Location: Sunriver
Top Things to do in Sunriver
The 10 Best Things to Do in Sunriver, United States
Yearning for trout-laden mountain lakes, cross country ski trails, golf course vistas of black basaltic volcanoes, and deep green forest trails for horseback riding, hiking and biking? Yearn no more. A Sunriver vacation in Central Oregon has it all. Plus be near spectacular Crater Lake National Park, fine dining in Bend, and a dozen Mt. Bachelor ski lifts used for training by the U.S. Olympic ski team. Enjoy downhill action, snowboarding, and cross country skiing. Oregon’s largest ski area, volcanic Mount Bachelor, is renowned for its heavy dry snowfalls and numerous chairlifts. Mount Bachelor’s super pipe and many jumps, jibs, rails and boxes are a freestyle skier’s and snowboarder’s dream. If you are a beginner, don’t sweat it, Sunshine Park is good for learning. There are also many miles of cross country skiing trails. For something different, try the dog-sledding.Looking for a golf challenge? Something even more challenging than choosing among the more than two dozen golf courses around Sunriver? Something worthy of endless bar and fireside stories? Sunriver Resort’s Crosswater Golf Club, surrounded by green coniferous forests and crossed by two rivers, will be a story to talk about for the rest of the year. Rated among the most difficult golf courses in the USA, Crosswater’s Endless Hole, a 687-yard bent grass par 5, is a PGA Tour challenge.Fly fish for large mouth bass. Cast your lure or dry fly, strip your streamer, and go out in your waders to land that extra large trout. The high desert lakes and rivers around Sunriver are home to a cornucopia of native redband trout and steelheads, as well as brook trout, brown trout, bull trout, lake trout and rainbow trout. Between the Sunriver Airport and the busy city of Bend, hike the High Desert Museum’s nature and river trails. Tour natural history and wildlife exhibits to educate the kids and the whole family. Visit Newberry National Volcanic Monument for a memorable experience inside an active volcano caldera filled with cinder cones, obsidian and basalt. Bring a jacket for the cold and rent a lantern to explore the cool Lava River Cave.
Restaurants in Sunriver
1. Oregon Observatory at Sunriver
Overall Ratings
5 based on 182 reviews
There’s no better place! The local elevation, pitch dark surrounding and crystal clear air make it perfect for star gazing. You won’t be lining up for one telescope. The Oregon Observatory is the largest astronomical viewing facility in the United States. Feast your eyes on far away galaxies. Recognize the rings of Saturn and the moons of Jupiter. Witness a meteor shower. Get a glimpse of globular clusters, nebula and deep space binary stars.
Reviewed By Hollyrik - Bellevue, Washington
Anyone spending time in SunRiver should drop by at least one evening to this sky-watching spot. Although forest fire smoke made for less than perfect star-gazing during eclipse week in Central Oregon, the astronomy geeks who work here made our visits an interesting and educational event. Fully private facility has an amazing collection of telescopes to seek out everything from the Moon to Andromeda.
2. Trail to Benham Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
Reviewed By Tom B - Salida, Colorado
What a gorgeous hike along the Deschutes River to Benham Falls. A well maintained, easy trail awaits you. The falls are spectacular demonstrating the fury of water. The whole image is even better when you include the setting that it is set in. Such beauty!
3. The Paulina Plunge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 85 reviews
The Paulina Plunge Downhill Waterfall Mt.Bike Tour is a wet and wild family adventure for all active ages 4 to 70. We will descend over six miles down a smooth forest trail, where our friendly guides will lead you to six pristine waterfalls and two natural water slides. Exploring this natural water park will be the highlight of your Central Oregon vacation.
Reviewed By JupiterFLMom - Jupiter, Florida
This was a very fun tour. It started out with a lot of short biking experiences and some longer hikes to the water falls. The hikes were downhill and strenuous coming back up. The guides allowed ample time at each waterfall to play and they were very involved making sure everyone stayed safe and knew what to do. The water experiences themselves were worth the trip. There were about 20-22 people in our group, but it seemed like a good enough number to manage and they allowed lee time between bikers to avoid stirring up dust and riding on the next biker's tire. Unfortunately, they didn't segregate out the slower people, which I think they should have allocated to the end of the line as my kids kept riding up on those who were riding the brakes the entire time so they didn't enjoy the experience as much had they had faster bikers in front of them. We biked / hiked around flowering plants so there were lots of wasps during our visit so not good for people who may be highly allergic or afraid. After the last waterfall there was a 3-3.5 mile bike ride to the bottom, which was nice after all the other short biking stints. Would definitely recommend the tour.
