A vacation to Central Oregon provides opportunities for golfing, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, river rafting, and a chance to enjoy the spectacular scenery for which the area is known.

Once the snow melts, there are as many hiking trails in Central Oregon as your boot soles can handle. The 2.5 mile trail to the top of Mt. Bachelor is accessible in summer and fall, starting just west of the Sunrise chairlift, winding around through the trees. The top portion of the trail above the top of Sunrise chair goes through the lava rock itself and has beautiful open views of Broken Top and the Three Sisters.

You can see nearly all of the Cascade Range to the north, and the nearby lakes along the Cascade Lakes Highway Scenic Byway, from the top, at 9,065 feet. Note: The gate closes at 6 p.m., so you may want to park outside of the gate.

The Newberry National Volcanic Monument, located about ten miles south of Bend, is one of the nation's newest national monuments. Some of the most unique attractions in the nation can be found there. Cinder cones, pumice cones, lava flows, including obsidian flows, Lava Cast Forest, caves, lakes, streams, and waterfalls all attract visitors to this marvelous area.

You can view major lava flows that record the geologic history of the area, throughout much of the monument One flow changed the course of the Deschutes River. Another sudden lava flow created Lava Cast Forest, where visitors can see molds of downed trees and stumps frozen in time when the lava cooled.

Smith Rock State Park ranks as one of America's premier destinations for rock climbing, but hikers can enjoy the scenery, too. There are numerous hiking trails following the river down into the Crooked River Canyon. Limited camping facilities are available. To get there, drive north on Highway 97 through Redmond to Terrebonne. Turn right (east) at the flashing light. Turn left on NE 1st Street and proceed two miles, turning left at the state park signs. The park is another 0.7 miles. A State Park Day-Use fee is required, and there is a fee station in the parking lot.