Central Oregon

59 things to do,
from the canyon rim.

Pick your crew. We'll show you what matches — families, dogs, hikers, RVers, winter escapes, or food and community.

Swim in the seasonal saltwater pool
Families with Kids
Swim in the seasonal saltwater pool
Right at the RV park — families cool off all summer.
📍 On-property
Jump into the Steelhead Falls swimming hole
Families with Kids
Jump into the Steelhead Falls swimming hole
The natural pool at the base of Steelhead Falls is a summer favorite.
📍 10 min
Pontoon Lake Billy Chinook from Cove Palisades Marina
Families with Kids
Pontoon Lake Billy Chinook from Cove Palisades Marina
Lake Billy Chinook is a flooded canyon at the confluence of three rivers — the Crooked, Deschutes, and Metolius — with sheer basalt walls and three distinct arms to explore. Cove Palisades Marina rents pontoons (and other boats) for the day
📍 30 min north
Feed alpacas at Crescent Moon Ranch
Families with Kids
Feed alpacas at Crescent Moon Ranch
Friendly alpacas just down the road.
📍 5 min
Explore the Lava River Cave
Families with Kids
Explore the Lava River Cave
A mile-long lava tube in Deschutes National Forest.
📍 40 min south
Hike the easy Smith Rock River Trail
Families with Kids
Hike the easy Smith Rock River Trail
Scenic and family-friendly — canyon views without the climb.
📍 15 min
Play tennis or pickleball at the park courts
Families with Kids
Play tennis or pickleball at the park courts
On-site courts available to guests.
📍 On-property
Bungee jump the Crooked River High Bridge
Active & Outdoorsy
Bungee jump the Crooked River High Bridge
Central Oregon Bungee Adventures runs jumps off the Crooked River High Bridge at Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint — a 250-foot drop and reportedly the tallest commercial bungee in North America. The historic 1926 steel arch bridge s
📍 20 min north
Hunt geodes and thundereggs
Families with Kids
Hunt geodes and thundereggs
Rockhounding at Richardson's Rock Ranch.
📍 45 min north
Guided horseback rides along the Crooked River canyon
Families with Kids
Guided horseback rides along the Crooked River canyon
Smith Rock Trail Rides operates from a private ranch adjacent to Smith Rock State Park — same canyon system that wraps Crooked River Ranch. Small, private guided rides on horses suited to first-timers (the guide is a professional horseman).
📍 20 min
Visit the High Desert Museum
Families with Kids
Visit the High Desert Museum
River otters, birds of prey, and Western history.
📍 50 min
Fish the Crooked River canyon below CRR
Active & Outdoorsy
Fish the Crooked River canyon below CRR
The Lower Crooked River runs through the canyon at the foot of CRR's plateau, with no road access — you hike down. The Otter Bench trail system (7.4 miles of trails on the bench above the gorge) is the only way in, with the Otter Bench trai
📍 Hike-in from CRR trailheads
Stargaze from your RV site
Families with Kids
Stargaze from your RV site
Light-pollution-free skies right at your site.
📍 On-property
Hike Misery Ridge at Smith Rock
Active & Outdoorsy
Hike Misery Ridge at Smith Rock
Steep climb, panoramic payoff.
📍 15 min
Fish the Middle Deschutes at Steelhead Falls
Active & Outdoorsy
Fish the Middle Deschutes at Steelhead Falls
Steelhead Falls is on the Middle Deschutes, ~10 minutes from CRR. The Steelhead Falls trailhead is also one of the three CRR-area BLM trailheads (along with Otter Bench on the Crooked, and Scout Camp on the Middle Deschutes a bit farther do
📍 10 min drive + short walk
Watch climbers on Monkey Face
Active & Outdoorsy
Watch climbers on Monkey Face
World-class rock climbing, best viewed from the River Trail.
📍 15 min
Take a beginner climbing lesson
Active & Outdoorsy
Take a beginner climbing lesson
Guided lessons available at Smith Rock.
