Central Oregon Is a Versatile Vacation Area
The Small Town of Sisters Welcomes Tourists Year Round
Oct 12, 2008
There is never a “best” vacation time in Sisters, Oregon. No matter the time of year, there will be something exciting occurring. From the Hoo-Doo/Sisters Winter Carnival in February, to Rodeo weekend in June, to the internationally famous Outdoor Quilt Show in July, to Jazz and Folk Festivals in September, the activities are endless.
Location
Sisters, Oregon, sits at the foot of the Cascade Mountains under the towering, magnificent , snowcapped Three Sisters Mountains, named Faith, Hope and Charity. Formerly a small logging community, this town is now a major tourist attraction. Highway 20 traverses through this little enclave which is located approximately eighteen miles west of the “metropolis” of Bend, Oregon. Surrounded by National Forest and BLM lands, the area is blessed with snowy winters and sunny summers. Visitors arrive by plane (which land in nearby Redmond, Oregon) car, and sometimes mule, horse and bicycle.
Hiking in Sisters Area
Hiking in this area is superb. Peterson Ridge, on the outskirts of Sisters off Road 16, and the spectacular walks at Three Creek, about ten miles further up the same road, have unforgettable treks.
Despite the fact that Tam McArthur Rim at Three Creek is almost all uphill, the incredible panoramic views at the top make the uphill journey well worth the effort. Broken Top Mountain can be accessed from there also. Dedicated hikers take on the Three Sisters mountains themselves, especially the South Sister. Hikers are advised to be well conditioned for this climb and to watch the weather no matter the time of year.
Peterson Ridge has hikes through Ponderosa Pine forests with spectacular snow-capped vistas. Black Butte is another hike that offers remarkable views. Countless treks in the area lead to high mountain lakes, accessible only by foot or horseback.
Only an hour away is Smith Rock, a premier hiking and climbing area, and the wildly popular Cascade Lakes Highway, a stunning stretch of road winding through dense forests of pine an hour east of town, is liberally dotted with lakes, campgrounds and hiking trails.
Snow Sports in Central Oregon
Alpine and Nordic skiing, snow shoeing and snowmobiling are all popular winter activities. Hoo-Doo Ski facility just west of town, and Bachelor Butte, to the east, are both highly popular winter recreation areas. One does not need to go to a resort to recreate, however, as the surrounding forests are also available for outings.
Fishing
While there is no fishing in town, Suttle Lake and the Metolius River are just minutes away, as are both lakes at Three Creek. Camping is also available in these and other locations. An hour away is the stupendous Lake Billy Chinook where houseboats can be rented by the week.
Golfing
Black Butte Ranch and Aspen Lakes Golf Course, both minutes from town, are open to the public. Bend is rife with courses, and there are a few available in Redmond also.
Horseback Riding
This is horse country. Horse camps abound in Central Oregon, and Sisters has several. Hikers and riders often share the same trails, with Three Creek and Sheep Springs being popular spots. There are several beautifully maintained horse camps along the Cascade Lakes Highway also.
Resources
There are plenty of accommodations available in this Wild West setting. The Sisters Chamber of Commerce can be contacted for up-to-date referrals, and the Sisters Ranger District (541-549-7700) has maps available for those wishing to hike or ride in the Three Sisters Wilderness Areas, along with general camping and horse camp information.
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