I’d ask you to imagine Smith Rock’s red cliffs, meandering river, steep trails and arid landscape—but thanks to these photos, you don’t have to overwork your pretending muscles. (If you’re like me, those muscles might be tired from a day of playing dinosaurs with your kids.)

Of course, photos barely do Smith Rock State Park justice. That’s why you need to go in person, of course!

In this post, I’ll cover all the things to do in this amazing Central Oregon destination:

• Smith Rock hikes
• Camping
• Rock climbing
• Weather and when to visit
• Other things to do in Terrebonne, OR
• And the logistical details you need to make the most of your trip to Smith Rock State Park

I can’t wait to share this magical place with you.

This post contains affiliate links. By clicking and buying, I earn a small income at no extra expense to you. Thank you for supporting this free travel content!

Smith Rock State Park hikes

Smith Rock State Park became famous in the 1980s for its rock climbing. This incredible Central Oregon destination is home to equally impressive trails for both littles’ legs and those of us looking for a strenuous trek.

Misery Ridge Trail

Smith Rock SP’s most famous trail is Misery Ridge. As you can guess from its name, this 2-mile hike is strenuous, but don’t let that scare you away. The steep ascent takes you to the crag’s summit and offers truly incredible views.

Want to know what you’re up against? You can watch hikers tackle the steep incline of Misery Ridge from the parking areas.

If you do opt for this iconic Smith Rock hiking trail, keep an eye out for rock climbers. They climb many of these spires and cliff faces, including the famous Monkey Face. You will also want to bring your hiking poles.

Most folks create a loop with the Misery Ridge Trail and the River Trail. This common loop is less than 6 miles in length.

You can also create a loop from Misery Ridge to Summit Ridge Trail. This is a longer and less trafficked route of less than 8 miles.

River Trail

Smith Rock’s River Trail winds along the Crooked River with sheer cliffs rising up around you. This trail is easy, overall: Once you reach the river, it remains fairly flat. The exception: Toward the beginning of the hike, one short steep part—the Chute—will feel more challenging for littles, people with limited mobility and inexperienced hikers.

Catch the path down to the River Trail from the main parking area. Pass the primary viewpoint (just downhill from the restrooms), then watch the righthand side of the trail for a sign pointing you to the River Trail.

Other Smith Rock hiking trails

Hiking trails crisscross and loop around the state park. You can find one to meet your mood and needs, from a leisurely stroll to a more intense climb.

Check out the Homestead Trail and Canyon Trail.

If you want more ideas, check out my post on the best things to do in Central Oregon, including my favorite hikes.

Smith Rock State Park camping

Smith Rock State Park camping is limited. One walk-in campground, The Bivouac—nicknamed The Bivy—is off the road just before you pass the park’s welcome sign. You’ll need to walk a short ways with your gear to reach the campground.

Campers are allowed in tents only—park rules prohibit RVs or sleeping in your vehicle. Campsites are loosely defined. You’ll pretty much set up tent in the grass where you can find some space. There aren’t a lot of trees to offer privacy, but the incredible views of Smith Rock and the Crooked River more than make up for that.

These coveted Smith Rock camping spots are first come, first serve. That means they don’t take reservations. If you do find a place, you can buy a camping permit at the automated machine in the main visitor area. Camping here costs $8 per person per night.

Campfires are prohibited at Smith Rock because of its sensitive high desert ecosystem and the risk of wildfires. The site does provide restrooms, potable water and showers.

As of publication of this article, the Smith Rock camping site is not open because of COVID-19.

Smith Rock climbing

Back in the 1980s, intrepid athletes pretty much invented modern-day rock climbing here at Smith Rock. Now there are more than 2,000 routes on the park’s spires, rock faces and columns.

Monkey Face is Smith Rock’s most famous rock climbing spot. When seen in profile, it’s remarkable how much like a monkey it resembles!

I am definitely no rock climbing expert. If you feel confident to climb here on your own, you might want to get a copy of a Smith Rock climbing guide first.

I don’t have firsthand experience with guides, but you can check out some rock climbing guide services here.

Note that some routes, such as First Kiss, are closed from January through August to protect nesting birds.

If you’re looking to watch rock climbers, the Phoenix Buttress along the River Trail is prime viewing.

When to visit: Smith Rock weather + more

Smith Rock State Park is open year-round—and can be explored any time of year!

We love visiting Smith Rock when it’s warm and cold. Know that summer temperatures top 100 degrees so plan accordingly. You’ll want to bring a hat, more water than you think you’ll need and lots of sunscreen.

In the summer, the best weather at Smith Rock is in the morning, before the rocks heat up. You’ll enjoy hiking and exploring more if you’re not sweating buckets.

Winter weather at Smith Rock can vary widely. One January weekend, the kids and I took a day trip there and were walking around in short sleeves. The following weekend, we visited and found 6 inches of snow on the ground!

