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With its iconic mountains, rivers, and coastline, it’s easy to overlook the adventure of discovering some of Oregon’s underground wonders. Oregon is home to some of the best examples of deep caves and ancient lava beds formed ages ago from the many volcanoes in Oregon’s geological history. So significant that one of them was used by NASA as training grounds for lunar landings. The two are linked as some of the best caves are, in fact, a lava tube, which is a natural tunnel formed by flowing lava moving underneath the hardened surface of a lava flow. Tubes act as a pressure relief valve of sorts, a natural drainage for the molten rock when an eruption occurs. When cooled, the tube, up to miles in length, is like other naturally forming caves — home to wildlife and even plant life. And the source of many a ghost tale or tales of hideouts and burial grounds. You might already know that temperature-wise, caves are uniformly cool with little fluctuation in readings. They can be cooler by far and somewhat warmer than the surface above them. When it nears 100 in July, a cave is a great place to be. And if it’s in the teens outside, it is still likely to be in the 40s in the cave. Many caves in Oregon, however, are off-limits in the colder months primarily to give aid and comfort to the struggling bat population and to give the caves with their own life cycle time to heal from the annual visitation of adventurers. You don’t have to be a hardcore spelunker (cave explorer) to get awed by caves in Oregon. Lava River Cave It’s a mile-long, self-guided lava tube. Around 42 degrees year-round means a jacket or fleece and, to be sure, have two light sources, preferably the standard flashlight and a miner’s or camp lamp, or the Forest Service will rent you a lantern. It’s cold, and the floor is uneven, some of it’s boardwalk and stairways, the first of which is the 55 stepper that descends into the tube. The first 1,000 feet might still have fallen rocks, even ice patches into June. The cave is open only from May 1 into September. It’s a highly popular Central Oregon outing. Get there early, maybe 9:30 for the 10:00 opening, or plan a hefty walk from and to your car. The interpretive signage, outside the cave, is exceptional and will give you all you need to know once you are inside, if you can remember it. The cave, a continuous tube, has sections, six in all. Each is distinctly different in feel and texture. Arnold Ice Caves Yes, there is ice in the cave, and at times blocking or impeding exploration; however, the ice forms some interesting stalagmites. The icy cave, really a series of 19 connected caves, once produced ice for businesses in Bend and was home to various mining operations, evidence of which can still be found. Regrettably, Wind Cave , nearly 4,000 feet in length, is closed for the protection of its important bat population. The caves, lava tubes, to be more precise, are situated on the boundary of Newberry Volcano. The caves are typically open from May to October. Not to fret. At least seven other caves in the system are accessible, including Pictograph Cave , 1,640 feet long. Plus: Deg, Bat, Charcoal (closed for bat rehabilitation),  Dar Hole , and Stookey Ranch Cave . The names alone are symbolic of the caves’ heritage. Another three miles northwest gets you to Skeleton  or  Boyd Caves . Skeleton  is only possible via Wanderlust Tours in Bend, who hold the permit for visiting. It’s a 2,900-footer full of enlightenment. Boyd , on the other hand, is permit-free and open pretty much year-round. It is right at 1,800 feet and easy to explore with little collapse over the millennia. A small hole in the ceiling is the access point and down a metal staircase. It’s a cluster of fives caves dating 6,000 years with a long history of use by Native Americans. Being right in the city limits of Redmond and open year-round, they are the most accessible of all our favorite Oregon caves. Twisting underground trails connect caves 1 and 3. Cave 4 also has a less serpentine trail. Like our other favorite caves, remember they are dark, without any light source, are cool (often damp) with uneven footing. In the case of Redmond Caves , you might also be sharing it with a rattler. The caves are jointly managed by the City of Redmond and BLM. There are no fees to enter and are self-guided. Skylight Cave  This is one of those must-see places. It is very special, even by Oregon standards. Skylight Cave has three openings in the ceiling allowing light to enter the cave. At certain times of the day, primarily early morning and the two days before or after the summer solstice, the penetrating light makes ethereal spotlights on the cave floor. On clear days, the entire color spectrum is possible in cosmic rays of varying widths. The seasonal illumination, deep in the Deschutes National Forest, is not exactly hidden but is not easy to find either. It’s roughly a 30-minute drive from Sisters, including some 6-7 miles on a non-maintained forest service road. The cave, a lava tube, is 900 feet in total length. The marked entry has a metal ladder that descends to the uneven floor. The “skylights” are 300 feet into the cave. The mist coming off the cool, damp floor, when caught by the light, is an added dimension to the phenomena.

