10 Sights & Landmarks in Central Oregon That You Shouldn't Miss

August 5, 2021 Margarita Chappel

Discover the best top things to do in Central Oregon, United States including McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass loop, Deschutes River Trail, Westside Church, Crooked River Scenic Drive, Wildland Firefighters Monument, Cascade Lavender, Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Flyspur Ranch, Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint, Three Sisters Viewpoint.
Restaurants in Central Oregon

1. McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass loop

Sisters, OR http://www.oregon.com/attractions/mckenzie-pass-santiam-pass-scenic-byway
Excellent
85%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 240 reviews

McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass loop

Eighty-two-mile scenic byway offering the best foliage in the state.

Reviewed By aprilcD2559QJ - Yakima, United States

Great loop drive with lots of interesting things to stop and see along the way. Flowers, Dee Wright Observatory, Proxy Falls, Clear Lake, Salhalie/Koosah Falls, Camp Sherman, Head of the Metolius, Wizard Falls Hatchery, and more.

2. Deschutes River Trail

Bend, OR +1 541-389-7275 http://www.bendparksandrec.org/trail/deschutes-river-trail-awbrey-reach/
Excellent
88%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 58 reviews

Deschutes River Trail

A popular 10.5-mile mountain biking trail in Oregon's Deschutes National Forest.

Reviewed By CrankingChick - Tucson, United States

We stayed at a hotel adjacent to the trail and went out for a peaceful walk at sunset. The paved trail follows along the banks of the Deschutes River, so the scenery is great. It's suitable for wheelchairs and strollers and passes through Riverbend Park and Farewell Bend Park where there is a playground and some picnic shelters. We easily walked about 2 miles, crossing bridges over the river to go down both sides. There were a lot of people out walking or jogging and we saw people fishing, kayaking and paddle-boarding on the river. Waterfowl were abundant and didn't seem bothered by the company. The Mill District shopping area is right next to the trail; it would make a fun date night to have dinner at one of the restaurants there and then take a walk along the river.

3. Westside Church

442 N Trinity Way, Sisters, OR 97759-2642
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Westside Church

4. Crooked River Scenic Drive

Crroked River Hwy, State Route 27, Prineville, OR http://www.visitprineville.com/vacationing/lowerCrookedRiver
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 74 reviews

Crooked River Scenic Drive

Reviewed By Freedom29161356425 - Silverdale, United States

Beautiful drive, a few spots a big scary, since trucks over 60 ft should not use this road. We had a pickup with a very long trailer coming down the road, we stopped on before a corner to give him room otherwise we probably would have an issue. Its a slow traveling road with lots of campsites, evidently great fishing as there were lots of fisherpersons out. the damn is hard to see when on top. Its worth the drive, enjoy.

5. Wildland Firefighters Monument

450 NE Elm St Ochoco Creek Park, Prineville, OR 97754-2238
Excellent
95%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 20 reviews

Wildland Firefighters Monument

6. Cascade Lavender

5000 SW Feather Dr, Madras, OR 97741-9133 +1 541-546-9390 [email protected] http://cascadelavender.com
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

Cascade Lavender

7. Newberry National Volcanic Monument

1645 Hwy. 20 E Deschutes National Forest, Bend, OR 97701 +1 541-383-5300 [email protected] http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/newberrynvm/index.shtml
Excellent
74%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 819 reviews

Newberry National Volcanic Monument

One of the nation's newest national monuments, this 55,500 acre area seeks to preserve unique accessible volcanic features.

Reviewed By hbodesign - Portland, United States

Take the whole day and don’t miss a thing! We went to the lava fields first (caves were closed due to COVID) - an easy paved path throughout with plenty of view points and info placards along the way for a self-guided tour. Getting to the top requires some uphill walking, but not too steep. Next up was the Obsidian Flow - DO NOT MISS THIS! Unbelievable, and the perfect follow up to the rough textured pumice from the lava fields. The Obsidian Flow trail is more rugged than the lava fields, so wear sturdy shoes (no flip flops!). You can view from the bottom of the hill, but if you are able, you can get a gorgeous view from half way up via a railed staircase. There are benches to sit down and take it all in. And if you’ve got some stability and healthy knees/ankles, you can climb even higher via a worn rough path through the rocks. The view is SPECTACULAR up there, and its a bit like walking on another planet, with black glass rocks all around. Literally, awesome! Lastly, we ended our day by driving to the peak of Paulina. WOW - a winding drive on a sometimes narrowing road, but so worth it! I thought the view at Timberline Lodge was good, this is BEYOND. 360 degree views from 8000 ft. Additionally, incredible foliage, random obsidian, and petrified wood abound. No hiking required but there are a few paths from the parking lot if you’re adventurous and want to get a little closer to the edge!

8. Flyspur Ranch

64460 Research Rd, Bend, OR 97703-7823 +1 541-389-4995 [email protected] http://www.flyspur.com/
Excellent
86%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
5%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 22 reviews

Flyspur Ranch

9. Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint

Us 20, Bend, OR 97701 +1 800-551-6949 http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_42.php
Excellent
67%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 707 reviews

Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint

Reviewed By E4823BPbenv - Spokane, United States

We hiked up the road which was in the sun and a steady grade. It was tougher than I expected for a trail ranked as easy on AllTrails. Hiked down the dirt trail and it was more scenic and shaded and less steep. The 360 degree view was worth the 1.2 mile hike. Appreciated the signs that pointed out each of the peaks in the distance. Stunning!

10. Three Sisters Viewpoint

66200-66292 McKenzie-Bend Hwy, Bend, OR 97701
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Three Sisters Viewpoint

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.