The Painted Hills are one of Oregon’s 7 wonders and it is not hard to see why! This vest landscape is apart of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and spans 3,132 acres
Painted hills is 9 miles northwest of Mitchell, Oregon
The painted hills have an abundance of early fossils of horses, camels and other critters that walked through the painted hills.
The trail that the painted hills offer is a half mile round trip and is assessable for all!
The next time you want to ExplORegon make sure to experience the magic of The Painted Hills
ExplOregon is here to share the top breweries of Bend, Oregon. Continue reading to find out what all the hype is about!
1. Deschutes
The biggest brewery in Bend, Deschutes Brewery is a family and employee owned business with a mission to create the finest beers in the world as well as offer extraordinary experience.
The original pub house in Bend has been an iconic downtown fixture since 1988. There is also a pub in Bend that offers a variety of food to pair with the craft beers.
Deschutes brews are available in 28 states and even in Canada!
2. 10 Barrel
A local brewery that started in 2006. They have eight year-round brews on tap, two seasonal, and four small tank series. Their pub has ambient outdoor seating with fire pits, and minors and dogs are welcome as well!
A bonus about 10 Barrel is their charitable mission where they choose a different charity partner each month and raise funds in a multitude of ways throughout the month for that specific charity!
3. Crux
Crux has a unique location in Bend near the Old Mill District but in an industrial area. In inspiration of that unique location, Crux uses non-traditional methods to craft their tasty beers. Some techniques include decoction mashing, open fermentation, and barrel aging.
They have 20+ original craft beers on tap and their tasting room is right in the middle of the brewery! They also have a large, grassy area where there are often food carts and live music in the summer.
4. Good Life
Good Life Brewing Company was opened in 2011 and is located in Bend Oregon at 70 SW Century Drive #100-464
Good Life brews on 30 barrel which they had custom designed to produce high quality beer.
Enjoy the rustic, hip brewery with great beer and great friends, and don’t forget to use #GoodLifeBrewing
5. Three Creeks
Locates 20 miles northwest of Bend in a town called Sisters, Three Creeks Brewing company offers craft beers with malts from around the world, Oregon hops, and Cascade Mountain water.
The production brewery is open to the public June – September, Friday’s and Saturday’s 3-7 pm.
Three Creeks has a pub as well serving a variety of foods that pair perfectly with their variety of beers.
6. Boneyard
Opening in 2010 in an old auto shop building Bone Yard Brewing really started in a bone yard, once renovated they purchased 20 used barrels to start their brewing process, they still use them today!
Located at 37 NW Lake Pl in Bend Oregon . Once there you will enjoy a plethora of IPAs
7. Silver Moon
Silver Moon is the 3rd oldest brewery in Bend rightfully marking its place in the “OG’s” of bends phenomenal craft beer legacy.
While visiting this picturesque location you will enjoy a rustic contemporary look with lip smacking beer to boot! Silver Moons Favorite Slogan is “Here’s to the moon. (And back)”
Located just outside Portland in Lake Oswego the Tryon Creek State Natural Area is a 645 acre park that offers a wide variety of trails, classes, and entertainment that would be perfect for anyone looking to explore Northern Oregon!
This beautiful Oregon state park includes multiple hiking trails, a paved bicycle path, and even horse trails. Alongside all of these runs Tryon creek home to many creatures like fish, salamanders and newts.
Hikers can use the 8 miles of hiking trails, the paved 0.5 mile trail which can also accommodate wheelchairs, or the bike and horse trails
The bicycle path runs 3 miles alongside lush greenery and a quiet Tryon creek
Horseback riders can choose between two trails North Horse Loop which runs 2 miles and West Horse Loop that runs 3 miles
All will allow you to see the 90 varieties of wildflowers, dozens of ferns, and the huge Douglas firs and other trees that dominate the area.
You might even get lucky and see one of the 75 documented species living in this area including deer, owls, skunks, raccoons, etc.
Need a bathroom? The main building called the nature center will be your stop. Inside they also have a gift shop, play area, meeting area, and even a classroom for classes held at the park.
The Table Rocks(Upper and Lower) are two large mesas north of Medford, both are relatively easy hikes and have only a slight incline making it possible for mostly everyone to make the trek.
The Takelma Indians named Table Rock
Just a 10 minute drive outside Medford leads you to two incredible and beautiful hikes.
Upper Table Rock rises 700 feet and is a 3 mile round trip
Lower Table Rock rises 800 feet in elevation and is 7 miles round trip
The hike up is mostly compact dirt that is nice and comfortable to hike on
Many varieties of plants and animals can be seen along the trail
At the end of the hike it provides a spectacular overview of Southern Oregon. From the top beautiful farmland, the rogue river, and the city of Medford can be seen from an amazing angle!