Besides your machine and a way to haul it, you need two key things for a great day in the backcountry. Snow and terrain. Sisters has both in abundance. And no matter your experience level, you’ll get a high-octane charge on our nearby trails and parks. And after a fun-packed day on your sled, Sisters is just the place to celebrate your adventure. Where to go: Upper and Lower Three Creek Sno-Park  in the Deschutes National Forest is first choice for visitors from the east. Miles and miles of trails through ponderosa forests that will take you all the way to Three Creek Lake and the Tam McArthur Rim. In fact, if you’re so inclined, you can ride on marked trails all the way to Dutchman, Wanoga, and Edison Sno-Parks in Bend. You won’t need to. There are so many loops and connector trails with all the elevation you like, about 2,500 feet from bottom to top. Zip around buttes or go ridge riding. Head up to Moon Mountain or the spectacular viewpoint at Triangle Hill. Catch no less than seven iconic peaks. Just head out South Elm Street from downtown about 15 minutes and pick one of two staging areas with toilets. Lower Three Creek (4,800 feet), is primarily overflow for Upper (5,200 feet) and on some weekends both are thrilling rides. Ray Benson Sno-Park is just as popular, especially with riders from the Valley or traveling from the west. It has two restrooms and three warming huts. It’s also popular with dog sledders, so expect an occasional howl. Benson, primarily in the Willamette National Forest, extends into the Deschutes, letting you get within a few miles of Sisters. While the principal staging area is due west of town by only 15 minutes on Highway 20 at Santiam Pass, where the Pacific Crest Trail passes, you can get on only five miles west of Sisters on Highway 242, the historic McKenzie Highway. This is kind of like the secret fishing hole. There are myriad well-marked trails with to-die-for views of Three Fingered Jack, Mt. Washington, Hoodoo Butte, and Faith, Hope and Charity — the majestic Three Sisters. Both parks show up on various high-definition maps. Both require a Sno-Park permit, available in Sisters at the Ranger Station or Bi-Mart. Benson borders two wilderness areas, so be careful to stay within boundaries.

It’s almost a guarantee that for six months of the year in Sisters Country you can ski, board, strap on snowshoes, or jump on your snowmobile in some of the most scenic terrain in the Pacific Northwest. Being surrounded on three sides by a 300,000-acre playground, Sisters is base camp for winter enthusiasts intent on snowy adventure. Where to play: Three Creeks Sno-Park , an easy 15-minute drive straight south of town on Forest Road 16 (Three Creek Road) provides access to 14 miles of Nordic ski trails and several loop opportunities. The trails here are very easy and the views you get on a clear day are absolutely incredible! This is as close to the base of the Three Sisters as you can get on snowshoes without doing winter snow camping. Here you can find the only designated snowshoe trail in the Deschutes National Forest. An idyllic 4.9 mile out-and-back trek to Jefferson View Shelter. Snowmobilers have their own haven with miles upon miles (more than 100) of groomed trails, all the way to Moon Mountain and Bend if you’re so inclined. Or connect with four other Sno-Parks! Ray Benson Sno-Park is about 25 minutes due west of Sisters off Highway 20 and is a vast winter wonderland north of 4,500 feet. There are nearly two dozen variations with a grand loop of 7.6 miles. Benson is one of the largest Sno-Parks in Oregon, room for every user. And it boasts the sturdy Brandenburg Shelter, plus two others. The mountain views are flat out stunning. Snowshoers find their happy place on the 5.7 mile south loop. Snowmobilers can hardly count their options as they wiz on by Hoodoo Butte or glide out to Big Lake. If you want more, then we have Maxwell and Potato Hill Sno-Parks , just a couple miles farther west. What to expect: Superb grooming thanks to the many volunteers from area Nordic and snowmobile clubs who take their stewardship very seriously. Multiple terrain options – open meadows, dense forest, panoramic slopes, and more.

