Exploring around Redmond and Central Oregon
Sightseeing
Only 15 minutes from our home. Very popular so best bet for parking is to arrive early in the morning or early evening. Hike along the Crooked River or for more adventure hike up Misery Ridge. In either case bring water with you. For just a quick look you can drive to the overlook.
469 locals recommend
Smith Rock State Park
Only 15 minutes from our home. Very popular so best bet for parking is to arrive early in the morning or early evening. Hike along the Crooked River or for more adventure hike up Misery Ridge. In either case bring water with you. For just a quick look you can drive to the overlook.
About a 90 minute drive East, amazing soil and rock formations. Go on a sunny or mostly sunny day to really see the colors. Last chance for gas will be in Prineville. At the entrance to the Painted Hills is a nice picnic area with rest room. Great idea is to pack a picnic lunch, go explore Painted Hills and the surrounding short hikes, then eat your lunch at the picnic area.
69 locals recommend
Painted Hills
37375 Bear Creek RoadAbout a 90 minute drive East, amazing soil and rock formations. Go on a sunny or mostly sunny day to really see the colors. Last chance for gas will be in Prineville. At the entrance to the Painted Hills is a nice picnic area with rest room. Great idea is to pack a picnic lunch, go explore Painted Hills and the surrounding short hikes, then eat your lunch at the picnic area.
Only 10 minutes from our home, head west on Hwy 126. Park at the Viewpoint and then walk under the hwy bridge a short distance to see Cline Falls. Great places above the falls to dip your toes in the Deschutes River on a hot summer day.
24 locals recommend
Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint
7100 OR-126Only 10 minutes from our home, head west on Hwy 126. Park at the Viewpoint and then walk under the hwy bridge a short distance to see Cline Falls. Great places above the falls to dip your toes in the Deschutes River on a hot summer day.
About 25 minutes north in Crooked River Ranch, Steelhead Falls is a favorite locals place. First part of the trail from the parking list is a little steep. Just follow the river until you reach the falls.
31 locals recommend
Steelhead Falls Trailhead
Southwest River RoadAbout 25 minutes north in Crooked River Ranch, Steelhead Falls is a favorite locals place. First part of the trail from the parking list is a little steep. Just follow the river until you reach the falls.
A little over two hours south of Redmond to the North Rim entrance. Start early in the morning and make this a day trip. Stop at the various overlooks on the Rim Drive. Oregon's only National Park and a must see.
385 locals recommend
Crater Lake National Park
A little over two hours south of Redmond to the North Rim entrance. Start early in the morning and make this a day trip. Stop at the various overlooks on the Rim Drive. Oregon's only National Park and a must see.
Outside of Sisters, a nice, easy hike to an overlook. If you want a longer hike, head down to Whychus Creek and follow it in either direction.
19 locals recommend
Whychus Creek Overlook Trailhead
66570 3 Creeks Lake RdOutside of Sisters, a nice, easy hike to an overlook. If you want a longer hike, head down to Whychus Creek and follow it in either direction.
Camp Sherman and hiking trails are 50 minutes away. Much of the trail is right along the river. Stop in at the Camp Sherman store for sandwiches, snacks and drinks before continuing to explore the area. Head to the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery (Bring quarters to feed the fish) and hike up river to see Wizard Falls.
24 locals recommend
Camp Sherman
Camp Sherman and hiking trails are 50 minutes away. Much of the trail is right along the river. Stop in at the Camp Sherman store for sandwiches, snacks and drinks before continuing to explore the area. Head to the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery (Bring quarters to feed the fish) and hike up river to see Wizard Falls.
City/town information
Float the river, explore some great shops and dining. Walk along the river in the Old Mill District. Lots to do. About 30 minutes from Redmond.
41 locals recommend
Bend
Float the river, explore some great shops and dining. Walk along the river in the Old Mill District. Lots to do. About 30 minutes from Redmond.
