Epic Central Oregon travel guide: The best hikes, lakes, camping + more

Central Oregon is one of my favorite places on earth. I just have to close my eyes to smell the juniper and pine of the high desert. When I can’t sleep at night, I visualize the most beautiful and calmest place I know: the clear, teal waters of a creek along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway near Bend, OR. And now I want to share with you some of the best things to do in Central Oregon.

Much of Central Oregon was shaped over millenia by volcanic activity. In fact, more recent eruptions transformed this landscape as recently as the 8th century!

(And cool fact: Bend, Oregon is only one of 4 US cities with a volcano within city limits! It’s Pilot Butte, which you can hike for a 360-degree view of the mountains and high desert around Bend.)

Don’t worry, though: The volcanoes here are all dormant now.

You’ll feel anything but dormant, though, once you read about these amazing things to do in Central Oregon. (See how I did that?)

In this post, I’ll outline the best things to do in Central Oregon, including:

• the best places to stay: cities and towns to make your home base
• must-do bucket list activities
• the best hikes, no matter if you want an easy stroll or a serious trek
• the best lakes in Central Oregon
• camping spots to set up your tent
• lodging in Central Oregon: hotels and AirBnB recommendations
• when to visit Central Oregon: weather, peak seasons and shoulder seasons

If you’re heading to Central Oregon, DM me on Insta or give me a shout: I may just meet you there. I’ll take any excuse to drive from Portland to Central Oregon!

Best places to stay in Central Oregon

Central Oregon is not exactly a thriving epicenter of cities—which is part of why I love this region so much!

High desert stretches between Central Oregon cities and towns. You’ll drive past ranch land, rock formations and wide stretches of high desert.

You’ll want to find a great town to post up while you explore this area. Read on for the best places to stay in Central Oregon: the towns and cities you can make your home base for adventures.

Bend, Oregon

Bend, OR is Central Oregon’s largest city as well as its cultural and education hub. Bend is a happening place!

This is the most outdoorsy city I’ve ever been to (and return to again and again!). People in Bend seem to spend every possible moment outdoors, no matter the season.

In winter, you ski, snowboard or snowshoe. In summer, you kayak, float the Deschutes River and swim. Fall in Bend is ideal for hiking. And consider the spring a way to revisit winter when flowers are popping up near you: Snow lasts for months at high elevations so you can continue to ski for months!

Bend is also famous for its breweries. Don’t miss beer tasting—it’s practically an official pastime for locals. (After all, the city has a brewery for every 4,000 residents or so—one of the highest concentrations of craft breweries in the US!)

Bend is located about 3 hours from Portland, OR.

Sisters, Oregon

Sisters, OR is a tiny town with serious Old West flair. Many of the buildings on the main drag look as though they could be a backdrop for West World.

Sisters is famous for its quilt festival in July (though to my kids it’s best known for its old timey ice cream shop). It’s also a terrific place to stay in Central Oregon while you explore.

This Central Oregon town is quirky, too. It’s home to one of the world’s only beer spas: Hop in the Spa pairs hot soaks infused with beer ingredients with other spa treatments and, of course, cold glasses of ambers, porters and IPAs.

This little town is located right on Highway 126, which runs from Eugene to Bend. It’s a 2-hour drive from Eugene. (If that’s the route you take, make sure to stop at Proxy Falls on the way: It’s a short hike to one of the state’s most gorgeous cascades.)

Booking.com

Terrebonne, Oregon

Terrebonne, Oregon is the gateway to Smith Rock State Park. This town’s name mean’s “good earth,” and I agree: It’s a lovely place to stay in Central Oregon.

The area around Terrebonne, OR is largely ranches. You’ll find horses, cattle and even alpacas raised here. (You can feed the alpacas at Crescent Moon Ranch, which is one of Edie and Max’s favorite things to do in Central Oregon!)

I recommend eating at Terrebonne Depot when you get hungry. This restaurant focuses on local ingredients and flavors. When the weather is nice, eat outside to overlook the (now unused) train tracks. The building used to be an old train depot!

Bucket list things to do in Central Oregon

There’s a good reason why Central Oregon is one of my favorite parts of the US. Well actually, there are many reasons.

This area of Oregon is so unlike the better known Western part of the state (think Portland, rain and dense forests). When you visit, you won’t want to miss these epic, bucket list things to do in Central Oregon that make this region an unforgettable place to visit.

(Do you like reading about places to travel—but also love a good podcast? I shared some of my favorite things to do and places to go in Central Oregon on the Amateur Traveler podcast. Listen to or download the episode below!)

Travel to Central Oregon – Amateur Traveler Episode 744

Visit Smith Rock State Park

When you drive through Oregon’s high desert, you can sometimes see for miles and miles. If you peer far away enough, you might catch a glimpse of one of Central Oregon’s most famous landmarks: Smith Rock State Park.

This spot has been named one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon, and for good reason. Enormous cliff faces jut into the sky over the Crooked River to create a dramatic, photogenic landscape.

Miles of trails crisscross the state park, giving you plenty of options. From the Misery Ridge Trail (more on that below) to the mellow and mostly flat River Trail, you and your crew can choose your own adventure.