The Cascades are dotted with lakes, most of them carved out by glaciers thousands of years ago. Fed by snowmelt and/or springs, the high lakes are cold and refreshing after a day’s hike. Some are readily accessible and make for popular swimming and water play spots; some are remote and require a hike to get there. Many have fish populations, some of them augmented by stocking. Scout Lake: Scout Lake is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike to get some time in the water. Children love splashing in its waters. No dogs are allowed at the day-use area, due to sanitation concerns. From Sisters, travel 13.2 miles northwest on Highway 20, then 1.3 miles west on Forest Road 2070, and then 0.8 miles south on Forest Road 2066. Suttle Lake: Suttle Lake is a favorite spot in the Deschutes National Forest. Surrounded by forest, the lake is deep and clear, and everything from a rowboat to a water skiing boat is allowed in separate parts of the lake. Link Creek, which empties into Suttle Lake, is shallow and clear enough to view spawning fish. You can hike an easy trail all around the lake, and Cinder Beach provides access for swimmers and water play. Yellow, orange, or red hues from vine maple proclaim the arrival of autumn in September or October. Travel west on Highway 20 for 13 miles to Forest Road 2070 and turn in. Three Creek Lake: Nestled under the majestic Tam McArthur Rim, Three Creek Lake is a popular spot for fishing — or just enjoying a day by (or in) the water. Motors are not allowed on Three Creek Lake, contributing to the serenity of the setting. There is a primitive boat ramp on the east shore as well as a small store that rents boats. It can be buggy, so don’t forget your insect repellant. Take Elm Street/FS Road 16 south out of Sisters for 16 miles. Clear Lake: It’s a bit of a jaunt, but Clear Lake is one of the gems of the Cascades, and worth the trip. The lake is about 142 acres in size and lies at an elevation of 3,012 feet, with a maximum depth of 175 feet. It is one of the clearest and coldest lakes in the Cascades. A day on Clear Lake in a canoe or rowboat is good for the soul. Fishing is good at Clear Lake — brook trout and cutthroat trout reproduce naturally in the lake, and rainbow trout are stocked annually. You won’t want to jump in this one though — it’s COLD! Clear Lake is a 40-minute drive from Sisters. Take Highway 20/126 west over Santiam Pass. At the junction, take Highway 126 west and watch for signs on the left side of the highway.  If you want a road trip, the Cascade Lakes Highway offers a 66-mile scenic drive with stops for exploration. The road opens seasonally in June (depending on snow conditions) and closes in October beyond Mt. Bachelor. Take Highway 20 to Bend and link up with Century Drive, which becomes the highway outside the city limits. (For more information visit www.visitbend.com/points-interest/cascade lakes-national-scenic-byway/). If you’re up for a stout hike of nine miles, Summit Lake  offers a reward for your hard work. To find it, visit www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/santiam-highway-to-summit-lake .

