Overview
Sunriver is a resort town in Central Oregon. The Sunriver Resort is a major year-round attraction in the region, especially for families, and this article primarily focuses on resort amenities.
2 sights · 6 things to do · 2 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Sunriver
Oregon Observatory at Sunriver
Visit the Oregon Observatory on a clear night and you will be in for a treat. The observatory possesses many telescopes including over ten telescopes between 8 and 20 inches in diameter. Being outside the city there is l…
Crosswater
One of "America's 100 Greatest Courses" according to Golf Digest. Crosswater is nothing short of a masterpiece as it wanders through the Deschutes and Little Deschutes rivers, and in and out of the woods. Every hole has …
Sunriver Nature Center
The Nature Center is a great place to learn about the Central Oregon wildlife. It offers a botanical garden, nature trail, and hands-on animal exhibits. The nature trail lets you view a forest and marsh environment, you …
Woodlands Course
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. the Woodlands course is a challenge for any player. Winding through the woodlands of Sunriver the course offers an abundance of doglegs water hazards and elevation changes. With its gre…
Meadows Course
Enjoy wonderful views of meadows and the marshlands from the actual Sun River. John Fought's design uses many directional bunkers for a fun and challenging golf experience.
Caldera Links
A family friendly 9-hole course open only to resort guests, homeowners, and golf club members. Named a "Top 10 Destination for Family Golf" by Golf Digest in 2016.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jul–Sep. Summer highs reach about 69°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Crater Lake National Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- RDM Roberts Field, Redmond — 29 mi away. Directions
- EUG Eugene Airport, Eugene — 90 mi away. Directions
- PDX Portland International Airport, Portland — 131 mi away (major hub). Directions
Sunriver lies 15 miles south of Bend on US Highway 97. From US-97, you can take Cottonwood Road (exit 151) to the north end of town, or take S Century Drive (exit 153) to the south end of town.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Oregon Observatory at Sunriver, Meadows Course, The Cove
- Lunch Carson's American Kitchen
- Afternoon The SHARC, Woodlands Course
- Dinner Blondie's Pizza
- Evening The Mountain Jug
Day 2
- Morning Crosswater
- Afternoon Caldera Links
- Evening Twisted River Tavern
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
- Redmond Municipal Airport (also known as Roberts Field) (RDM) located about 45 minutes north of Sunriver, is the closest airport with commercial passenger service. Several regional airlines offer service to western hubs, including San Francisco, Denver, Portland, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. There are no public transit services from RDM to Sunriver. Rental cars are available at the airport from a number of major rental companies. Taxi/shuttle services for service to/from Sunriver include:
- Portland International Airport (PDX) is the closest major and international airport to Sunriver. Portland is approximately three and a half hours north-west of Sunriver. Rental cars are available at the airport from a number of major rental companies.
By car
Sunriver lies 15 miles south of Bend on US Highway 97. From US-97, you can take Cottonwood Road (exit 151) to the north end of town, or take S Century Drive (exit 153) to the south end of town.
Some of the companies that serve Redmond Municipal Airport (see above) also can provide transportation to and from Bend (around $40-50 each way) or Portland (around $230 each way). Check their websites or call for more information.
Get around
By car
Driving in Sunriver can be confusing, as the roads wind through the resort and meet and roundabouts, rather than having straight roads meet at intersections in your typical town. The roundabouts, known as "circles", are numbered 1 through 11, and there is no circle 8 (if a local tells you to go to circle 8, they're just picking on the tourists). It can be tricky to find your destination without specific directions, however there are free maps available at many local business as well as both the entrances to Sunriver from Highway 97.
By foot
Sunriver has over 30 miles of well maintained paved paths designated for pedestrian use (biking and walking). The paths can take you anywhere in town, and are also kept clean for walking during the winter months.
By bike
Biking is a very popular mode of transportation in Sunriver since there are many bike rental shops and over 30 miles of paths that go anywhere in town. The paths are well maintained, and are separated from the roads so riders don't need to worry about being alongside traffic.
