Central Oregon - Pitstops for Kids

Spring getaway: Sunriver Resort for families

March 11, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

We’ve stayed at Oregon’s Sunriver Resort more than a few times, finding it to be the most convenient and kid-friendly lodging option for nearby Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort. Sunriver offers both traditional hotel rooms and home rentals throughout their sprawling property, however, during our most recent visit, we decided to try something new: the Sunriver Resort Lodge Village.

The Lodge Village is located adjacent to the lodge building in the heart of Sunriver, and their suites offer the best of both worlds: families get the space of a home rental and the amenities of a lodge stay. Our Lodge Village suite was the size of a small condo: we had a kitchenette (includes everything but an oven), a large dining area, a living area with fireplace and large patio, and an upstairs loft with king-sized bed and bathroom. The living room couch pulled out to be a queen bed, allowing this suite to sleep four. For a little more room, we opted to combine the suite with a single connecting guest room for a total of two full bedrooms (plus the couch).

With a suite comes a ski locker, parking space, nice entry area with plenty of space for coats, boots, and gear, and lawn space outside for kids to play on. Every section of the Lodge Village has a community hot tub (very large) pool (in summer) and all Lodge Village guests have full use of the SHARC pool complex (more on that later). Guests 14 and older can also access the Sage Springs Club and Spa for a dip in yet another pool. All this with daily maid service!

Date last visited:

March 2014

Distance from the interstate:

Sunriver Resort is located on Highway 97.

Rates:

At the time of our visit, Lodge Village suites started around $129/night. Sunriver runs family vacation deals all year round: be sure to check for seasonal packages.

Amenities:

In addition to the above, Lodge Village guests have access to plenty of dining options throughout the resort, tee times at Sunriver golf courses, bike paths, and kids programming such as Fort Funnigan. There are always events and activities going on for kids: ask for information at check-in, or check online.

When downtime is needed at Sunriver, our kids loved the included entry to SHARC. SHARC is an indoor and outdoor pool and water play complex located on-site. Lodge Village guests get $6 admission (you need to ask for passes at the lodge front desk). In summer, families can float on the lazy river, take rides down the tube slides, and play on splash pads. In winter, the indoor complex includes heated pools and hot tubs with water basketball, fountains, and splash areas.

A note on Lodge Village kitchens: We found our kitchen to be more than just a ‘kitchenette’, with plenty of counter and storage space and a full sink, microwave, and kitchen island. Fridges in the kitchens are not ‘mini-fridge’ sized, but not full-sized either, ditto for the dishwasher. There is a full stove top with four burners, but no oven, so plan accordingly. We found there to be plenty of kitchen utensils, dishes, bowls, and plates; however, not many pots and pans. Overall, the kitchen was very adequate, but it helps to know what you will and won’t find there ahead of time. We wished we had an oven for take-and-bake pizzas, and wished we had a washer and dryer unit.

Directions:

Access Sunriver from Highway 97, approximately 15 miles from Bend OR.

As we disclose whenever applicable, we were guests of Sunriver Resort, for the purpose of sharing our experience in their Lodge Village. All opinions are our own. The above post was written in conjunction with our partnership with VacationRoost.

Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort: winter recreation headquarters of Central Oregon

February 9, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Families used to the crowds (and prices) at California ski resorts will be in heaven in Central Oregon, where Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort reigns. There are many Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort reviews for a reason! Located above Bend, Oregon (named one of our best ski towns!) along Highway 97, Mt. Bachelor now offers over 4000 skiable acres and 101 runs, with top-of-the-line amenities in multiple on-mountain lodges. While we haven’t experienced the Mt. Bachelor ski and ride school for kids, we can speak to the excellent terrain for all ages and abilities.

Tip: Mt. Bachelor is now a M.A.X. Pass ski resort, which means families can get five days of skiing here with a M.A.X. pass. These passes get you on the slopes 38 other North American ski resorts as well, all for one add-on price. We took our most recent trip to Mt. Bachelor using a M.A.X. Pass.

On busier days, and if you have pre-purchased lift tickets, opt to park at the first parking lot, Sunrise Lodge, and access the lifts directly from there. You’ll avoid the majority of the crowds, and will be in a great location to try out the new (in 2017) Cloudchaser chair, which opens up new terrain. We found the Cloudchaser terrain to be perfect for intermediate skiers and riders, with lots of fun, rolling groomers winding amid the forests. The runs are narrow, but there are lots of places where kids can explore off-piste without worrying about steep drops.