Central Oregon has several jewels of places to experience fly-fishing. It is arguably one of the most popular fly fishing destinations in the American West. One of Central Oregon’s finest jewels is just 20 minutes west of Sisters in Camp Sherman. The Metolius River is a unique, spring-fed river, home to a wild fish hatchery. The river’s topography cuts through ponderosa pine forest; the temperature and flow rate are constant, making it a unique environment. The temperature doesn’t fluctuate throughout the seasons, making it a consistent environment for fish.  The water of the Metolius River is clear, clean, and cold most of the year fed by underground springs, some of which aren’t even documented. The scenery changes as you move downriver, which you can see from a myriad of trails through the Metolius River corridor.  The wild fish swimming the Metolius include bull trout, brown trout and redband. Fishing here is a challenge due to the abundance of stoneflies flowing beneath the water. Different flies have different stages throughout the season, making it important to understand the food sources fish prefer at different times of year to get a catch.  The Metolius is a catch-and-release and a no-guide river. Eric Gunson, manager of the fly shop at the Camp Sherman Store, works to educate flyfishers on the best areas to hit for catches. Some of those places include the Bridge 99/Lower Bridge Campground all the way downriver to Pine Rest Campground, where the river hugs the highway taking you through the entire Metolius River basin. There are areas where fish hang out on the river, including in some of the 20-foot deep pools all the way up into the shallows, hiding under downed trees and log jams. Going into spring and summer, the big green mayfly will be the primary fly hatch that the fish will key in on.  Gunson provides a “hatch menu” every day, based on what flies are hatching and in the area. “I listen to other fishermen, and learn  what’s happening on the river in different areas. I love seeing the families that come  in and explore the area and all it has to offer,” said Gunson.  You can fish the Metolius year-round but the peak season is Memorial Day in May through Labor Day in September. Camp Sherman and the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife have recently built a man-made pond for kids to practice fishing, stocked with hatchery fish, making for a fun experience where kids can learn.  Just west of the Metolius, Suttle Lake , Scout Lake , and Big Lake  offer opportunities for fishing of all kinds, and a place to cool off in the summer months.  Whychus Creek,  downstream of Sisters, offers fishing for small rainbow trout, but access is not as easy.  Three Creek Lake , Lava Lake , and other lakes in the Central Oregon area offer potential for catching a fish on a fly line.  Outfitters offer float trips down the Deschutes River  for classic Central Oregon fishing. Located in a scenic location at Black Butte Ranch, Phalarope Lake  is a nice place to learn to cast a fly. This is the only lake on the Ranch reserved for fly fishing. During the summer, free, fly-fishing clinics are offered through The Fly Fisher’s Place, at the Ranch at 10 a.m. on Saturday mornings. Top hatches on Central Oregon waters Green drake The hatch goes from about Memorial Day weekend to the end of June. The trout in the Metolius come crashing to the surface to feast on the dark green flies. Blue wing A tiny little olive mayfly with gray wings. The only mayfly found in Central Oregon hatching all 12 months of the year, so it provides some of the only dry fly fishing in the winter. Callibaetis Callibaetis mayflies are a lake angler’s dream. It took us many years to invent the fly we call the Black Butte Callibaetis, but wherever the black mayflies are found this fly is a match.  Stonefly Stonefly hatches bring the most tourists to fish a single hatch. The famed salmonfly and golden stone hatches happen on the Deschutes from mid-May until early June.

