- Places of Interest -
Prineville is located 3 hours from Portland, Salem, Corvallis and Eugene. If you fly, fly into Robert's Field in Redmond, 15 miles from Prineville non-stop from Los Angeles, Seattle and Portland. Explore the high desert from the oldest city in Central Oregon; Prineville. Make Prineville your center and branch off to explore from Prineville. *Central Oregon is considered a Rockhounding paradise. Prineville has the unofficial title of Rockhound Capital of the United States. Few places offer the variety of precious gemstones as the high deserts and forests as this part of Oregon. People of all ages can enjoy the opportunity to discover a piece of Oregon's geologic past by visiting one of the many public recreational collection areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and US Forest Service (USFS). The Chamber will mail a Rockhound/Vacation packet to you for $6.50 which covers postage in the United States. To order your packet contact the Chamber at 541-447-6304. The Rockhound/Vacation Packet includes: The Rockhound Map Map of Prineville and Crook County Map of Oregon 10 Day Trips in Crook County A Lodging, Dining, Shopping Guide Brochures on local attractions, points of interest and events
Prineville Walking Tour Take a walk around historic Prineville. Visit the historic Crook County Courthouse. View cabins and houses of the early settlers and business people. See the Wildland Firefighters Memorial that commemorates hotshot crews that combat fires across the nation. Whether you enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, golfing, rafting, mountain biking, skiing, horseback riding, snowmobiling or just plain relaxing, you co do it in Sisters country. On the edge of town, the Deschutes National Forest offers a 1.6 million-acre playground laced with miles and miles of trails, rivers, lakes, wilderness areas, scenic drives and vistas. Meadow Lakes Golf Shop - 300 SW Meadow Lakes Dr Prineville, OR 97754 541-447-7113 A municipal golf course with ten man made ponds. Bent grass greens. Blue grass fairways and fescue grass double cut roughs, paired with 66 bunkers and huge (6,700 sq. ft. average) greens. Prineville Golf and Country Club - PO Box 190 Prineville, OR 97754 541-447-7266 Fly Fishing: Metolius River A gem of a spring-fed river, the Metolius’ crystalline water is home to rainbow trout, Dolly Varden (bull trout) and Kokanee salmon. Fly fishers, from beginner to expert, enjoy the beauty and test of "the most challenging fly fishing stream in the Northwest." Deschutes River The Deschutes offers great angling and miles of secluded stretches. Search our directory to find a local guide for an exciting float trip and an experience to remember. Brasada Ranch - 16986 SW Brasada Ranch Rd. Powell Butte, OR 97753 541-504-3200 A luxury resort on an 1800 playground with 360 panoramic view. 1000 acres planned for open spaces, health & wellness spa, equestrian center, hiking and riding trails and an 18-hole golf course designed by PGA veteran Peter Jacobsen. Birding: Prineville Birding The diverse habitat types that cover the region around Prineville are host to over 250 species of birds. Great birding coupled with spectacular scenery make Prineville a birding paradise. Hiking, Camping and Pack Trips: Climbing: Central Oregon offers wonderful opportunities for climbers. The world famous Smith Rocks attracts climbers of all levels and is one of the most popular climbing sites in North America. Hiking and Biking Tours: Sissorsville - Highway 26 east 15 miles, turn right on Ochoco Ranger Station Road, travel 9 miles and turn left on USFS # 22. Park at large dispersed campsite along the creek. Town is three miles. Ponderosa Loop - #801 Ochoco National Forest. 22 mi east on Highway 26 to Bandit Springs Rest Area 1.4 miles...Easy Mountain Biking, Sno-park permit required, Hiking Lookout Mountain Trail - #804- Highway 26 14 miles, right fork County Rd. #123 Mountain Biking, Horseback riding, hiking. Independent Mine - Highway 26 east 15 miles, right on County Rd. #123, travel 8 mi past Ranger Station, turn right on UsFS #42, go 6.5 to Trailhead. Cougar - #835 - Highway 26 for 27 miles, just past Ochoco Divide, left on Forest Rd. #650, park off road in gravel pit and hike in. Hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Rim Rock Springs Trail - #851 - Highway 26 NW for 18 miles, turn right a Rim Rock Springs Wildlife Management area. Hiking 1.5, Easy. Other Recreation: swimming, canoeing, whitewater rafting, snowmobiling, mountain climbing, horseback riding, boating. Painted Hills - 43 miles...6 miles Off Bear Creek Rd. Open April through October Camping at Barnhouse Springs. Cinema: Redmond Cinemas- 1535 SW Odem Medo Road, Redmond, OR - (541) 548-8777 Rimrock Lanes - 2653 SW High Desert Dr. Prineville, OR 97754 541-416-8116 Tower Point Lookout - Active Fire Lookout- Visitors are welcome June through Sept. Highway 360, east for 33 miles,turn right on USFS #16, travel 8 miles to USFS #1750, continue west 2 miles, take USFS #1760 to Tower Point Lookout. 1.6 million acre Deschutes National Forest as Sisters’ playground, recreational opportunities all around. WildFlowers at Big Summit Prairie - Huge meadow area surrounded by Pine Forest. 10 mile area open to public the rest is private land. Highway 26 east for 16.1 miles, turn east on county road #123, travel 8.5 miles to USFS #42, turn southeast and continue 9.5 miles to USFs #4210 You will see wildflowers, butterflies and birds.
- Visitor Contact Information -