Safety Tips
Following these suggestions will help you travel safely through the high desert of eastern Oregon and enjoy fragile places responsibly.
Read MoreVisitor’s Guide to the Central Oregon Backcountry
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Central Oregon’s “Backyard Wilderness”
Central Oregon’s “Backyard Wilderness”
Our quest to protect the Oregon Badlands
Located just 15 miles east of Bend, Oregon Badlands is a 30,000-acre wilderness area filled with fascinating lava flows and ancient juniper trees Arriving in the Badlands, so named for its rugged and harsh terrain, can feel like stepping
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Young Desert Horned Lizard
Young Desert Horned Lizard
In the summer these lizards begin foraging for food as soon as their body temperature rises as the heat of the day increases. They feed on slow-moving, ground-dwelling insects. In the fall they hibernate by burying themselves in the sand.
Latin name: Phrysonoma platyrhinos
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Sarah Graham, Sage Sustainers Member
Sarah Graham, Sage Sustainers Member
“I contribute to ONDA monthly because it adds up to a larger annual gift than what I’d be able to comfortably afford if I were to do a simple one-time donation annually. I’m able to give more to ONDA this way and have greater impact which is important to me, and my dog Polly.”
Where to Stay
Camping and Lodging
Central Oregon is a popular tourist region with many amenities. Visit Bend maintains a comprehensive directory of all your options in Bend, from camping, to hotels and motels, and vacation rentals and AirBnBs.
Primitive camping is allowed on Bureau of Land Management land unless otherwise marked. If you’re looking to camp with a few more amenities, we’ve listed a few of our favorite campgrounds below.
Tumalo State Park Campground
4 miles from Bend
Nestled along the Deschutes River, Tumalo State Park features 23 full hook-up and 54 tent sites, 7 yurts and a hiker/biker area, as well as restrooms and showers. Tumalo State Park is the closest campground to Bend, and about a 30-minute drive from the Oregon Badlands, or 45 minutes to Whychus-Deschutes.
Season: Year-round
Chimney Rock Campground
17 miles south of Prineville via Highway 27
Located in the heart of the Wild and Scenic Lower Crooked River, Chimney Rock features 16 first-come, first-served campsites with picnic tables and firepits. Hiking and fishing opportunities abound on Bureau of Land Management land around the campground, and hikes in the Oregon Badlands and Whychus Deschutes are just a short drive away on lonely country roads.
Season: Year-round
Smith Rock State Park Campground
just off Highway 97 in Terrebonne
Overlooking scenic Smith Rock and the Crooked River canyon, this popular campground features a walk-in bivouac area for tents, as well as restrooms and showers. Smith Rock State Park is within a short drive of the Whychus-Deschutes proposed wilderness and just steps from great hiking and rock climbing in the park itself.
Season: Year-round
Where to Eat
In Central Oregon
Rainshadow Organics Farm Market 71290 Holmes Road, Sisters
Featuring seasonal veggies, pastured meats, and organic flour and grains, pickles, local cheese, and a wraparound porch, with comfy seating and views of the farm and Smith Rock, the market at Rainshadow Organics farm is a hidden gem that you won’t want to miss if you’re visiting the Whychus-Deschutes proposed wilderness. You can also join them by reservation for farm to table dinners or brunch on select Saturdays and Sundays.
Redpoint Climbers Supply, 8222 US-97 #101, Terrebonne
With cozy seating, free wi-fi, and tasty espresso, beer, and kombucha on tap, Redpoint Climbers Supply is more than just a gear shop. Stop in for a coffee and a granola bar before a hike to Steelhead Falls or Scout Camp or at Smith Rock State Park, or for a beer after a long day of adventures.
Terrebonne Depot, 400 NE Smith Rock Way, Terrebonne
Featuring fresh, locally grown foods served up in a restored 100-year-old train depot where you can still watch trains barrel by while you eat, a meal at the Terrebonne Depot is an experience not to be missed. The depot is close to Steelhead Falls or Scout Camp, or Smith Rock State Park.
In Bend
There are many, many, many dining options in Bend.
Worthy Brewing, 495 NE Bellevue Dr, Bend
This solar powered craft brewery on the east end of Bend is a great for a brew and hearty meal after a hike in the Oregon Badlands Wilderness. Worthy Brewing is the only brewery we know of with its very own observatory, or “hopservatory” as they call it, where you can enjoy a beer while gazing at the sun, moon and stars and they support ONDA’s riparian restoration projects.
Recommended Hikes and Activities
To see how we define hike difficulty, please see our Hike Difficulty Ratings.
Greg Burke Website
Alder Springs
Located on Lower Whychus Creek, Alder Springs is an oasis in the high desert. The trail starts at the top of the Whychus Creek Canyon, where you’ll enjoy wide open […]
Read MoreFrank Israel
Scout Camp Trail
The Scout Camp loop trail on the Middle Deschutes River is one of the most spectacular hikes you’ll find in Central Oregon. About a third of a mile from the […]
Read MoreMike Stahlberg
Flatiron Rock
The Flatiron Rock trail offers a wonderful introduction to the Badlands, winding through inflated lava and old-growth juniper woodlands for about 2.5 miles to one of the most prominent rock […]
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Stargaze at the Pine Mountain Observatory
This University of Oregon run astronomy research facility is open to the public on Friday and Saturday evenings from late May through the last Saturday in September, weather permitting. It’s situated at 6,300’ elevation, an hour outside of Bend.
Another option is to check out the Oregon Observatory at Sunriver.
Learn about the Confederated Tribes of The Warm Springs
Visitors to The Museum at Warm Springs will experience firsthand the sounds of ancient songs and languages, the mastery of traditional craftsmen and the sights of rich and colorful cultures that make up the Confederated Tribes of The Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon. their histories and traditions are told in an exciting, permanent, interactive exhibit, bringing to life the fascinating story of the Tribes.
Visitor Info
Get Close to Native Wildlife at the High Desert Museum
This unique museum covers both the natural and cultural history of the West’s High Desert region. Visitors enjoy close-up views of native wildlife such as river otters, bobcat, and birds of prey, as well as interesting exhibits about Native American history and culture, and western art. You can tour an authentic homestead and sawmill, and even chat with historic characters who share tales from Oregon’s settlement era.
Visitor InfoResources
Recommended Links
Maps
Further Reading
- The Oregon History Project: Central Oregon
- Day Hiking: Bend and Central Oregon by Brittany Manwill
Land Manager Contact Info
Bureau of Land Management – Prineville District
Jeff Kitchens
District Manager
3050 N.E. 3rd Street
Prineville, OR 97754
Phone: (541) 416-6700
E-mail: BLM_OR_PR_Mail@blm.gov
Sage Sustainers Membership
Live your values with a monthly gift in support of Oregon’s desert public lands, waterways, and wildlife. Sage Sustainers members propel critical conservation efforts alongside a dynamic community of advocates. […]
Read MoreProtecting Desert Fish and Wildlife
Oregon’s high desert is teeming with a diversity of fish and wildlife, including species that are found nowhere else on the planet. Living in high desert sagebrush steppe, with all […]
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