You can definitely enjoy Smith Rock State Park in cold weather, but you’ll need to take extra safety precautions. Hike with traction cleats on your shoes (such as Yak Trax) so you don’t slip on ice.

You’ll also need to use your best judgment for which Smith Rock hikes to tackle. Personally, I wouldn’t hike Misery Ridge Trail if conditions were icy. The River Trail doesn’t have steep dropoffs, though, so I’m ok with that hike in winter weather.

Other things to do in Terrebonne, Oregon

Smith Rock State Park is a 5-minute drive from Terrebonne, Oregon. Highway 97 runs right through the center of town; you’ll turn onto Smith Rock Way to get to the park.

Terrebonne, Oregon isn’t technically a town: It’s an unincorporated area of just over 1,000 residents. It’s livelier than you might think, though, because it acts as a hub for folks going to Smith Rock.

The area around Terrebonne is mostly ranch land. In fact, our favorite thing to do in Terrebonne (besides go to Smith Rock) is meeting the alpacas at Crescent Moon Ranch. Buy feed for $5 a bag and spoil those alpacas! (Pro tip from a mama who has been there: I ended up buying Max and Edie two bags each so they’d have enough to feed the alpacas at the end of the trail.)

Just outside of town off Highway 97, the Peter Skene Ogden viewpoint is another good thing to do in Terrebonne. Walk just a short way from the parking lot to see the Crooked River below.

A super-cool historic bridge crosses the river here, and you’ll catch an incredible view from this park. A safety warning: Keep your kids and dogs really, really close. People and animals have fallen hundreds of feet into the river here.

If you’re looking for Terrebonne, Oregon restaurants, I recommend stopping at the Terrebonne Depot. This restaurant is a converted railroad depot. The 100+ year old historic building was restored, and owners employed local artisans to add contemporary touches.

If you need coffee quickly, stop at Java Rock Espresso. This coffee stand is right off Highway 97 so it’s a quick stop. My kids like to get hot cocoa here after a day of exploring Smith Rock Oregon.

Must-know details to visit Smith Rock State Park, Oregon

Smith Rock SP is open for day use year-round. You’ll need to pay a $5 day use fee or display your annual Oregon State Parks pass.

You can park in a few different places within the park. An overflow lot will be on your lefthand side as you drive into the park. Parking spots line the road within the main area of the park. And before you get to the dead-end turnaround, you’ll see a grass field on the righthand side that’s been turned into a car lot.

Park rangers patrol the area frequently, and they do give out tickets for not having a park pass or for parking in undesignated areas.

Smith Rock State Park is very popular, especially in the summer and on weekends. Get here early to increase your chances of finding a parking spot within the park.

Like the rest of Oregon’s High Desert, Smith Rock State Park is home to wildlife. Watch for snakes, especially if you or your kids explore the hidey holes in some of the rock faces.

Are you mega excited to check out this Central Oregon gem? Save one of these pins for your future trip. Also, if you’re looking for even more attractions, check out the best things to do in Central Oregon in my guide to this unique area!

The post Stunning Smith Rock State Park, Oregon: hiking trails + camping near Bend appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

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.)

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!)

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.

The post Epic Central Oregon travel guide: The best hikes, lakes, camping + more appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

This out-of-the-way wonder is a stretch of underground tunnel with several openings at the top of the cave. For an hour or two each day, sunlight streams in, leaving spotlights on the cave floor.

Skylight Cave, Oregon isn’t convenient; you have to drive outside Sisters, OR on bumpy forest roads to get there. But once you arrive, it’s totally easy to explore this small Oregon cave. 

And when you time your visit right, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking sight. 

(This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you click and purchase an item, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting this blog and my ability to continue to share free family travel content!)

Exploring this Oregon cave near Sisters, OR

When you reach Skylight Cave, you’ll climb down a metal ladder bolted to the stone. (It’s really sturdy, I promise!) This takes you into a natural basin between the two sections of the cave.

Don’t forget your flashlight!

With the ladder at your back, if you turn right, you can walk less than a quarter-mile through this underground tunnel. The ground is uneven, and you’ll have to climb over some stones. The ceiling is very low in a few parts.

You’ll soon reach a dead end. I recommend going this way first if you’re early to the cave, or if there are more people than you’re comfortable with in the other part of Skylight Cave.

To see the star attractions, turn left.

Beams of light in Skylight Cave, Oregon

When you turn left from the ladder, you’ll walk into the main part of Skylight Cave. Step over uneven, rocky ground and you’ll soon reach an open cavern. Here is where Skylight Cave gets its name: Three holes in the cave ceiling let in sunlight from about 8 – 10am during the summer.

This “room” is the largest in the small Skylight Cave underground system. Walk to one side and then the other to get a 360-degree view of the sunbeams. You can see them from every angle. 

