Explore Central Oregon

06/24/2025

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10/22/2021

Autumn and the fiery colors it brings about allow us to really see the uniqueness in each tree in a forest, writes Explore guest columnist Christina Peterson.

When a tree’s foliage ignites in fiery colors, separating it from the rest of the forest or neighborhood landscaping, it’s easier to notice the uniqueness of that specific tree. Where

10/22/2021

Rainfall this weekend in Central Oregon and potential snow in the mountains is just the start of a seasonal weather pattern that could make skiers and snowboarders extremely pleased this winter.

Rainfall and potential snow in the mountains this weekend in Central Oregon is just the start of a seasonal weather pattern that could make skiers and snowboarders extremely pleased this

10/22/2021

Looking for a hike near Sisters? Explore's Makenzie Whittle has a few suggestions.

Canyon Creek Meadows — Now that you don’t need the wilderness pass, of course, the snows are quickly falling on one of the best trails in Central Oregon. But while

10/16/2021

Tumalo Natural Area came as a bit of a surprise for Explore writer Makenzie Whittle. Similar in topography to the Oregon Badlands, the area is mostly juniper trees with sage, rabbit and bitterbrush strewn, and the dense Skyline Forest to the west.

Tumalo Natural Area came as a bit of a surprise for me. While searching for another place along Couch Market Road and not finding it, I kept driving until the

10/15/2021

"Lately, I had been sticking to flat trails, avoiding any sort of uphill challenge," writes Explore reporter Mark Morical. "On Saturday, I stared that type of challenge right in the face, looking up at Burma Road at Smith Rock State Park."

TERREBONNE — Navigating middle age and trying to maintain my fitness by running 25 to 30 miles a week is a grind.

10/15/2021

Outdoor events have always been popular, but as the public health situation wages on, even more celebrations are moving to fresh air locations year-round. Bend Park & Rec's Becky Rexford explains how you can hold a cool-weather event outdoors.

10/08/2021

Last weekend, the high school skateboarders that make up the Sisters High School's new skateboarding class hosted a barbecue and skate event at Sisters Skatepark, a fundraiser for the next chapter of the park's life.

Last weekend, the high school skateboarders that make up the Sisters High School’s new skateboarding class hosted a barbecue and skate event at Sisters Skatepark, a fundraiser for the next

10/08/2021

Despite having tried most outdoor activities, I'd never attempted the high-tech treasure hunt of geocaching, though I would stumble across caches all the time while out and about. I was ripe to give it a try.

Despite having tried most outdoor activities, I’d never attempted the high-tech treasure hunt of geocaching, though I would stumble across caches all the time while out and about. I was

10/01/2021

SALT CREEK FALLS — Ten minutes was all it took. By the time we returned from the Salt Creek Falls viewing platform — just 50 yards from the parking lot — a thief had smashed our car window, along with the fun we'd had on a brief afternoon outing.

SALT CREEK FALLS — Ten minutes was all it took.

10/01/2021

Fall is prime time for mountain biking in Central Oregon: The summer heat is gone, the dust has settled and the singletrack is firm: Reporter Mark Morical offers a few suggestions for autumn riding.

Fall is the prime time for mountain biking in Central Oregon.

10/01/2021

Just north of the Deschutes County Fairgrounds is the Redmond Caves, a series of five caves administered by the Bureau of Land Management. The five caves here are actually a single collapsed lava tube that was formed by flows of molten lava from New…

Just north of the Deschutes County Fairgrounds is the Redmond Caves, a series of five caves administered by the Bureau of Land Management. The five caves here are actually a