Central Oregon

In the heart of the Central Oregon plateau, on the "high and dry" eastern side of the Cascades Mountains, Bend is an outdoor recreation paradise. Described by Newsweek magazine as "the Aspen of the high desert" and named "Best Place in the Northwest to Retire" by Money Magazine, Bend is a year-round playground that draws more than five million visitors a year.

Mount Bachelor, the Northwest's premier ski area, is just a 15-minute drive from town. During the warmer months, visitors can choose among more than 20 top-rated golf courses. Other recreational activities include whitewater rafting on the Deschutes River, "epic" rock-climbing on the world-famous Smith Rock, rugged mountain biking over hundreds of miles of scenic trails, hiking into gorgeous and pristine back-country terrain, and fly fishing at a myriad of sparkling rivers and lakes.

To find out more about the area, visit the following sites:

Central Oregon Visitors Association
Visit Bend
City of Bend
Bend Chamber of Commerce
Economic Development for Central Oregon
http://www.bendparksandrec.org/
http://www.highdesertmuseum.org/