Chances are, other visitors will be in the cave with you. I found that people were pretty good at taking turns to get close to the sunbeams. 

Some folks took those iconic standing in light photos or the ones that look like they’re catching sunlight in their hand. Others (like me) simply enjoyed the streams of light from a distance. 

Photography tips to take pictures of cave sunbeams

It’s not easy to take photos inside a cave!

If you’re looking to capture truly amazing photos, you’ll need a tripod. (I own and love this budget tripod). It’s still not easy, though. You’ll have to set up in the dark (of course) and the ground is uneven, making it tricky to get your tripod stable.

If you’re not bringing a tripod, I still have some photography tips for you.

1. Do not take a photograph on auto mode. This will use the flash and blind everyone! On an iphone, click the lightning bolt icon to turn off flash. On a DSLR, use manual mode or shutter speed mode.
2. Adjust your DSLR’s ISO to the highest it can go. This will help you capture more light.
3. Adjust your DSLR’s shutter speed to very slow—i.e. 1/80. This will require your aperture to be set to the widest it can—4.5 or whatever your lens’ limit. You’ll need to take a few practice shots to adjust, getting your settings right.
4. Create a “tripod” with your body. As you hold the camera, tuck your elbows against your torso, which makes your upper body more stable. If you’re kneeling, rest your elbow on your knee, which also makes you more stable.
5. Snap a photo at the end of an exhale. (Yep, your breathing jiggles the camera, too!) This will minimize movement, helping you get a crisper, clearer photograph.

Must-know details to visit Skylight Cave

Flashlights:  The flashlight on your cell phone is straight-up not strong enough. You need at least one legit flashlight to explore Skylight Cave, Oregon. 

I recommend bringing a MagLight or something similar. It’s best to bring a second, backup flashlight as a precaution.

Bottom line: You don’t want to trip or twist an ankle because you didn’t bring a decent flashlight. Come prepared.

Courtesy in the cave: When you’re next to the sunbeams, do your best to keep your flashlight off (as long as it’s safe). That way the flashlight won’t interfere with other people’s enjoyment of the skylights. 

Animals: No pets are allowed inside Skylight Cave. (Even if they were, I don’t know a lot of dogs that could climb the ladder down!)

Food: No eating inside the cave system.

Time to hike Skylight Cave: You’ll probably need 20-40 minutes to explore the cave system. The underground tunnels themselves are quite short but you’ll want to hang out and admire the sunbeams for a while!

Directions to Skylight Cave, Oregon

If you want directions to Skylight Cave, read on—and print them out! You’ll likely lose service on this drive.

Secondly, make sure your car has decent clearance. You’ll be driving over bumpy forest roads that are minimally maintained. I drove in my Forester and had zero problems. I also saw sedans making the drive.

Here are directions to Skylight Cave:

Directions to Skylight Cave, Oregon

Print

Skylight Cave is an epic, out of the way cave in Central Oregon. But you'll need to look up—and print—directions before you go. Here's how to get to Skylight Cave, Oregon near Sisters and Bend, OR.

Instructions

1. From Highway 126/20, turn south onto McAllister Road. This is directly across from the sign to Camp Sherman. If you're coming from Eugene, you'll turn right onto McAllister; if you're coming from Sisters, you'll turn left onto McAllister.
2. After a quarter-mile, turn right onto Forest Road 2061.
3. Continue 6 miles down Forest Road 2061. You'll pass many turn-offs—some are private land, some are unmarked. Don't turn onto any of these.
4. Look for a wide clearing with trees. Continue downhill around this clearing.
5. Shortly after you pass the clearing, turn left at the fork onto Forest Road 1028.
6. After about a half-mile, turn left onto Forest Road 260. This turns into 2060. The road gets extra-bumpy here.
7. Continue on 260/2060 for about a mile. Look for several unpaved, dirt parking areas on either side of the road. Park in one of these.
8. Continue by walking; Skylight Cave is on your right. You'll see a wooden announcement sign and a visitor's book. You made it!

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Did you try this? What did you think?

Were these instructions helpful? Be a gem and share this info with someone else who could use it!

I’m curious: Have you ever explored an underground cave system? Would you??

PS – Want more? Check out my post on exploring Lava River Cave in Central Oregon near Bend—only an hour away.

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I worked with Visit Bend for some suggestions on fun family things to do in Central Oregon, and they connected me with the Riverhouse on the Deschutes. This dog friendly hotel in Bend, Oregon was just what we needed, and they were gracious enough to provide a room for us for two nights.

As always, all opinions are my own. But truly, I wanted to share this pet friendly hotel in Bend with y’all because I know how hard it can be to find dog friendly lodging. I was beyond pleased with the Riverhouse—and much more importantly, so was Finn!