Otherwise, drive to the second parking lot at West Village Lodge for full services and amenities. Here you’ll find ski and board rentals, demos (with a friendly and knowledgeable staff), lift ticket sales, and a full snow sports gear shop. The only locker rentals are in the Mountain Gateway Building, and families will want to grab breakfast (or possibly lunch later) at the adjacent West Village lodge.

From Cloudchaser to Pine Marten, the frontside of Mt. Bachelor offers most of its beginner and intermediate terrain, with a wide variety of runs including terrain parks, moguls, and groomers. The terrain is wide-open here, making visibility easier than on the Outback side, with more tree runs. The Sunrise Lodge is a less-crowded place to break, but the best views are found at the top of the Pine Marten lift at the Pine Marten Lodge. This is also where families access the backside terrain off Outback and Northwest lifts. This region is our family’s favorite part of the mountain, with long, often-powdery black diamond runs. On powder days, advanced skiers and riders will want to traverse around the back of the mountain from the Northwest lift to drop down into seemingly endless trees (you’ll hit the access road back around to Northwest before you’re out-of-bounds.) The top of Mt. Bachelor, accessed by the Summit lift, is open only as wind conditions permit.

Mt. Bachelor is a large and imposing mountain set in the midst of the Central Oregon high desert, and as such, seems to command its own weather system. This may not be a scientific fact, but we find it to be true; always check the weather conditions, because they’re not likely to be the same as what you’re experiencing lower down the mountain at area lodging. Mt. Bachelor doesn’t offer ski-in, ski-out lodging; the closest resort is Seventh Mountain Inn approximately 15 minutes down Century Drive, with multiple other lodging options in Sunriver Resort and Bend.

Mt. Bachelor is well-known as a downhill ski resort, but families pursuing other types of winter snowsports—from snowmobiling to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing—will also find great winter recreation options at Mt. Bachelor. With a large Nordic Ski Center and three Oregon sno parks in close proximity to the resort, all snow-loving families are well taken care of.

Sno parks and free tours:

Within a few miles of Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort on Century Drive, the Wanoga, Swampy Lake, and Vista Butte sno parks all offer warming huts, trails for snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and nordic skiing, and snow play areas. Because Mt. Bachelor is located within Deschutes National Forest, free ranger programs are offered at and near the ski resort. Ranger-led snowshoe tours depart from the ranger station at the parking lot of Mt. Bachelor every weekend in winter at 10 am, and are completely free (including rentals). The tours go on a one mile loop, during which rangers point out local flora and fauna. Ranger programs on skis are also available at 2 pm on weekends from the top of the Pine Martin ski lift (free, but does not include lift ticket).

Tip: Don’t forget to pick up an Oregon sno-park permit before heading up to the mountain; permits are $4 per day (also available by week or season) and are sold at Mt. Bachelor, all area snow sports shops, and the ranger station at the West Village parking lot.

Tubing and sledding:

Mt. Bachelor’s tubing park is one of the best in the state, with multiple lanes and a rope tow to take tubing families up the mountain. It’s located at the base of the West Village lodge area (use the same parking lot). Tubing tickets range from $10-27 (depending on how long you stay) and the day is divided into three tubing sessions. At the base of Century Drive near Sunriver, a community sledding hill also offers fun sledding and tubing, and it’s free (though you’ll need to get to the top of the hill on your own power).

Directions:

All Mt. Bachelor-region snow sports are located along Century Drive, accessed from Highway 97 from Bend.

Photo credit: Amy Whitley and Zach Winters

Best snowshoe tour in Bend: Wanderlust Tours

November 12, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Another day, another excellent outdoor experience with Wanderlust Tours! What makes Wanderlust the best snowshoe tour in Bend? My family and I first experienced Wanderlust during a kayak tour of the Cascade Lakes of Central Oregon, and loved our afternoon so much, we came back for a winter Cascade Mountain Snowshoe tour. Yes, Wanderlust gets our highest possible endorsement: a return visit.

What makes Wanderlust Tours great? Their access to areas off-limits to other tour operators, their expertise and professionalism, but more than anything, their guides. Wanderlust guides know their stuff—flora, fauna, and outdoor safety—but they don’t just spout it out. They teach it in a natural and enthusiastic way that gets even teens onboard. They meet their guests’ needs in the fullest extent possible, tailoring each tour to what people want to experience.

Before our Wanderlust snowshoe tour, my kids said they didn’t like snowshoeing. It’s an activity I enjoy, and drag them along for. The boys are adrenaline junkies who love downhill skiing and mountain biking: snowshoeing is too tame! However, the minute we met Wanderlust tour guide Danny, I knew their opinion was about to change. I was right: Danny met the challenge of creating snowshoe fans with enthusiasm. He understood and enjoyed kids—a crucial requirement in any guide—and treated them to an off-trail, deep powder snowshoe trek. Our tour included epic snowball fights, snow fort building, snowshoe jumping (and sort of landing) and races. Would this be everyone’s ideal snowshoe trip? Maybe not, but that’s the point: Wanderlust tailored the afternoon to us.