See
See Oregon Observatory at Sunriver
Visit the Oregon Observatory on a clear night and you will be in for a treat. The observatory possesses many telescopes including over ten telescopes between 8 and 20 inches in diameter. Being outside the city there is little light pollution making viewing celestial objects much more clear.
See Sunriver Nature Center
The Nature Center is a great place to learn about the Central Oregon wildlife. It offers a botanical garden, nature trail, and hands-on animal exhibits. The nature trail lets you view a forest and marsh environment, you can also see a resident bald eagle, exotic marsh birds, animal tracks, and a dormant volcano.
Do
If you enjoy outdoor activities then Sunriver is the place to be. Sunriver offers things such as White Water rafting tours, Fishing Tours, Biking Tours, and Hiking Tours in the summer time. When the winter months show up, Sunriver turns into a winter recreation town. Sunriver offers skiing/snowboarding rentals, Snowmobiling tours, Cross Country Skiing trails, and there is an Ice skating rink located in Sunriver as well. Depending on the time of year Sunriver offers activities that correlate well with the changing seasons.
Golf
Sunriver offers three well known championship golf courses, the Woodlands course, the Meadows course, and Crosswater. The Caldera Links family friendly course is also part of the resort. The courses close for the off-season in October/November until spring.
Do Woodlands Course
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. the Woodlands course is a challenge for any player. Winding through the woodlands of Sunriver the course offers an abundance of doglegs water hazards and elevation changes. With its great conditions the Woodlands course is fun for any player.
- The Meadows course also has an indoor golf simulator for year-round use. The cost is $30 per 30 minutes, and rental clubs are available at no extra charge.
Do Crosswater
One of "America's 100 Greatest Courses" according to Golf Digest. Crosswater is nothing short of a masterpiece as it wanders through the Deschutes and Little Deschutes rivers, and in and out of the woods. Every hole has five separate tee boxes. Crosswater has housed a few big tournaments including the 2006 men's NCAA final, PGA Tour Champions events from 2007 to 2010, and the PGA Professional Championship 2001, 2007, 2013, and 2017. This course is only open to resort guests and club members.
Aquatic Activities
Do The SHARC
The Sunriver Homeowners' Aquatic and Recreation Center ("The Shark") is an expansive indoor/outdoor aquatic facility that is open to resort homeowners, and guests of homeowners (including renters) year-round. If renting, the homeowner must provide you with a "Recreation Plus Card" as part of the rental to get in. This should be rolled in to the cost of the rental, but be sure to inquire when booking. In the off-season, the outdoor pools are closed, and the indoor facilities are open to the general public for a $10 fee.
Buy
Shop Sunriver Marketplace
The Marketplace is a small grocery located at the north end of the resort near the Cottonwood entrance. A gas station is located adjacent to the market.
Shop Sunriver Business Park
The Sunriver Business Park is located adjacent to the resort. Some retail is located here, but it is the main place to find other necessities such as the library, the post office, a hardware store, and auto repair services.
Eat
Eat Carson's American Kitchen
Located in the Sunriver lodge, the Meadows restaurant offers "Oregon First" indigenous cuisine. There is a great view of Mt. Bachelor through huge windows in the restaurant. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and special Sunday brunches.
Eat Blondie's Pizza
Defintely the best pizza place in Sunriver, and one of the best in Central Oregon. They also serve salads, sandwiches, pasta and espresso drinks.
Drink
Drink The Mountain Jug
12 rotating taps of microbrews from Central Oregon, classic music on a record player, and a large patio.
Drink Twisted River Tavern
Located at the resort lodge.
Sleep
Visitors can stay right at the Sunriver Resort facilities, or you can rent private vacation homes (both at the resort, and nearby) which are available via AirBnB, management agencies, and private listings.
Go next
Nearby
La Pine
City / town · 4 listings · 12 mi away
Bend
City / town · 60 listings · 14 mi away
Mount Bachelor
Park · 14 mi away
Sisters
City / town · 15 listings · 29 mi away
Redmond
City / town · 19 listings · 29 mi away
Waldo Lake
Park · 4 listings · 32 mi away
Smith Rock State Park
Park · 1 listings · 37 mi away
Willamette National Forest
Park · 1 listings · 39 mi away
My experience
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