For a full review of the Riverhouse on the Deschutes, a pet friendly hotel in Bend, Oregon, read on. I’ll share info on accommodations, the property, dog friendly details plus a few tips on visiting Bend with dogs! The best part? Riverhouse on the Deschutes is offering a 15% discount on all bookings exclusive to To and Fro Fam readers using this link!

My favorite pet friendly hotel in Bend, Oregon

All you readers who travel with pets, raise your hand! (Your furry friends can raise a paw, too.) This Bend, Oregon hotel review is for you.

Pet friendly lodging in Bend

Some people stay in the Old Mill District when they visit Bend, but to be 100% honest, I often prefer to stay just a little outside of the main downtown areas of a town. Why? Because it’s quieter, which is a better environment for me, my kids and my dog, who gets anxious with weird outside noises.

So we wanted a Bend hotel outside of the core commercial district. Riverhouse on the Deschutes is a 5-minute drive or a 15-minute bus ride from downtown Bend, making it super convenient to the town’s restaurants and fun things to do, but far enough for peace and quiet.

Finn and my girls were so excited when we arrived! They both got to work exploring our ground-level, river-facing room. I was thrilled that this pet friendly hotel room had enough space for me, my two kids and our medium sized dog. (All you parents out there totally understand a more spacious hotel room totally helps when you’re sharing it with kids.)

The pet friendly room had all the amenities we needed:

• mini fridge – crucial for us, since we travel with perishable snacks for my kids and wet dog food for my pup, who’s allergic to just about everything
• TV – the girls felt so spoiled that I allowed them to watch Nick Jr! (We don’t have a TV at home)
• a sink outside the main bathroom – having a place where someone can brush their teeth or get water while another person is showering or using the toilet is so handy for families

One of my dog’s favorite parts of this pet friendly hotel in Bend: The enormous glass sliding door! He loved sitting on his dog bed and watching everything outside. Ok, he maybe didn’t love seeing the squirrels skitter by—so close yet so impossible to catch them!

Walking your dog at the Riverhouse

Since we were on the ground floor with a huge sliding glass door, it was beyond easy for my girls and I to take Finn on walks. All we had to do was step outside and we were on a well maintained trail directly next to the Deschutes River.

Finn practically dragged me along, sniffing from one spot to the next. He and my girls scrambled down a little side trail that led to huge rocks right on the edge of the river. With its wildflowers and rushing water, I felt as if we were in our own little patch of the great outdoors, not mere feet away from a hotel.

When we walked Finn here at night, we watched for bats swooping overhead. They were eating bugs that like to hang out around the river. I have to say thank you, bats, because I didn’t get a single mosquito bite!

Throughout the Riverhouse on the Deschutes property, dog waste bag stations were never far away. That way, if I didn’t bring enough bags from my room, I could still clean up after Finn. Also, side note: Everyone must have followed the same courtesy, because during our weekend at the Riverhouse I never saw a single pile of dog waste.

Bonuses for this dog friendly hotel in Bend, Oregon

When we checked in at the Riverhouse on the Deschutes, one of the front desk staff slipped away and came back with a whole goodie package for Finn! It included a dog food bowl, treats and even a brand-new toy. Finn is about 11 years old (roughly, since we don’t know exactly how old he was when we adopted him), but I swear that toy brought out his inner puppy. The girls took turns throwing the toy for him and he zipped back and forth, all over the room!

I was also grateful that this pet friendly hotel in Bend provided a door hanger to show a dog was inside our room. I’d hate for someone in housekeeping to go in the room not knowing a dog was inside.

I also learned that dogs are allowed on the restaurant deck. We didn’t have a chance to eat at Currents, the Riverhouse restaurant, but it has a ton of outdoor seating overlooking the Deschutes River. Dogs are totally allowed to join your meal—just one more perk of staying at a pet friendly hotel in Bend, Oregon.

Logistics for staying at the Riverhouse on the Deschutes

Pets are welcome at many of the Riverhouse rooms. (For those of you without pets, or who are allergic to animal hair, request to stay in one of the wings that doesn’t allow animals.) You’ll pay an extra $25 per night if you bring your pet and remember to book your stay using the To and Fro Fam link to qualify for a 15% discount!

Next time I’ll totally splurge for the Riverhouse’s one-bedroom suites. These rooms have a separate bedroom with a door that closes from the rest of the living space. That would have been nice, but I ended up hanging out in the bathroom when my kids were sleeping and I was awake. (Parents, how many of you have done that, too?)

My bottom line: I would 100% recommend this pet friendly hotel in Bend, Oregon to anyone traveling with a dog (or cat, or bunny, or ferret… ?). We’ll definitely book our lodging here the next time we stay in Central Oregon.

Hotel bed flip from Catherine Ryan Gregory on Vimeo.