📍 15 min
Mountain bike the Terrebonne trail network
Active & Outdoorsy
Mountain bike the Terrebonne trail network
Extensive dirt trails nearby.
📍 15 min
Hike down to Steelhead Falls
Active & Outdoorsy
Hike down to Steelhead Falls
Rugged trail to a cascading waterfall.
📍 10 min
Trail rides at Black Butte Stables (Sisters)
Families with Kids
Trail rides at Black Butte Stables (Sisters)
Black Butte Ranch sits 15 minutes northwest of Sisters in classic ponderosa-pine country, with the Three Sisters and Mt Washington close enough to feel them. Their stables run guided trail rides for beginner and intermediate riders — 3.3 to
📍 45 min west
Trout fishing on the Lower Crooked River
Active & Outdoorsy
Trout fishing on the Lower Crooked River
The Lower Crooked River below Bowman Dam (Prineville) is open to fishing year-round and holds a self-sustaining population of wild redband rainbow trout plus mountain whitefish. Tailwater flows from the dam keep the river fishable through e
📍 45 min east
Kayak or paddleboard Lake Billy Chinook
Active & Outdoorsy
Kayak or paddleboard Lake Billy Chinook
Lake Billy Chinook's three arms are kayak and SUP heaven — basalt cliffs on every side, calm water in the morning, occasional eagles overhead. Launch at the Cove Palisades day-use area or rent from the marina. The Crooked River arm is the c
📍 30 min north
Fly fish the Lower Deschutes (Maupin)
Active & Outdoorsy
Fly fish the Lower Deschutes (Maupin)
The Lower Deschutes around Maupin is one of the Pacific Northwest's iconic fly-fishing rivers — wild redband trout year-round, returning summer steelhead, and the famous salmonfly hatch in late spring. Wadeable in many spots; drift boats op
📍 90 min north
Sunrise hot air balloon flight over Central Oregon
Families with Kids
Sunrise hot air balloon flight over Central Oregon
Big Sky Balloon Co. has been flying out of the Redmond / Bend area since 1993 with a perfect safety record. Their launches run from a Redmond field at first light. The full experience is about three hours including the launch crew briefing,
📍 25 min south (launch from Redmond)
Trail run the 7-mile Crooked River Loop
Active & Outdoorsy
Trail run the 7-mile Crooked River Loop
Rolling canyon-rim terrain.
📍 5 min drive
Hike the Tam-a-lau Trail
Active & Outdoorsy
Hike the Tam-a-lau Trail
Climb to a high plateau with panoramic views.
📍 30 min
Tee off 200 feet from your rig
RVers & Slow Travelers
Tee off 200 feet from your rig
Crooked River Ranch Golf Course is literally next door.
📍 On-property
Whitewater raft the Lower Deschutes (Maupin)
Active & Outdoorsy
Whitewater raft the Lower Deschutes (Maupin)
The Lower Deschutes around Maupin runs Class I-IV rapids through high-walled canyon, and at least eight outfitters operate out of Maupin offering everything from half-day floats to multi-day overnight expeditions. Famous rapids include Boxc
📍 90 min north
Read a book under the junipers
RVers & Slow Travelers
Read a book under the junipers
Shade, quiet, and desert air.
📍 On-property
Stay near Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center events
Day Trippers & Sightseers
Stay near Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center events
The Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond is Central Oregon's main events venue and hosts a nonstop calendar of fairs, motorsports, concerts, livestock shows, and tournaments year-round. Crooked River Ranch RV Park is one of the cl
📍 20 min south
Charge your EV at the site pedestal
RVers & Slow Travelers
Charge your EV at the site pedestal
Prep your vehicle for the next drive.
📍 On-property
Walk the canyon rim at sunset
RVers & Slow Travelers
Walk the canyon rim at sunset
Loops A, B, C, and D all touch the rim.
📍 On-property
Use the remodeled bathhouses
RVers & Slow Travelers
Use the remodeled bathhouses
Hot, free showers for guests.
