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Redmond, Oregon

Endless Ways To Spend A Day In Redmond

Summers on the lake. Winters on the mountain. A high-desert hub where everything is a short drive away.

The high desert landscape stretches endlessly, with canyon vistas and clear skies defining the region.
REDMOND, OREGON

Your Day,
Your Way.

Smith Rock. Cove Palisades. The Brewery Trail. Twenty-one experiences, and we'll narrow it down to the ones that fit.

Your Visit 0 →
FIND YOUR DAY

Five Questions, A Perfect Day.

Answer in under a minute and we'll hand-pick the activities that fit who you are, who you're with, and the kind of day you have in front of you.

When are you here?

Each season opens different doors in Redmond.

Who's with you?

We'll keep it appropriate for the company.

What's the vibe?

Go with your gut.

How much time do you have?

No wrong answer here.

Your comfort outdoors?

We'll match the right intensity.

Your Top Picks

Based on your answers, here's what we'd suggest.

1 of 5
Cascade mountains frame every horizon, a constant reminder of Central Oregon's dramatic geography.
Explore

Every Way To Spend A Day

Smith Rock State Park
Year-round 15 min north

Climb Smith Rock

The birthplace of American sport climbing, fifteen minutes from downtown.

Smith Rock State Park rises 600 feet above the Crooked River in a canyon of welded tuff and basalt. With 1,800+ routes from 5.6 to 5.14d, it draws climbers from around the world — but the park is equally spectacular on foot. The Misery Ridge trail loops 3.8 miles over the spine of the park with views of Monkey Face, the river, and the Cascades. Guides in Terrebonne and Redmond can put first-timers on top-rope by mid-morning.

When
Year-round (spring & fall best)
Where
9241 NE Crooked River Dr, Terrebonne
How long
Half-day to full day
Skill
5.6 to 5.14; guides for all levels
Guides
Smith Rock Climbing Guides, Chockstone
Fee
$5/day or Oregon State Parks pass
Plan A Climbing Day →
Dry Canyon
Year-round In town

Hike The Dry Canyon

A mile-long canyon cutting through the center of town.

Dry Canyon runs north to south through downtown Redmond — a rimrock-walled corridor with paved and dirt trails, playing fields, disc golf, and the innovative Hope Playground. It's the kind of place you walk with a coffee in the morning or run through at lunch. The canyon trail connects neighborhoods and gives the town a spine of open space that most cities ten times its size don't have.

When
Year-round
Where
Multiple trailheads through central Redmond
How long
30 min to 2 hours
Cost
Free
Skill
Easy; paved and dirt options
Good to know
Hope Playground is fully accessible
Walk The Canyon →
Cline Buttes
Spring – Fall

Mountain Bike Cline Buttes

4,000 acres of high-desert singletrack with Cascade views.

The Maston and Cline Butte trail systems are Redmond's backyard riding. Flowy beginner loops like Maston Outer connect to technical descents like Cline Butte #1 Downhill — all on sandy high-desert terrain with juniper, sage, and panoramic Cascade views. The Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Bikeway passes through here too.

When
April – November
Where
Cline Buttes Recreation Area, west
How long
1 – 4 hours
Rentals
Hutch's Bicycles, Pine Mountain Sports
Skill
Green to black; mostly beginner-friendly
Good to know
Sandy soil; pack water
Hit The Trails →
Lake Billy Chinook
Spring – Fall 30 min west

Boat Lake Billy Chinook

Trophy fish and 600-foot canyon walls.

Lake Billy Chinook is a reservoir where the Deschutes, Crooked, and Metolius rivers converge inside a 700-foot basalt canyon. The fishing is nationally known — trophy bull trout and kokanee salmon. But even if you don't fish, the scenery is staggering. Rent a houseboat, launch a kayak, or swim off the dock at Cove Palisades State Park.