The nitty gritty:

We started at the Wanderlust Tours office in Bend, and drove approximately 25 minutes up Century Drive into the mountains. We stopped at Mt. Bachelor, where we donned snowshoes and took off into the woods. We weren’t restricted to trails, and while Danny guided our route, he was open to suggestions. Right away, he proved himself a good shot with a snowball, which intrigued all the kids. For the next two hours, we trekked, ran, jumped, and even dove through the snowy terrain, with short periods in which Danny reigned us in to point out various trees and moss, and to give us historical or geological lessons. We stopped mid-way for a hot chocolate break, and practiced building snow shelters just for fun. By the end of our tour, all our boys thanked me for booking the snowshoe tour, and admitted that now that they knew ‘how to make it so fun’, they’d snowshoe with me again. Win-win!

Snowshoe tours are offered by Wanderlust daily, and span half-days. This is the optional amount of time needed to gear up, get there, and return, with approximately two hours in the snow. Any longer, and we would have begun to feel the cold, and any less, and we wouldn’t have felt as though we’d gotten too far into the wilderness. Wanderlust also offers cave tours, moonlit snowshoe tours, and craft beer tours for adults. In summer, try a kayak tour!

Tips: As with all outdoor guided experiences, families will want to arrive prepared. For a snowshoe tour, wear waterproof pants and jacket (ski attire works well) and snow boots. Knitted hats and gloves are a must. If you don’t own snow pants or boots, they are available for rent. Snowshoes will be provided. We found it helpful to bring a small day pack to store extra layers and water bottles. We also brought granola bars for the van ride back down the mountain.

Date last visited:

March 2014

Distance from the interstate:

Wanderlust Tours is located in Bend, off Highway 97.

Rates:

During the time of our tour, snowshoe half-day tours were $60 for adults and $55 for kids. Children must be 8 years old and up to participate. Check the Wanderlust Tours website for specific tour date info.

Directions:

The Wanderlust Tours office is located at 61535 S. Highway 97 in Bend.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced Wanderlust Tours as guests, for the purpose of review. All opinions are our own.

Oregon Cowboy vacation: Wilson Ranches Retreat

April 27, 2018 By Sharlene Earnshaw

Guest post by travel writer Sarah McCully-Posner.

Wilson Ranches Retreat is a really special place. It is an authentic, family owned, working ranch just outside of the small town of Fossil in Eastern Oregon. The ranch lies within the beautiful Butte Creek Canyon and on your drive in you not only see the cattle grazing lazily in the fields, but song birds flying above, and quail scurrying across the road.

We signed in at the registration desk and made our way to our lovely room.

Tip: if you don’t have a reservation when you arrive, pick an available room in the book and make yourself comfortable. Weekends get very busy, so reservations are recommended.

The Wilson Family takes “Pioneer Hosipitality” very seriously; your kids will be hugged and they love to tell funny stories that bring about big belly laughs. The family has an incredible sense of humor that we all enjoyed. They are available to the guests at all times and do their very best to help in every way possible.

Guest rooms:

Rooms are tidy and sweet and each offers a little something different than all of the rest. Each room had lovely, soft robes for guests to use and extra blankets for chillier nights. Rooms on the main and second levels have air conditioning for warm summer nights. Some rooms have TVs, but the main TV and VCR are in the living room and there is a large library of videos for people of all ages. Board games can be found in the day light basement for more entertainment and there is a lawn where we enjoyed throwing the Frisbee and football. There are 3 bathrooms in the house which are shared by everyone. BBQs, microwave, guest fridge, coffee makers and tea pot are always available.

Dining:

Breakfast in the morning is served at 8:00am. You will wake up to the sweet smell of fresh coffee and bacon being fried up. Nancy and Phil cook for all of the guests and everyone sits down family style to share the meal and lots of stories. Prepare to laugh! Farm fresh eggs, bacon, oatmeal, peaches, biscuits, gravy, juice and all of the toppings make for full, happy bellies which will sustain you throughout your ride and much of your day.

Activities:

Wilson Ranches Retreat offers horseback riding for adults and kids age four and older, which we were quick to take advantage of as we have a little city slicker with a big cowboy heart. We did an hour and a half ride, but ride times can vary. Just talk to your wonderful hosts and they will help you organize everything. The horses are calm and gentle and I had no worries about my six-year-old riding on his own. The horses are matched up to you based on your size and experience. If you do not have boots or hats, they have them for you to borrow for your ride. Rides for younger kids are scenic, although you might get a chance to ride among some of the cows. Families with older kids can enjoy cattle drives, checking fence lines or for strays, and taking part in pasture moves. Riders in groups of 1-3 are $45/hour each, riders in groups of 4 or more are $40/hour each.