📍 On-property
Sit back and do absolutely nothing
RVers & Slow Travelers
Sit back and do absolutely nothing
The juniper air does the work for you.
📍 On-property
Let dogs run at the on-site off-leash area
Dog Owners
Let dogs run at the on-site off-leash area
Dedicated dog run in the park.
📍 On-property
Walk dogs on quiet ranch roads
Dog Owners
Walk dogs on quiet ranch roads
Miles of expansive walking nearby.
📍 On-property
Smith Rock pet-friendly trails
Dog Owners
Smith Rock pet-friendly trails
Many Smith Rock trails allow dogs on leash.
📍 15 min
Explore Deschutes National Forest with dogs
Dog Owners
Explore Deschutes National Forest with dogs
Vast public lands, pet-friendly.
📍 40 min
Let dogs splash in the river
Dog Owners
Let dogs splash in the river
Shallow spots along the Crooked River in summer.
📍 On-property / 5 min
Drive to Crater Lake National Park
Day Trippers & Sightseers
Drive to Crater Lake National Park
Deep blue water in a volcanic caldera.
📍 2.5 hours south
Stroll downtown Sisters
Day Trippers & Sightseers
Stroll downtown Sisters
Boutiques, bakeries, quilt shops.
📍 40 min west
Brewery tour in Bend
Day Trippers & Sightseers
Brewery tour in Bend
Crux, Deschutes, and many more.
📍 40 min
Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint
Day Trippers & Sightseers
Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint
Look straight down into the basalt gorge.
📍 20 min north
Shop antiques in downtown Redmond
Day Trippers & Sightseers
Shop antiques in downtown Redmond
Local boutiques and antiques.
📍 20 min south
Drive the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway
Day Trippers & Sightseers
Drive the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway
Mountain and alpine lake views.
📍 50 min to byway start
Explore Newberry Volcanic National Monument
Day Trippers & Sightseers
Explore Newberry Volcanic National Monument
Otherworldly obsidian flows and lava caves.
📍 60 min south
Drive to Christmas Valley
Day Trippers & Sightseers
Drive to Christmas Valley
Remote Oregon high-desert country.
📍 90 min south
Visit the CRR farmers market + community events
Day Trippers & Sightseers
Visit the CRR farmers market + community events
Local goods and neighbors.
📍 5 min drive
Shop the Terrebonne Depot
Day Trippers & Sightseers
Shop the Terrebonne Depot
Local goods, wine, and unique gifts.
📍 5 min
Winter RV camping with zero crowds
Winter & Off-Season
Winter RV camping with zero crowds
Quiet canyon rims in January and February.
📍 On-property
Snowshoe the nearby sno-parks
Winter & Off-Season
Snowshoe the nearby sno-parks
Cascade sno-parks 45 min away.
📍 60 min west
Ski or snowboard at Mt. Bachelor
Winter & Off-Season
Ski or snowboard at Mt. Bachelor
World-class Cascade skiing.
📍 60 min west
Winter astrophotography from your site
Winter & Off-Season
Winter astrophotography from your site
Crisp, clear nights above the canyon.
📍 On-property
Boat + fish Crane Prairie Reservoir
Active & Outdoorsy
Boat + fish Crane Prairie Reservoir
Crane Prairie is the big water on the Cascade Lakes Byway — about 4,940 acres with 24 miles of shoreline at 4,450 feet elevation. Famous for the "cranebows" — rainbow trout that regularly hit the 4-5 pound range with double-digit fish caugh
📍 90 min west
Climb Pilot Butte
Families with Kids
Climb Pilot Butte
Easy 1-mile loop to the top of a small volcano right inside Bend — sweeping Cascades view.
📍 35 min south
Climb the Black Butte summit trail
Active & Outdoorsy
Climb the Black Butte summit trail
Panoramic Cascades view from a historic fire-lookout butte near Sisters.
