SPORTS & RECREATION / DAY TRIPS
Central Oregon
Visitor’s Information
800-800-8334
www.visitcentraloregon.com
Visitors to Central Oregon tend to return frequently to explore the many unique attractions and four-season activities in this breathtakingly beautiful area. Some of the most panoramic golf courses in the nation, vast national parks, historic sites, unusual geology, fine shopping, museums and cultural centers, charming communities, and world-class recreation are just a few of the highlights.
Outdoor enthusiasts can look forward to fishing, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, road touring, winter sports, and whitewater rafting against a backdrop of spectacular scenery. Summer evenings are ideal for cultural events or open-air concerts as the setting sun paints a gold and crimson sky. Wonderful state parks offer first-rate facilities for boating, water sports, camping, and fishing.
Although Central Oregon is classified as “semi-arid desert,” this diverse region boasts more than 500 miles of rivers that meander through deep forests and more than 150 pristine mountain lakes. Sun-drenched days, clear and crisp starlit nights, the scent of Ponderosa pine, and the snowy Cascade Mountains are among the region’s natural treasures. At the same time, cities like Bend and Sisters or the Sunriver resort community draw visitors and vacationers to their own distinctive amenities and attractions.
Bend
Visitor’s Information
877-245-8484
www.visitbend.com
Visitors to Bend are amazed at the contrasts and extremes—from Western rustic to urban sophistication, from snow-capped mountains and forests to the hauntingly beautiful desert. Visitors and residents seem to reflect the same eclectic mix in Bend, where snowboarders sit down to dine beside professionals in office attire. Extreme sport enthusiasts find a comfortable home in this world-class recreational area. At the same time, Bend offers a lively and rich cultural scene that supports fine museums, galleries, and dinner theater. Many nationally recognized artists, musicians, filmmakers, painters, and writers who first discovered Bend as vacationers have decided to settle into this welcoming and friendly town.
Sisters
Visitor’s Information
541-549-0251
www.sisterschamber.com
Enjoying an idyllic elevation of 3,100 feet just east of the Cascade Mountains, the quaint town of Sisters charms visitors with its 1880’s architectural theme. From its roots as a lumber-producing community, Sisters has emerged as a tourist’s delight. Known as the Gateway to the Cascades, the town has transformed its downtown district into a showcase of wonderful galleries, stores, eateries, and shops. At the very edge of town, the Deschutes National Forest sprawls over 1.6 million acres to create a natural playground. Popular activities in this area include mountain climbing, fly fishing, camping, hiking, mountain biking, golfing, rafting, skiing, and snowmobiling. One activity unique to the Sisters area, the annual PRCA-sanctioned Sisters Rodeo gives visitors a chance to experience the “true West.” Fly fishermen can pull in a bountiful catch of trout and salmon from the Metolius River, while golfers will be in paradise at the Black Butte Ranch. Minutes away from Sisters, the ranch attracts golfers to some of the finest fairways in Oregon and outstanding views of Black Butte and the Cascades.
Sunriver Resort
Visitor’s Information
800-801-8765
www.sunriver-resort.com
One of the highlights for visitors and vacationers to Central Oregon is the Sunriver Resort Community, anchored by some of the finest accommodations and amenities in the Pacific Northwest. Couples and families will find a wide selection of options that include condo and home rentals. Children can enjoy a world of attractions and programs that include exciting field trips. Taking advantage of nature’s bounty, the Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory captures the attention of all age groups with interpretive exhibits, educational programs, a botanical garden, and a nature trail. Snowmobiling, sleigh riding, rock climbing, spin or fly fishing, whitewater rafting, golfing, paintball, downhill bike tours, and skiing are just a few of the endless activities. The Sunriver Resort Marina invites visitors to enjoy a leisurely canoe, kayak, or raft trip down the wild and scenic Deschutes River. Those who prefer dry land can rent a bicycle from a fleet of hundreds. Around the four seasons, the Sunriver area delivers everything from deep relaxation to heart-pounding thrills in style.
Central Oregon Attractions
Crater Lake National Park
541-594-3000
www.nps.gov/crla
Celebrated for the intense blue hues of the lake and spectacular views, the park is 90 percent pristine wilderness. Summer visitors can enjoy the Rim Drive around the lake, take boat tours, stay in the historic Crater Lake Lodge, or camp at Mazama Village. Hikers will find scenic trails that include Mt. Scott at nearly 9,000 feet. Some of the heaviest snowfall in the nation occurs during the winter months, averaging 533 inches a year.