Fun Fact: The rock beneath was created when lava combined with black molten mineral rocks to form this massive mountain/rock.
The Pacific Northwest is home to a different breed of surfers: cold water kooks. which means you must constantly wear a wetsuit + booties all year long along with a steady supply of coffee and beer. The Oregon coast is a breathtaking place, and everyone should have the chance to experience its beauty and if possible surf it. Wether you are new to surfing or experienced this article will cover 5 great spots to hang loose Oregon style.
1. THE COVE
Just outside the touristy town of Seaside, OR awaits the cove, also known as Seaside cove. This particular spot is a reef and point break with a consistent swell especially in the winter. The swell works best from North or southwest winds. Some hazards to be aware of are rocks, sharks, rip tides and an occasional grumpy local.
North of Canon beach follow the signs to Ecola State park; entrance & parking is about $5 for the day and well worth staying for a colorful sunset and beach bonfire. Past the park ranger stand you will find yourself driving down a narrow road through a beautiful grove of growth forest, full of moss and sunlight poking though the ancient trees. At the end of the windy road, is the parking lot for Indian beach and some killer hiking trails along secluded coast cliffs. The swell at Indian beach is best in the summer although it does have mostly consistent waves throughout the year. Wind is best from Southwest and Eastern winds. Hazards to be aware of are rips, sharks, and rocks. A fun fact about this spot is that this park was a where the movie ” The Goonies” was filmed.
Short sands as the locals call it, is a gem of its own nestled in a spacious cove (smugglers cove) along side an old growth forest. There are two parking lots that both have beach access trails, AND parking is free! The beach trail is about a 1/2 mile walk down though an old growth forest and freshwater creek running into the ocean. The Swell comes from the Southwest with smugglers cove protecting it from harsh weather and winds. You can expect year round consistency with big waves in the winter months and calm longer waves in the summer. Things to be aware of are crowds, car break ins and beginners.
Located in Pacific City right along Cape Kiwanda State Natural area, lies a beautiful open beach with free beach-front parking. To the right of the beach is giant sand dune worth climbing up, and either running or sand boarding down! This spot includes both a reef and beach break, with swell winds coming from the west creating fairly consistent waves year long. Hazards to be aware of are sharks, crowds, and dory boats.
Just 10-15 mins North of Newport is Otter Rock; located right next to Devils Punchbowl state recreational area. This spot is a beach break perfect for beginners & long-boarders, as well as offers good protection from Northwest winds. The best swell comes from the West and wind from the East. Be cautious of the rips close to the rocks & reef especially during winter and spring months. Swell is consistent year round but especially crowded during the Summertime and fall months, so be aware of crowds during the day.
Hyatt lake is located 20 miles east of Ashland, Oregon in the Cascade Mountains. The drive to the lake is absolutely breathtaking, and it worth the twist and turns!
Hyatt offers Camping, Hiking, Fishing and Boating. The lake has a 10mph No Wake Rule. Which makes it perfect for kayaking!
Fishing permits and other boating licenses are required, as well as life jackets if on the water.
While we were there we caught small mouth bass and trout!
Hyatt lake not only offers site camping (reservation only) they also offer horse campsite complete with pens for the horses!
There are only two pens per campsite, so plan accordingly if you are bringing more then two horses. (We used the campsites pens that were located next to ours in order to accommodate everyone’s horses).
Located less then a mile from Hyatt Lake is Little Hyatt reservoir! This reservoir offers everything the Hyatt lake does expect on a smaller scale. It also offers a man made waterfall and expansive hiking and horse back riding trails!
Hyatt and Little Hyatt are two bodies of water you won’t want to miss out on! Sitting at 5,200 feet in elevation, with expansive views of the cascades and the cooler climate to escape the heat of the summer. Make sure to add this destination to your summer plans!
Crater Lake National Park which is located in the Cascade Mountains of southern Oregon is a beautiful lake formed by a volcanic eruption on Mount Mazama 7,000 years ago. In the center of the lake, Wizard Island stands and is only accessible through tours with the parks service. Activities here heavily depend on the season/weather. The park has more than 90 miles of hiking trails with spectacular views at the end of each one.
2) Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve
Oregon Caves National Monument is government protected land in the Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon. The 5000 acre park includes a vast cave system that can be toured through the US Parks Service. The complex marble cave systems house rare plants and animals that can only be found here and no where else in the world.
3) Lithia Park
Lithia Park is a 93 acre park that is listed in the National Register for protected parks. It has large grassy lawns, huge gardens with a wide variety of plants and trees, large ponds & wooded areas, and it also has tennis and volleyball courts. The perfect place for a picnic or day outing with your family or friends and if you are riding solo you can even go for a hike on the 5 different trails.
