Epic Outdoor Escapes: A Family Vacation in Sunriver, Oregon

Upon arrival in Eugene, embark on a picturesque 2.5-hour drive to Sunriver. The journey through central Oregon offers breathtaking scenery, with lush green foliage and an abundance of forests, lakes, and rivers to explore. As a California resident, I particularly enjoy the constant rich landscapes. Along the way, consider stopping at these notable points:

• Salt Creek Falls: This magnificent waterfall is remarkably close to the highway. A short drive off the main road leads to a parking lot with a $5 fee. From there, the waterfall is mere steps away, offering incredible views from a paved path. A 10- to 15-minute stop is perfect for a quick stretch, snack, and photos. For those seeking more time, a trailhead is available for a longer hike.

• Diamond Peak Lookout Point: Located just beyond Salt Creek Falls, this quick stop offers gorgeous views directly from the Highway 97 turnout. Arrival at Sunriver! My children were awestruck as we pulled into the entrance to Sunriver. Hidden beneath what they thought were endless forests was a pleasant surprise: a cute little town.

A couple of things to note when planning where to stay. Sunriver is divided into The Sunriver Resort and The Sunriver Community.

• The Resort portion is a premier luxury resort comprising two luxury hotels and over 300 private Sunriver homes. When staying at any of the resort properties, guests have access to a number of resort only amenities such as butler service, private dining options, your choice of three golf courses, The Cove Aquatic Center, pools, The Sage Spring Spa and Kids Club, and activities.

• The Sunriver Community spans the 3,300 acres of Sunriver and is made up of private homes and condos for rent through online platforms or your trusty travel advisor. The community has everything one can need, including the very popular open-air shopping and recreation center The Village at Sunriver. The Village is in the heart of Sunriver, adjacent to The Sunriver Resort. Here you will find the local grocery store, a vast selection of dining options, shopping, and recreational activities such as arcades, mini golf, bumper cars, and a rock climbing wall. More to come on that later!

So, when planning a trip to Sunriver, consider which option of lodging will work best for you and your family and budget. And reach out to me for help deciding and finding the perfect location, because location is everything here at Sunriver.

For our family’s Sunriver trip, we chose a private, pet-friendly townhome conveniently located directly across from SHARC, the homeowners association’s aquatic center. It’s important to note that SHARC is a public water center, distinct from the resort’s pools, and daily tickets can be purchased for $30 per person. Many rental homes include SHARC passes, a significant benefit, especially for families with young children. Having these passes allows for frequent visits, even if it’s just for a couple of hours between other activities.

Day two is perfect for a visit to SHARC. While there’s often a line at opening, it moves quickly as most guests have passes. By 11 or 11:30 am, even on weekends, the line typically disappears. SHARC caters to all ages with a large main pool featuring various sections, including a beach entry, a basketball hoop, an obstacle course, and several lounge areas. It also boasts a lazy river and two waterslides (one body slide and one tube slide). For younger guests, there’s a splash area and a small, separate gated waterplay area. A major perk we loved was the ability to get a wristband for reentry, allowing us to leave for lunch or return later for evening swimming.

Time for some outdoor fun, and Sunriver has no shortage of that. I recommend renting a raft, tubes, kayak, or paddle board and cruising up the Deschutes River for a relaxing time filled with beautiful Sunriver nature.

River adventures in Sunriver

Sunriver offers an abundance of outdoor fun, and a relaxing float down the Deschutes River is a must. Rent a raft, tubes, kayak, or paddleboard and immerse yourself in the beautiful nature of Sunriver.

Getting started

• Bike to the Marina: Grab your bikes (rentals are available in the village or resort if your accommodation doesn’t provide them) and head to the Marina, conveniently located on the Sunriver property.

• No reservations needed: No need to reserve your floating device ahead of time. The friendly front desk staff will help you choose the best option for your group.

• Ready for the river: They’ll get you all set up and onto the river for a leisurely six-mile (2.5-hour) journey upstream. You’ll float, paddle, and even swim along the way.

• Pick-up service: At the designated meeting spot, they’ll pick you up and give you a ride back to the Marina.

• Fun along the way: Look out for shaded spots to stop and a thrilling rope swing for those feeling adventurous!

Pro tips

• Pack essentials: Bring a speaker, lunch, snacks, and drinks to enjoy on your river excursion.

• Kids’ scavenger hunt: For your little adventurers, pick up a scavenger hunt guide at the Marina’s front desk. It’s a fun way to spot and check off all the animals you encounter along the river.

Morning activities & evening in Bend

Two of our favorite activities in Sunriver were horseback riding and a private fishing charter.

Sunriver Stables offers options for all ages. Pony and coral rides are available for younger children, while trail rides are offered for ages 7 and up. We chose the 45-minute Ponderosa Pine Path, which was perfect for my 7- and 12-year-old children and me. The scenery was beautiful, providing a wonderful and peaceful way to enjoy the outdoors. On your way back from the stables, consider stopping at the Nature Center and Observatory for a daytime view of the sun.

