Road Trip to Sunriver, Oregon – Where to Stay and Things to See, Eat and Discover
Sunriver is the very best of Central Oregon, all packed in to one beautiful, treasured resort community. It’s the perfect home-base for exploring all that the high desert has to offer…limitless outdoor recreation, miles of bike trails, the chance to swim in an alpine lake and those long sunny, Summer days and cool, crisp nights. If you know someone lucky enough to enjoy a Summer vacation in Sunriver, they will likely recall days spent riding bikes to The Village, swimming in the resort pools and trips to Goody’s for ice cream followed by evenings eating al fresco, relaxing in a hot tub under a sky filled with stars and collapsing into bed feeling the very best kind of tired.
There is something for everyone to love about Sunriver – the absolute best of Central Oregon is right outside your door! From limitless outdoor recreation opportunities to shopping, dining, and discovering new things, Sunriver will always deliver. We have captured our best Sunriver trip itinerary – full of local inside scoop and travel tips – so you can plan your perfect Sunriver #staywithmeredith.
Favorite Stops along the way to Sunriver
Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Beds
Ok, to be fair, this is more of an intentional detour than a “stop along the way” but wow, is it worth it! We love to leave the Portland area early in the morning and make it there by late morning, or leave in the afternoon, so we can see those hills awash in early evening golden light. No matter what time of day, this 3000+ acre geologic site will take your breath away! Part mini-Grand Canyon vibes, part other-worldly and ALL stunning it is easy to see why the Painted Hills are one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon. nps.gov
Newberry Volcanic National Monument
Central Oregon has a fascinating volcanic past and there is no better to place to appreciate all of it than the Newberry Volcanic National Monument. This recreational area is home to stunning vistas, many hiking trails, waterfalls, swimming lakes and natural hot springs. Looking out across the landscape from the 500 ft elevation point at Lava Butte (a 7000-year-old cinder cone) the views of Mt. Bachelor, Broken Top and the Three sisters will have your jaw dropping…almost as much as the sunset views from Paulina Peak (accessible by car).
If you are headed to Sunriver Via Hwy 20, Suttle Lake is right on your way! Located just outside Sisters, OR, Suttle Lake Recreation Area makes for a picturesque stop on your way to Sunriver. The lake allows both motorized and non-motorized boating and has several spots perfect for a sunny Summer swim. After recreating a bit and working up an appetite, lunch at the Suttle Lake Lodge boat house (dining outside or to-go) is a wonderful place to refill before you continue to Sunriver. fs.usda.gov
Where to Stay in Sunriver
Maison du Poulet – Caldera
You will feel as though you have reserved a private boutique hotel for your vacation when you step inside the door of stunning Maison du Poulet in the Caldera Springs neighborhood. This newly-built luxury home offers FIVE master king suites, and epic bunkroom that will be a huge hit with the kids, a chef’s kitchen, light-filled views over the Caldera Links golf course out of its many windows, and expansive indoor and outdoor gathering spaces including an outdoor living area with room for the whole gang featuring fireplace, TV, lounge area, dining area, BBQ and private hot tub. Every high-end detail has been thought of in this beautiful home that includes complimentary access to the Caldera Pool and Lake House and family-friendly golf course. You and your guests will also love the on-property ease of a delicious dinner at Zeppa bistro and followed by beachfront s’mores. View Maison du Poulet- Caldera
Titleist 1 – Sunriver
For a home full of classic Sunriver luxury, look no further than our Titleist 1 home. This Sunriver vacation rental has everything you are looking for – an expansive great room with stacked stone fireplace, large flat-screen TV (movie night!), and a gourmet kitchen nearby (think stainless appliances and farmhouse sink!), with a large dining table to seat your entire group for memorable meals. There are beautiful outdoor gathering spaces, too, an upper deck with lots of seating and views through the trees, and a lower deck with a private hot tub and a garage game room with ping pong, foosball, tennis rackets and some extra bikes for the whole family. After a day of Sunriver fun in the sun you will be happy to retreat to the cozy, well-appointed bedrooms, and beautiful bathrooms (that tub!) including two king master suites and a bunkroom straight out of an HGTV home makeover! View Titleist 1- Sunriver
Wallowa 22 – Sunriver
This home has been featured in Oregon Home Magazine and it is easy to see why! Just the right mix of mountain luxury and modern decor will greet you and your guests upon arrival. You will love the great layout of Wallowa 22 and the high-end finishes including vaulted ceilings, inset lighting, hardwood floors and designer furnishings – not to mention those peekaboo mountain views off the deck and from the great room. After a day of exploring Sunriver and Central Oregon you can retreat and re-charge in the beautiful bedrooms. Or you might want to end each day with an extended sundowner session on the deck, watching all the colors paint the Central Oregon sky and then some time in the hot tub under a sky full of stars. View Wallowa 22- Sunriver