Only 30 minutes away, Sisters is a small town with some great shops and places to eat. You can head up toward Three Creeks Lake which has many great hiking trails. Treat yourself to homemade ice cream at the Sno Cap Drive-In
160 locals recommend
Sisters
Only 30 minutes away, Sisters is a small town with some great shops and places to eat. You can head up toward Three Creeks Lake which has many great hiking trails. Treat yourself to homemade ice cream at the Sno Cap Drive-In
Head east to Prineville (which is on the way to the Painted Hills). Just before you enter town, check out the Ochoco Wayside State Park and take in the views. Visit the Bowman Museum to learn more about the history of the area.
11 locals recommend
Prineville
Head east to Prineville (which is on the way to the Painted Hills). Just before you enter town, check out the Ochoco Wayside State Park and take in the views. Visit the Bowman Museum to learn more about the history of the area.
Food scene
Great local beer and some awesome guest taps. 10 minute walk from our home. Enjoy some amazing tacos from the Westside Taco food cart.
19 locals recommend
The Vault Taphouse / Kobold Brewing Tasting Room
245 SW 6th StGreat local beer and some awesome guest taps. 10 minute walk from our home. Enjoy some amazing tacos from the Westside Taco food cart.
Wood fired pizza made with locally sourced ingredients. Located in a historic church . Just a 10 minute walk from our home.
15 locals recommend
Grace and Hammer
641 SW Cascade AveWood fired pizza made with locally sourced ingredients. Located in a historic church . Just a 10 minute walk from our home.
Open for Breakfast and Lunch. Great place located in an old home. They make their own baked goods. A great place to sit outside for lunch during the summer.
48 locals recommend
One Street Down Cafe
124 SW 7th StOpen for Breakfast and Lunch. Great place located in an old home. They make their own baked goods. A great place to sit outside for lunch during the summer.
50 taps of some of the best beer and Cider from all over the country. Local owners. Only open for 21 and older. From our home a quick drive or you can walk to it via the Dry Canyon. They have a small but mighty kitchen and a food truck.
14 locals recommend
Rimrock Taphouse
845 SW 17th St50 taps of some of the best beer and Cider from all over the country. Local owners. Only open for 21 and older. From our home a quick drive or you can walk to it via the Dry Canyon. They have a small but mighty kitchen and a food truck.
Wild Ride brews their own beer. Lots of outdoor table space. Several great food trucks to choose from as well.
91 locals recommend
Smith Rock Brewing Company
546 NW 7th StWild Ride brews their own beer. Lots of outdoor table space. Several great food trucks to choose from as well.
The first brew pub in Redmond. Great variety of pub fare and beverages.
22 locals recommend
Cascade Lakes Brewing Company - 7th Street Brew House
855 SW 7th StThe first brew pub in Redmond. Great variety of pub fare and beverages.
CARNAVAL MEXICAN GRILL
343 SW 6th StAmazing Latin American Cuisine. Family run.
Baldy's BBQ has great brisket and pulled pork. Open for lunch and dinner, easy walk from our home.
11 locals recommend
Baldy's BBQ
343 NW 6th StBaldy's BBQ has great brisket and pulled pork. Open for lunch and dinner, easy walk from our home.
For Kids
Sam Johnson Park is located a few minutes walk away from our house. Great playground that is also ADA compliant. During the summer there are occasionally music concerts here as well.
13 locals recommend
Sam Johnson Park
333 SW 15th StSam Johnson Park is located a few minutes walk away from our house. Great playground that is also ADA compliant. During the summer there are occasionally music concerts here as well.
During the summer they have a water fountain for kids to play in and Picnic Tables. In the winter, an outdoor ice rink is open at certain times when it's cold enough.
Centennial Park & 7th Street Plaza
Southwest 7th StreetDuring the summer they have a water fountain for kids to play in and Picnic Tables. In the winter, an outdoor ice rink is open at certain times when it's cold enough.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Don't forget to stay hydrated
While exploring always bring water and stay hydrated. The high desert is indeed a desert. And our home is at 3,000 feet. Many places outside the cities have little or no cell coverage so keep that in mind when counting on your phone to take you places.