There are so many other things to do off the ranch as well. You can dig for fossils of ancient flora on the hill behind the high school. Cost is $5/person, or $15/family of four. They have tools there for you to use and as you can dig as long as you like. This is like searching for treasure, but you always come away with something amazing! We also had a look at the Painted Hills National Monument. The hour drive each way is worth it for an incredible sight everyone should see. The intense colors and textures had our heads spinning. There is also rafting, fishing, hiking, biking, museums, fairs, rodeos, and more. Wilson Ranches Retreat is a great home base for all of it.

Rates:

This B&B house is not your standard B&B. We have never really considered staying in one as a family since most are usually set up for couples. Wilsons Ranches Retreat has six rooms that can accommodate anywhere from 1-6 people. Room prices start at $105/night for the cozy Wrangler Room (sleeps 1-2 people) and go up to $185/night for the massive Homestead Room (sleeps 1-6 people). The prices are based on a double occupancy and include breakfast. Each additional person (including kids) is $10 which includes their breakfast.

Directions:

The ranch is accessible from both I-84 and Highway 97, making the drive from Bend or Portland very easy! For full directions to Fossil, start here!

Sarah and her family stayed at Wilson Ranches Retreat as guests of the B&B, for the purpose of review. We thank them for trekking to Eastern Oregon to explore (and hope to do the same soon)!

Experiencing Oregon ranching at Aspen Ridge Resort

June 20, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

Located in south-central Oregon in the heart of ranching country, Aspen Ridge Resort is one of those tucked-away gems begging to be discovered by families. With cabin-style lodging, a relaxed atmosphere, and plenty of low-tech, low-cost activities right at its doorstep, Aspen Ridge is the type of place parents can take their kids for a true getaway that won’t cost a fortune or run you ragged.

Aspen Ridge’s 14,000 acre spread is a working cattle ranch, and guests are invited to feel part of the dude ranch vibe. Families can horseback ride, or explore on their own, utilizing hiking and biking trails right on the property. Note that the resort is not all-inclusive, as many dude ranches are; rather, it’s dining and horseback riding is added a la carte.

Resort lodging:

The resort offers lodge rooms and suites, and individual cabins. We recommend the latter for families, as cabins include full kitchens and sleep six. They have cozy front porches and plenty of room to spread out. Plus, kids can step right off the porch and find themselves in wilderness and pasture.

Tip: the closest grocery stores to the ranch are in Klamath Falls and Lakeview, Oregon, both an hour’s drive away. Plan to pick up groceries for your stay en route!

Activities:

Horseback riding: Most people want to experience horseback riding while at the ranch. Owner Karen Simmons assures me they are accustomed to riders of all experience levels, from the complete novice to those who have horses of their own. Since Aspen Ridge is a working cattle ranch, their livestock are the focus of every ride they take. Guests can join wranglers as they monitor animal health, doctor sick animals, check moms and babies during calving season, sort, gather or simply scatter cattle around the ranch. For young children unable to control an animal, they offer a riding experience in a round corral or horse pasture. Adult horseback rides are $45.00/person/ride (approximately two hours) and child horseback rides are $30.00/hour/horse.

Additional on-site activities: Families can play tennis, hike and ride bikes (trails are on-property). The resort lake has swimming and catch-and-release (it’s stocked). Fishers just need an Oregon fishing license which can be purchased at many retail locations or online through the Oregon Fish & Wildlife Department.

Note: Aspen Ridge is off the grid – internet reception is limited to the main lodge and cell service is non-existent. It’s excellent!

Off-site activities: Guests can discover turn-of-the-century homestead remains, enjoy bird watching and wildflower hunting (both especially plentiful in the spring and early summer), or check out our many lakes and streams within easy driving distance. Outside the ranch the Corral Creek Trailhead to the Gearhart Wilderness is approximately a forty-five minute drive. From there, it’s an easy mile hike to the Palisades, an area with spectacular rock formations and a big view of the valley below.

Dining:

Families will likely cook most meals in their cabins, but won’t want to miss the lodging dining for at least a few meals. The on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and offers options for the whole family. The dinner menu consists primarily of USDA Choice steaks as well as chicken and children’s portions. Entrees are BBQed over mesquite charcoal on the lodge’s back deck.