Deschutes National Forest
Bend 541-383-5300
www.fs.fed.us/r6
Nestled along the Cascade Mountains, this forest is one of the most popular recreation areas in the Pacific Northwest. Providing a four-season vacation destination, the forest welcomes more than eight million visitors each year who enjoy a multitude of outdoor activities and adventures.
High Desert Museum
59800 S. Highway 97
Bend 541-382-4754
www.highdesertmuseum.org
Displays of artwork and sculpture complement exhibits that interpret life in the high desert region of Oregon. Presentations of live local wildlife are especially fascinating.
Lava Lands Visitor’s Center
& Lava Butte
Bend 541-593-2421
www.fs.fed.us/r6
Serving as the interpretive hub for Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Lava Lands offers nature walks and interpretive programs as well as displays on geology, volcanology, and the cultural history of Central Oregon. Self-guided trails meander through a young Ponderosa pine forest and along the 7,000-year-old lava flow from Lava Butte.
Mt. Bachelor Ski & Summer Resort
Bend 800-829-2442
www.mtbachelor.com
Attractions at this popular winter sports area include a newly opened Olympic-size Superpipe. One of the largest resorts in North America attracts avid skiers, snowboarders, and Nordic or cross-country skiers to superb conditions, plenty of snow, big terrain, and short lift lines.
Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Bend 541-383-5300
www.fs.fed.us/r6
This national treasure encompasses more than 50,000 acres of lakes, lava flows, and spectacular geologic features in all of Central Oregon. The highest point is the Paulina Peak summit at approximately 8,000 feet, which offers breathtaking views of the Oregon Cascades and open desert. The summit area also features two sparkling alpine lakes filled with trout and salmon. Everyone from anglers to hikers and nature students can enjoy this natural playground.
Smith Rock State Park
Redmond 800-551-6949
www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS
Avid outdoor sports fans will discover a paradise of several thousand rock climbs, more than a thousand with bolted routes. Miles of hiking and mountain biking trails meander through a scenic canyon filled with abundant wildlife including golden eagles, prairie falcons, mule deer, and river otter. This Oregon park is internationally famous as a premier rock-climbing destination.
Golfing in Central Oregon
Golfers will find some of the finest golf courses in the nation in Central Oregon, each one surrounded by unrivaled natural beauty. Some of these courses are part of world-class resorts. The following list is only a sample of the outstanding fairways that are waiting to be discovered in this scenic region.
Aspen Lakes
16900 Aspen Lakes Drive
Sisters 541-549-4653
www.aspenlakes.com
Crosswater Golf Course
Sunriver Resort
Sunriver 541-593-1145
www.sunriver-resort.com
Lost Tracks Golf Club
60205 Sunset View Drive
Bend 541-385-1818
www.losttracks.com
Meadow Lakes Golf Course
300 SW Meadow Lakes Drive
Prineville 541-447-7113
www.meadowlakesgc.com
Meadows Golf Course
Sunriver Resort
Sunriver 541-593-4402
www.sunriver-resort.com
Ridge Golf Course
Eagle Crest Resort
1522 Cline Falls Road
Redmond 866-583-5212
www.eagle-crest.com
Resort Golf Course
Eagle Crest Resort
1522 Cline Falls Road
Redmond 866-583-5212
www.eagle-crest.com
Rivers Edge Golf Course
The Riverhouse
3075 N. Business 97
Bend 541-389-2828
www.riverhouse.com
Widgi Creek Golf Club
18707 Century Drive
Bend 541-382-4449
www.widgi.com
Woodlands Golf Course
Sunriver Resort
Sunriver 541-593-4402
www.sunriver-resort.com
COASTAL REGION
Astoria, Warrenton
503-325-6311
800-875-6807
www.oldoregon.com
Astoria has often been referred to as the “Little San Francisco of the Pacific Northwest” for the dominance of Victorian architecture that climbs the hillsides.
Bandon-by-the-Sea
541-347-9616
www.bandon.com
Enjoy two of the world’s premier golf courses, discover the charm of undiscovered and unspoiled scenery, visit the cranberry bogs, or “catch the big one.”
