4-Day Deep Dive into Central Oregon

The biggest perk of our deep-dive itineraries? You stay in the same accommodation throughout.🙂 That means no time spent re-packing and unpacking—resulting in a more relaxed pace and more energy left to savor each day to the fullest.

Recommended lodging location: Bend, Sunriver, or La Pine. Since travel destinations in Central Oregon are pretty spaced out to begin with, no need to stress over the exact location. Pick a place that you think you'll be happy to make home for three nights.

Day 1: Bend

Most travelers opt to drive from around Portland to Central Oregon. If you fly into RDM rather than PDX, you can skip the long drive, but this is a very scenic drive so long as you take Route 26 (going through Madras) instead of the bland I-5. Considering that flights and rental cars are generally cheaper at PDX also, weigh both options and pick one to your liking. There is no bad option.

Pilot Butte, our first stop, is a nice quick teaser for Central Oregon, with sweeping views of the city of Bend surrounded by mountain peaks.

Next up is a stroll along the Deschutes River: While there’s no one 'best' path, my favorite is to park here and follow the Deschutes River Trail toward Farewell Bend Park. You can either go farther south from there or cross the river and loop back to your car.

Beer Tasting. Being the hippest little city in Oregon, Bend has an amazing craft beer scene going on, with many of its breweries nationally renowned. The biggest names include Deschutes Brewery, Crux Fermentation Project, and Silver Moon Brewing. Tip: Crux’s non-alcoholic line NØMØ offers the best NA beers I’ve ever tasted. If you or your travel companion loves the taste of beer but isn’t big on alcohol, I highly recommend these.

If you’re more into ciders, check out Tumalo Cider or Bend Cider Company, a bit north of the city center.

Day 2: Cascade Mountain Range

Tumalo Falls: the waterfall is only a 5 min walk from the parking lot so it's hard to beat the convenience. It also makes it a very popular spot especially during weekends and holidays, so try to arrive early. 

Green Lakes: The alpine lakes in this region present some of the best hiking opportunities. It's the most pleasant in Summer and Fall, during which you are required to get a trailhead use permit ($1) from here. From the trailhead you'll head north and walk total of 9 mi (15km), taking about 4 hrs. Make that 5 hrs if you plan to do a loop around the lake too. Pack enough water, lunch, and bug spray, and enjoy the incredible alpine views. 

Ziplining is a unique, adrenaline-filled way to take in the stunning views of Mt. Bachelor. You can make reservation at https://www.mtbachelor.com/events-activities/summer-activities/zipline/.

All these said, if you’d rather like to soak in the beauty of the mountains without any physical activities, another absolutely lovely option is to spend a leisurely morning enjoying brunch in Bend, then pack a few snacks, an audiobook, or a good book, and head out to Sparks Lake Day Use Area for a relaxing picnic.

Once you return to the city in the afternoon: 

• Tubing on the Deschutes River: This would be best during the peak of summer when the weather’s hot enough to enjoy the chilly water. You can rent tubes from Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe. After floating down the river, you can get back to your starting point using the same company's shuttle service or the city-run one. Make sure to pack water-friendly shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen!

• Prefer a dry stroll on foot? Downtown Bend has many nice eats along with cute little galleries and stores to browse. Punch in “art gallery” on Google Maps and you’ll find several high-quality free galleries. My personal favorites are Mockingbird Gallery and Jeffrey Murray Gallery but there are many other smaller ones too. If you love coffee, swing by Lone Pine Coffee Roasters—they out-brew some of the best coffee shops in Portland.

Day 3: Geological wonders formed by lava

Newberry National Volcanic monument: Formed by volcanic eruptions ~70,000 years ago, this lava land is now preserved by the government for its unique geological features. The Trail of Molten Lands features informative signs all over the walking path, making it a fun and educational self-guided hike.

As for Lava Butte, private vehicles aren’t allowed to drive up. Instead, stop by the visitor center to purchase a shuttle ticket and take the shuttle bus to the top.🌋

Big Obsidian Flow: This volcanic terrain was formed by lava rich in silica and metals, which cooled into black, glass-like rocks—like the photos below. Every time I visit, I’m amazed by how nature created something so striking. But “glass-like” of course means sharp, so this place is not for those traveling with kids or dogs. Even for adults, flip-flops or sandals are a big no-no. Be sure to wear sturdy sneakers and explore with caution. A fall here can easily lead to serious injury.

Lava River Cave: It's what the name sounds like. You’ll need a headlamp or flashlight and a winter jacket to comfortably visit this cave. Even in summer, it’s cold inside—around 42°F (5.5°C)—and the terrain is uneven. Although it's not a guided tour, you still need to reserve a timed entry ticket here and arrive at your scheduled time. 

High Desert Museum: This spot is particularly recommended for those who enjoy nature-focused museums or simply want to balance indoor and outdoor activities. It features a wide range of exhibits on the natural environment and history of Central Oregon, along with some animal displays—so both adults and kids will enjoy their time without getting bored.

At night, consider stargazing at the Sunriver Observatory🔭 especially if cloud cover is minimal. There's no need to reserve this one for Day 3 specifically, so plan according to the weather forecast. Their event offerings vary by day, so visit their website and review the event calendar.

• You'll see that they offer both public and private viewings. While “private” might sound more appealing, I’ve tried both and found each has pros and cons really. Private sessions offer a cozy, quiet experience just for your group with no other tourists, but they’re understandably more expensive per person. And personally, I found the lively, crowded atmosphere of the public ones more fun and engaging.

• If you're considering a daytime visit, I haven’t done it myself, but I’ve heard it offers a fascinating chance to observe the surface of the Sun!

✧Tip!✧ Before we move on to Day 4, I want to present you with an alternate itinerary option. By either inserting a whole ass extra day to your trip or skipping a couple destinations proposed for Days 1 - 3, you can squeeze in a visit to Crater Lake! While it's not part of Central Oregon, its location is primed for a day trip off of a home base in Central Oregon. 

• Crater Lake National Park is Oregon’s only national park and a flagship of the 7 Wonders of Oregon. Because it sits at a high elevation and gets heavy snowfall, not all roads in the park will be open until late June or sometimes even mid-July. Even if only the south entrance is open, you can still enjoy stunning views of the lake—so before your visit, check the official website to see which roads are accessible. If the Rim Drive isn’t fully open, don’t be discouraged; it’s still worth going, really.

• Do note that during peak season, entrance lines after 9 AM can get ridiculous, so aim to arrive early.

• Once you’ve entered the park, take your time soaking in the views until you get tired of them (except you won't😜). If Rim Drive is fully open, drive the full loop around the lake and stop at any viewpoint that catches your eye. For hiking, Cleetwood Cove Trail is a great option if you're up for a descent to the lake. If you're visiting when only the southern portion of Rim Drive is open, or looking for a flatter hike, the Discovery Point Trail is family-friendly and offers plenty of scenic viewpoints.

  
  

  

  
  

Day 4: Smith Rock

Today's star is another one of 7 Wonders of Oregon, Smith Rock. Parking fee is $10 or free for Oregon State Day Use Pass holders.

• If you're in good hiking shape and love to enjoy scenic views from higher up, I recommend hiking either the Misery Ridge - Summit Trail (6.2 mi) or the Misery Ridge - River Trail (3.6 mi). Refer to the trail maps below. Be warned: if you go on a cloudless summer day, both trails can get extremely hot—bring lots of water!

• If you’d prefer a lower effort hike that still offers great scenery, the flat River Trail is more than beautiful enough, so pick a hike that suits your energy level and the weather for a safe adventure.