Vacation Destination: Sunriver in Central Oregon
Going on vacation means going to a place where you can
totally relax. Preferably, vacationing means that you have everything you
need right there.
Some of the best
vacations I’ve ever had are the ones where you don’t have to run here and
there but you can actually just stay put.
You can go out if you want to but you don’t have to go from point A to
point B to enjoy yourself or find things to do. Vacation destination Sunriver in Central Oregon is one of these places.
From the first time I read about this
‘resort’ and decided to spend our family vacation there in 1995 to the
present time, I would recommend this self-contained community which is located
in the heart of Central Oregon to anyone from 2 to 92.
You can’t find a better place for things to do, sights to see
and overall peace and quiet. It doesn’t hurt that it is set in some of the most beautiful country in the United States.
All photos by Audrey Kirchner
About Sunriver Oregon
Sunriver, Oregon consists of roughly 3,300 acres set in and around the Deschutes National Forest of Central Oregon. This is a private planned resort community
about 15 minutes south of Bend and on the eastern side of the Deschutes River.
Sunriver proper consists of residential areas combined with
recreational facilities such as the Sunriver Resort and a commercial town
square known as Sunriver Village Mall.
Within the Sunriver Village Mall, one can find realty companies,
restaurants and a bakery, various businesses and retail shops. There are at least a dozen vacation home
rental agencies within Sunriver.
There
is also a recreation center called Mavericks where you can find a cafe, rock
climbing wall, cardio and weight gym, a 4-lane swimming pool and flowrider,
kids pool and splash fountains.
There is
also a spa associated with Sunriver Resort called Sage Springs.
Sunriver Resort and Mavericks also have meeting facilities
and are known statewide for their great convention facilities.
The permanent population is roughly 1700 (with over 4200
single homes and condos) but many of the
homes in Sunriver are rentals and at any given time, especially during peak vacation
times of the year, the population is much greater.
Sunriver boasts 33+ miles of paved bike trails, a business
park, an observatory, a marina, a small airport, stables and the mall. It also is home to 2 swimming pools (North
and South), 26 tennis courts, a sledding hill and amphitheater area, Fort Rock
Park and Mary McCallum Park.
The Mt. Bachelor ski area is 20-30 minutes from
Sunriver.
Sunriver also has three
18-hole golf courses and one 9-hole course.
Sunriver’s History
Camp Abbot was a World War II training facility for combat
engineers simulating a combat environment. Present day Sunriver is located on ground that
was originally Camp Abbot. The US Army
camp opened in 1942 but by June 1944, it was abandoned as a military base.
The Great Hall was preserved and renovated from its previous state, that of the Camp Abbot Officers’ Club.
The first condos were built in 1968 along with
the Sunriver Lodge. In 1969, developers
began selling lots under the guidance of John Gray and Donald V. McCallum who
named the area Sunriver.
See all 13 photos
Accomodations
We vacationed in Sunriver for 9 years and have seen Sunriver in winter, spring, summer and fall. I can honestly say that every season is wonderful there and we always found more than enough to do.
We rented through realtors. There are at least a dozen vacation home rental agencies in Sunriver as well as being able to rent through Sunriver Resort. Many of the homes in
Sunriver are specifically designated by their owners as rental properties and many homes are actually second homes for their owners.
One might think that you would have to spend a fortune for a
well maintained, clean home but in fact, we rented what were termed ‘executive
quality’ homes because we had special needs like Internet access or large groups
of people for reunions.
These homes were quite reasonable and if
you happen to be going with a group of people, a 5-bedroom 4-bath immaculate
house renting for $250-300 per night is not that bad when you divide it into 5
equal parts for instance.
The homes that we rented always came with bicycles free of
charge and were fully decked out in terms of furniture, cooking utensils, bed
and bath linens, etc.
All have decks
and deck furniture so you can soak up the beautiful Central Oregon sunshine and
every one of them always had an outdoor hot tub. One even had an indoor sauna.
We have also rented condos at the golf course and
they are likewise more than adequate for any occasion.
The thing to remember is that you can get as fancy or upscale as you want
in Sunriver or you can rent something on the low end and still end up with a beautiful place!
You can rent a room at the
Sunriver Resort, any number of private homes, condos, and private cabins. Or
you can rent from any of the dozen plus realty listings for Sunriver that are easily found on the Internet.
I have yet to know of anyone who had bad
accommodations! There are even many that
are pet friendly and are immaculate.
