Vacation Rentals by Owner

Overview of Central Oregon Vacation Rentals

Find Central Oregon’s Delights at Central Oregon Vacation Rentals

Oregon State is a vast landscape with parts of coastal cliffs, mountains vistas, and wineries. Central Oregon is perhaps the most imperative to geology and scientific knowledge because it was formed on the fiery lava from volcanoes and icy glaciers from the Ice Age. The lava fields run rampant near south of Bend, yet north of the Columbia River. From the Cascade summit towards the east to the Blue Mountains lay the lava fields. One-fourth of Central Oregon is made up of the forested and lake-filled district of the Cascades. Here, one will find volcanic peaks and verdant forests for outdoor recreation. The rest of Central Oregon is more of a plateau with juniper trees dotting the landscape and buttes rising over gorges below. If you have never explored this region, now is the time with Central Oregon vacation rentals. Each rental establishment offers you a budget stay with kitchen, plenty of beds, and space for the entire family reunion. You may even find cozy little Central Oregon cottages for the smaller family or couple.

Making Your Way to Central Oregon’s Diverse Beauty

Travel in Oregon is generally on north-south highways like Interstate 5 which runs from Washington through California. US highway 97 is also a scenic route through Central Oregon. Whether you traipse through Oregon on US 97 or US 20 towards the Sisters, you will find plenty of small roads around the villages, towns, and cities of the region.

The Sisters Gateway to Central Oregon Lodging

The Sisters is a gateway to two very important Oregon Passes of the Cascades. From the Sisters, it is possible to find McKenzie and Santiam Passes which take you along a scenic mountain drive through the wilds of the forests. Santiam Pass is less formidable as the lower pass and open for summer and winter adventures. McKenzie pass is only open in summer as it's impassable in winter due to snow. With these passes, one can reach Bend, Redmond, and Prineville and spend the day at Sheep Rock or John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. These two locations tell much about Oregon 30 million years ago.

Deschutes National Forest is to the east with forest roads leading into the lava fields. The country can look a bit forbidding yet when you venture into the forest and lava fields, you cannot help but think of the past. You will wonder at the animals who lived millions of years ago, how the landscape has changed, and if one of the dormant volcanoes will ever awake again.

Weather's Impact on Your Vacation

For those who know of Washington’s rainy days in its temperate rainforest, it is hard to imagine that Oregon would be any different with its forests. Parts of Oregon like Portland are very rainy but Central Oregon is a whole other land. Central Oregon can boast of 300 days of sunshine each year. In winter, it will snow but during the summer months, you should expect sunny skies, with sunsets over lakes you may have only seen in photographs. The sky will change from an azure blue to a deep reddish orange or purplish hue at dusk. If you are lucky, you will be out on the lake in a boat or on top of mountain to see the green forests and buttes surrounding you.

With such fine weather, one can hike, rock climb, or swim in the lower lakes. If you are going rock climbing, the butte region of Central Oregon is best, and hiking is better in the Cascades. You will discover some of the areas are an easy walk through the forests, whereas others are miles of uphill walking to spy wildlife, flowers, trees, and native Oregon birds.

In winter, skiing both Alpine and Nordic are possible. If you prefer, skating, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing are also wintery attractions in Central Oregon.

Places to Dine Around Central Oregon Cottages

With a region as large as Central Oregon, it would be tough to name all the restaurants in which to dine. However, if you stay near or at Central Oregon lodging, you will have resort restaurants as well as local establishments to choose from. You should expect ranch-style cuisine, with many American entrees as well as some international favorites.