📍 50 min west
Explore Arnold Ice Cave
Active & Outdoorsy
Explore Arnold Ice Cave
Lava tube with year-round ice formations — more rugged access than Lava River Cave.
📍 40 min south
Explore Boyd Cave
Active & Outdoorsy
Explore Boyd Cave
Undeveloped lava tube near Bend — bring your own flashlight, no fee, real adventure feel.
📍 50 min south
Fly fish the Cascade Lakes (Sparks, Hosmer, Crane Prairie)
Active & Outdoorsy
Fly fish the Cascade Lakes (Sparks, Hosmer, Crane Prairie)
A handful of high-elevation lakes along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway with totally different fishing characters. Hosmer is a classic stillwater, fly-only, with cruising rainbows. Sparks is shallow and weedy with damselfly hatches. Crane Pr
📍 90 min west
Fly fish the Metolius near Camp Sherman
Active & Outdoorsy
Fly fish the Metolius near Camp Sherman
Crystal-clear spring creek that flows out of the ground near Camp Sherman at near-full strength — never warm, never high, never low. Holds wild rainbow, brown, and threatened bull trout. The entire river is catch-and-release, and from Bridg
📍 50 min west
Have the canyon nearly to yourself
Winter & Off-Season
Have the canyon nearly to yourself
Winter solitude you won't find in summer.
📍 On-property
Hike to Tumalo Falls
Active & Outdoorsy
Hike to Tumalo Falls
97-foot waterfall in the Bend foothills with an easy paved path or a longer loop.
📍 40 min west
See the Painted Hills
Day Trippers & Sightseers
See the Painted Hills
Iconic banded hills at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument — about a 1.5-hour drive.
📍 1.5 hours northeast
Spend a day at Sun Mountain Fun Center
Families with Kids
Spend a day at Sun Mountain Fun Center
Bend's arcade, mini-golf, bumper boats, and go-karts — a guaranteed kid win on a too-hot or too-cold day.
📍 40 min south
Swim and picnic at Tumalo State Park
Families with Kids
Swim and picnic at Tumalo State Park
Gentle Deschutes River swim hole + picnic area ~25 min away. Easy with kids of any age.
📍 35 min south
Visit Petersen Rock Garden
Families with Kids
Visit Petersen Rock Garden
Quirky homemade stone castles + sculpture park ~10 min south on Hwy 97. Free, almost no one knows about it.
📍 15 min south
Visit the Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint
Families with Kids
Visit the Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint
Pretty Deschutes River viewpoint just minutes from Redmond — picnic tables, easy access, almost always uncrowded.
📍 15 min south
Join winter community gatherings
Winter & Off-Season
Join winter community gatherings
Long-term guests host meetups when it's quiet.
📍 On-property
Grab local craft beer at ranch community bars
Food, Drink & Community
Grab local craft beer at ranch community bars
Oregon craft on tap.
📍 On-property
Dinner at local canyon-view restaurants
Food, Drink & Community
Dinner at local canyon-view restaurants
Outdoor patios, local fare.
📍 5-15 min drive
Host a Campfire Stories night
Food, Drink & Community
Host a Campfire Stories night
Gas firepit + neighbors = instant community.
📍 On-property
Riverside BBQ at state park day-use areas
Food, Drink & Community
Riverside BBQ at state park day-use areas
Grill with a river view.
📍 15-35 min drive
Picnic at Smith Rock footbridge
Food, Drink & Community
Picnic at Smith Rock footbridge
Pack lunch and watch the river.
📍 15 min
Local coffee roaster in Bend
Food, Drink & Community
Local coffee roaster in Bend
Fresh beans for canyon mornings.
📍 45 min drive
Grill steaks at your site as the light leaves
Food, Drink & Community
Grill steaks at your site as the light leaves
Evening glow on the gorge.
📍 On-property
Group-site potluck or team dinner
Food, Drink & Community
Group-site potluck or team dinner
Reserve a group site, host a feast.
📍 On-property