Brookings-Harbor
541-469-3181
800-535-9469
www.brookingsor.com
Nestled in the “Banana Belt” of the Oregon coast where wild and scenic rivers flow through towering forests, Brookings offers a tranquil waterfront town.
Cannon Beach
503-436-2623
www.cannonbeach.org
Cradled between the Pacific Ocean and towering mountains, the city is famous for its forested headlands, towering monoliths, and miles of pristine beaches.
Coos Bay, North Bend, Charleston
541-269-0215
800-824-8486
www.oregonsbayareachamber.com
State and county parks, galleries, museums, theaters, antiques, and world-class recreation from water sports to hiking and biking make Oregon’s Bay Area a popular retreat.
Depoe Bay
541-765-3170
www.depoebaychamber.org
Don’t miss a visit to the “Whale Watching Capital of the Oregon Coast” and the world’s smallest harbor. Other distinctions include spouting geysers along a dramatically beautiful rocky shoreline and a postcard-perfect fishing village.
Florence
541-997-3128
www.florencechamber.com
Popular as a diverse, rich natural playground, Florence is known for its outdoor recreational activities and spectacular scenery. Forests meet the ocean’s edge along dramatic and scenic coastlines.
Garibaldi
503-322-3327
Located at Tillamook Bay, the picturesque Garibaldi area serves as the gateway to the magnificent Pacific Ocean.
Gold Beach
800-525-2334
541-247-7526
www.goldbeach.org
Where the Rogue River meets the Sea” is the calling card of Gold Beach, a seaside town, a river town, and a forest/mountain town that offers outstanding recreation.
Lincoln City
541-994-3070
www.lcchamber.com
Beaches filled with colorful kites, casino gaming, bed-and-breakfast inns, and water sports can all be found at this location along the 45th Parallel.
Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler
877-368-5100
www.nehalembaychamber.com
Touted as the “real treasures of the Oregon Coast,” this area offers Manzanita on the beach, Nehalem on the river, and Wheeler on the bay. Attractions include fine dining, kayaking, fishing, hiking, beachcombing, galleries, antiques, and outdoor recreation.
Newport
541-265-8801
800-262-7844
www.newportchamber.org
Nestled between the coastal mountains, the Pacific Ocean, and Yaquina Bay, this area has been welcoming visitors since the late 1800s. The city takes great pride in the friendliness of the community.
Port Orford
541-332-3681
www.discoverportorford.com
Scenic Port Orford with its picturesque lighthouse is distinguished as the most westerly incorporated city in the continental U.S. Visitors can explore everything from a fish hatchery to Victorian splendor and the Coast Guard Lifeboat Station.
Reedsport, Winchester Bay
541-271-3495
www.reedsportcc.org
Known as the “Heart of the Oregon Dunes,” this area is the gateway to miles of undisturbed beaches and the tallest dunes in Oregon. Visitors enjoy the lighthouse, a world-class skate board park, magnificent Roosevelt Elk herds, and superb water sports.
Rockaway Beach
503-355-8108
www.rockawaybeach.net
Vacationers have long traveled to this quiet coastal region for its natural beauty and first-rate recreational activities. Storm and whale watching, beachcombing, golfing, fishing, and crabbing are all popular. Fine dining, comfortable accommodations, and unique boutiques add to the attraction.
Seaside
503-738-3097
888-306-2326
www.seasideor.com
Crested near the mouth of the Columbia River, Seaside is the beginning of the coastal experience. This charming village has been welcoming visitors since the 1800s.
Toledo
541-336-3183
www.visittoledooregon.com
Cradled along a bend of the Yaquina River and surrounded by wooded hills, Toledo is a few minutes inland from the Oregon coast but enjoys a deep-water channel. Today the town is known for its fine antiques, the downtown district, and the impressive community of artisans and artists.
Waldport
541-563-2133
www.waldport-chamber.com
Proud of the Alsea Bay Bridge, Waldport features miles of sandy ocean beaches, forest roads, hiking trails, wilderness areas, and a picturesque bay. Activities include windsurfing, kayaking, boating, fishing, sailing, hiking, or cycling.
Yachats
800-929-0477
www.yachats.org
One of the true gems of the panoramic Oregon coast, the charming village of Yachats excels in recreational activities. Yachats nestles between the lush forested mountains of the coastal range and the lapping waves of the Pacific surf to offer a tranquil retreat.