When you’ve climbed Black Butte, made it to the top – the very top – of Upper Chush Falls, notched Black Crater, and want even more, then the 50-minute bucolic ride to Scout Camp Loop Trail  will slake your thirst for adventure in Sisters. Getting there is a fantasy trip itself through pastoral hay and orchard grass fields, and sprawling cattle ranches. You’ll drive past an alpaca ranch with over 1,000 head of the lovable creatures who will come right up to the fence to say hi. Any map app takes you past a vineyard or two, a wildlife preserve, and a 570-acre deactivated diatomaceous earth mine with its otherworldly white crystalline dunes. The trailhead has ample parking and the locals cannot recall it ever being full. The trail seldom shows up on any “best of” lists for Central Oregon, but once you get into the reviews of the most popular online trail blogs, all at once its prominence rises easily to the top five in all of Oregon. It’s deceptive at only three miles. It’s not a walk in the woods. The lollipop loop starts out easy enough through generous junipers until you quickly reach the loop. BLM, on whose land it rests, asks that you go clockwise, and for good reason. Now it’s down, way down — 718 feet — in very short order. Using a series of switchbacks as you wind your way deep into the canyons to the riverbed below, you are treated – make that blown away — by some of the most breathtaking views you’ll find anywhere in Oregon. The hike follows the upper Deschutes River, full of fish and deep pools punctuated by roaring rapids. The river is walled on both sides by cliffs, some sheer, and many housing raptors and dozens of other bird species.  This is not a hike to take with young children or dogs, or if you are afraid even a little of heights. Poles are helpful. At its closest point to the river, about 50 feet, you will have to boulder twice to continue. This can be a challenge and deal-breaker for some. It is at this point where the Whychus, which runs through Sisters, now cascading, has its confluence with the Deschutes. It is teeming with birds and beauty. Plan to go early in the day especially in the summer months. For an optimal experience picnic on one of the many dramatic outcroppings. Then head back to Sisters and revel in the memories that will last forever. The Waterfall Trail Make a day outing to the waterfalls trail. Head west on Highway 20, and at the junction with Highway 126 (National Scenic Byway), follow it and the well-marked signs to the pristine McKenzie River’s Sahalie Falls  with a spacious parking lot. Sahalie Falls is a mass of foaming white water plunging 100 feet over a natural lava dam. This famous falls can be spotted in Disney’s “Homeward Bound.” The Sahalie Falls viewing platform is less then 100 feet from the parking lot and is wheelchair accessible. An easy and wildly scenic 2.6-mile roundtrip trail brings you downriver to Koosah Falls,  a 70-foot drop into a deep pool. These falls mark the terminus of two thick flows of basaltic andesite lava that dammed Clear Lake and moved into the McKenzie River 3,000 years ago.  Sahalie, meaning “heaven,” and Koosah, meaning “sky,” are Chinook jargon words — part of a rudimentary trade language that allowed people to exchange news and goods in the area. The Kalapuya, Molalla, Sahaptin, and Chinook peoples traveled and traded here, perhaps on their way to obtain obsidian in the high Cascades or to gather huckleberries. Both sites feature parking, interpretive panels that tell the story of area geology, restrooms, and observation points. Next stop is Proxy Falls by continuing down Highway 126 to the junction of Highway 242 (McKenzie Highway). Make the only turn and drive nine miles to the trailhead for the splendid 1.6-mile loop trail. Proxy Falls is a cascade and plunge waterfall from a collection of springs that plunges into a gaping canyon near McKenzie Pass. The waterfall sports an impressive main drop of 226 feet, which makes it one of the highest plunge waterfalls in Oregon. Continue the loop by driving Highway 242 all the way back to Sisters with a stop at Dee Wright Observatory.

It’s no secret that Central Oregon is one of the premier locations for rock climbing.  Josh Spoelstra, a Central Oregon local, spent most of his young life serving as a youth group leader as a climbing guide and made it part of his career. He is originally from the Seattle area and began climbing in high school with his church youth group leader. He spoke with The Nugget  about starting out in the climbing community and where to begin. “The climbing community is friendly and inclusive and always willing to bring someone in, no matter the skill level. So, the first thing I would say is find a friend and then learn some information about climbing and go out together,” said Spoelstra. It is important, when entering rock climbing to know your own skill level and to understand that indoor climbing in a rock gym is an entirely different experience than climbing outside. “Gyms give you a good idea of what climbing a route is like, but the elements aren’t there, so maybe start in the gym and get a feel for it then move into outdoor climbing with a partner after that,” he said.  