Tips to visit Bend, Oregon with dogs

Bend, Oregon loves dogs—in fact, it was named DogTown USA as the most dog friendly city in America by Dog Fancy back in 2012. It’s full of off-leash dog parks, but my favorite is the Riverbend Dog Park. There, your pup can jump into the Deschutes River to cool off or chase a stick.

Here’s a full list of off-leash dog parks in Bend, Oregon.

Whenever you’re outside with your pup—especially in hot weather—make sure to bring water for him or her, too. Dogs can get dehydrated and overheated just like humans, so make sure to offer water often. That’s what we did when we hiked in Tumalo State Park, thanks to a Bend Pet Express collapsible bowl my friends at Visit Bend left us. (Maxine actually used it more than Finn, since my dog just drank out of the river!)

If you visit Bend in the summer, walk your dog in the morning and evening. During the heat of the day, pavements can get super hot. Think of it: Your dog doesn’t wear shoes, and the sidewalk could be uncomfortable under his paws! If the street feels hot to your hand, it’s definitely hot to his paws.

And most of Bend’s restaurants with patios or outdoor areas—including many of the breweries on the Bend Ale Trail—welcome on-leash pooches.

I’m curious: Do you travel with your dog? What do you look for in pet friendly hotels or destinations to bring your dog?

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Sustainable family travel is a no-brainer. After all, our children will inherit the environment we leave them. Sustainable travel is all about aligning our family trips—which are so important, considering the gift of time together and new experiences makes kids way happier than a new toy, according to research—with our values of protecting nature for future generations. That’s why when the folks at Visit Bend invited us for a weekend, we agreed it made so much sense to take a trip to Central Oregon and share how we approached sustainable travel for families in Bend.

Early this summer, I took my kids and dog to Bend, Oregon for a weekend. (Hubs was playing in a disc golf tournament so didn’t join us.) I’ve been to Bend many times, starting from when I was a kid. So I was doubly excited to head back to this Central Oregon town with my own kiddos.

In the summer—my favorite time to visit—the city becomes an outdoors lover’s paradise. The Deschutes River runs through town, acting as a hub to cool off and have fun in the hot summer days. The miles of trails, acres of parks and eco-focused local lifestyle make it a natural fit for sustainable travel with families.

If you’re coming to Oregon with kids, here’s how you can make your family vacation align with the principles of sustainable travel. In a place like Bend, that’s a lot easier—and more fun—than you might imagine.

What is sustainable travel, and why does it matter?

Sustainable travel is a bit of a buzzword—many people don’t really know what it means, and different people have varying ideas of what it actually is. Here’s my definition:

Sustainable travel means visiting a location and leaving its environment, economy and community in as good—or better—shape than when you found it.

Sustainable travel is vital to the places we love. After all, if we want to ensure the generations that follow us can also enjoy the destinations we cherish today, we need to take good care of those places.

Let me clear up something: Sustainable travel doesn’t mean denying yourself and your family. It doesn’t entail cutting out fun. Sustainable travel is about finding a balance and planning your trip so that your vacation spot is a great place to be—for visitors and locals now and in the future.

Sustainable travel for families in Bend

Ok, now that we’re all on the same page, I want to share some of the awesome things my kids and I did earlier this summer in Bend, Oregon!

One thing I loved about our time in Central Oregon was how easy the town made it to choose greener options. Take a peek below for ideas on things to do in Bend with families.

Even better, you can apply these tips to pretty much anywhere you visit!

1. Clean up parks, trails and rivers

My family spends much of pretty much every day outside, so of course we went on a hike in Bend! My girls and I took our dog, Finn, to Tumalo State Park. (Note to folks who are planning to visit Bend: Tumalo State Park is not where you hike to Tumalo Falls, the gorgeous waterfall within Bend city limits.)

Whenever we’re on the trail, though, it’s so disheartening to see trash. Bend’s trails are quite clean, but remember what I said about leaving places even better than when you found them?

That’s why my kids and I brought a bag to collect trash as we hiked. We found bottle caps, broken hair ties, bits of plastic and food wrappers—all garbage that was mere feet from being washed into the Deschutes River. Trash isn’t just an eyesore; its poses a health threat to wildlife. Critters on land may eat it, or it may get washed into rivers, where fish mistake it for a tasty bug. And what doesn’t get eaten may get washed into the ocean.

Before getting back into the minivan, I tossed the bag into a dumpster in the parking lot. Another woman on the trail looked at me kind of funny, but I just smiled. If we all picked up just a little bit of garbage, imagine the impact we could have!

Level 10 travel tip: If you didn’t bring a sack to collect garbage, grab a dog waste bag. These little bags are in stations at most trailheads, and they’re the perfect size for collecting trash, too. Can you fill up a whole dog waste bag on your hike?

2. Take shuttles and public transportation

Raise your hand if traffic and parking stress you out. (I knew it wasn’t just me.) That’s just one reason it makes sense to take busses whenever you can.