Red Fir Lane 14 – Sunriver
Red Fir Lane will have you at “Hello” with its Mountain Modern design and grand entryway featuring walls of windows offering woodsy views. This luxury home has an incredible floor plan (four queen master suites arranged around a beautiful courtyard) that will charm you and your guests with its vast great room, chef’s kitchen and well-appointed outside area (think stacked stone outdoor fireplace, lots of seating, a private hot tub and BBQ!). Spa-like bathroom touches add to the vacation vibes and there are bikes in the garage if you need them. All of this AND all that Sunriver has to offer is just outside the door of this centrally-located Sunriver vacation rental. View Red Fir Lane 14- Sunriver
Things to Do in Sunriver
Benham Falls Hike from Sunriver
A family-friendly favorite! The trailhead is easily accessible and the trail itself is suitable for all hikers. This moderately trafficked 6+ mile out and back offers beautiful views along the Deschutes River and a great viewpoint of Benham Falls. The trail is used for hiking, walking, running and mountain biking. Dogs are allowed on the trail if they are kept on a leash. alltrails.com
Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory
There is so much fun to be had at the Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory! Walk the nature trail, attend the educational events, meet the animal ambassadors (including the newest family member, a baby Eurasian Eagle Owl) and come back at night for the night-time observatory programming. Make sure to check their website for Summer 2022 protocols and plan to send a night enjoying some of the best star-gazing in the country from the nation’s largest publicly accessible observatory! snco.org
Day Swim at Twin Lakes
Located just outside Sunriver, you will feel you have stepped back to a simpler time when you arrive at Twin Lakes. Featuring a small lodge and cafe (outdoor dining only for Summer 2022) you can also rent rowboats, canoes, SUPs, and paddle boats for a day of playing on the water. For those who like to get in some exercise, there is a scenic trail loop around the lake, with many points to pull off for a more secluded swim. Twin Lakes is fun for everyone! twinlakesresort.net
Sunriver Bike Trails
With more than 34 miles of bike trails as well as lots of mountain-biking opportunities, it is easy to see why bikes are the preferred mode of transportation in Sunriver. You can easily ride with the whole family from your Meredith Lodging Sunriver vacation rental to The Village for morning coffee, or set your sites a bit further out and head toward Benham Falls or Lava Butte. No matter how far you want to explore, the well-mapped trails will always lead you back home. sunriverstyle.com
Best Places to Eat Near in Sunriver
Hot Lava Baking & Coffee Co.
Do you like sweets and baked goods for breakfast, or do you prefer more savory options like bagels and breakfast sandwiches? Or maybe coffee for breakfast is more your style? No matter how you like to start your day, it will be delicious with a stop at Hot Lava Baking & Coffee Company in The Village at Sunriver. From cinnamon rolls to savories, sweets to piping hot espresso drinks, starting your day here is a decision that is easy to make repeatedly. hotlavabakingandcoffee.com
South Bend Bistro
Looking to take a night off from cooking and enjoy a seriously tasty dinner in Sunriver? Look no further than South Bend Bistro. This local-favorite is open for dinner during Summer 2022 and is well worth the stop. With a beautiful outdoor deck and a menu full of delicious options such as steak, wild salmon, roasted duck, carpaccio, and vegetable vermicelli – everyone can find something they are excited about at South Bend Bistro. southbendbistro.com
Hola Sunriver
Hola, with locations in Bend and Sunriver, offers fresh Mexican-Peruvian cuisine, craft cocktails and Ceviche so good you will swear you are on a beach somewhere for just a moment. Family owned and locally-loved, this restaurant serves some of the best food in Central Oregon. We rarely get past the ceviche, but the homemade tortillas make for delicious tacos, too. The Deschutes River views are great – and this destination can be reached by bike from many of our Sunriver vacation homes! yelp.com
Goody’s Chocolates and Ice Cream
Generations of kiddos and kids-at-heart have been satisfying their vacation sweet tooth at Goody’s in Sunriver. Offering chocolates and other sweet treats, what Goody’s is most famous for is their ice cream. Many vacationing kids have found a sudden burst of energy after a long day of hiking when Goddy’s is on offer. And for Summer 2022, visit their website and check out their Goody’s Bags – take home kits of delicious for the whole family. goodyschocolates.com
A vacation in Sunriver, Oregon is sure to be filled with memories that will last forever! Meredith Lodging can help you plan your perfect Sunriver #staywithmeredith. View our complete Sunriver Vacation Rental Collection here. We hope to see you soon!