One of the best places to get started in the Central Oregon area is the Bend Rock Gym (BRG) in Bend. Jeremy Wassenaar, Director of Operations, spoke to the importance of starting out in a rock gym. “Come into your local gym and just start asking questions. We have highly trained people working here and willing to help you get started,” said Wassenaar. “I am really proud of how welcoming of a team we have here,” he said. Bend Rock Gym has harnesses, shoes, and belay equipment, all available to rent if you come in without your own gear.  Bend Rock Gym also caters to climbers of all skill levels with differently ranked routes based on difficulty throughout the gym. Bend Rock Gym has two main types of climbing for beginners. There is auto-belay climbing (which is a main feature at the Bend Rock Gym), where the rope is worked into a machine system at the top of the route, and you hook into it and can complete the route on your own because the rope contracts as you get higher up. Auto-belay is a good beginner type of climbing because it allows you to feel what it is like to climb on a route. Top-rope climbing is one of the most common types of climbing at the rock gym, where you have a belay partner at the bottom. “Top-rope is where you learn the knots and ties for belaying,” said Wassenaar. You and your climbing partner are roped together using different knots and the bottom partner uses a belay device to keep the rope moving through as you climb up the route.  Bend Rock Gym offers programs and classes for climbers at any skill level. “The best class is a basics climbing class where you learn the knots, safety checks as a climber, and some techniques for climbing indoors,” said Wassenaar. BRG also partners with guides and programs at Smith Rock for outdoor climbing classes.  Smith Rock is one of the most well-known climbing destinations in the Central Oregon area. “There are routes for every type of climber, even beginners, at Smith Rock,” said Spoelstra. Smith Rock and BRG work together to bring climbers together and partnered up to learn the routes and understand outdoor climbing. “If you want to start outdoor climbing, go out with someone that knows the area and terrain, so you can remain safe, because outdoor climbing is totally different than in a gym” said Spoelstra.

Over 190 species of birds can be found in the woods and marshes surrounding Sisters, from the smallest to majestic raptors. Just five minutes from town at Camp Polk Meadow Preserve there have been sightings of 86 – that’s not a misprint. The preserve, owned and managed by the Deschutes Land Trust, has an improving meadow habitat with pools and surrounding riparian habitats.  Calliope Crossing This is one of the best known and beloved birding locations in all of Deschutes County. Dense riparian habitat surrounded by ponderosa pine forest supports all three Sapsuckers, “Western” and Gray Flycatchers, Cassin’s Vireo, Western Wood-Pewee, House Wren, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler, Cassin’s Finch, and Calliope Hummingbird.  According to the Audubon Society, among the uncommon birds in the area are Wild Turkey, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Long-eared Owl, Northern Goshawk, and an occasional American Redstart. Rare birds found here have included Costa’s Hummingbird, Least Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Plumbeous Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Veery, Gray Catbird, Northern Waterthrush, Blue-winged Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Canada Warbler, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.  Glaze Meadow & Gobbler’s Knob The surrounding forest is good for White-headed Woodpeckers close to the western access point. The small hill (Gobbler’s Knob) at the eastern access point has breeding Fox Sparrow and Green-tailed Towhee. The Black Butte Swamp has a variety of birds similar to Calliope Crossing. It is currently the only place in Deschutes County where you are very likely to find Veery and Swainson’s Thrush, which nest there in small numbers.  Rooster Rock Burn The 1,634-acre Rooster Rock Fire of 2010 is a surreal backdrop and was a prolific woodpecker location for about 10 years. Now that it is older, it is less attractive to woodpeckers, but they can still be found here.  Why drive? Simply stay right in town. Best birds to be discovered by just walking or biking around include Clark’s Nutcracker, Pinyon Jay, White-headed Woodpecker, Pygmy Nuthatch, Western Bluebird, and Red Crossbill.

