtown dining, shopping and the historic Tower Theatre, home to performing arts like concerts and films. Grab an après drink or take a tour of Deschutes Brewery, Central Oregon’s oldest brewery. Or settle in over dinner and a glass of Oregon pinot at Amaterra winery. In Redmond, Beyond the Vine offers another cozy spot to unwind with something red or white.
Just northwest of Sisters, Black Butte Ranch offers lodging, a spa and, when snow falls, cross-country skiing across its golf courses. Farther west, Hoodoo Ski Area delivers downhill skiing, snowboarding, tubing and the only night skiing in Central Oregon. Round out the day in Sisters with a savory dinner at The Open Door and catch the latest blockbuster at Sisters Movie House.