When
May – October
Where
Cove Palisades State Park, 30 min west
How long
Half-day to multi-day
Rentals
Cove Palisades Resort marina
Cost
$5 day-use or State Parks pass
Good to know
Reserve houseboats months ahead for summer
Plan A Lake Day →
Redmond Caves
Year-round 10 min south

Explore The Redmond Caves

Five lava tube caves, free and open year-round.

Less than ten minutes south of downtown, five lava tube caves sit beneath the high desert — remnants of volcanic flows thousands of years old. The caves range from walk-in to crawl-through, and they're free to explore year-round. Bring a headlamp, wear sturdy shoes, and layer up — it's cool underground even in August.

When
Year-round
Where
Redmond Caves Recreation Site, SE 15th St
How long
1 – 2 hours
Cost
Free
Skill
Easy to moderate; some crawling
Good to know
Headlamp essential; check BLM notices
Go Underground →
Crooked River
Year-round 20 min north

Fly Fish The Crooked River

Wild redband trout in a canyon tailwater, fishable twelve months a year.

The Crooked River below Bowman Dam is one of Central Oregon's most accessible year-round fisheries. Wild redband trout hold in the riffles and runs of a canyon tailwater that stays cold all summer and stays fishable all winter. Wade in below the rimrock, nymph the pocketwater, and forget what day it is.

When
Year-round
Where
Below Bowman Dam, 20 min north via US-97
How long
Half-day to full day
Guides
Fly & Field Outfitters, Deep Canyon Outfitters
License
Oregon fishing license required
Good to know
Barbless hooks; wild fish — handle carefully
Book A Guide →
Eagle Crest Golf
Spring – Fall

Golf Eagle Crest Resort

Three 18-hole courses with Smith Rock on the horizon.

Eagle Crest Resort sits on 1,700 acres of juniper-and-sage terrain just west of Redmond. The Ridge Course has the elevation changes and the views. The Resort Course is the approachable classic. The Challenge Course is a par-3 for quick rounds and beginners. All three courses frame Smith Rock's golden spires against the Cascades.

When
April – October
Where
Eagle Crest Resort, 5 mi west of Redmond
How long
4 – 5 hours per round
Cost
$60 – $150 peak; twilight rates
Rentals
Full club and cart rentals available
Good to know
Desert afternoons are windy; tee off early
Book A Tee Time →
Redmond Breweries
All year Downtown

Drink The Redmond Brewery Trail

Five craft breweries in one small town.

Redmond's brewery scene punches well above its weight. Wild Ride turned an old lumber building into the busiest family-friendly brewpub in Central Oregon. Kobold pours a dozen house-made beers from easy lagers to full-bodied IPAs. Cascade Lakes has been brewing since 1994. Initiative pairs scratch kitchen food with hand-crafted pints. General Duffy's rounds it out with a tasting room and four food carts.

When
Year-round
Where
Downtown Redmond and surrounding area
How long
An afternoon to a full crawl
Cost
Pay-as-you-go; most pints $6-$8
Start
Wild Ride Brewing, 332 SW 5th St
Good to know
Most are family-friendly with food
Start The Crawl →
Mt Bachelor Skiing
Winter 38 – 50 mi

Ski Mt. Bachelor & Hoodoo

Two ski areas within an hour — big mountain and family-friendly.

Mt. Bachelor, 38 miles southwest, is the biggest ski area in the Pacific Northwest — 4,300 acres of lift-served terrain on a 9,065-foot stratovolcano with 360° of skiable fall-line. Hoodoo, 50 miles northwest, is the family pick — 34 runs, five lifts, and one of the largest snow tubing parks in the western U.S. Both are day trips from Redmond.

When
Late Nov – late May
Where
Mt. Bachelor (38 mi SW), Hoodoo (50 mi NW)
How long
Full day
Rentals
On-mountain or in Bend/Sisters
Skill
Beginner to expert
Good to know
Bachelor's summit lift is weather-dependent
Plan A Ski Day →
Cove Palisades Paddling
Summer 30 min west

Paddle Cove Palisades

Kayak where three rivers meet in a 700-foot canyon.

