This is the time of year to start planning your next family vacation, and there are so many great things to do in Oregon with kids! Especially in Central Oregon, where you can slip away from the daily grind of city life and fully immerse yourself in nature. Family time is all about disconnecting from our screens and inboxes and making those special memories, whether biking together and rowing on the lake, exploring the forest, or the charming shops and breweries in Bend, Oregon.
One of the biggest draws to our area is Crater Lake National Park. It’s known as one of the best things to do in Oregon for its stunning Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the United States at nearly 2,000 feet in depth! The park encompasses diverse ecosystems, from dense forests to alpine meadows, supporting a variety of wildlife, including black bears, elk, and numerous bird species. Visitors can explore the 33-mile Rim Drive that encircles the caldera, providing access to numerous overlooks and trailheads.
While camping opportunities exist at Crater Lake National Park, our Central Oregon resort is a fantastic place to stay with kids, not only for our clean and comfortable accommodations but also for all our family-friendly activities and amenities. The Historic Gilchrist Waterfront Resort is situated on 12 stunning acres and has an on-site heated pool and hot tubs, sports courts, bikes for leisurely rides, and boats for enjoying the lake. Start planning your next family getaway and book our Central Oregon resort today!
Top Things to do IN Oregon with Kids
If you’re hoping to make your next family vacation focused on spending quality outdoor time together, our Central Oregon resort is the perfect place to stay! Our location near Crater Lake National Park and the Deschutes National Forest gives guests hundreds of miles of beautiful hiking trails. For those staying for multiple nights, we’re just a quick road trip to Bend, where you’ll find some of the best things to do in Oregon with kids.
Here are our top 8 family-friendly activities to add to your itinerary:
- Hiking at Crater Lake National Park: There are plenty of easy trails under two miles in length that are perfect for an outing with the kids. On The Pinnacles hiking trail, you’ll find forested gems, beautiful meadows, and volcanic spires.
- Tumalo Falls and Double Falls in Deschutes National Forest: This short hike in this stunning forest brings you to two waterfalls. It’s a two-mile in-and-back route known for being kid-friendly.
- Explore Crescent Lake: Also located within the Deschutes National Forest, this lake is known for its wooded shorelines, sandy beaches, and bright blue-green water. It’s an Oregon fishing hotspot as well!
- Water Activities at our Resort: We have many options for our guests to enjoy the water during their stay! Motor out on our pontoon boat, or use your own power with kayaks and paddleboards. Lounge or swim by the lap pool and soak in our luxurious hot tub. If you’re an angler, we have a fantastic access point for fly fishing.
- Yard Games & Bikes: When you’re ready for dry land, play a round of croquet, try your hand at axe throwing, or borrow one of our cruiser bikes and explore our property to your heart’s content.
- Family-Friendly Sports: From tennis and basketball courts to volleyball and badminton, you’ll have your pick of fun, family-friendly activities. Coming soon, we’ll have an indoor pickleball court, which is slowly becoming one of the best things to do in Oregon with kids!
- Day Trip to Bend, Oregon: If you’re staying at our Central Oregon Resort for more than a couple of days—we always recommend staying at least three—you’ll want to add a day trip to Bend to your itinerary. You’ll love strolling through the historic downtown area, stopping for shopping and a beer at one of the local Oregon breweries!
- Dining out in Gilchrist: Just a short jaunt from our resort, you’ll find three family-friendy Gilchrist restaurants for dining out or grabbing to go to bring back to your cabin. While our lodging options have full kitchens on site, it’s nice not to have to cook at least once during your getaway.
Stay at one of The Best Central Oregon Resorts
There’s something magical about arriving at our waterfront resort in Central Oregon. You’ll be tucked away from the hustle and bustle, with only trees and water surrounding you! The fresh air can do wonders for releasing stress and allowing you to spend quality one-on-one time with your partner, kids, or extended family. Better yet, some of the best things to do in Oregon with kids are right here on our property.
Experience the charm of our Scandinavian-designed cabins, perfect for any getaway. Snuggle up in a beautifully appointed romantic studio ideal for couples, complete with warm decor and intimate ambiance. Alternatively, gather your friends and family in our spacious cabins with full kitchens, designed to comfortably accommodate everyone while offering ample room to relax and enjoy each other’s company.
Each cabin blends modern comfort with rustic elegance, creating the perfect retreat for creating unforgettable memories. With our stunning property at your fingertips, you can enjoy hiking, boating, biking, swimming, making s’mores by the fire, and playing games in the sunshine. Let the bonding begin! Start planning your next family vacation with the best things to do in Oregon with kids, and book your cabin today!
