Twenty miles west of Bend sits the little town of Sisters. It is the kind of town where you mosey around and look at the unique little shops, art galleries, breath the clean, fresh air, and enjoy the view of the three snowcapped peaks that give the town its name.
It may be a small town but it is not difficult to figure out what to do here for a week or so. The big annual event that draws visitors from all over the United States is the
Sisters Oregon Quilt Show. This is the biggest outdoor quilt show in the world.
Some of the attractions near Sisters are:
A road trip around the McKenzie Pass Scenic Byway
World Class flyfishing in the Metolius, McKenzie or Santiam River
A day trip around the McKenzie Pass Scenic Byway will show you some of the most scenic country you have ever seen. The byway begins on Highway 242 just west of Sisters and takes you across the McKenzie Pass and around a loop across the Santiam Pass. You will have views of The Three Sisters, Mount Washington, Broken Top
Mountain, Proxy Falls, Sahalie, and Koosah Falls. You will see pristine mountain lakes, lava fields, and volcanic cinder cones. The trip is 82 miles long and will take you three to five hours.
Stops you will want to make on your way around the loop are:
Belknap Viewpoint
Dee Wright Observatory for panoramic views of the Cascades
Mount Washington Overlook
Proxy Falls
Sahalie and Koosah Falls
Windy Point Overlook
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If you are into flyfishing, the Metolius River will be a treat for you. The Metolius comes from springs under the volcanic rock near Black Butte. It is cold. It is crystal clear. It has native rainbow trout and bull trout. If this is something you want to do, it would be a good idea to go over to Camp Sherman and talk to the folks over there at the Camp Sherman Store. They can give you some ideas of where to go and also tell you about State
of Oregon Fishing Regulations. If you need fishing gear or tackle they will be glad to help you with that. Be aware that it is illegal to use a fishing guide on the Metolius.
Even if you don't want to go fishing, a visit to Camp Sherman is fun. You can even rent a cabin in the woods there. The little community has only about 250 people. You can get any groceries you need at the Camp Sherman Store and if you need anything special, you can order it ahead of time and they will have it there waiting for you--fresh meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, wine, beer, pies, and more. They serve scones hot out of the oven until 11:00 am every Saturday and Sunday. They also have a deli with sandwiches and hamburgers.
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Now back to those cabins at Camp Sherman. They have 11 cabins. All of them are privately owned and fully equipped including kitchens. These are the perfect get-a-way for stress relief and relaxation. The river is right by the cabins so you can sit in a big cozy chair and read a book, go for a nice long walk, or whatever you want to do when you want to do it. Now for the best part. These cabins are open all year round. Picture yourself sitting inside your cabin feeling as snug as a bug in a rug with a cheerful fire going in the fireplace and the snow gently falling out side. If you are intersted in spending some time here call 1-800-818-7688. E-mail reservations@metoliusriverresort.com
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For something different you might try a stay at The Long Hollow Ranch, an authentic working cattle ranch. You can sign up for three to seven days. They will get you acquainted with your horse and take you out on some rides. You can try your hand at herding some cattle. The rooms are very nice and so is the food. They have a well-stocked fishing lake. You can go on a "Chuckwagon Breakfast" ride or an evening barbecue. The guest ranch vacations are avilable June through September. The bed and breakfast is open for overnight guests October, November, March, April, and May excluding Thanksgiving and Easter. The ranch is located 13 miles northeast of Sisters.
For more information about Long Hollow Ranch Telephone: (541) 923-1901 or Toll-Free: (877) 923-1901.
Email: lhranch@communitybroadband.com
One of the best places to stay in Sisters is the Sisters Motor Lodge. You will find beautiful grounds and fantastic views of the mountains.
