Search Results

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.  Creekside Park 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. 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 Sisters High School (same parking lot) 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 highly trained 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 stage firefighters here in fire season.

Many folks who come to visit Sisters enjoy rolling just a little further down the highway to Bend or Redmond. Photo Courtesy High Desert Museum 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 22-24. The event features 150 highly acclaimed artists from across the country and Canada. From July 25-27, 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 30-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 18-19, featuring some of the most significant performers in the world of alternative country music, folk, and blues — Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson, Dwight Yoakam 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. Venture south of Bend to Sunriver to visit the Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory. The Center celebrates the natural world with the Creature Cave and botanical gardens, or take the kids and visit the SHARC waterpark. Visit sunriverresort.com .

There is a magical day each summer when Sisters blossoms in color, as the whole town is wrapped in over 900 quilts. That day is Saturday, July 12, the celebration of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show (SOQS). This year is a special one. It marks 50 years since Jean Wells first hung 11 quilts on her storefront in a spontaneous showing that has grown into an international phenomenon. There will be a special ticketed 50-year retrospective event on Friday, July 11. SOQS has become a week-long celebration of the arts and the creative spirit. On show day, visitors to the free, unticketed show stroll through Sisters’ quilt-festooned streets and partake of the hospitality offered by Sisters’ shops and restaurants. Hood Avenue will be closed, making it a pedestrian park where quilt enthusiasts can explore special exhibits that enhance the experience. Some of the special exhibits are returning favorites, and there are new ones that keep the show fresh and exciting.  The quilt show is always free, but special event tickets sell out, so get them now at https://www.soqs.org/2025events . Visitors enjoy quilts all over Sisters. Photo by Bill Bartlett.

Rodeo is a treasured American tradition — and Sisters keeps that tradition alive and vibrant in the 21st Century like few others. Not for nothing do they call this “The Biggest Little Show in the World.” Staged completely by community volunteers for 85 years, the Sisters Rodeo traditionally offers the biggest purse available on the second weekend in June. That means the rodeo draws the best cowboys and cowgirls — and the finest rodeo stock — the country has to offer. The action at the rodeo grounds east of town kicks off on Wednesday, June 11, with Xtreme Bulls, and continues through Sunday, June 15, with all the pageantry and rousing action the sport of rodeo has to offer. The Sisters Rodeo has grown so popular that in 2025 the Rodeo Association added an extra day of performances. The 2025 Rodeo now features six full rodeo performances. Get tickets now — all shows are expected to sell out — and book early for next year. Not all the action is in the arena. Enjoy the Sisters Kiwanis Buckaroo Breakfast on Sunday, June 15 starting at 7 a.m., with proceeds supporting local programs. A cowboy church service is held on Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. Throughout rodeo weekend, folks kick up their heels to live music at local watering holes.

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.

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.

Whychus Canyon Preserve The Wychus Canyon Preserve has it all: great views, plenty of wildlife, pioneer history, fascinating geology, weird rocks, loads of flowers in spring, interesting old junipers, and a beautiful creekside riparian zone. It’s usually doable year-round, although there can be some quite icy spots in winter. Why go: This moderately challenging criss-crossing trail system starts right on the edge of lower Whychus Canyon, and has a lot of variety and options.  When to go: It’s a great hike just about anytime really, and usually possible whatever the weather, as long as your vehicle can get to the trailhead and you choose the right footwear.  What to expect: Both the beginning and end of the hike is high on the canyon rim, so you will be going down and back up while traversing the slopes. You can choose how much to do and where to go, using the good map available from the kiosk. You will have climbed/descended about 1,000 feet and hiked up to 5-7 miles if you do it all.  Getting there: Take Highway 126 east towards Redmond, and in about five miles turn left on Goodrich Road. Continue all the way out (east) to the canyon rim, about three more miles. Note that the pavement turns right and becomes Edmundson Rd., so be sure to keep on straight as it turns to gravel. What you’ll need: Footing can be treacherous if icy, so take poles, cleats, and maybe snowshoes in the car, just in case. Note that it can get really muddy in thaws and the trails are best avoided then! Don’t forget the Ten Essentials, including layers of clothing, plenty of snacks and water, and/or a filter to drink from the creek. Dogs MUST be leashed in the Preserve!  Metolius Preserve Along Lake Creek, in between Suttle Lake and Metolious River lies a little known protected area known as the Metolious Preserve, owned by Deschutes Land Trust. It’s an unusual property, with a very diverse species mix along beautiful creeks—making it a great place to go. Why go: It’s an easy, essentially flat hike with beautiful creeks and diverse plants, with plenty of wildlife.  When to go: Spring brings abundant diversity in flowers and birds because of the variety of habitats. What to expect: The Preserve is full of wildlife, and not a lot of people. A plus is that the flat aspect and short distances make it great for kids and families exploring. Dogs are allowed but MUST be under your direct control on a six-foot leash the whole time in order to protect the wildlife who call the place home—and be sure to bag and carry out their poop! Getting there: Take Highway 20 west towards Santiam Pass, and in about 10 miles watch carefully for USFS Road 2064 taking off on the right, which leads to the south trailhead—a warning, though, that this road is little used and is likely difficult to navigate in deep snow or thawing mud! You can access the north entrance from Suttle-Sherman Road, a more well-used and more likely passable option in spring “sloppy” season. Get to Suttle-Sherman Road either from Highway 20 via a right turn on USFS Road 12, heading west and turning right, or take Camp Sherman Road off Highway 20 to the east and turning left. The short spur road to the trailhead parking area is about halfway between the two main crossroads. What you’ll need: The Ten Essentials, including layers, plenty of snacks and water, and/or a filter to drink from the creek. Guided hikes: From April through October, Deschutes Land Trust volunteer naturalists lead nearly 100 free walks, hikes, and family outings at various Land Trust protected lands throughout Central Oregon. Participants can explore birds, wildflowers, or geology while enjoying the great outdoors.  This year, there is a new offering — Nature Kids — guided family nature walks just for families with kids ages 5-10.  All walks and hikes are free. Group size is small to give attendees the best experience possible. Registration for each outing opens one month prior to the outing and can be done online. Once registered, detailed directions for the outing will be provided. Find the full schedule online:  deschuteslandtrust.org/hikes . Top 5 Sisters Hikes Black Butte Lookout: West on Highway 20 to FS Road 11 (Green Ridge Road). Turn right and pass Indian Ford Campground. Turn left at graveled Road 1110 and follow it to the trailhead. Strenuous two-mile climb yields 360° views. Tam McArthur Rim: This hike is so popular that it requires a wilderness permit. From the trailhead near Three Creek Lake, the trail leads up toward the foot of Broken Top, yielding spectacular mountain views. It's a roundtrip 5.3-mile strenuous hike.  Metolius River: Take Highway 20 west to the Camp Sherman turnoff. Follow FS Road 14 to a fork in the road and bear right. Continue on approximately 7.5 miles and turn left at the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery signs and cross the bridge to the fish hatchery parking area. Whychus Creek: Take Elm Street south out of Sisters 4.2 miles. There’s a turnout on the west (right) side of the road. Park and walk past the green gate down to the trail and start hiking upstream. Out-and-back hike can vary distance to suit. Easy-moderate. Black Crater: Drive 11.5 miles west from Sisters, past Windy Point, on Highway 242 (McKenzie Highway). The trailhead with parking is on the south (left) side of highway. This is a strenuous 7.5-mile roundtrip climb to the summit and return.