As you explore Smith Rock State Park, keep an eye out for the many rock climbers scaling the cliff faces. (Bring binoculars so you can see them up close!) After all, Smith Rock is considered the birthplace of modern rock climbing.

Click to read even more about things to do at Smith Rock in my guide to the state park.

Explore the Painted Hills, Oregon

The Painted Hills in Oregon are breathtaking. It looks as if a little kid took a box of crayons and colored all over the landscape.

Yellow, orange, ochre, red—these vibrant colors decorate the hillsides. When you travel from spot to spot among the Painted Hills, the scenery changes. Some hills are all deep red; others are striated in different colors.

Something that makes visiting the Painted Hills one of the best things to do in Central Oregon: You can easily explore the area in a day. You won’t need to pick and choose which hikes to do because they’re all relatively short.

Painted Cove Trail is a flat, curving walkway between ochre-red hills, where it feels as if you’ve landed on Mars. The Painted Hills Overlook Trail gives you a different perspective as you gaze out at golden hills from above. And Carroll Rim Trail is just one mile with interpretive signs so you learn as you walk.

Make sure you pack enough food and water for a day at the Painted Hills in Oregon. There are little to no facilities and accommodations, even potable water, so come prepared.

See the Newberry National Volcanic Monument

When you visit Newberry National Volcanic Monument, don’t expect to see a dramatic peak with a blown-off top. Here, you’re actually inside the (extinct) volcano!

This volcano is actually the size of Rhode Island. Back in the day, it was quite active. The most recent eruption was relatively recent: 1300 years ago, it created the Big Obsidian Flow. All the lava has cooled, of course, and you can now hike the diverse trails in this area.

Lava Lands Visitor Center is a great place to start exploring Newberry National Volcanic Monument. This visitors center has interpretive exhibits and displays, but its main draw is Lava Butte. Here, you can walk around the rim of a crater and climb a tower for epic views of the landscape.

Best hikes in Central Oregon

Hiking and Central Oregon are like peanut butter and jelly: They just go together.

Whether you’re looking for an easy, kid friendly trail or a strenuous trek that will get you huffing and puffing, you can find a hike in Central Oregon that fits your plan.

So lace up those hiking boots and hit one of the best hikes in Central Oregon!

Tumalo Falls, Bend

Tumalo Falls is near the top of most things to do in Bend, OR. This waterfall hike lies just a few miles outside town and it’s popular among locals and visitors alike.

That said, it is very popular with limited parking, so arrive as early as you can to snag a spot. Then take the short paved path to the scenic overlook, where you can see Tumalo Falls in full.

Next, follow the paved path back to the main trailhead. Continue to hike up through the pine trees. Go as far as you like; it’s an out and back trail. Keep an eye out for spots where you can walk down to the river and take a rest on the wide rocks.

Lucky Lake, Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway

I love this sweet and relatively quiet hike along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. The Lucky Lake Trail is short enough for young hikers and ends at a beautiful, swimmable lake. The bright blue water reflects Broken Top, South Sister and Middle Sister mountains.

The trail is well maintained and doesn’t get too steep. Once it reaches the lake, it forms a loop so you can walk around Lucky Lake’s perimeter.

Bring your swimming suit and a towel so you can cool off after your hike with a swim!

Misery Ridge, Smith Rock State Park

You might be wondering why anyone would voluntarily hike a trail called Misery Ridge. It sounds kind of… miserable… doesn’t it?

Don’t be scared away by this Central Oregon hike’s name. The Smith Rock State Park trail is mostly moderate, though some sections are steep. Don’t hesitate to pause and take a breather: The break gives you a chance to watch rock climbers scaling the cliffs around you.

Misery Ridge Trail is a 6-mile loop, and you can combine it with many of the other trails within Smith Rock State Park.

Lava River Cave, Central Oregon

Open May through September, Lava River Cave is one of the most unique things to do in Central Oregon.

This hike stretches about a mile underground through a tube left by a lava flow. Some stretches are made of metal walkways, but you’ll need to walk over and around rocks much of the time.

Access to Lava River Cave is maintained by the forest service, and they limit the number of people in the cave at one time. You’ll want to rent at least one flashlight from the visitor center here, too: It’s dark—as in you can’t see your hand in front of your face—underground! Make sure you bring backup flashlights, too.

Bats live in Lava River Cave but don’t let that bother you. You’ll be hiking here in the day, when these nocturnal creatures are asleep. Just ensure you aren’t wearing shoes or clothes you’ve worn into another cave: Even washed clothes or shoes can carry a disease that can decimate bat populations.

Steelhead Falls, Terrebonne

If you’re staying in or near Terrebonne, make a side trip to hike to Steelhead Falls. It’s only a half-mile walk to this beautiful waterfall.

You can continue past the falls along the creek to stretch out your hike. Steelhead Falls is a lovely little hike great for kids. And as it’s shaded and near water, this Central Oregon hike is perfect to cool off on a hot day.

Paulina Creek Falls

Paulina Creek leaves nearby Paulina Lake to plunge 80 feet into a pool below. Park at the trailhead to either walk the paved path to a viewpoint above the falls or hike the short but steep trail to the base.

