Top 10 Free Things to do in Central Oregon, Central Oregon

May 17, 2022 Marianna Hollaway

Discover the best top things to do in Central Oregon, United States including McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass loop, Deschutes National Forest, Deschutes River Trail, Crooked River Scenic Drive, Bend Distillery, Sahalie and Koosah Falls, Deschutes River, Tam McArthur Rim Trail, Cascade Street Distillery, Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery.
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 National Forest

Bend, OR 97701-9794 +1 541-383-5300 https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/deschutes/home
Excellent
83%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 201 reviews

Deschutes National  Forest

Encompassing more than 1.6 million acres of Central Oregon, this region extends for about 100 miles with a scenic backdrop of volcanic mountains of the Cascades.

Reviewed By pepevallejo

amazing place to visit with family or groups, nice views, good kids activity , clean and the gardeners work very hard to keep this area up to . at 100 %

3. 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.

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. Bend Distillery

19330 Pinehurst Rd, Bend, OR 97703-5282 +1 541-318-0200 http://bendistillery.com
Excellent
92%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 39 reviews

Bend Distillery

Reviewed By quiltercheri - Gaston, United States

We were so excited to be able to visit with masks and had the entire place to ourselves. Great conversation too. Unfortunately, no tour, though. Very unique flavors in the flight tasting! Had to purchase the special blends as they are a cocktail in a single pour (just add ice).

6. Sahalie and Koosah Falls

Highway 126, Sisters, OR 97759 http://www.oregon.com/recreation/sahalie-falls
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 271 reviews

Sahalie and Koosah Falls

Reviewed By AnitaH489 - Lodi, United States

We have vacationed in the Sisters area a couple times over the recent years and included this hike on our itineraries. Our friends actually hired a limosine the first time we went there as we were all on bicycles and without cars. We went back this summer because it's close to Sisters, it's an easy hike for a rest day off the bike and the scenery and falls are beautiful.

7. Deschutes River

970 SE Reed Market Rd, Bend, OR 97702-2225 +1 541-241-6263 http://www.bendkayakschool.com
Excellent
81%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 253 reviews

Deschutes River

Reviewed By jonc588 - Las Vegas, United States

Wide open park and river space (was there during beer fest!)...float down the river, surf on rapids and miles of walkways, with plenty of restaurants, pubs, shops and other distractions. Everyone seemed to have a great time...as did we!

8. Tam McArthur Rim Trail

Three Creeks Road, Sisters, OR
Excellent
81%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 16 reviews

Tam McArthur Rim Trail

Reviewed By Brittany_11_10 - Los Angeles, United States

We started at Three Creeks Trail and went counter clockwise on the Broken Top Loop trail, so I suppose we only came down Tam McArthur Rim Trail as opposed to doing it as an out-and-back, but it was a nice walk and I wouldn't say too difficult. There is some scree hiking--if you choose the west side--(the other side was more of a hard-packed trail), but even then it was okay.  The views along the way are nice, but the views from the top are stunning; definitely try to make it to the top if you can!  You can park at Three Creeks Lake and easily find the trailhead, and from there, the path is easy to follow (minus the one section where you have a choice to take, mentioned above). It's worth it as well to check out No Name Lake, which you'll see from the top if you make it that far.  This trail is fairly exposed, so be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat. Not buggy at all in mid-August. It's a beautiful place to hike.  

9. Cascade Street Distillery

261 W Cascade Ave Cascade Street Tasting Room, Sisters, OR 97759-1019 +1 541-549-1082 http://cascadestreetdistillery.com/discover/tasting-room/
Excellent
94%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 17 reviews

Cascade Street Distillery

10. Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery

7500 Forest Service Road 14, Camp Sherman, OR +1 541-595-6611 http://fivepinelodge.com/2012/10/25/metolius-river-hiking-trail-wizard-falls-fish-hatchery
Excellent
61%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 97 reviews

Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery

Reviewed By badgal_jarvis - Ivins, United States

This place was so neat to see! Free roaming was nice and it was a really neat spot to stop and see the fish in all stages of life. I would go again!

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.