The menu is available online here: http://www.aspenrr.com/menu.htm. Reservations are required for dinner, but guests are welcome to walk-in for breakfast and lunch.

If you go: be sure to ask what ranching activities will be happening during your stay. For instance, kids love being at the ranch during calving season, when they can accompany ranch hands to check on newborn calves.

Cost:

Cabins start at $180/night (see this page for full pricing). Be sure to budget extra for horseback riding and a few lodge meals, but otherwise, ranch activities are free.

Directions:

Aspen Ridge Resort is located in Bly, Oregon, about one hour from Klamath Falls. Full directions.

Black Butte Ranch: home base for Central Oregon outdoor recreation

December 30, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Every time we visit Central Oregon, we discover yet another family-friendly resort. While some resorts are best for golf vacations, and others ski or luxury vacations, Black Butte Ranch just may come out on top for all-around outdoor recreation amid family-friendly conveniences.

Located just outside Sisters, Oregon (approximately 40 minutes from Bend), Black Butte Ranch is comprised primary of vacation homes and cabins, though there are some condos to be had. This large community is set on two golf courses, with a lovely lodge (housing dining), a rec building, an outdoor activity rental shop, renting bikes in summer and snowshoes and cross country skis in winter, and three pool and sport complexes. Bike paths traverse the entire property, and an on-site stable offers horseback riding in the summer months.

Without even leaving Black Butte Ranch, families can keep their days filled with outdoor activities ranging from bike riding to tennis, golf, swimming, and walking. (This may be ideal for families with young kids.) Off property, excellent mountain biking trails can be found in nearby Sisters in the Deschutes National Forest, as well as hiking trails, lake swimming and kayaking, whitewater rafting, and cave spelunking. Families can explore all of the above on their own, or use one of several tour operators in the region (our pick is Wanderlust Tours).

While many Central Oregon resorts are adjacent to outdoor recreation, Black Butte offers the most in close proximity, outside the metro area of Bend. If you’re looking to be close to Bend and Mt. Bachelor, Black Butte is not the most convenient, but if you plan to spend full days in the Deschutes National Forest and have less need for an easy commute to Bend, this is the place!

We visited in early winter, and while we brought our snowshoes, the necessary six inches of snow wasn’t yet on the ground to permit the sport on Black Butte property. Good thing Hoodoo Ski Area is only 13 miles away. When Hoodoo isn’t up and running (this resort does not make its own snow, and depends on Mother Nature), Mt. Bachelor is less than one hour away by car. We spent one day enjoying the pool and walking paths of the resort, and the other at Mt. Bachelor at our visit, with evening entertainment ranging from dinner and a movie in Sisters (more on that below) and a quiet evening in our vacation home.

Vacation Houses:

We stayed in a beautiful three-bedroom home in Black Butte Ranch that backed right up to national forest service land, allowing our boys plenty of room to play. Our home had a full kitchen, of course, as well as a full washer and dryer, lots of storage space for our skis (or golf clubs in summer), a private hot tub, a wide deck overlooking the forest, and a cozy fireplace. It served as the perfect home base for outdoor recreation, and when we wanted to stay ‘closer to home’, swimming and exercise facilities were a five minute drive away.

Resort amenities:

There are no fewer than three recreation centers at Black Butte. The biggest is at Glaze Meadow, which includes tennis courts, a fitness facility (with exercise classes), a large outdoor pool and toddler splash pad area (open in summer), a large indoor pool with slide (open year-round), hot tubs, and steam room. The Black Butte spa is also located on-site. Also at Glaze Meadow is a large children’s playground with a fun rock climbing structure.

The Black Butte Stables are open during the summer months, and at the main lodge area, summer offers bike rentals. A basketball court is located near the main lodge (as is a rec barn with small arcade). A small general store is also on-site, plus sports shops at Glaze Meadow and the golf clubhouses.

Dining:

We loved breakfast at the Black Butte Ranch Lodge dining room! Eat around 9 am, and you’ll be full until dinner! From blueberry pancakes to salmon and dill omelets, breakfast is served in the lodge dining room overlooking the lake for wonderful views in every season. The dining room is also open for lunch and dinner year-round. Tip: Call the dining room and order take-and-bake pizza, which can be picked up and baked in your vacation home. Pizzas are $11-15, large in size, and very convenient!

During the summer months, several additional dining options exist at the golf clubhouses, and in winter, guests can opt between the lodge dining room and the Glaze Meadow Golf Shop. Families will most likely cook most of their own food in vacation home kitchens (grab groceries at the Ray’s in Sisters), but good family-friendly dining also exists off-property. Our picks: the dining room at The Lodge at Suttle Lake (10 minutes away) and Bronco Bill’s in Sisters (10 minutes in the other direction). If you head into Sisters for dinner, consider buying tickets to the Sisters Movie Housefor an unique movie experience. This intimate theater serves high-quailty snacks and even IPA brews and local wines.

