10 Things to do in Sunriver Oregon
This summer has been one of the best ones yet while exploring some of my favorite spots in Oregon with the kids. Today, I am sharing 10 Things to do in Sunriver Oregon during the summer months.
Sunriver, Oregon is only a 20 minute drive from Bend, Oregon and was an area that I frequently spent my summer days while growing up. From swimming to hiking to horseback riding and more – Sunriver is the perfect spot for families to getaway. A 7 hour flight from Cincinnati to Portland was just the beginning of our journey! We saw Timberline at Mount Hood…. touched the Spruce Goose in McMinville… looked upon Multnomah Falls and enjoyed a lot of good eats along the way. The highlight of our Oregon vacation was Sunriver by far. Here are 10 Things to do in Sunriver Oregon:
THE VILLAGE AT SUNRIVER
Sunriver is a quiet town with a little village of restaurants, shopping, grocery store, coffee shop and activities for kids. I recommend trying out some restaurants and letting your kids do some of the offered activities : rock climbing, bounce house, trampoline, train for the little ones and more.
RIDE BIKES
Everyone in Sunriver rides bikes everywhere while exploring the 30 miles of bike path or to check out different areas in the community like the stables, marina, or The Village. Bike rentals are easy to find in The Village so make sure that is your first stop so you can fully enjoy the Sunriver vibes.
SWIM
Many of the house rentals have a shared pool to enjoy. We had clear skies and 90 degree weather all week long for our July visit which was perfect for lounging by the pool in the afternoon after a long bike ride. An aquatics center is also located in Sunriver called the SHARC with a large outdoor pool with slides and a lazy river for a day of family fun.
HORSEBACK RIDING
The stables is always a fun spot to check out horses and just take in the beautiful views. Pony rides are available for little ones and horseback riding trails are a must-do for those over 7 years old. Whether you have loads of experience with horses or are a first timer – there is a trail for you!
SUNRIVER MARINA
Just a couple minutes from the stables you will find the marina. There is a restaurant and shopping, but more importantly, you will find rentals for boats, kayaks and more. I recommend canoeing the Deschutes River for amazing views and a bit of exercise or rent a raft for the family to float.
SUNRIVER NATURE CENTER
A small fee gets you into the Sunriver Nature Center where hands on exhibits and nature exploration will get your kids involved! There are even day camps. Families are welcome to take walks through the Botanical Gardens.
VISIT A NEARBY LAKE
The Cascade Lakes are right at your fingertips and they are beautiful! We spent a day at Cultus Lake just to relax and dip our toes into that clear water.
GOLF
My husband would argue that vacation is not complete without some golfing involved. There are a few golf courses around Sunriver but one is at the Sunriver Resort in the middle of town and has 7 day passes for individuals or families available.
LAVA RIVER CAVE
Explore a mile long lava tube in Central Oregon that is part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. It is an unique experience that only takes about an hour and costs $5 per person for entry. Bring a light and something to stay warm inside the cave because it is dark and is only at 40 odd degrees. Hiking shoes aren’t a bad idea either.
HIKING
Can you go to Oregon and not hike? There are just too many beautiful views and opportunities to see nature up close not to. There are dozens of trails in the Deschutes National Forest to pick from. The Todd Lake hike is great for beginner hikers and children. Plan on also doing a picnic!
Check out this clip below at Cultus Lake where the butterflies had taken over the shoreline!