4. Sunriver Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4 based on 54 reviews
The Sunriver Nature Center features interpretive exhibits, live birds-of-prey, amphibians and snakes, meteorite exhibit, educational programs, botanical garden, and nature trail. Winter hours: 10am - 4pm, Wednesday through Saturday
Reviewed By MCrowther - PDX
My kids are 16, 14 and 10 - and they all enjoyed the Nature Center. We waked to the active beaver dam, saw lots of frogs (and heard their splashes). Inside the Center are displays that are interesting, even to older teenage boys. Like the "Identify the scat" table, a microscope showing bugs' parts, owl pellets, animal tracks in sand, fur pelts, etc - and even and the taxidermy real coyote pup (found dead, of course. No animals were harmed in the making of this Center!)
The outside walking trail left a bit to be desired, but there are benches on the trail that look out over the meadow or the river. It was positively the most peaceful place on earth. Beautiful and downright glorious.
It's inexpensive admission and the staff are helpful and friendly.
5. Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic & Recreation Center
Overall Ratings
4 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By Brian W - Seattle, Washington
Granted we were there in August but still, it was packed. Chairs were usually not a problem if you got there before noon. A little annoyed of the 48" height as my daughter was about 45". Understand it's a safety concern but the water slides looked fun. Also, for parents sitting in the sun, you couldn't bring drinks back to your chair (that you purchased), i.e. Buy a beer to drink. Overall though, the kids had fun and they have nice little pools for all sizes.
6. Sunriver Marina
Overall Ratings
4 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By F00d13MN
Go right when it opens to avoid the crowd during peak season. The ride down the river is so peaceful when people aren't crowding the river.
Great service and equipment and everything is handled well.
I only wish they had more markers to let you know how far you are to help you pace yourself.
7. Sunriver Resort Golf Course
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By woodmister - Edmonton, Canada
The course presents six tee boxes but most are too long for most recreational golfers. We were never reached the greens in regulation. Most greens are protected by bunkers with tall grass fringes thereby requiring an elevated chip shot that will drop on the green and stick. The greens are really fast much like the PGA courses we play in Palms Springs. I four putted many of the greens, which is very uncommon for me. In my opinion, the course is really set up for golfers with really low handicaps. Due to the price charged for a round of golf here - I can't recommend this course.
8. The Village at Sunriver
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By RU2WA - Richland, Washington
The village got a major facelift in recent years and attracted more businesses to move in. I love to stroll and visit local shops, sample ice cream, have a bite to eat. It's an easy bike to the Village from anywhere. It's fun to bring some knick knacks from Sunriver which then remind you of the fun time you had!
To sum it up- we love to dine, eat ice-cream, play mini golf and just hang around with a cup of joe from Hot Lava on any given day we visit Sunriver. My heart will always be there!
9. Sage Springs Club & Spa
Overall Ratings
4 based on 37 reviews
Sage Springs Club & Spa encapsulates the spirit of this high desert region with it's warm ambiance, signature services and indigenous products. Welcome to a private escape dedicated to your health, fitness and complete well-being. We offer a wide variety of body pampering spa treatments from massages, facials, body treatments and salon services.
Reviewed By link5385 - Albany
The atmosphere presented is one of high quality and value. This place did not completely live up to that. My massage was the only greatly enjoyed part of the mothers day special package back in May. The test of my services were rushed and adequate at best. The facial was lackluster ands the pedi I wish I had skipped. Add a licensed cosmetologist I know the ins and outs of these procedures, so I know when I am getting sorry changed, etc. A month after my trip to the "Spa" I took off the polish from my pointless pedi and had discoloration of my nails. I assumed it was from the dark red I chose. But I am still having problems today and am treating for FUNGUS! DISGUSTING! As well as incredibly embarrassing as my regular nail tech of 5 years had to refuse service to me until it clears up. If it doesn't, I will never be able to enjoy another pedi again. I have always been so careful about what nail shops I would go into. I didn't think I need worry about such a spendy resort spa, but I was wrong! Perhaps OHLA should be looking into their sanitation procedures for that pedi throne they have! This was a horrible and long lasting experience for myself.
10. Live Laugh Love Art (Sunriver)
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
Art Activity Center. Drop in Activites include Wood Sign Making, Glass Fusing, Paint your own Pottery & Canvas Painting. Enjoy a little liquid encouragement with a wide range of soft drinks, beer and wine while you bring out your creative side.
Reviewed By tenneyt - Carnation, Washington
Brought the kids and grandparents, and all had a great visit. They offer pottery painting, fused glass projects and canvas painting, all in the same studio. Tons of diverse projects, so something for everyone. Fee is $10 per person for studio time, plus the cost of your project. We all left feeling accomplished, and it was so fun to see what everyone was working on. The owners were super helpful and so positive. Their main location is in Tigard, but this little vacation shop is just great.
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