What to do and see in Central Oregon, Central Oregon: The Best Things to do Good for Kids

August 18, 2021 Elouise Mccaul

Discover the best top things to do in Central Oregon, United States including McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass loop, Deschutes National Forest, Deschutes River Trail, Hosmer Lake, Smith Rock State Park, Crooked River Scenic Drive, Sahalie and Koosah Falls, Oregon Observatory at Sunriver, Deschutes River, Clear Lake.
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. Hosmer Lake

Bend, OR
Excellent
81%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 118 reviews

Hosmer Lake

Reviewed By A1288HTallanb - Clackamas, United States

Getting crowded, but plenty of space to spread out. Take a picnic and head to north end for the day.

5. Smith Rock State Park

Highway 97 9 Mi. North, Redmond, OR 97760-9721 +1 800-551-6949 http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm
Excellent
87%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,086 reviews

Smith Rock State Park

Reviewed By wonderland62 - Hillsboro, United States

I don't know what is more impressive - views of nature or watching rock climbers scale cliff walls! Bring water and you can have your pick of different trails (difficulty scale is accurate).

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Oregon Observatory at Sunriver

57245 River Road, Sunriver, OR 97707 +1 541-598-4406 http://OregonObservatory.org
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 210 reviews

Oregon Observatory at Sunriver

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 chrissieb433

This was such an interesting tour to do. The stars are amazing and being able to see different galaxies and the rings of Saturn were a highlight for me. The staff were so knowledgeable and quickly set up different telescopes so we could see various planets etc. This was a real highlight.

9. 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!

10. Clear Lake

Sisters, OR
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 90 reviews

Clear Lake

This is the source of the McKenzie River and offers hiking worth exploring.

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