Always ask about specials as many realty companies run them. Sunriver is a very popular
destination vacation spot any time of the year but there are also slow times
and during those slow times, you can get some great bargains. For instance one year, we ended up with 2
free nights of accommodation just because of the special that was running.
Most accommodations also have free passes for the swimming pools and other perks that are thrown in. Renting through Sunriver Resort will also get you onto the golf courses for a reduced rate and they always have specials that target golfing and their wonderful spa.
Many Sunriver homeowners advertise their homes on youtube and elsewhere and you can take a virtual tour of the homes on-line. Whatever your budget is, you can always find something you can afford in terms of Sunriver lodging.
See all 13 photosActivities Within Sunriver
To list the activities at Sunriver takes a while! There are 2 pools in Sunriver (the North and the South pools). Everyone we have ever rented through in Sunriver has provided us with free passes to the pools. This is a great activity for all ages and the
weather in Sunriver except in winter is pretty great for swimming. Pool closures are different depending on the
weather but there is also an indoor swimming facility at Mavericks located within the community.
Mavericks also boasts the wave rider which is a great
surfing outing for kids and adults. They
also have a full gym and lots to do for the athletically inclined such as their wall climbing wall and the kids pool.
Biking is a huge favorite in Sunriver because of the 30+
miles of bike trails. You can go forever
in Sunriver and not see everything. You
can start out at one part of the community and end up out at the airport in
relatively little time. All the bike
paths are paved and well marked. There are even stopping points that have map pamphlets
in them for your convenience. There are trail marker signs every so often so you know which way to the village and
which way to the airport for example. The trails are well marked with regard to their traffic pattern which consists of circles. For instance, you can go from circle 4 to circle 10 if you follow the map.
In winter months, if there is snow, you can use the paths
and even some of the golf courses for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. You can rent equipment in the village and
this is a great way to stay put and just enjoy your surroundings without traveling far. Snowshoeing or cross-country skiing within Sunriver is a great way to see the area.
We snowshoed one year down by the Deschutes River. It was
breathtaking with over 12 inches of new powder and a picture perfect landscape with freshly fallen snow and warm sun.
The stables at Sunriver are especially fun in the summertime where you can take group rides or schedule day trips up into the high country
with a guide. There are all levels of
riding activities available at the stable from pony rides to overnight trips. In the wintertime, they leave
back some of their bigger work horses and you can go on sleigh rides. Nothing is more beautiful than a sleigh ride
through the snow!
Sunriver Resort at the lodge puts on activities throughout
the year from day camps for kids to tennis camps to special events
throughout the holidays. You can enjoy special seasonal dinners at the lodge without staying through the resort and just need to call for
reservations. The decorations at the
lodge are worth a trip in at the holidays to see the beautiful
light displays outside the lodge and the huge Christmas trees in the lobby!
You can catch a bus from Sunriver Resort and from other referral spots in town to Mt. Bachelor in winter so you don’t have to drive up to the
mountain. Check with Sunriver Resort for
times but it is a great way to go skiing without ever taking your car out of
the parking lot! Mt. Bachelor is famous for its great alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding
opportunities. You can even go on a
dogsled excursion through Trail of Dreams and they are available both in winter and summer.
In the summer and fall, there are raft trips galore; from
nice-and-easy several hour trips down the Deschutes to more arduous trips
such as the Big Eddy Thriller which takes on a Class 3 rapids. You can check with companies like Sun Country
Tours for more info on the river trips available but they are all highly
praised and so much fun that you find yourself going back again even if you’ve
done one. They have overnight trips as well down other rivers and my sister and my daughter went on one several years ago and had the time of their life.
Central Oregon is a fly fishing heaven. You can sign up for classes right in Sunriver
and learn all that you need to know and more about fly fishing. They provide equipment and transportation if
you need it and can set up group lessons or individual lessons. Just regular fishing is great on the Deschutes River right in Sunriver and you can find ample good fishing spots all along the river. Or you can just drift in your boat, raft or canoe and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the moment.
Wildlife viewing and bird watching are 2 free activities
that you can do in Sunriver to your heart’s content. From the deer that freely roam through the
streets of Sunriver to the coyotes pouncing on voles for food out in the
meadows to the bluebirds in all their glory landing on fence posts as you
pedal by in summer to osprey and turkey vultures lining the Deschutes – it is a photo
op waiting to happen every minute.