Barclay Park  Located on Cascade Avenue (Highway 20) in the center of downtown Sisters. Includes a public restroom.  Bike & Skate Skaters and cyclists have their own skate park and their own bike park thanks to volunteer efforts by local youth and adult mentors. Bike Park 242 offers jumps and skill features. Located next to the Sisters Park & Recreation District Coffield Center, at the west end of the Sisters High School parking lot. Head west from downtown Sisters on Hwy. 242 (McKenzie Hwy).  Cliff Clemens Park On the north side of Sisters, approximately three blocks from downtown on Larch Street. Motorhomes may park in this area during the daytime only. Large grassy area and play equipment. Creekside Park, Village Green Park, and Cliff Clemens Park are available for events for a fee. Electricity is available. Includes a public restroom. Call 541-549-6022 for additional information. Creekside Campground The Creekside Campground is a municipal park with 60 sites (of which 23 are full-hook-up sites) and a large grass area. The park is situated along Whychus Creek and within walking distance of downtown. The park is open April to November and is closed for the winter months. Includes a public restroom. Call 541-323-5218 for reservations and more information. Creekside Park Creekside Park is located adjacent to Whychus Creek across the covered foot- bridge from the Creekside Campground. The grassy park has tables and small barbecues for daytime use. There are no events here.  Fir Street Park Sisters’ downtown park is centrally located at the corner of Fir Street and Main Avenue. This “pocket park” features a splash play area for kids, a performance stage with timber-frame pavilion and seating area, a picnic facility, restrooms, bike corrals, benches, a fire pit with seating, a drinking fountain, and on-site parking. Many features were created by local artists. The park hosts Sisters Farmers Market on Sundays and outdoor concerts sponsored by Sisters Folk Festival. Hyzer Pines The Hyzer Pines 18-hole disc golf course is located near the Sisters Park & Recreation District Coffield Center on McKinney Butte Road. Village Green Park Village Green Park is located two blocks south of downtown between Elm & Fir Streets. There is a covered gazebo, barbecue area, playground equipment, and restrooms.

Sisters may be a small town, but its residents, businesses, and visitors are well-protected and well-served by robust and highly professional emergency services. Sisters doesn’t have its own police force, but it might as well have. The City of Sisters contracts with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office to provide a lieutenant and a cadre of three deputies who are assigned full-time to the Sisters substation. The DCSO patrol vehicles all carry the City of Sisters logo to foster community identity. Knowing the community you are working in on an intimate basis makes a big difference in law enforcement, and that has proved out in Sisters.“ That consistent piece (having a set cadre of deputies in town) has made us way more effective,” says DCSO Lt. Chad Davis. “We know people by their first names. We know the names of their dogs.”  Black Butte Ranch has its own police department to keep the Ranch secure, and the agencies cooperate and assist each other whenever needed.  Sisters is also served by the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District. The District has 18 paid staff, including career EMTs and firefighters. The District also prides itself on a robust volunteer program. Like most modern fire departments, the majority of their calls are medical (73 percent in 2023) and the district has multiple ambulances and a highly trained cadre of paramedics.  The farm and ranch land east of Sisters has its own Cloverdale Fire District. Cloverdale provides fire protection and responds to vehicle accidents. Black Butte Ranch has its own fire department — including the area’s ladder truck — and the BBR District has its  own ambulance. Sisters is located in wildfire country, and the U.S. Forest Service and Oregon Department of Forestry both stage firefighters here during the summer and fall months.

