With the sweeping grasslands, dry air and near-constant sun, the atmosphere around Prineville, Oregon, is probably not what you expect when you imagine a Pacific Northwest vacation. That's a good thing, though: this high-desert location is a great jumping-off point for outdoor activities that don't involve slogging through the rain. When you have only three days to spend around Prineville, spend them exploring the host of adventure activities the area has to offer.
World-Class Climbing
- If your idea of fun involves hanging from a rope over a jagged cliff, then chances are you've already heard of Smith Rock State Park. Considered one of the country's premier climbing destinations, the park offers more than 1,000 bolted climbing routes and thousands more routes for bouldering. If you're not a climber, the park is still worth a visit, with stunning mountain peaks and golden eagles and falcons flying overhead. Stay for the day and go hiking or fishing, or spend the night in one of the park's RV or walk-in campgrounds, open year-round.
Ski the Slopes
- Prineville is also within an hour's drive of the state's largest ski resort at the nearly 3,700-acre Mt. Bachelor. Topping out at an elevation of just over 9,000 feet, the resort offers alpine-style skiing and snowboarding as well as numerous cross-country trails for nordic skiers. In the summer, check out the resort's disc golf course, or visit the downhill mountain biking course which, at time of publication, was several months from opening.
- A Piece of Beer Heaven
- Oregon's largest city, Portland, has earned the nickname "Beervana," but it's far from the only place to enjoy the microbrews the state is well-known for. At time of publication, Prineville had at least one dedicated brewpub: the Solstice Brewing Company downtown. If you're looking to check out more of the area's local beer flavors, the city of Bend just west of Prineville offers many more, including the Deschutes Brewery Bend Public House.
Explore the National Forest
- The Northwest United States is also known for its pristine forests and stands of old-growth trees -- and you can get a glimpse of some of that in the Ochoco National Forest just east of Prineville. Check out Walton Lake, a small lake surrounded by old-growth pines. It's a great place for fishing in the spring and summer when the lake is stocked with rainbow trout. It's also an ideal place for swimming or boating with non-motorized or electric-motor boats; gas-powered boats are not allowed. The surrounding area also has dozens of hiking, biking and equestrian trails, as well as more than a dozen campgrounds.