Rates:

Nightly rates vary greatly at Black Butte Ranch (depending on the size of your vacation home or condo). Start by perusing Black Butte’s great package deals. We sampled the ’Pray for Snow’ package, which included lift tickets to Hoodoo, movie tickets to Sisters Movie House, and a Black Butte Ranch credit (which we used for pizza). Deals abound in every season.

Directions:

Black Butte Ranch is located on Highway 20 ten minutes outside of Sisters, Oregon. It is 45 minutes from Bend and 2 hours from Salem, Oregon.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced Black Butte Ranch as guests of the resort, for the purpose of review. All opinions remain our own.

Central Oregon golf resort pick: The Lodge at Eagle Crest, a Holiday Inn Resort

June 19, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Forget what you thought you knew about the Holiday Inn brand. Holiday Inn Resort has reinvented the name with properties like the Lodge at Eagle Crest in Eagle Crest Resort, which serves as a great home base for families who enjoy both golf and other outdoor activities.

There are no shortage of golf resorts in Central Oregon. We’ve been to most of them, and they certainly all have high standards and individual strengths. Eagle Crest Resort‘s strength lies in its casual, family-friendly vibe and competitive pricing. It’s a very large resort (comprising mostly of vacation rentals and private homes), but no matter where you go, you’re greeted with a smile from staff and residents alike. Located in Redmond, Eagle Crest is only minutes from Bend, where families can river raft and mountain bike in summer and ski in winter. And if you’re a golfing family, you’ll be in heaven with three 18-hole courses on-site.

When we arrived on a typically sunny day in June, we certainly noticed the three 18 hole golf courses first: golf is king here. However, we almost immediately learned that there’s much more to Eagle Crest than chasing little white ball around in the grass (is it clear my kids are the golfers in the family, not me?).

Eagle Crest Recreation:

Bring your bikes! Eagle Crest is divided into two main areas: Resort and Ridge. And it’s large…very large. We like to park our car and leave it, so having bikes meant we could ride to the sports centers (more on that later) and dining. If you can’t bring bikes, they can be rented at the Resort Sports Center by the hour or day, and there are many great bike paths throughout. We like the long loop skirting the whole property, which dips in and out of high desert scrub area and residential neighborhoods and fairways. If you’re up for it, mountain bikes can be rented, and single track trails can be accessed not far from property, right off Cline Falls Road.

Bike rentals start at $8/hour for kids’ bikes to $20/hour for specialty bikes, and yes, your kids will want to try these. They have surrey bikes for two, plus high intensity trikes and fun scooters. There are regular cruiser bikes as well, and tag-alongs and trailers. Our kids most enjoyed trying the novelty of Longe Boards, which are little stand-up paddle boards for the pavement. Don’t rent these specialty items for longer than 1 hour: they are simply too hard to pedal for much longer, though they are fun. Rent regular bikes for the main trails!

In addition to biking, there are no fewer than three sports and recreation centers in the resort. The Resort Sports Center has an outdoor pool and hot tub, tennis and racquetball courts, and ample bike rentals (for the extra fee), and the Ridge Sports Center on the opposite side of the resort offers the only indoor pool, indoor basketball court, and full spa. The third center–Westview–is located well away from the others near the stables, and includes a children’s spray park and outdoor pool. All centers have exercise rooms and classes.

Horseback riding at Ikiutan Stables is one of the most enjoyable resort riding experiences we’ve tried. We loved that our guide listened to our description of our ability level and let us trot our horses and have more freedom than usual. Our hour ride took us across high desert without a house in sight. When I learned that Ikiutan is owned by the same ranglers as at neighboring Brasada Resort, I wasn’t surprised; we had a fabulous ride there as well. At $50 a person for a 1 hour ride, prices are on par with other area resorts, and definitely worth the expense. Pony rides are available for young kids, though kids as young as five are welcome on regular group rides.

Eagle Crest Golf:

You don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy Eagle Crest, though it certainly helps. As mentioned, the resort is very casual and friendly, and this extends to the courses. Kids are welcome, and nine holes are available to play instead of 18 on at least one course. We had a great nine hole experience at the Ridge course (even on a crowded day in June): the course was challenging but accessible…the kids did not feel frustrated, even though it was clear this was no kiddie course.