The
most spectacular views are the coyote pups playing with their mama or papa in
the dead of winter on the snow or the
bristly porcupine crossing the road, the only dark spot on the pure white
terrain. Or the horses from the stable
running across the meadows in the early morning or late evening towards
dusk in summertime. It’s a great pastime to just tour Sunriver in your car or on bike or foot looking for wildlife.
In summertime, the Paulina Plunge is well worth the
outing. The tour company provides a bus ride to the Newberry
National Volcanic Monument where you are tricked out with helmets and mountain
bikes. Then you cruise down the mountain
roads and hike to 6 different waterfalls where you can play on the natural
water slides and enjoy the day. A boxed lunch is even provided if you order it.
You can go on innumerable tours through a great company
called Wanderlust Tours from snowshoeing under a full moon in the snow to
Crater Lake tours to Newberry Volcanic National Monument.
Golfing is synonymous with Sunriver and the Central Oregon
area. There are so many great golf
courses in the area that it would take you weeks to play them all. From the seasoned golfer to the novice, you
won’t be disappointed with courses of all skill levels and all types of
topography. In Sunriver alone, you can
golf at 4 different courses and never leave the community! People actually fly in or drive to Sunriver
for the weekend from Portland just for the golfing. Golf lessons are also available through the resort for any level golfer.
There are also 2 parks within Sunriver that have loads of playground toys and ample picnicking facilities for families or large groups of people. We have played baseball, soccer and basketball at the parks and also at the nearby school.
In wintertime, the sledding hill is a very popular spot for kids of all ages and is a great way to spend a snowy day followed by a cup of hot chocolate in the village and a good soak in the hot tub afterwards.
Sunriver has its own observatory and also its own Nature Center located within the heart of the community. Star gazing opportunities abound and it is a great place for kids to go and learn more about astronomy. Likewise, the Nature Center is a great place to gather information about the Central Oregon area.
For boating opportunities from row boats to rafts to stand-up paddle boards, check in at the marina and enjoy an outing on the beautiful Deschutes River. You can also float the Deschutes or rent some of the other floating options and get a return trip to the marina by activity bus. There is a point that you turn at along the Deschutes which takes you to a spot on the river where you are helped out of your raft or boat and then driven back to the marina. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Also in winter, there is an ice skating rink open in the Sunriver Village Mall. This is a great way to have a family outing and enjoy the beautiful setting as well.
Tennis anyone? With 26 tennis courts, you can always find some place to play tennis in Sunriver. The courts are all in excellent condition and you can sign up for lessons as well.
If relaxation is what you are seeking, you’ve come to the right place at Sage Springs Spa. Here, you can get everything from a hot stone massage to a pedicure and manicure. Or try one of their body wraps.
Sunriver is famous for its Music Festival each summer and throughout the year, there are many different goings on hosted at Sunriver. Be sure to check out all the great opportunities for seeing programs or participating in such events as their car show.
Sunriver Oregon
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Sunriver Resort –
17600 Center Dr, Sisters-Millican, OR 97707, USA
[get directions]
Restaurant, pub, gift shop and golf
Hot Lava Baking Company Suite 17 Village Mall –
Sunriver, Sisters-Millican, OR 97707, USA
[get directions]
Get your fresh cinnamon rolls and loaves of bread
Trout House Restaurant –
57235 River Rd, Sisters-Millican, OR 97707, USA
[get directions]
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner beside the Deschutes River
Sunriver Observatory –
57245 River Rd, Sisters-Millican, OR 97707, USA
[get directions]
Come gaze at the stars
Sunriver Marketplace –
18160 Cottonwood Rd, Sisters-Millican, OR 97707, USA
[get directions]
Get groceries and gas
Sunriver Stables –
57215 River Rd, Bend, OR 97707, USA
[get directions]
Saddle up for a trail ride or take a sleigh ride
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See all 13 photos
Activities Outside Sunriver
About 15 minutes from Sunriver, you can drive south to the
Newberry National Volcanic Monument and see a live volcano. You can also climb to the top of the Paulina
Volcano which is Paulina Peak where the view is unparalleled. You can see 3 states and innumerable topographic landmarks from California to
Washington.
You can also visit the beautiful Paulina Lake or East Lake and fish for
world-class trout or salmon.
You can also visit the Lava River Cave and Lava Lands which are also
part of the Newberry Monument. Don’t miss the Paulina Lodge for breakfast,
lunch, or dinner or just a piece of homemade pie!
