Central Oregon

The spectacular rock formations at Smith Rock State Park were created by ancient volcanic eruptions and lava flows. Today, the park is known as the birthplace of U.S. sport rock climbing and a requisite stop on any Central Oregon visit. Seasoned pros will be giddy with nearly 2,000 climbing routes to choose from, but you can book a guided excursion if you’re just starting out. Hiking, biking, running trails and slacklines offer exciting challenges for all fitness levels.

Just a short drive from Bend is the 30-meter cascade of Tumalo Falls, a picture-perfect waterfall that also offers two scenic hikes. After snapping a photo of the falls from the picnic area, choose between the short North Fork Trail or the 11.4-kilometer Tumalo Falls Loop, which features gorgeous views of the Tumalo Creek and even more waterfalls further out.

Of course there’s skiing on Mt. Bachelor, Central Oregon’s hugely popular mountain resort. But there’s also snowboarding, tubing, guided snow shoe tours and real sled dog rides. In the summer, enjoy high-altitude hiking, mountain biking, disc golf and scenic chairlift rides. Want to really get away from it all? Book a helicopter ride for bird’s-eye views of Mt. Bachelor and the towering Cascade Mountains.

Who knew you could get up close to an active volcano in Oregon? Visit Newberry National Volcanic Monument, where NASA astronauts trained in the 1960s for the lunar landing. Powerful eruptions created calderas that now hold two lakes, popular for boating and fishing. Climb to the top of Paulina Peak for sweeping mountain views, walk the otherworldly Lava Lands or Big Obsidian Flow, explore hiking trails around the caldera, enjoy winter sports, go horseback riding and camp overnight if want a complete adventure.

Over its 106 kilometers, the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway features unusual geological formations, rocky lava fields, sparkling Alpine lakes and the imposing Cascade Mountains along the way. You can take in the views on a leisurely half-day drive, but there’s so much to do that you might reserve a few days to explore. Some noteworthy activities include year-round outdoor sports at Elk Lake Resort, skiing at Mt. Bachelor, rafting on the Deschutes River, mountain biking at Wanoga or Dutchman Flat Sno-Park and fishing for massive trout at Crane Prairie Reservoir.

With plenty of amenities and easy access to the region’s outdoor activities, Bend is Central Oregon’s basecamp. Bend is known as Dog Town, Beer Town and Bike Town USA, so if you’re into any of those, you’ll feel right at home. When you’re ready for a break from rafting the Deschutes River and skiing Mt. Bachelor, hang out in downtown Bend and enjoy microbreweries, funky art galleries, live music, international dining and locally owned boutiques.

Sunriver Resort is an all-in-one destination set in the Central Oregon countryside near Bend. Want outdoor activities? There’s biking, horseback riding, kayaking, skiing, sleigh rides and four golf courses. Need a break from it all? Book a luxury spa treatment. There’s kid-friendly fun too: Visit the nature center, enjoy star gazing at the observatory and splash around at the zero-entry pool. Plus, there are nine eateries and bars on site, from Starbucks to patio dining to an upscale grille.

Located in vibrant downtown Bend, Deschutes Brewery overlooks its namesake river and is a popular tasting room for locals and visitors alike. Reserve a spot on their daily brewery tours or just stop in for a pint and a bite to eat. Their flagship Black Butte Porter is highly decorated with beer awards.

The eerie volcanic landscape at Dee Wright Observatory was one of the training sites for the first NASA lunar landing in the 1960s. The observatory is built from rocks at 1,581 meters altitude, which makes for unparalleled, long-range views of Oregon’s varied landscape. Long stretches of lava fields give way to craggy mountain peaks and views of glaciers if the snow has melted. A “peak finder” compass on the observatory roof helps you identify mountains in the distance including Mt. Hood, Oregon’s highest peak.

Well off the beaten path, the extinct volcano that created Fort Rock juts out of the desert in a horseshoe of jagged rocks. If you plan ahead, you can book a guided tour of a cave where primitive sandals dating back about 10,000 years were found. Imagine what life in the high desert was like for early pioneers at the Fort Rock Homestead Village, a collection of early 20th century frontier cabins and artifacts.