Cove Palisades State Park wraps around the arms of Lake Billy Chinook where the Deschutes, Crooked, and Metolius rivers converge. The paddling is extraordinary — glassy water reflecting 700-foot basalt walls. Launch from the Crooked River day-use area for calmer water, or paddle into the Metolius arm for the deepest canyon views. Camp overnight and watch the canyon walls change color at sunset.

When
June – September
Where
Cove Palisades State Park
How long
2 – 6 hours
Rentals
Cove Palisades Resort marina
Cost
$5 day-use; kayak rentals $40-$60
Good to know
Morning is glassy; afternoon winds pick up
Get On The Water →
Peter Skene Ogden Viewpoint
Year-round 9 mi north

Drive To Peter Skene Ogden Viewpoint

A 300-foot-deep gorge in the Crooked River, right off US-97.

Nine miles north of Redmond, the earth drops away. Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint sits on the rim of a 300-foot-deep Crooked River gorge. Three bridges span the gap — including the 1911 railroad trestle and the towering Rex T. Barber Veterans Memorial Bridge. The park has picnic tables, restrooms, and a short cliff-edge trail. It's a fifteen-minute side trip that will stop you in your tracks.

When
Year-round
Where
Off US-97, 9 mi north of Redmond
How long
30 min to 1 hour
Cost
Free
Skill
Easy; paved overlook
Good to know
Railroad bridge is a National Historic Landmark
See The Gorge →
High Desert Stargazing
Night Year-round

Stargaze Over The High Desert

Dark skies start at the edge of town.

Redmond sits on the edge of some of Oregon's darkest skies. Drive east ten minutes and the Milky Way turns on. Pine Mountain Observatory, 26 miles southeast, runs public star parties on Friday and Saturday nights in summer. Bring a blanket, a thermos, and some patience — you'll see things the city never showed you.

When
Year-round; summer for star parties
Where
East of Redmond; Pine Mountain Observatory
How long
1 – 3 hours
Cost
Free (Pine Mountain: $5 suggested donation)
Gear
Blanket, red-light headlamp, binoculars
Good to know
No campfire or white light near observatory
Find Dark Skies →
High Desert Museum
Year-round 25 min south

Visit The High Desert Museum

Where natural history meets living wildlife.

Half museum, half zoo, all Central Oregon. The High Desert Museum south of Bend features live raptor shows, a walk-through desert trail with porcupines and otters, and exhibits spanning 100 million years of high-desert history. It's the best rainy-day activity in the region and a must for families.

When
Year-round
Where
59800 S US-97, Bend (25 min south of Redmond)
How long
2 – 4 hours
Cost
$17-$27
Skill
All ages
Good to know
Raptor Center and Desertarium are highlights
Plan Your Visit →
Old Town Redmond
Year-round Downtown

Walk Old Town Redmond

Vintage architecture, local shops, and the heart of the hub.

Old Town Redmond's historic district has tree-lined streets, vintage storefronts, murals, and a walkable stretch of local shops, cafes, and galleries. The Saturday farmers market runs summer through fall. It's not flashy — it's the kind of downtown that feels like it belongs to you.

When
Year-round; farmers market Sat in summer
Where
Downtown Redmond, 6th St corridor
How long
1 – 3 hours
Cost
Free to walk; budget for coffee and finds
Highlights
Vintage shops, murals, General Duffy's carts
Good to know
Most breweries are walking distance away
Explore Downtown →
Sisters to Smith Rock Bikeway
Spring – Fall

Ride The Sisters To Smith Rock Bikeway

A 36-mile scenic bikeway through ranch country and canyons.

Part of the Oregon Scenic Bikeways system, this route connects the town of Sisters to Smith Rock State Park through open ranch land, rimrock canyons, and high-desert terrain. Mountain views the entire way. It's a full-day ride or a supported half-day with a shuttle.