Near the Lava River Cave is the famous High Desert Museum,
which is a wonderful place for all ages to observe wildlife indigenous to
Central Oregon. There are many animals
and birds here that are on display and many interpretative presentations
daily. Most of the animals in the
‘museum’ are rescued animals that could not survive if released back into the
wild. It’s a fascinating place with its
own little cafe.
Traveling a bit north of Sunriver, in under 25 minutes, you
can be in Bend which is the hub of Central Oregon. Here, you can enjoy fine dining, excellent
shopping, outlet stores, theater, movies, art galleries, beautiful riverside
walking areas and just about anything you can think of under the sun. There are many chain stores and restaurants
such as Olive Garden, Red Robin, Lowes, Old Navy, etc. But then there are totally unique and
fascinating restaurants special to the area such as Jackalope Grill or
Blacksmith. There are many places in
Bend and environs that are dog friendly as well and weather permitting, you can
sit outside and enjoy a wonderful meal and then a walk in some of the most
beautiful parks in the state.
A few hours away is the natural wonder called Crater
Lake. We’ve done it several times from
Sunriver as a day trip and it is well worth the drive. You won’t see more spectacular scenery or
views anywhere except perhaps the Grand Canyon.
You can even take in a minor league baseball game in Bend
depending on the time of year that you visit.
The Bend Elks have some of the best college players in the country and
you can attend one of their games for a nominal charge while enjoying the
atmosphere of an old-fashioned wooden baseball stadium.
Take the Cascade Loop Highway for another day trip and visit
the many beautiful lakes along the way.
There are all kinds of fishing opportunities at all of these lakes and
some of the best fishing in the state if not the country. There is also lodging available at many and
camping sites available at all.
Smith Rock State Park is only about a hour north of Sunriver
and is another great day trip. It is
also a spectacular place to watch (or participate) in rock climbing and people
come from all over the world to scale its beautiful rockery. Well worth the drive and the hike, you can
do just about any level of hike at Smith Rock though getting down and back up is the arduous part!
On another day, take a drive east and visit the Painted
Hills of Central Oregon. This is another
national monument with 3 different parts.
There are the Painted Hills of Central Oregon, the Clarno Unit and the
Sheep Rock Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. All 3 are wonderful geological treasures
that you won’t want to miss.
Driving north and west, you can take in the picturesque city
of Sisters, Oregon and if you happen to hit the right week in July, you’ll see the world famous Outside Quilt Show. Here, hundreds of quilters submit their
quilts for judging. They are hung from the outside of buildings and businesses for all to
see on a walking tour. You would be
surprised what you can do with a quilt! It simply will leave you speechless
viewing some of these works of art.
There are annual events in Bend, Sunriver and other cities
throughout Central Oregon and you can always check websites for goings on. The Deschutes Fairgrounds always has things
of interest going on from rodeos to truck shows to home shows to musical groups
performing.
The Les Schwab Amphitheater
in Bend likewise has concerts going on throughout the year and tickets are
available on line. Willie Nelson
performed recently in Bend just to give an example of the level of talent that comes to
Central Oregon.
There are numerous small and large town rodeos and
celebrations that go on year round throughout this area and again, look on-line
to determine which ones would suit your needs. The Sisters Rodeo is quite the event here in Central Oregon.
Art exhibits and galleries are everywhere throughout the area and you
don’t have to travel far to find one. Theater, music and the performing arts are also part of what
Central Oregon is known for. There are
always shows and events going on at the famous Tower Theater in Bend or one of
the many playhouses. Check local
listings and on-line for times and venues.
Movie going is a great pastime throughout the area as well
and there are several movie theaters located within Bend, Redmond, Sisters, and
Prineville. Check for local listings and
times.
Breweries and pubs abound in Central Oregon. There are 7
alone located within Bend! There is one
in Sisters and another in Redmond.
There are also any number of fine dining, casual and
anything in between restaurants throughout the area that serve breakfast, lunch
and dinner as well as appetizers and happy hour menus or snacks that are
fantastic deals. You won’t go hungry while in Central Oregon or find the number of available eateries lacking!
Scenic highways are also another great way to spend time in
the Sunriver area. Take a traveling tour up
Santiam Pass in the fall and you will see some of the most magnificent scenery
ever. Coupled with the lava flows and
the Dee Wright Observatory, you won’t be sorry you went!