4) Toketee Falls
Toketee Falls is a massive waterfall in Douglas County, Oregon. Located on the North Umpqua River these beautiful falls attract thousands of guests every year. The short hiking trail leads to a lookout where the river can be seen rushing through a narrow gorge, forming the two-tiered Toketee falls. The upper falls drop 40 feet into a pool, and the lower falls 80 feet then crashes over a wall of ancient volcanic basalt. Toketee originates from the Chinook tribe and it means “pretty and graceful”
5) Mount Ashland
Mount Ashland is the highest peak in the Siskiyou mountain range.It was named after the city of Ashland which is only 9 miles away. The mountain is part of the Rogue River National Forrest and is a popular ski and snowboarding destination. The California Oregon border can be seen along with multiple mountain ranges and many other beautiful sights.
You don’t want to miss this opportunity to enjoy one of the most scenic, unique, and enjoyable experiences you can have in Bend. Floating the Deschutes river through the Old Mill District and ending at Drake park is a fun way to see the city while relaxing and staying cool on a hot summer day.
Staring at Riverbend Park offers a safe, sandy shore for you to launch your air mattress, float tube, or raft.
On your float, when you reach the Colorado Avenue Bridge, hop out and walk through the handy tunnel that takes you to another put-in spot to start the second phase of your journey. You can also stay in the river and continue through the state-of-the-art Bend Whitewater Park. The park offers a mildly-wild passageway (amusingly referred to as “da chute” by a few locals) for floaters, plus a whitewater channel for experienced paddlers and a nature habitat channel designed to preserve Bend’s aquatic wildlife.
New Years Eve at Hoodoo
Ski mountain, Hoodoo, does New Year’s Eve! If you’re visiting over winter break with the kids, this is the place to be to ring in the new year! Complete with a party, live music and fantastic fireworks on the snow. Ski lifts run from 9am to 9pm with night skiing fun. A bar and restaurant is open until midnight with live music from 6pm to midnight in the lodge.
The Sisters Folk Festival 2013. Held over three days, September 6, 7, 8, at nine different venues featuring 46 performers.
Liz Longley and Gus Berry performing at the Open Door venue.
Sisters Folk Festival
In Sisters, OR (20 min west of Bend), all the town’s a stage each September as music lovers from around the world come to town for a unique community experience — the nationally renowned Sisters Folk Festival. At multiple venues nestled right in downtown Sisters, audiences get an up-close-and-personal encounter with some of the finest artists in roots music.
The ability to stroll through town from venue to venue is part of the charm of the Sisters Folk Festival, which brings people from all over the United States and Canada back to Sisters year after year.
Whether you come to dance or to listen — or a mix of both, the Sisters Folk Festival will give you plenty to enjoy. SFF artists may fly below the mainstream radar, but they are the real deal — talented, compelling and accessible.
Bend OktoberFest
Bend Oktoberfest is a place for great beer, fun games, silly events, and being a part of the Bend community. It is an incredible opportunity to sample seasonal local craft beers as well as select Bavarian wines, eat unique food, and participate in fun events like the Wiener Dog Races, Tricycle Races, Yodeling contests, bendhamershlagen (race to hammer a nail into a custom table), a costume contest and more.
All of this takes place in a free family-friendly environment. The Bend Oktoberfest is produced by the Downtown Bend Business Association, a 501 (c)(6) nonprofit organization working to maintain and improve the economic vitality of Downtown Bend.
Mt. Bachelor snowy flanks catch the morning light. (Courtesy Visit Central
Oregon)
Mt. Bachelor Year-Round Fun
As the warm summer sun slowly melts the snow off Central Oregon’s most popular ski and snowboard destination, colorful mountain flowers begin to sprout, and hiking and biking trails emerge, weaving through lava rock, mountain hemlock, and lodgepole pine.
Summer activities at Mt. Bachelor cater to everyone from adventure junkies to culinary aficionados looking to take their experiences to new heights. While Mt. Bachelor is primarily known for winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, and tubing, there’s just as much fun to be had on a summer day at Mt. Bachelor.
This 3-day, 2-night loop around Broken Top provides epic views of the Three Sisters Wilderness and the Central Oregon Cascades.
This loop trip around Broken Top is one of the premier backpacking loops in Oregon. The trail winds past numerous alpine lakes, including the popular Green Lakes area, and offers near-constant views of Broken Top, the Three Sisters, and Mount Bachelor. Additionally, the clear skies of central Oregon in the summer allows views as far as Mount Adams in southern Washington and east to the Ochoco Mountains.
The hike to Tenas lakes provides multiple clear blue lakes for great swimming, and amazing views. Its a great short trail as well for overnight backpacking.