A great way to get started is a visit to the putting course. 18 well-designed holes on the course include sand traps, water hazards, and beautiful landscaping. It looks just like a little version of the real thing, and kids can practice chipping and putting. The course took us about 1.5 hours, and was a highlight for the kids. In fact, Calvin kept asking if ‘we could make one of these in our backyard’. No way: it’s way too sophisticated! The putting course is affordable too: only $6 for kids and $10 for adults. Our crew all thought it was much better than a miniature golf course.

Lodging:

As mentioned, the Lodge at Eagle Crest is a Holiday Inn Resort. Rooms are standard, but very well appointed. Beds are very comfortable with ample pillows and new duvets. Rooms include a mini fridge, and suites with kitchens are available. For our family of five, we had a standard room adjoining with a one-bedroom suite, which was perfect for preparing meals and spreading out. Lodging guests can access the sports centers with day passes. (There is also an outdoor pool and hot tub, as well as playground, right at the lodge, and kids eat dinner and breakfast free at Aerie when staying with an adult.)

Dining:

Dining is a bit limited at Eagle Crest, likely due to how many homes and vacation homes are on property (reducing need for multiple restaurants). Bring food and cook in your kitchen! Alternatively, we ate most our meals at Aerie, located in the lodge lobby. This small casual service restaurant has good basic meals (think sandwiches, salads, pizzas, omelets and waffles) during breakfast and dinner hours. A few seats are available outside on the patio overlooking the Resort course. Kids eat free off the kids’ menu here if you’re staying in the lodge, which is a great deal, but be advised that kids’ meal portions are fairly small. Older kids will probably want to eat off the adult menu. Equally casual dining is found at the Ridge course, and for finer dining, Niblick and Greene’s serves steak, seafood, and pasta.

Spa:

The Ridge Sports Center houses the only spa, which is small but reasonably priced. I loved the convenience of having it in the rec center too: I was able to drop the kids off in the pool with Grandma while I enjoyed a 90-minute relaxation massage. The massage was heavenly, or at least I think it was…I may have fallen asleep at one point! The spa is low on frills like infused water and calming ambiance, but high on actual value: the service was great and the rate was the best I’ve seen in a long time. I definitely recommend taking advantage of this while at Eagle Crest.

Room rates:

At the time of our visit, standard lodge rooms started at $144 per night. Vacation rentals are also available, and are undoubtedly the better deal if staying for a full week.

Distance from the Interstate:

Only 15 minutes from Highway 97 in Bend.

Directions:

The lodge is located at 1522 Cline Falls Road in Redmond. From Bend, take Highway 20 West toward Sisters. Follow this approximately five miles to Tumalo, where you will take a right on Cline Falls Road (also called Cook Avenue). Follow this for approximately nine miles to the resort entrance.

Disclaimer: We were guests of Eagle Crest for the purpose of review.

Eagle Crest on Dwellable

Brasada Ranch for families: what to do with kids at this Preferred Family resort

April 1, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

It’s no secret that the Pit Stops for Kids crew loves Central Oregon. With approximately 300 days of sunshine per year, lakes and rivers to swim in, raft on, and fish from, trails to hike, and volcanoes to behold, what’s not to love? And we’ve found our top family-friendly Central Oregon resort in Brasada Ranch.

What makes Brasada Ranch great for families:

1. Lodging: During our first visit to Brasada, we stayed in one of their two-bedroom cabins overlooking a fairway of The Canyons. Not only was our cabin luxurious in every way, from the full-sized, gourmet kitchen to the two bathrooms, living room with fireplace, and large deck with hot tub, but we could truly relax, knowing that we were able to spread out, eat meals in, and allow the kids to play. We loved watching for rabbits to poke their ears out from the sage brush in the evenings (and spot them by surprise on the fairway after dusk). At night, we were spoiled by the quiet (cabins are set decently far apart), the star-studded sky, and our crackling fire.

2. On-site activities for kids: Brasada Ranch is not an all-inclusive resort, but the array of activities that are complimentary with your stay is impressive. The Athletic Center houses all of the following: two outdoor pools (including a current-driven lazy river), outdoor hot tubs, an indoor pool, an indoor toddler pool, The Hideout (an indoor kids’ play area with a revolving climbing wall, Xbox games, toys, and outdoor recreational equipment), an outdoor basketball court, a playground, and outdoor tennis courts. All the above is open to all resort guests, right down to tennis racket rentals and basketballs.

What you’ll need to pay extra for: Brasada is home to incredible golfing at Brasada Canyons and scenic horseback riding from their on-site stables. You’ll want to budget for at least one or the other. And don’t be afraid to let the kids tee up: even though the Canyons course is challenging, there are tee off options for kids as young as my then-seven-year-old. For the grown-ups in the group, a trip to Spa Brasada will not disappoint.