Private fishing charter: Many charter options are available, and I recommend narrowing your choice by the type of fishing you’re interested in. My 14-year-old son wanted to fish for salmon, which isn’t always easy to find in central Oregon. Luckily, James from Baddfish Guide offered a perfect half-day charter at a nearby lake for landlocked Kokanee Salmon. This was a definite highlight of our trip and, according to my son, surpassed all other activities. Be prepared for an early start, as fish bite best at sunrise!

Dinner in downtown Old Bend: Bend is a quick 20-minute drive north of Sunriver. They have an adorable main street with quaint shops and a great selection of casual dining along the river. One of our favorites was Bend Brewing Company, which has a great beer selection, amazing fish and chips, and a food truck option for those who want to take their food to the open grass area with seating near the river. The view of the river is beautiful and there are lots of areas of grass and shaded benches to enjoy an after-dinner treat—maybe from Goody’s Ice Cream.

Must-visit: A highlight I cannot forget to mention is that Bend has the last and only Blockbuster left in the US. For those ‘80s kids, this is a must-visit for showing your kids what our Friday nights were like. They have it set up for actual rentals and offer merchandise and memorabilia for sale.

Golfing in Sunriver

Sunriver offers excellent golfing options, especially for guests staying at the resort properties, who have access to various courses, a driving range, and practice areas. For those not staying at the resort, Quail Run, a beautiful public course, is just 20 minutes away.

A day at The Village

I highly recommend spending time at The Village, either in the mornings or afternoons, as it offers a wide array of activities for all ages, making multiple visits advisable. It’s easily accessible by bike from most parts of Sunriver. Beyond coffee shops, eateries, and stores, The Village boasts a vintage arcade, pottery studio, shaded mini golf, bumper cars, a rock wall, inflatable jump houses, and trampolines—perfect for hours of fun!

Must-visit: Hot Lava Bakery

Be sure to stop by Hot Lava Bakery at least once. If you visit in the morning, expect a line out the door, but their decadent selection of pastries and baked goods is worth the wait. They also serve delicious made-to-order breakfast sandwiches and coffee drinks. We made this a frequent place to visit for either breakfast or an early afternoon treat.

A day of exploring

Within a short drive from the Sunriver Community are many outdoor attractions. A couple of my favorites:

Lava River Cave and Newberry National Volcanic Monument

Experience a truly unique underground adventure at Lava River Cave! Formed over 80,000 years ago by lava flows, these geological formations offer a self-guided tour that takes approximately 1.5 hours.

• Important: Reservations are a must and should be made a week in advance. A limited number of tickets are released at 7 am, seven days prior, and the caves are only open Friday through Sunday.

• Pro tip: Even if Sunriver temperatures reach the 90s in summer, the caves can drop to a chilly 42 degrees, so dress warmly.

After your cave tour, or as an alternative if you couldn’t secure tickets, head just two miles north on Highway 97 to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument visitor center. Here, you’ll find an excellent indoor information center and numerous trailheads for exploring the fascinating volcanic rock formations.

Tumalo Falls

Tumalo Falls is a stunning waterfall located approximately 45 to 50 minutes from Sunriver. We visited this accessible natural wonder on our drive back to Eugene after checking out of our rental home. The scenic drive takes you through Bend and into the beautiful national forest.

• Pro tip: To purchase your parking pass, stop at the first designated parking lot along the gravel road. This is an overflow lot, but it’s the only place to buy the ticket. Once you have your pass, you can continue driving about another mile to the main parking lot at the trailhead. The site offers bathrooms and shaded areas. Tumalo Falls can be viewed from three different vantage points, ensuring everyone can enjoy the beautiful scenery, even if they can’t make it to the top.

Goodbye, Sunriver

As you get ready to leave Sunriver, be sure to add some stops on your way back to Eugune. Depending on the route you decide to take, there are beautiful waterfalls, hikes, and charming towns to visit.

Some things to mention

• I highly recommend renting bikes for the week you are in Sunriver if your home or hotel does not provide them. Although you can drive everywhere, Sunriver is made for biking and it is one of the things my family loved most about our week. We could hop on the bikes to go pretty much anywhere, and we always saw things on the way—lots of deer, including baby deer, and bald eagles.

• If your stay puts you there on a Saturday evening, check out the live music and hang out at the Backyard, located in the resort. Bring a blanket, chairs and food and drinks. They also have food, drinks, and a bar for purchasing anything you may need. Corn hole and a putting green for the kids, as well as a large open grass area, make for the perfect evening.

• Some things are worth duplicating. As I mentioned before, sprinkle your day with pool and water park visits as well as bike rides. It’s such a great way to divide up your day and add things to do between your bigger planned activities.

• Parks and disc golf: One thing I have not mentioned is that there are multiple parks for kids throughout the resort, as well as a disc golf course. You can rent the gear for disc golf at SHARC.