Plus, if your kids are anything like mine, a bus or train trip might be a highlight of the vacation!

So before you hop in the car (and sweat finding a parking spot), look at the bus schedule. You might find that it’s a lot easier to take public transportation.

3. Ditch the car and go pedal powered

Instead of driving all around Bend, my kids and I pedaled! (Actually, that’s not entirely true. I pedaled. They sat back and enjoyed the ride.) Visit Bend shared a pass for a complementary bike rental from Wheel Fun Rentals in the Old Mill District.

My girls picked out this blue beauty:

For an hour, we rode on the bike trail along both sides of the Deschutes River. Edie put herself in charge of the bike bell and dinged! It whenever we passed someone. Safety first, I guess!

The girls thought our Surrey rental was just the best. To be honest, it was a bit hard to pedal it uphill by myself in a few parts. But with a strategic push from a kind stranger on one bridge, we made it just fine! #ItTakesAVillage

We also stopped partway through so the girls could cool off in the water at Millers Landing Park. Unfortunately, one of Maxine’s shoes fell off the bike after we got back in, so she spent the rest of the weekend wearing her water shoes around town! Oops!

4. Charge your phone with solar

If you’re like me, you use your phone extra on vacation: You find nearby restaurants, follow maps to your next activity and of course take lots of photos.

(Remember, if you want tips to take better pictures of your kids on vacation, go back and read my post on that super-important topic!)

I don’t always remember to bring my charger, though. Luckily, in the plaza at the Old Mill District, there are solar-powered charging stations, complete with cords! If you need a little juice for your phone, let the kids play in the plaza while you charge up—or wander over to the gorgeous mural behind The Gap.

5. Minimize single use items

When you’re out of your home, you have less control over the waste you produce. You might get an iced coffee to go or grab a snack that comes with a plastic fork and paper napkin.

You can avoid a lot of these single use items, which end up in landfills, with a little bit of planning.

When I packed up to go to Bend, I grabbed a few sets of silverware, wrapped them in several cloth napkins, and secured the bundle together with a rubber band. I kept this little kit handy in my glove compartment. When we met a friend for dinner at Crux Fermentation Project, then, my family didn’t have to use plastic utensils or throwaway napkins.  

Think about how much trash we’d save from the landfill if we all said “no thank you” to single use items when we went on vacation!

Level 10 travel tip: Keep a “zero waste kit” in your car so you’re ready at all times! Include silverware, cloth napkins and a mason jar with a lid. The mason jar works great for to-go coffee and for storing leftovers!

6. Donate to local trail organizations

One thing I love about Oregon is that so much of what we do for fun is free! Almost all trails are free for everyone to use (minus a parking fee, though we have an annual state park pass that generally takes care of the cost). That said, traffic can strain the trail infrastructure. In addition to state and federal organizations taking care of the trail, many “friends of” organizations, volunteer groups and nonprofits step in—no pun intended.

That’s why Bend, Oregon has teamed up with 3 other mountain towns in the Pledge for the Wild initiative. This campaign asks people to donate $1 for every hour they enjoy a trail. It’s not a requirement—after all, being in the outdoors is a right everyone should be able to enjoy, regardless of their financial means. But for those of us who can afford it and want to put our money where our values are—namely, protecting the environment—it’s a great way to support the places we love.

So when you hit the trail, and if you’re financially able, donate a few dollars to an organization that provides upkeep for the outdoors you just enjoyed.

7. Shop local

Outdoorsy destinations like Bend, Oregon attract a lot of visitors with hiking, kayaking and exploring nature. That’s awesome! After all, being outside is one of our favorite ways to travel. It’s a challenge for some towns, though, to absorb all that extra traffic—unless we visitors support the local economy with our dollars, too.

That’s why when we vacationed in Bend, I made a point of shopping local. We ate at amazing locally owned restaurants and cafes, such The Sparrow Bakery. It was so easy finding kid-friendly, local places to eat in Bend—I only wish we had more time to eat at all the spots I’d marked on my Bend family travel Google map:

I love knowing that the money we spend supports amazing local entrepreneurs. Research routinely shows that supporting local businesses instead of chains or online shopping keeps 3 to 7 times more money in the local economy. The result: Communities with more locally owned businesses have greater growth in per capita income, generate more jobs and suffer from lower rates of poverty. That’s the kind of impact your travel dollars can support.

Making it easy to plan sustainable family travel in Bend, Oregon

To be 100% honest, I’m already scheming to get back to Central Oregon. A weekend in Bend with my kids was a great start—but we didn’t get to so many of the things we want to do, see and explore. (That’s the thing with family travel, isn’t it: You always do less than you hope!)

