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From streams to mountains, bike paths to fairways, gourmet dining to riverrafting, spas to stables, this central Oregon resort has something for everyone.

Oregonians’ legendary love of the outdoors was one of the state’s main attractions when looking for a place to vacation with our active, independence-seeking teen last summer. Because of our limited time and Oregon's size, a central destination convenient to a variety of recreation was crucial. We settled on Bend; neither mountain nor coast, some might find its scenic appeal rather elusive. Yet the high desert – arid plateau gilded by wild grasses, criss-crossed by streams, rimmed with mountains – epitomized The West to us. That our chosen homebase, the Sunriver Resort outside Bend, offered so much more than convenience was a bonus.

After four days at Sunriver, a 3.5-hour drive from the Portland Airport (Sunriver has its own airport for private places and charter jets), my family could have stayed a lifetime.

Sunriver was developed on the grounds of the WWII-era Fort Abbott, a military training facility whose rustic Officer Quarters, with enormous exposed logpine rafters and lava stone fireplace, remain a prime example of classic Pacific Northwest style. Visit over any of the holidays and you’ll find the Great Hall in use, decorated with seasonal themes and ready to party. The remainder of the Sunriver development is a tasteful combination of low-rise townhouse condominiums, private homes and shared facilities winding along the Sun River with views west to Mt. Bachelor.

So Much To Do, So Little Time

Sunriver’s website, packed with links for rafting, boating, mountain biking, horseback riding and more underscored its central location, and it also offered supervised activities and programs for teens, in case our son grew restless.
Sunriver has a large concentration of privately owned condos as well as vacation homes (not to mention a small conference center and ample business facilities), and the active Sunriver Owners Association works to keep its kids busy during the summer. They organize poolside barbecues with a dive-in movie each week, as well as teen-only dances popular with residents, hotel guests and locals.

During the June to August high season, the SROA hosts a variety of different programs and events all open to hotel guests. At Fork Rock Park, younger kids can enjoy Adventure Camp and Guppy Camp. The North and South Pool will be the spot for swim lessons, family BBQS, Dive-In Movies (Thursdays only), lap swims and water aerobics.

Additionally, children ages 3-10 can take advantage of Fort Funnigan. The 3,400-square-foot, log and lava building houses a state-certified children’s center open daily from mid-June to Labor Day, and weekends and school holidays year round. They offer full or half-day programs of pool play, sports, indoor rock climbing, boating and arts n’crafts. Sunriver’s porcupine mascot regularly hosts Dine with Spik for Sunday Brunch at the Meadows from 10AM- 11:30AM. Also, if parents want to take a break and visit the Sage Springs Spa or enjoy stunning sunsets at the outdoor bar the Sunriver’s childcare staff, all trained in recreation or Early Childhood Education, is available to give parents some free time.

Tough to please ‘tweeners (11-15 years), like our son, can participate in daily Guided Adventures as long as enough of them sign up in advance. The available options highlight some activities our family chose to pursue together, plus many others: hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing and rock climbing. Special daycamps only accept 13 to 17-year-old guests, devoted to Horseback Riding & Wrangling, or Whitewater Rafting, or Ropes Courses & Orienteering, each offered on one particular weekday throughout summer. There’s also a version of "Survivor" with a series of wilderness challenges, and Teen Time for ages 13-19 presents nightly outings such as cosmic bowling and archery.