Five hundred seventy-five miles north of Monterey, Sunriver, Oregon, is a haven for families. Filled with outdoor activities and adventures, each season brings unique experiences for its visitors. It’s the perfect destination for a week-long road trip.
WHERE TO STAY AND PLAY ALONG THE WAY
A hidden treasure in Northern California lies within Castle Crags State Park–the Railroad Park Resort in Dunsmuir (360 miles from Monterey). Train aficionados will love the cabooses converted into hotel rooms and dining in the Southern Pacific Cascade car. RV and campground sites along Little Castle Creek are also available and ideal for hiking and exploring, and kids will love the game room and swimming pool.
Beer lovers will enjoy the local breweries in Redding. Mount Shasta, Crater Lake, and Klamath Falls are ideal stops to stretch your legs for scenic hikes and picnics on your road trip.
SO MUCH TO CHOOSE FROM
Sunriver is located next to the Deschutes Natural Forest, a 3,300-acre planned resort community outside Bend, Oregon. Sunriver’s beauty is a mecca for thrill seekers and explorers. With over 40 miles of paved trails, travelers can bike, run, and scooter throughout the community. Hikers can choose from 15 trails that cover 64 miles within Sunriver, including the breathtaking Trail to Benham Falls along the Deschutes River. You’ll see people kayaking, tubing, canoeing, and rafting down the river during your hike. Mountain bikers can choose from 14 trails for their adventures, and Sunriver has four golf courses.
Children of all ages will love playing at Fort Rock and Paulina Park. Both have large grassy fields and picnic tables, perfect for an afternoon of fun in the sun and monkeying around on the playground equipment. Fort Rock Park has basketball and tennis courts, horseshoe, softball, and volleyball facilities. Paulina Park has pavilions available for rent, as well as a rock-climbing wall and bocce ball court.If you prefer to relax during your vacation, the Sage Spring Club and Spa is your destination to be pampered.
THE VILLAGE AT SUNRIVER
Visit the Village at Sunriver to grab freshly brewed Pacific Northwest coffee at Brewed Awakenings or a pint at Sunriver Brewing Company. The center also houses artists’ galleries, information about all-adventure trips and tour guides, real estate, and other locally owned businesses. No family vacation would be complete without a visit to an ice cream shop. Look no further than family-owned and operated Goody’s Chocolate and Ice Cream. Your children will thank you for the delicious caramel corn and sundae!
SUNRIVER HOMEOWNERS AQUATIC & RECREATION CENTER
A must-see destination on your trip is SHARC,: Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic & Recreation Center. An onsite café and large grassy areas make for a perfect summer picnic to fuel up before racing down the body and tube slides or relaxing under the sun in the lazy river. Younger children can play in a separate tot pool, kids can play in the water jungle gym, guests can swim in the lap lanes, and adults can relax in the hot tub. Outdoor sports include a 9-hole disc golf course, rock climbing structure, basketball court, bocce ball, tennis, and pickleball courts. Live music lovers will enjoy the free Sunday summer concerts, vendors, and family-friendly activities at their outdoor amphitheater.
Many rentals include SHARC passes in their reservation, so look for that amenity when booking. Otherwise, a day pass is $20 per person for ages four and older.
SUNRIVER NATURE CENTER & OBSERVATORY
This educational center houses amphibians and birds of prey and teaches budding naturalists and scientists about raptors and rehabilitation. The Oregon Observatory is the largest in the United States and a must-see during your Sunriver trip! During the day, guests can use impressive and massive telescopes to view the sun, and staff members are available to teach you how to use the equipment and explain what you see properly.
MUST SEE SITES AROUND SUNRIVER
Take a day trip outside of Sunriver to venture into nearby Bend. Grab a pint at Deschutes Brewery downtown or Crux Fermentation Project. The Crux also serves house-blended wine, whiskey, cider, weekly live music, local food carts, grassy area, and chalk art for the kids to play while the adults enjoy their drinks and scenic view.
Twenty minutes north of Sunriver is a must-see family attraction known as the High Desert Museum. This museum houses art exhibits and galleries, historical exhibits of early Oregon settlers (the sawmill was our family favorite), and natural wildlife.
As a former Blockbuster Pacific Grove employee, one of the highlights of our Sunriver trip was visiting the last remaining Blockbuster Video store in Bend. I reminisced walking down the aisles, reading movie descriptions on DVD cases while shopping in their apparel section for a signature blue and yellow Blockbuster t-shirt. I purchased a Blockbuster branded “Be Kind – Rewind” sticker, and while my son will never understand the significance, my husband and I display it proudly on our Yeti cooler.
On the way back from Bend, stop at the Lava River Cave. It is a mile-long, self-guided lava tube, a natural tunnel created when flowing lava moves underneath the hardened surface of a lava flow. Wear closed-toed shoes as the cave descends 55 stairs, and there are uneven and rocky surfaces. Visitors are encouraged to bring or rent two light sources, and pets are prohibited. The dormant Newberry Volcano is also nearby and another geological treasure to explore.
Sunriver, Oregon, could be your perfect destination if you’re planning a summer road trip destination. This special Oregon community has something for everyone to enjoy and will create memories for a lifetime.
Leave a Reply