My kids insist that we go kayaking or tubing the next time we visit Bend, Oregon. We’ll do some more hikes, including Tumalo Falls. I’m planning a trip disc golfing at Mount Bachelor, where you ride the ski lift to the top of the mountain and then throw your discs all the way down. The list goes on!

And the more my family focuses on reducing our negative impact on the environment, the more important it’ll be to make all our travel sustainable travel.

I want to hear from you. What are your biggest challenges with sustainable travel? Do you have any tips? Please share in the comments!

PS – If you’re in Bend with kids, don’t miss visiting the High Desert Museum. My post details this super kid-friendly spot, where kids can pretend to be homesteaders, watch otters play and admire Native American beadwork.

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My in-laws stayed with us this summer but recently left to begin their mega adventure, aka traveling the country full-time in their RV after selling their home and all their belongings. (#lifegoals) To send them off properly, we did a family camping trip in Central Oregon, where we let the kids stay up way past their bedtime to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower under a big sky. During the day, though, we wanted kid-friendly activities in Central Oregon, which is how I discovered the Lava River Cave—a mile-long underground lava tube.

It was incredible.

Hiking the lava tubes in Oregon with kids was one of the most unique family activities I’ve done in my beautiful home state. And even though I grew up in Oregon, I’d never heard of this underground cave, which is just a 20-minute drive from Bend, OR.

If you’re looking for an undiscovered gem your friends and family have never tried, knock their socks off with the Lava River Cave near La Pine in Central Oregon. Read on for all the details you need to explore the otherworldly lava tubes in Oregon—and discover a whole new side of Bend, OR!

Exploring the inside of the earth at Central Oregon’s Lava River Cave

If you’re anything like my family, you like adventure—but the kind of safe, family-friendly adventure where you won’t actually risk losing a limb. Exploring Oregon’s Lava River Cave with kids absolutely fits that bill: It combines lava, underground caves, high-powered flashlights and having zero idea of what’s coming around the next bend for the perfect mix of excitement, anticipation and fun.

These lava tubes in Oregon was formed about 100,000 years ago, when 2,000-degree lava bubbled up from one of Central Oregon’s many volcanic features. After the lava cooled and dried, some of it collapsed—leaving the mile-long tunnel intact. In fact, Lava River Cave is Oregon’s longest lava tube. How lucky are we that we get to explore it?!

The Lava River Cave is part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, full of geologic and cultural highlights shaped by Central Oregon’s volcanic past. It includes lava flows, calderas, lakes, waterfalls and of course lava tubes!

When you hike Lava River Cave near Bend, Oregon, you’ll first descend a set of stairs with a railing into the mouth of the cave. About 40 feet in, you’ll absolutely rely on your flashlight because it gets completely dark—fast!

The first part of the trail is on a metal grate path the forest service built over the collapsed rock on the cave floor. Soon, though, you’ll be walking on the cave itself.

The first stretch of the Lava River Cave hike goes slow, as you’ll pick your way carefully over raised rock and fallen stones. You’ll also go downhill, though there are railings built into the path on the most difficult stretches. For context, my 5-year-old managed this section just fine; my 3-year-old did fine while holding our hand. My mother-in-law has two replaced knees and managed fine, though she had to go slowly.

Soon, you’ll pass the section with rocks on the ground, where some of the ceiling fell off the cave when ice in the cracks loosened the stone. (Don’t worry, the cave is stable now!) The path evens out and becomes mostly flat and smooth. I couldn’t believe we were walking on the same surface that formed 100,000 years ago in these lava tubes!

You may feel an occasional drip of water from above. In fact, when you look down, you’ll notice little divots in the stone, where the water droplets have carved out indentations after hundreds of years. Now that’s patience.

Level 10 travel tip: As you hike these lava tubes near Bend, Oregon, don’t forget to pause often and look around. Shine your flashlight up and to the sides. You’ll notice many different kinds of stone, which are formed depending on how quickly or slowly the lava cools.

Farther along in the cave, you’ll see stalactites. Some of the stalactites are hollow, formed by escaping gases; others were made when the lava remelted and dripped down from the ceiling. These “lavacicles” are thrilling to see, especially for kids! (And for me. #sciencenerdforever)

There is also a section of the mile-long lava tube where the ceiling is very low. Tall adults will have to crouch as they hike along, but you won’t have to crawl.

As you hike deeper into the Lava River Cave, you’ll start to notice sand on the floor of the tunnel. The sand has been left there gradually over the centuries as droplets of water carry bits of volcanic ash and dirt from the ground above.

The cave continues for a mile, though admittedly, my family didn’t make it that far. Groups going at a steady pace will need 1.5 hours to hike the length of Lava River Cave; my girls lasted about 45 minutes.

Although we didn’t get to see the entirety of the tunnel, hiking the lava tubes in Oregon was absolutely something I recommend for your family! I didn’t mind turning back early because it just leaves an excellent reason to return to this family-friendly activity in Central Oregon sooner rather than later.