A trip to Mt. Bachelor in winter or summer is a wonderful way to spend the day. Ride up on the chairlift in summer and then hike the trails finishing off the day with a great lunch in the restaurant atop Mt. Bachelor. In winter, the skiing is world class and you won’t find a better place for cross-country or alpine skiing or snowboarding. You can also participate in a dog sled ride and occasionally there have been dog sled races put on at Mt. Bachelor which is a great activity to attend.
There are also incredible trails throughout Central Oregon for hiking in spring, summer or fall and then for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in winter along with many sno-parks. There are also many trails for skijoring or snowshoeing. Make sure you check to see which sno-parks are pet friendly.
Not that far away is Mt. Hood which is another heavenly place for skiing and snow opportunities.
Lake Billy Chinook is about an hour and a half north of Sunriver and offers wonderful boating and swimming activities. The size of the lake and its surrounding carved out hillsides are stunning. There are many parks and recreational pull-outs throughout this vast state park and a trip to Lake Billy Chinook is something to remember.
Bend Oregon
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Walmart –
20120 Pinebrook Blvd, Bend, OR 97702, USA
[get directions]
Pick up what you need
Costco –
2500 NE Hwy 20, Bend, OR 97701, USA
[get directions]
Stop in for some shopping
Old Mill District –
SW Powerhouse Dr, Bend, OR 97702, USA
[get directions]
Shopping, food and entertainment
Lost Tracks Golf Course –
60205 Sunset View Dr, Bend, OR 97702, USA
[get directions]
Great slow course in Bend
Tower Theater –
835 NW Wall St, Bend, OR 97701, USA
[get directions]
Plays, shows and singing performances
Olive Garden Restaurant –
63459 U.S. 97, Bend, OR 97701, USA
[get directions]
Enjoy great Italian food and check out Bestbuy
Macy’s –
3188 N Hwy 97, Bend, OR 97701, USA
[get directions]
Shopping at its finest – stop by Kohl’s and TJ Maxx too
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Shopping and Services
Going on vacation wouldn’t be complete without knowing where
to shop! In Sunriver alone, there are 2
grocery stores. One is in the town
square and the other on the back side of Sunriver on the north side. The north side also has gas pumps. If you bike to the store, walk or drive over,
you’ll find just about anything and everything you could possibly need. They may have small spaces but they pack
these stores with everything you’d need on vacation!
There are also many shops in the Sunriver mall area. There is
also a post office and several great restaurants in case you’re hungry and need
to stop in for a bite! Most of the shops
in Sunriver are unique and interesting to browse through. I’ve brought home many souvenirs from our
visits to the area from these shops and treasure them to this day.
There is a pro shop at the golf courses and you can find all
kinds of unique clubs and golfing equipment.
You can also find great clothes and shoes in the pro shops as well as
more unique gifts in the Sunriver Resort Gift Shop.
The Sunriver Village Mall is currently being remodeled and
is it ever gorgeous! The mall has been
there forever and it is nice to see it getting a facelift. It is a wonderful place to walk or bike to in
spring, summer or fall and a great place to snowshoe to during the winter
months for a cup of coffee or hot chocolate!
If you need to do serious
food shopping, Bend is your best bet.
Of course, there is a multitude of grocery stores to choose from in the
greater Bend area from natural food markets such as Whole Foods, Newport
Market, and Trader Joe’s along with the major chains such as Fred Meyer,
Walmart, Safeway, Erickson’s, Albertsons and Ray’s.
If you are shopping for sports equipment, there is a
beautiful REI store in the Old Mill District.
There are also many sports stores throughout the Central Oregon area
including a bike and ski shop right in Sunriver itself where you can buy or
rent for the day or week. You can also
rent bikes, surreys and other types of bikes such as stroller bikes in Bend down
in the Old Mill District.
For clothing shopping, in the Old Mill District, you will
find great stores like Chico’s, The Gap, Gap For Kids, American Eagle, Ann
Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, Bath and Body Works, and Coldwater Creek. Don’t miss the Oregon Store either for all
your sports paraphernalia.
In town out in East Bend, you’ll find Old Navy, Big Lots and
Costco with a myriad of smaller stores in the east end of Bend. Barnes and Noble also has a great little
store and cafe there and there is also an Office Max.
Going into the heart of Bend, you’ll find great shoe stores,
camera stores, galleries, and men’s and women’s stores. You’ll also find a couple of fantastic home
furnishing stores and you can find some incredible treasures there that might
even fit in your suitcase or can be shipped back home!