Starting from Scott Lake in the Willamette National Forest, take the Benson Lake Trail head that starts at the end of the road. This climbs gradually up to Benson Lake, a large, deep, cold lake. From there follow the trail up until you see a junction and a sign to Tenas Lakes. Follow this trail until you find the lakes.
There are lots of trails that will lead to multiple different lakes all of which have great swimming and if you explore you will find great views. You can also take this trail to the summit of Scott Mountain for a more difficult hike.
Canyon Creek Meadows/Three Fingered Jack
Canyon Creek Meadows is a beautiful, moderate hike through alpine forest into spectacular wildflower meadows at the base of the craggy and colorful Three Fingered Jack. This is a very popular route, and for good reason. The 7-mile loop starts at Jack Lake after a rough drive up to the trailhead, and it gradually climbs out of the 2003 B&B Complex burn area into an old alpine forest and stream fed meadows. The distance from the trailhead to the meadows is short, and one can either turn around and head back or continue the loop around Jack Lake. If you plan to make the loop, Forest rangers request that you follow a clockwise path around the loop.
The best time to visit these meadows is in July, when the wildflowers take center stage. Permits are required to camp in this area, however. Due to overuse and inconsiderate visitors, the area needs rehabilitation. The Forest Service has posted signage in the most damaged areas. Please read the literature at the trailhead and abide by the guidelines. This will help ensure the place stays beautiful for the next generation of visitors.
Obsidian Trail
The Obsidian Trail provides an excellent perspective on the many facets of this unique Cascade environment, from dense forests to rugged mountain views, gentle streams to open meadows, lava flows to obsidian cliffs. These cliffs were popular with Native Americans who used the obsidian to craft tools. The area is only accessible once the seasonal snowpack on Highway 242 clears, and you will see snowpack on the trail well into July. August is a popular time of year as the meadows are full of wildflowers.
The trail can be done in a day or broken up into several days according to your time frame. The trail connects with the Pacific Crest Trail just after Obsidian Falls, and from there you can take trails to any of the Sisters or to Collier Cone and the Collier Glacier. The Obsidian Trail generally doesn’t provide the sweeping Cascade views you may expect from the area, but getting to higher elevations is easy from the falls.
Moraine Lake/South Sister Summit
In the Three Sisters Wilderness, Moraine Lake sits nearly half way up the South Sister and is a perfect goal for a day hike into the Three Sisters Wilderness. It is best however, to backpack to the lake for basecamp, and summit the South Sister. The lake lies at the base of the Lewis Glacier moraine. Like many alpine lakes, Moraine Lake stays frozen for several months a year. The trail to the lake can also be packed with snow as late as August, especially in the areas shaded by mountain hemlock.
Located in Douglas County on the North Umpqua River is one of Oregon’s most famous waterfalls. Toketee Falls is renowned for the graceful columnar basalt formation framing the two-stepped falls. After a quick 0.8 mile hike you will reach a 113 feet waterfall followed by an 85 foot plunge into a large pool. A truly breath-taking scenery that is accessible year-round.
2. Mill and Barr Creek Falls (Shayla)
Located near the town of Prospect, Mill Creek Falls is a lesser-known gem in Southern Oregon. At 173 ft it is one of the tallest in the area, and Barr Creek Falls, plunging 240 ft, is less than a quarter mile further down the trail. The viewpoints can be accessed year-round though flows often fluctuate and spring/winter may best for greater flows. If conditions are right, the falls will freeze/partially freeze offering great photo opportunities.
3. Multnomah Falls (Emma)
Just a 30- 45 minute drive outside of Portland, located in the historic Columbia river gorge, you can experience this enchanting 620 foot waterfall! Multnomah falls attracts over 2 million visitors a year. The falls are open to the public year round and feature a scenic bridge, lodge, picnicking, hiking trails, nature viewing and wheelchair accessibility. You can get to Multnomah falls by taking I-84 east from Portland, Oregon, getting off at exit 31 and parking in the lot near I-84. from there walk about 5 min and you’re at the falls. Did I mention admission is free?
4. Romona Falls (Caitlin)
Located on the upper sandy river which is located on the west side of Mount Hood , Ramona Falls offers a beautiful first setting that you can access via the PCT (pacific crest trail) this hike is a 7 mile round trip, and is rated moderate due to a short river crossing. This magnificent waterfall stands 120 feet tall and consist of water from the Cascades. You won’t want to miss out on experiencing this beautiful waterfall while in Oregon.
5. Watson Falls
Watson Falls is just a short half mile hike offering a beautiful forest setting to be emerged into, Watson Falls is Oregon’s 3rd highest waterfall standing at 272 feet tall. This waterfall is located near Idleyld Park on the North Umpqua River, be sure to put this place on your agenda while in Oregon.
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