Disc golf was created as a version of golf, with similar rules, except you play with plastic discs, versus golf clubs. The rules of disc golf are like that of golf.  The disc golf community in Central Oregon has grown over the years thanks to the addition of the Hyzer Pines  disc golf course. Hyzer Pines was built and put into use officially in 2007. It opened through the endeavor of Kathy Kemper-Zanck, who created a community campaign for disc golfers in the area to build a premier disc golf course.  Hyzer Pines is a challenging course that is heavily treed with small gaps for distance throws, to work around using backhand and forehand throws. Hyzer Pines is in an accessible area just a few minutes from downtown Sisters off of highway 242 next to the Sisters High School.  It is easy to get started in disc golf. Find a couple of friends to go out and play with and visit a local store that sells discs. It is best to get putters to start out with as they are the heaviest and easiest to throw. Gear Fix in Bend is a great resource to buy discs and learn more about types of discs to throw. It is super easy to go out and have fun on a course with a couple of friends throwing discs.  Another popular course in the Central Oregon area is Pine Nursery , a park and disc golf course located off Empire Avenue in Bend. That course has hosted a few tournaments and is one of the more challenging courses because of the unique terrain of lava rock and high desert environment.  There is also a course in Redmond near Dry Canyon offering a different type of terrain and views. According to Visit Central Oregon: “ Dry Canyon Disc Golf Course , on Redmond’s west side, winds through all the hallmarks of the Central Oregon high desert—including gnarled juniper trees, a rimrock canyon, and plenty of sagebrush. The nine-hole course features two basket placements per hole, so players with a bit more time can play it like a standard 18-hole course.” To learn more about disc golf rules and types of discs to play, you can visit: https://www.innovadiscs.com/ . Innova is one of the premier disc golf manufacturers and sponsors of disc golf tournaments around the nation.

The sport of bouldering is in the rock-climbing family but has its own culture and is often used as a practice for cliff rock climbing. Bouldering is considered ‘free climbing’ performed on small rock formations or artificial routes. Bouldering is climbing without the use of ropes or harnesses. It involves vertical pitches utilizing body weight to propel up a rock. Bouldering sights in Central Oregon are becoming increasingly popular. Bouldering sights can be made from any area with jagged rock formations. Boulders and rock formations create natural hand holds and vertical pitches. Climbers use crash pads underneath their route in case of falling as they aren’t using a rope or harness to catch them. Most climbers use climbing shoes and chalk to stick into handholds as they work their way up a vertical pitch. Typically, bouldering routes are not a very high pitch, so if you do fall, you aren’t falling very far and you’re falling onto a crash pad. Bouldering started as a practice for mountaineering and rock climbing that a climber could do on their own. “It’s the most physical and gymnastic aspect of climbing,” said Andy Coleman, owner of The Circuit Bouldering Gym in Bend.   The Circuit Bouldering Gym in Bend is a gym dedicated to free climbing and bouldering. For climbers that typically rock climb, bouldering can be an interesting challenge. Bouldering allows climbers at any skill level to dive into the sport. Because it doesn’t require much equipment, someone interested can go out to a gym and try it for themselves, completely on their own.  There are several bouldering locations in the Sisters and Central Oregon areas. Any place you can climb on boulders can be constituted as a bouldering area. With a crash pad, shoes, and chalk, climbers can boulder anywhere. Locations include an area off Wilt Road near the Whychus Canyon Estates properties, as well as on the west side of Bend near Shevlin Park. There are several places next to the Deschutes River that allow for serene vistas on top of basalt boulder columns. To learn more visit: https://www.mountainproject.com/area/114430286/sisters-area .