Many folks who come to visit Sisters enjoy rolling just a little further down the highway to Bend or Redmond. Bend has a lot to offer to visitors, including the region’s showpiece High Desert Museum . The museum is truly a must-see for anyone visiting — or living in — the region. Many folks visit regularly. The museum sits on 135 acres with more than 100,000 square feet of exhibit space that features native wildlife, such as river otters, porcupines, and raptors. Historic characters share tales of early Oregon homesteaders. You can visit an authentic ranch and sawmill from 1904. The High Desert Museum is located just five minutes south of Bend, on Highway 97. Visit https://highdesertmuseum.org/ . Bend has become a cultural hub, with arts and live music driving a vibrant scene. It is home to the Tower Theatre , a historic building that offers music and cultural events. Hayden Homes Amphitheater  presents national touring acts through the summer and fall. Venture down to  Riverbend Park  and stroll on the River Trail . Get wet at the Bend Whitewater Park and river surf on the Deschutes (visit the Bend Whitewater Park’s main page at www.bendparksandrec.org/facility/bend-whitewater-park/ ). Give your furry friend a frolic session at the dog park. Central Oregon’s premier juried fine art and craft show, Art In The High Desert , will also be at Riverbend Park August 23-25. The event features 150 highly acclaimed artists from across the country and Canada. From July 26-28, Balloons Over Bend  creates a spectacle that you will never forget. Visit balloonsoverbend.com . Cascade Village Mall  on Highway 97 at the northwest edge of Bend offers shopping opportunities for some items that you might not be able to find in Sisters. There is also shopping at the Old Mill District  in Bend. Food carts abound from Sisters to Bend, to Redmond, including The Bite  in Tumalo (between Sisters and Bend). One great way to venture out to Central Oregon’s largest city is to jump on the  Bend Ale Trai l — the biggest ale trail in the West. And you can jump on the trail right here in Sisters, starting at Three Creeks Brewing Co. or Cascade Street Distillery. Then head on down Highway 20. There is a dizzying array of breweries and distilleries in Central Oregon, and this is a fun way to familiarize yourself with them. Pick up a passport at a participating brewery or print it out online at  www.visitbend.com/bend-ale-trail . Redmond, 20 miles east down Highway 126 from Sisters, is the location of the region’s airport at Roberts Field . It’s also the site of the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo , currently scheduled for July 31-August 4. The annual event — the largest in  Central Oregon — features championship NPRA Rodeo, top name concerts, 4-H animal exhibitions, carnival rides, cotton candy, corn dogs, along with shopping and exhibits. Visit expo.deschutes.org/fair .  The fairgrounds will also host the massive FairWell Festival July 19-21, featuring some of the most significant performers in the world of alternative country music, folk, and blues — Billy Strings, Jason Isbell, Colter Wall, Brandi Carlile are among a large and varied lineup. For more information visit https://www.fairwellfestival.com/ . The number one attraction in the Redmond area is  Smith Rock State Park  (located just to the north in Terrebonne) — one of Oregon’s most scenic features, where crags vault to the sky along the meandering Crooked River. It’s an international destination for rock climbers — and a great place for a day hike or a family picnic. Visit Redmond’s revitalizing downtown for dining and a stroll among its shops. General Duffy’s Waterhole & Annex  ( https://www.generalduffys.com/ ) has become a hotspot for live music from local, regional, and national-touring artists, set alongside a food cart court and vendor market that stays lively throughout the year. You may also recognize a familiar name: One of Sisters’ favorite eateries and artisan meat experts known for their house-smoked jerky, meats and cheeses, Sisters Meat & Smokehouse , has a second location in Redmond.

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America. There’s a very simple reason for that: It’s a LOT of fun. Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court with a slightly modified tennis net. Players — doubles or singles — use a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. It’s easier on the body than tennis, and can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels. Access to pickleball is one of the most frequently-asked questions among visitors to Sisters. Visitors who are staying at Black Butte Ranch or in a vacation rental at Tollgate can avail themselves of the courts reserved for residents and guests. Public courts are not available right now in Sisters, but Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) has pickleball in its plans. The Sisters Country Pickleball Club, under the auspices of Sisters Park & Recreation District, is hard at work on finding a suitable site for eight pickleball courts — the number needed to stage tournaments.  Courts are planned in a new SPRD center at the site of the current Sisters Elementary School. Those courts may be available in 2025. Lake Creek Lodge in Camp Sherman has pickleball courts available for guests. That means that avid pickleball players will — for now — have to head down the road to find public courts to play on. Players can head to Redmond’s Sam Johnson Park where there are several courts, or check out the courts at the Pine Nursery Park Pickleball Complex in Bend, where Courts 1-4 are open to the public at all times, except during specified tournament dates. Quail Park has a pickleball court (marked, with net available for public use. For more information on Sisters Pickleball Club, visit sisters pickleballclub.com .