When
April – October
Where
Sisters to Smith Rock via Cline Falls Hwy
How long
4 – 7 hours
Skill
Intermediate road/gravel fitness
Cost
Free
Good to know
Carry extra water; limited mid-route services
Plan The Ride →
Cove Palisades Camping
Spring – Fall 30 min west

Camp At Cove Palisades

Canyon camping on the shore of Lake Billy Chinook.

Cove Palisades State Park has three campgrounds — Crooked River, Deschutes, and the group camp. Sites range from basic tent pads to full-hookup RV spots, all perched above the lake with canyon views. Reserve early for summer — this is one of Central Oregon's most popular campgrounds.

When
March – October
Where
Cove Palisades State Park
How long
1 – 7 nights
Cost
$22-$34/night via reserveamerica.com
Amenities
Showers, flush toilets, boat ramp, marina
Good to know
Reserve 3-6 months ahead for summer weekends
Reserve A Site →
Newberry Volcanic Monument
Summer 40 min south

Explore Newberry Volcanic Monument

Lava flows, obsidian fields, and two crater lakes.

Newberry National Volcanic Monument is one of Oregon's most dramatic geological landscapes. Paulina and East Lakes sit inside the caldera. The Big Obsidian Flow is a mile-long trail over actual obsidian. Paulina Falls drops 80 feet into the canyon below. It's a full day of volcanic geology, fishing, and swimming.

When
June – October (snow closes in winter)
Where
40 mi south of Redmond via US-97
How long
Half-day to full day
Cost
$5 Northwest Forest Pass
Highlights
Big Obsidian Flow, Paulina Falls, East Lake fishing
Good to know
High elevation — bring layers even in summer
Explore The Monument →
Tumalo Falls
Year-round 35 min southwest

Hike To Tumalo Falls

A 97-foot waterfall, a short drive from Redmond.

Tumalo Falls is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Oregon. The main overlook is a short walk from the parking lot. For more, continue up the trail to the Upper Falls series for a longer loop through old-growth forest. In winter, snowshoe the forest road in for a quieter experience.

When
Year-round (snowshoe in winter)
Where
End of Skyliners Rd, west of Bend
How long
1 – 4 hours
Cost
$5 Northwest Forest Pass
Skill
Easy to moderate
Good to know
Parking fills early on summer weekends
See The Falls →
Food Carts
Year-round Downtown

Try The Food Cart Scene

Global flavors in a high-desert parking lot.

General Duffy's Waterhole anchors Redmond's food cart scene — a tasting room and pod at the southern edge of downtown with carts serving tacos, Thai food, hot woks, and more. Wild Ride Brewing often hosts rotating carts too. It's casual, it's affordable, and on a summer evening with a pint in hand, it's one of the best meals in town.

When
Year-round (seasonal hours vary)
Where
General Duffy's Waterhole, downtown Redmond
How long
1 – 2 hours
Cost
$8-$15 per plate
Highlights
Tacos, Thai, wok dishes
Good to know
Pair with a flight at General Duffy's tasting room
Find The Carts →
Horseback Riding
Spring – Fall

Go Horseback Riding

Saddle up through juniper and sage with Cascade views.

Several outfitters around Redmond offer guided horseback rides through the high-desert landscape. Ride through juniper forests with the Three Sisters, Broken Top, and Mt. Jefferson on the horizon. Half-day and full-day rides available for all skill levels — it's the original way to see this country.

When
April – October
Where
Various ranches and outfitters near Redmond
How long
1 – 4 hours
Cost
$60-$150 depending on duration
Skill
All levels; guides provided
Good to know
Book ahead in summer; wear closed-toe shoes
Book A Ride →
Float The Deschutes River
Summer 20 min south

Float The Deschutes River

The classic Central Oregon summer float through Bend.

