Central Oregon Regional Activities 

Take a break from the saddle and experience all that Central Oregon has to offer with excursions around the region. Rock Springs Guest Ranch has scheduled trips as well as self-directed tours to many exciting and beautiful natural attractions.

Whitewater Rafting - Half-day trips on the upper Deschutes River are a splash for everyone in the family. Longer trips on the lower Deschutes and McKenzie rivers are easily arranged to fit your schedule.

Fly Fishing - With over 100 lakes and 300 miles of streams within fifty miles of Bend, Central Oregon has become a pilgrimage destination for fly fishermen. The blue ribbon rivers of the Deschutes, the Metolius, and the Crooked offer a diversity of choices. The many faces of these rivers provide excellent angling for rainbow, brook, and brown trout as well as kokanee, and steelhead. Several times during the summer, a guide from Fly & Field Outfitters, a local fly shop will come out and offer casting instruction, as well as rental rods for guests who did not bring their own equipment.                                                                                     

Canoeing - A great family activity. Guided, interpretive tours through the beautiful Cascade Lakes will leave you with breathtaking views of the Central Oregon Mountains. Wanderlust Tours

Lava Tube Cave Exploration - Discover the hidden underground world of Central Oregon's lava tubes with a naturalist guide. These large cool caverns are safe and fascinating for the whole family!
Wanderlust Tours

Hiking - Choose from an easy stroll with your family to see thunderous waterfalls or a challenging hike to the top of a peak for outstanding mountain views! We have several books and trail recommendations for going on your own. Naturalist-guided hikes are available every day depending on your schedule and interest.
Wanderlust Tours

Loads of Golf - With almost 30 championship courses, Central Oregon is the undisputed golf capital of the Northwest.
Central Oregon Visitors Association

High Desert Museum - Native American culture blended with natural history and animal exhibits make the high Desert Museum a rich cultural experience. Natural trails, walk-through historic scenes, and hands-on exhibits make this nationally recognized museum a must see for those new to Central Oregon. High Desert Museum

Mountain and Road Bike Tours - The Bend region is well know for it's singletrack and road tour options. An easy way to enjoy either is through Cog Wild, a local bike tour company. They offer short "sampler" through hard-core all day mountain bike trips, as well as various road bike tours. See their info at Cog Wild. As al alternative, you can rent bikes for the week and keep them here at the ranch. There are many trails and roads closeby the ranch. Rent them at Hutch's.

Rock Climbing - Nearby Smith Rock is a nationally known rock climbing area. For newcomers and wall rats, this area will delight your senses. A great resource for exploring is Smithrock.com. If you would like an experienced guide to lead your ascent, contact Chockstone Climbing Guides.

Lake Fishing - There are hundreds of lakes within an hour's drive of the ranch. One of our favorites that offers lake fishing is East Lake in Newberry National Monument.

Shopping - With no sales tax in Oregon, many people choose to spend a day in one of the many shopping districts. The first two are in Bend, along the Deschutes River. Downtown Bend offers a unique, high-end experience, with mostly independent shopkeepers and a wide variety. The Old Mill District also has a good variety of shops, many of which are chains. Bargain hunters love the Outlet Mall. The quaint little western town of Sisters is only a short drive away. It offers a wide range of mostly independent shops, from t-shirts to those of the many artists who make Sisters their home.

For more information on Central Oregon visit the website of the  Central Oregon Visitors Association