Hiking the lava tubes in Oregon—everything you need to know

Visiting Lava River Cave with kids (or people of any age) requires just a little bit of planning. Here’s what you need to know:

Bundle up

Lava River Cave is cold: The underground lava tube is a constant 42 degrees year-round, so dress warmly—even if it’s hot summer above-ground. You’ll also need to wear close-toed shoes—no flip flops!—to keep your footing in the cave.

Bring flashlights—and backups

The lava tubes near Bend, Oregon are dark, as in pitch-black. Regardless if you bring your own flashlights, I recommend you also rent at least two from the visitor center at the Lava River Cave. They’re super-bright, and for safety you want at least two (in case one malfunctions).

Level 10 travel tip: Rent a flashlight from the Lava River Cave visitor center for $5. It’s bright enough for you to shine on the lava tube’s walls and ceiling (some of which reach 75 feet high!); your average flashlight isn’t’ powerful enough to reach that far.

Arrive early

You can visit the Lava River Cave with kids from May to October, but it’s busiest during summer vacation. Especially in the busiest months of July and August, arrive before 10 to get a parking spot—and get in.

On a recent August weekend when we visited, we got one of a few final spots—at 9:50am, less than an hour after the cave opened. All the parking spots were full by 10am.

The park ranger explained to me the Lava River Cave has no overflow parking because the limited lot is a way of controlling how many people are in the cave at one time. This prevents overcrowding (so you’re not bumping into a million people underground when you really want a unique, quiet family-friendly activity in Central Oregon) and it would help with rescue efforts in case of an emergency.

Watch your step

This seems like a no-brainer, but when you’re underground in the Lava River Cave, watch your footing and hold hands with your children. Some of the floor of these Oregon lava tubes is smooth and flat, but other parts are rock-strewn and downhill.

The cave has metal stairs with railings in some parts, but in other sections you have to step your way around rocks that fell from the ceiling hundreds of years ago. I recommend that you wear/backpack carry all children under three years old. I wouldn’t have been comfortable with visiting Lava River Cave with kids any younger than 3, unless they weren’t walking on their own, because the terrain is hard to navigate in some parts.

Protect the bats

Lava River Cave is home to a small population of bats, though you won’t see them when you visit—they tuck themselves into cracks in the cave’s ceiling to sleep during the day. Even still, they’re susceptible to White Nose Syndrome, a devastating fungal disease that decimates bat populations.

To protect them, you need to make sure none of your clothing or gear has been worn or used in any other cave. Spores can get on your clothes and gear, then contaminate the next cave you visit—and the spores aren’t completely removed, even after cleaning and washing. And you definitely want to prevent the spread of White Nose Syndrome.

Why should you care? Well, bats are an important species for pest control, among many other reasons. Did you know just one bat can eat 1,000 mosquitoes an hour? Thank you, bats!

So far, the vulnerable bat population in the lava tubes near Bend, Oregon is healthy and free of White Nose Syndrome. Let’s keep it that way.

Visiting Lava River Cave near Bend: The details

• Lava River Cave is open May through the end of September.
• Hours depend on the month you visit; the park opens at 9am during peak months and 10am in the spring and fall.
• A daily visitor pass is $5 per car. They also honor these park passes.
• You can rent high-powered flashlights from the visitor center for $5 apiece. The last rental is at 4pm daily.
• Lava River Cave is about 20 minutes outside of Bend, Oregon on Highway 97.
• There are two sets of vault toilets near the visitor center but no restrooms inside the cave. Make sure you and your kids use the facilities before going into the lava tubes!
• Don’t bring your dog—pets are not allowed in the cave, and it’s unsafe to leave them in the car.

A family-friendly activity in Central Oregon you’ll never forget

Before we visited the Lava River Cave near La Pine, Oregon, my girls were beyond excited: “Is it real lava?” “Did it come from a volcano?” “Will we be underground?” They were full of questions.

Once we stepped underground, they were just as enthusiastic. They had never done anything like this—and it’s something they won’t soon forget.

(In fact, my older daughter drew a picture of us exploring this underground cave in Oregon for her “memory book,” a collection of drawings she made about our family camping trip.)

We will 100% for sure be revisiting the lava tubes in Oregon, and I’m so thrilled to share this adventure with you. This family-friendly activity near Bend, OR is unlike any other, and I’m pretty certain you and your kids will love it.

In fact, I’d appreciate your sharing this post by pinning, posting or tweeting because your friends will want to add the Lava River Caves to their adventure bucket list, too. Thank you!

Have you ever visited lava tubes in Oregon, or any other underground cave? What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done with your kids?

PS – If you’re in Central Oregon with kids, check out nearby Paulina Creek Falls, which has a terrific family-friendly hike, as well as the High Desert Museum just outside Bend.

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