While Bend gets the float credit, the trip is just a twenty-minute drive from Redmond. The 1.5-mile Riverbend-to-Drake Park stretch is the classic — a lazy river tube float through the center of Bend on a hot summer day. Shuttle buses run weekends, and outfitters in Bend rent tubes and everything you need.

When
Mid-June – early September
Where
Riverbend Park to Drake Park, Bend (20 min south)
How long
1.5 – 2 hours
Rentals
Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe
Cost
~$20/tube, $5 shuttle
Good to know
Life jacket required; no glass
Plan A Float →
Smith Rock's iconic spires rise above the Crooked River, a climbing destination known worldwide.
The problem with Redmond isn't what to do today. It's that the canyon, the cliffs, and the brewery are all fifteen minutes apart.
— A Resident, Two Years In

Upcoming Events

July 4th

Redmond Fourth of July

Celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, parade, food vendors, and family activities throughout downtown Redmond and Dry Canyon Park.

August

What the Truck Food Cart Rally

A festival celebrating Redmond's thriving food cart scene, featuring local vendors, live music, and community gatherings at General Duffy's Waterhole.

August – September

Deschutes County Fair

The region's premier fair featuring livestock shows, carnival rides, local crafts, agricultural exhibits, and the famous rodeo events in nearby Redmond.

June – October

Saturday Farmers Market

Weekly farmers market in Old Town Redmond featuring local produce, crafts, live music, and community gathering space on summer and fall Saturdays.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Redmond? +

Redmond is beautiful year-round. Summer offers lake activities and outdoor adventures. Fall brings perfect hiking weather and fewer crowds. Winter is ideal for skiing nearby Mt. Bachelor and Hoodoo. Spring provides excellent climbing conditions at Smith Rock and wildflower blooms throughout the high desert.

How far is Redmond from major airports? +

Roberts Field (RDM) near Redmond serves regional flights. Bend's airport (RDM) is about 20 minutes south. Portland International Airport (PDX) is approximately 3 hours north, making it the primary option for long-distance travel to the region.

What should I pack for a Redmond adventure? +

High-desert weather is unpredictable. Bring layers for temperature swings, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), and sturdy shoes for outdoor activities. If visiting in winter, pack warm clothing and prepare for occasional snow. Even in summer, bring a jacket for cool evenings and high-elevation areas.

Do I need experience for outdoor activities? +

Most activities welcome all experience levels. Guides are available for climbing and fishing. Many trails offer easy options. The quiz above helps match activities to your comfort level. Always check specific requirements and bring appropriate gear.

Where can I find outdoor gear rentals? +

Bikes: Hutch's Bicycles, Pine Mountain Sports. Climbing gear: Chockstone, First Ascent. Water sports: Cove Palisades Resort marina (kayaks, boats). Ski rentals available at Mt. Bachelor and Hoodoo. Many activities are possible with basic gear you might already have.

Are dogs allowed on trails? +

Many trails permit dogs on-leash. Smith Rock and some sensitive areas have restrictions. Check BLM and Oregon State Parks websites for specific pet policies. Always pack water and waste bags for your canine companion.

Ready To Explore?

Our team of local guides, outdoor experts, and community insiders know every corner of Central Oregon. Let us help you plan the perfect Redmond adventure tailored to your interests and skill level.

Get Started →
Chance and Tianna — Team Homeward Found

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We’re Chance & Tianna with Team Homeward Found. Whether you’re planning your first visit to Central Oregon or already house-hunting in Redmond, we’re here to help you discover the best of what this area has to offer — from hidden trails and local breweries to the neighborhoods that feel like home.

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Guide to Redmond · A Field Guide to Central Oregon

© 2026 Guide to Redmond · Redmond, Oregon

Team Homeward Found · Realty ONE Group Discovery Tianna Jackson — Licensed Oregon REALTOR® · License # [pending]
Chance Jackson — Licensed Oregon Principal Broker · License # [pending]
503-816-2780 · teamhomewardfound@gmail.com
Realty ONE Group Discovery · Bend, Oregon
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