Macy’s has a beautiful store in Bend along with a Kohl’s that just opened in 2010. There is
also a TJ Maxx and further up the road a Ross store for those looking for
bargains.
For anyone needing hardware items, you’ll find an Ace
Hardware store in Sunriver and if you can’t find what you’re looking for there,
head on up to Bend where you’ll find a Home Depot, Lowe’s and Ace Hardware
stores.
Car repairs sometimes need to be done and several times on
vacation, we were in need of auto repair services.
We have used Subaru, Ford, and the Chevy dealerships for repairs as well
as a couple of private mechanics in the area that have been great in
solving the problem or getting what was broken fixed in a timely fashion. The Les Schwab stores in the area are
some of the most helpful auto places around and usually they don’t even charge
you to take a look or fix a flat!
Unbelievable! They truly believe
in service.
There is no end it seems to the stores in Sunriver and the surrounding area so check on-line for more details. For computer needs, there is Bestbuy in Bend. There also several other chain stores such as Staples, JC Penney, Michaels, Dollar Stores and many more.
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Spa Services
If you are vacationing in Sunriver, you have the best spa
services available right at your fingertips – literally. Sage Springs Spa offers a full menu of
services from body wraps to manicures and pedicures to massage. They have packages available and also
specials if you stay through Sunriver Resort.
You couldn’t ask for a more top quality spa.
If you are in the Bend area, there are numerous spas
available there as well as in Redmond.
The Spa W in Bend is very popular as are Anjou Spa and Jinsei Spa. Try out the Eagle Crest Day Spa if you are in the Redmond area.
If you’re looking for a bargain, try Phagan’s Beauty College in Bend. You
can’t beat the prices on their services which range from facials to hair to manicures and pedicures.
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Worship Services
Within Sunriver itself, you can attend church services at
the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, the Community Bible Church or the Sunriver
Christian Fellowship Church. Check
on-line for mass and service times.
In Bend, you can attend Catholic masses,
Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist and Christian church services
along with the added benefit of being inside some of the most gorgeous churches you’ll ever see. They have a lot of old
churches in the area and many make stunning photos.
Pet Services
Central Oregon is an extremely pet friendly area so don’t
hesitate to bring your pet on vacation.
There are plenty of pet friendly lodging choices in Sunriver and there
are likewise many pet friendly restaurants and pubs throughout the area.
Exercising your dogs in Sunriver is never a
problem with the many miles and miles of bike paths and trails as well as parks
within the community.
Going into Bend, you will find even more pet friendly
opportunities with all the beautiful parks such as the Deschutes River Trail Park or
Drake Park where you can enjoy the great outdoors with man’s best friend.
If you are in need of grooming services, there are some in
Sunriver and even more in Bend such as Wet Pet Express. They have a U-wash and also a groomer on site
that does a fabulous job.
Check out the Pet Express for your dog or cat food needs or if you’re looking for that special bed or toy or you need a new crate. They have everything you could dream of for
pets and then some. In Bend, there is
also Pet Express and Petco with the same services available there.
If you are needing emergency pet services, there is the
Sunriver Veterinary Clinic and for more serious emergencies, there is the
Animal Emergency Center in Bend. There are also
many fine veterinary clinics in Bend, Redmond and Prineville that are available
usually 24 hours per day by phone. They
can direct you as to where to take your pet or what to do. Central Oregon loves pets!
Also available are pet sitting services such as Strutt Your
Mutt (out of Bend) and Sunriver Pet Lodge or Bend Pet Lodge in Bend. There are many services available and any of
the realty companies can direct you to find others.
See all 13 photos
Healthcare Services
If you are in Sunriver and you need health care for
anything, there is an urgent care center within Sunriver. Call 911 if you have an emergency, and their
dispatchers will send someone to you immediately or instruct you on what to
do.
For more general health care or higher level health care
needs, St. Charles Medical Center has a full array of medical services from a
heart center to diagnostic x-ray centers to labs to practitioners of every
known specialty. There is a state of the
art Emergency Room at St. Charles and also its affiliate in Redmond.
There are also several urgent care centers in
both Redmond and Bend. There is also an
Emergency Room in Prineville, however, their services are limited and the best
place to receive treatment is in either Bend or Redmond for critical care or
obstetrics.
See all 13 photos
Graph by Audrey Kirchner
See all 13 photos
Graph by Audrey Kirchner
Weather in Sunriver
Sunriver is located in beautiful Central Oregon, where you
can enjoy at least 300 days of sunshine per year.