Side-by-side cascades tumble off the cliff above. The spray might reach you at the bottom of the trail; it certainly makes good habitat for wildflowers in late spring and early summer.

You can also hike from the falls to Paulina Lake.

Paulina Lake Loop Trail

Paulina Lake is one of several lakes within the Newberry Crater (yep, those volcanoes again!). A trail encircles the lake, making for a 7.5-mile, mostly flat hike.

The few up-and-down sections give you a beautiful view of Paulina Lake and the surrounding lava-shaped landscape. You can also access a natural hot spring from this Central Oregon hike.

Afterward, grab a bite to eat or rent a boat from the lodge here.

Best lakes in Central Oregon

You might be thinking, Wait, didn’t Catherine just say that Central Oregon is mostly desert? Yes, I did say that. It’s also home to mountains with high peaks, and the snow melt feeds alpine lakes all over the region.

Exploring the best lakes in Central Oregon is one of my favorite things to do here. Whether you’re camping, taking a day trip to Bend, or stopping on your way to other adventures, make a point to explore one (or more!) of these alpine lakes.

Lava Lake, OR

In the Deschutes National Forest in the Cascade Range, Lava Lake is a popular site for fishing, boating, hiking, camping and more. Its waters can appear almost teal—watch for the rainbow trout, which grow up to two feet long!

Look north of the lake to spot Broken Top and South Sister mountains. In fact, Lava Lake and the surrounding lakes were formed by volcanic activity.

(Many years ago, lava flowed from Mt. Bachelor and, when it hardened, separated Lava Lake from its cleverly named neighbor, Little Lava Lake.)

Hosmer Lake, OR

Just a few minutes off the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, Hosmer Lake is a less busy spot to paddle, fish and camp.

I love taking my paddle board here. It’s a small lake, so you can easily paddle around the whole thing in a few hours. Keep an eye out for beaches and landing spots so you can pause for a swim.

I’ve also been to Hosmer Lake as a part of an outing with Wanderlust Tours, based in Bend. Hubs and I did a moonlight canoe paddle on Hosmer Lake, and I’ll never forget floating in the dark while listening to the croak-croak of frogs all around us.

For more details, click to my detailed post all about Hosmer Lake.

Best Central Oregon camping

While Oregon has the reputation of less-than-awesome weather, Central Oregon doesn’t have the wet weather patterns of the western part of the state. That’s good news for people who want to pitch a tent in Central Oregon!

We haven’t camped a ton in this area—yet. But I’ll continue to add to this list as we explore the area even more.

In the meantime, you can find campgrounds near the Painted Hills here.

Lake Billy Chinook Camping

Lake Billy Chinook is a reservoir on the Crooked, Deschutes and Metolius Rivers. A half-hour north of Redmond, OR, this spot is popular for camping, boating and hiking.

Several campsites around the lake lie within the Cove Palisades State Park. Campsites are large but don’t have a ton of privacy from each other. You’ll also find playgrounds in different sections of the campgrounds.

When you camp here, you’ll want to play in the water. Kayak, SUP, swim and do like we did: rent a pontoon for the day! We had an amazing time putt-putting all around Lake Billy Chinook, pausing to fish, swim and admire waterfalls.

When to visit Central Oregon

I love visiting Central Oregon every time of year! Summer and winter are the busiest times here. In the warm summer months, visitors arrive to hike, kayak, raft the rivers and play in the alpine lakes.

In the winter, folks flock to Central Oregon to ski, snowboard, snowshoe and winter hike.

Spring and fall are Central Oregon’s shoulder seasons. They’re much less busy—and more economical—than peak travel months.

You should visit Central Oregon based on what you’d like to do. If you’re most interested in outdoor activities like hiking, come in the summer and fall. If you’re a snow bunny, brave the winter crowds.

Much of the high desert is accessible and 100% worth a visit any time of year. We traveled to Smith Rock twice in January; one time, the weather was sunny and warm and the next weekend, we hiked through 6 inches of snow!

Recommended lodging near Bend, OR

We love staying in Central Oregon and Bend, OR. So we visit every chance we can get!

I like and recommend the Riverhouse on the Deschutes in Bend, especially if you’re traveling with pets. This hotel is extremely dog-friendly! I loved that the back sliding door of our room opened onto a riverside path. The restaurant here also has an enormous deck for open-air dining—a perk these days even more than usual.

(Click to read my full review on the Riverhouse on the Deschutes here.)

We also love the Pine Ridge Inn in Bend, OR. The rooms here are spacious and cozy. I loved drinking my morning tea while overlooking the Deschutes from our room’s private patio.

If you’re looking for a home rental instead of a hotel, you have lots and lots of options, too. (Use my referral code to get up to $65 off your booking!)

For example, look at this amazing spot!

Whether you’re staying overnight or taking a day trip, you’ll love these amazing things to do in Central Oregon. Don’t limit yourself to Bend, OR—the most popular city in this area. Explore to find your own favorite lake, hike, camping spot and more.

Then come back here and share your recommendations with me! I’m always looking for new things to do, peaks to climb and spots to swim.