3. Central Oregon recreation: Families can hike directly from Brasada Ranch (as for information at the Athletic Center desk), or can hit the trails in the nearby Deschutes National Forest in Sisters, Oregon. The Braised Family Concierge can set you up with volcano hikes, cave spelunking, river rafting, or kayaking in summer, and skiing, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing in winter.

4. Peaceful, friendly, and kid-approved dining: During our stay at Brasada, we ate at both the casual Ranch House and the upscale Range with kids. Both afforded amazing sunset views of the mountains and valley, both offered farm-fresh, often local cuisine, and both came with family-friendly service. Though Range is pricier, don’t assume it’s a no-go for kids: ours loved sitting by the bonfire adjacent to our outdoor seating while waiting for their entrees, wrapped in cozy wool blankets and sampling homemade s’mores.

Brasada Ranch is a Preferred Family hotel:

What does this mean? It means that Preferred Hotels, a stickler for quality on all travel fronts, ensures that Brasada is convenient, fun, and comfortable for families. How so? If you’re staying at Brasada with young kids or babies, there will be a crib or port-a-crib waiting, high chairs and booster chairs will be available, and you’ll find kid-friendly fare in Brasada’s restaurants. There’s no extra fee for children staying in guest rooms or cabins, and children’s programming is available, as well as babysitting services, should you need it.

Looking for more family-focused Preferred hotels?

We’re picky about our endorsements of family travel tip sites, but Preferred Family makes the cut. Not only will you find a full database of family-friendly certified Preferred hotels worldwide, but Preferred Family’s blog section offers travel tips, hotel reviews, and travel industry news from families just like yours. Look for us while you’re there…we feel so strongly about Preferred Family that we contribute there!

Read Pit Stops for Kids’ full review of a Brasada Ranch stay with kids!

This post written in conjunction with a partnership with Preferred Family.

Sunriver Resort, Oregon

November 8, 2010 By Amy Hagstrom

Toby kicks back and relaxes in the snow at Sunriver. Located thirty minutes from Bend, Oregon along Hwy 97, Sunriver, Oregon is an outdoors-lover’s paradise four seasons out of the year. The Pit Stops for Kids family has visited in winter, spring, and summer, and had so much to do and see each time that we definitely need to go back!

Sunriver is a vibrant resort community of vacation homes and a village center of shops and restaurants centered around a main lodge, all nestled among the pines of central Oregon and in the shadow of Mt. Bachelor. The lodge often runs special packages ideal for families and weekend getaways, but if you’re looking for a magical place to spend your winter holiday vacation, Pit Stops for Kids recommends one of Sunriver’s vacation home rentals, such as these listings currently offered by HomeAway.

We were fortunate enough to spend a Christmas week here, and the kids (and I!) have never forgot it. Right in the Sunriver community, you have it all: snow outside your door (most of the time, anyway!), a sledding hill within walking distance, a year-round pool and hot tub (at the lodge, free access with most home rentals), cross-country and snow-shoe trails (doubling as walking and biking trails in the summer months), a village center with outdoor ice skating rink, award-winning restaurants, and kids’ activity clubs.

Holiday lights at the Sunriver Resort.

During the holiday season, there are tree-lighting ceremonies, cookies with Santa, The Night Before Christmas readings, bonfires, and more. We ate a delicious and festive Christmas Eve dinner at one of the lodge’s several dining rooms before returning to our cozy rental to hang the stockings and leave out cookies and milk for Santa. Christmas Day, we spent most our afternoon sledding, sipping cocoa, and playing board games. It really couldn’t be beat!

If you’re a skier, Mt. Bachelor ski resort is only twenty miles away, (arguably) offering the very best downhill experience of the area. Check for bundled ski/stay rates with Sunriver!

Distance from the nearest interstate: Right on Hwy 97 (30 minutes from OR Hwy 20).

Date Last Visited: December 2009

Rentals and Room Rates: Vary. Check the above links for room rates from the source!

Dining options: There are many, but our favorites are The Grille at Crosswater (for fine dining) in the lodge and Goody’s in the Sunriver Village. There is also a grocery store in the village, but for better prices, you might want to head into Bend, where you’ll find a Trader Joe’s, Albertson’s, and the like.

Website: Sunriver Resort

Directions: To get to the resort from Bend, take highway 97 to the exit at Cottonwood Road. Take a left at S. Imnaha Rd, then another left at E Cascade Rd. At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on E Cascade Rd, then turn left to stay on E Cascade Rd. At the next traffic circle (yes, it’s confusing!), take the 3rd exit onto Abbot Dr, then turn left at Summit View Dr to the resort entrance.