Central Oregon is known as arid high desert climate which
means low humidity and falling temperatures in the evening.
Sunriver sits at about 4,200 feet elevation and most of the
precipitation in Sunriver falls each year as snowfall. This community is famous for warm days and
cool, dry nights in the summer and cool and dry days and nights in winter.
Central Oregon is east of the Cascade Mountain range and
this creates what is called a rain shadow effect. Most storms stay on the west side of the
Cascades and this is what keeps Central Oregon high and dry.
Average precipitation in the form of snow is about 34 inches
per year which usually starts in early November and lasts through late March or
early April.
Mt. Bachelor is estimated to get about 370 inches of snow
annually.
Although the graph shows that the average temperatures for
summer are about 81, in actuality, temperatures can sore to as high as 100-105
during summer weather occasionally though they then drop precipitously to 30s and 40s overnight
starting the temperature curve all over again by the next morning!
See all 13 photos
Vacation Destination: Sunriver in Central Oregon
As you can see, there is much to do in Sunriver and as a vacation destination, it doesn’t get much better than this. The beauty of Sunriver is that although it is termed a ‘resort’ community, it doesn’t feel like a resort. It feels like a wonderful place to just be yourself and unwind.
Throughout Central Oregon, you will find that there is a casual feeling to the area and most people who are here simply want a more relaxed lifestyle and a picturesque place to be. Having said that, you can visit Sunriver and Central Oregon and simply enjoy yourself as the flavor of this part of the country is really all about outdoor type activities and recreational opportunities.
The people you meet seem to also reflect this attitude and in general, I don’t think you could find a friendlier place to recharge and enjoy some time off. Away from the hustle and bustle, Sunriver is a wonderful place for couples, for families or even for business trips because it seems to exude peace and quiet.
Wishing you the vacation of your dreams in Sunriver, Oregon!
Snowshoe Tour by Wanderlust
Summer Things to do in Sunriver
Lodging at SunRiver
Kayak Tour Near Sunriver at Elk Lake
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Contacts for Sunriver Vacations
The Paulina Plunge – Downhill Waterfall Mt Bike Tour – Bend, Sunriver, Oregon – 800.296.0562
The Paulina Plunge will visit 6 Waterfalls and 2 Natural Water Slides while coasting 6 miles down a smooth forest trail. Call 800.296.0562 anytime. A Mt Bike Tour located in Central Oregon near Sunriver and Bend.
Central Oregon Rafting Trips – Enjoy White Water Rafting in Oregon near Bend, Sunriver & Sisters
Central Oregon Rafting Trips with Sun Country Tours – Enjoy White Water Rafting in Oregon near Bend, Sunriver & Sisters: oregon rafting, oregon rafting trips, central oregon rafting trips, white water rafting in oregon, bend rafting, bend white w
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort – Mt Bachelor
Sunriver & Bend Oregon Day Spas | Sunriver Resort – Sage Springs Club & Spa | Day Spa in Ore
Welcome to Sage Springs Club & Spa, a luxurious day spa in Sunriver, Oregon. Enjoy a round of tennis, swim a few laps, and experience a number of soothing treatments including massages, facials, wraps, and body scrubs at this day spa near Bend, O
Mavericks at Sunriver : Sunriver Vacations
Information on Mavericks at Sunriver with its new Flowrider Wave Machine and Indoor Aquatic and Fitness Center
Sunriver Rentals and Sunriver Real Estate
Village Properties is a Sunriver property management company, specializing in Sunriver rentals and Sunriver real estate. View our comprehensive list of current Sunriver rental listings and homes for sale online.
Sunriver Chamber of Commerce
Guided Tours, Trips and Outdoor Activities in Bend and Sunriver, Oregon | Wanderlust Tours
Half-day, award winning naturalist guided tours and trips in Bend, Sunriver and Sisters Oregon. Canoeing, kayaking, caving, hiking, snowshoeing and evening tours and special events
High Desert Museum: highdesertmuseum.org
Welcome to the High Desert Museum
Sunriver Oregon Vacation Rentals & Hotels | Sunriver Resort | Golf Resorts & Hotels in Orego
Sunriver Resort, an Oregon hotel, features premier vacation rentals, 3 championship golf courses, a spa and more. Look to this hotel in Oregon for vacation homes that are perfect for golf vacations & family getaways in the Pacific Northwest.
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