Here is my review of clear lake for row boat use!…read more We got here at 930 am. Found the pay box at the entrance $9, no cash. There is an option to pay at the bottom which we should have done because they take the national park passes there (see picture). We were able to find parking in the main lot and there were a few people there. We weren't sure how the process of renting the boats or availability of life jackets. There is a shop that sells food, snacks, drinks, ice cream , and desserts. They also have a selection of fishing items, shirts, jackets. We paid for the boat - $60 for the large boat all day. The life jackets were plentiful and available. My husband rowed most of the time because I am not a good rower. We made it from the dock to the start of the river that you can't go past which is good since you could hear the rapids. The way to the left was a lot calmer and clear. We had a blast out on the lake. You could see down near the shallows but not in the middle of the lake. Make sure to bring sunscreen because there isn't much shade. The facilities are great!! Two bathrooms in the shop. Large tables to sit and enjoy a hot cooked meal or ice cream. I am so glad we were able to make a morning on the lake super easy and stress free! Next time I'm thinking of renting a kayak or a stand up paddle board. That would be fun! If you are in the area make sure to stop by early. As we were leaving, the parking lot was filled up so make sure to get there early! I hope my review and pictures help you plan for a successful visit to Clear Lake!

A beautiful setting for the perfect romantic getaway or family weekend escape. The cabins are…read morecozy with gas stoves and heaters and the boat rentals are very affordable is you want to connect with the water. We enjoyed a wonderful hike around the lake which took us through forests, lava fields, and springs with wooden bridges. The views were amazing!

The Deschutes National Forest is one of the twelve national forests in Oregon (Oregon is in a three…read moreway tie for second place with the most national forests in the US & Puerto Rico) and covers over a million and a half acres. They are all beautiful, but Deschutes is special. It spans the area between the McKenzie River area to the high desert in eastern Oregon. You start in the warm(er) area and by the time you hit the summit there's snow on the ground. And as you're reaching higher elevation, you find yourself passing through the lava beds. One of the volcanos in the forest was used by the Apollo astronauts in the 60s. It's a really peaceful drive, and a breathtaking one. Suttle Lake is near Sisters, and it's really beautiful. There are several pull-out areas along the highway to take in the view. Bend is the big town in the area, and Sisters is a popular tourist stop as well.

National Parks have always been at the top of my list of great things: America's Best Idea…read more National Monuments are not far behind. But National Forests really hadn't registered with me until lately - they've just been large undeveloped places with lots of trees that I drove through to get to a park. Not anymore. I love Deschutes National Forest. What with the Cascade Volcanoes, the river, the creeks, the lakes, the many hiking trails, the dirt roads for my 4WD, this forest is like a huge national park. And so close to Bend. You literally are in the forest as you drive out of town. It will take many years to explore even a small fraction of the forest, but I'm up for the challenge.

I only gave it 2 stars because I do support the arts, otherwise I'd give it one. However, the fact…read morethat two native born Oregonians funded the purchase of 120 acres between Suttle Lake and Blue Lake twenty years ago in order to build this compound, effectively blocking all reasonable public access to Blue Lake is to me beyond reprehensible. Yes, there is a "Park" on the western side of the lake, but it is only accessible by a mile-long trail up a scrappy hill after a short drive on a sketchy forest service road. And there are zero amenities at said "park". Nothing. Plus, you can't even get to the water easily. Not somewhere to take the family on a nice day. As a lifelong Oregon resident, I have always been proud of the fact that we have protected and preserved public access to places like this lake. This is why there are no privately owned Oregon Beaches. To keep access open for everyone. For me to see the signs and gates and fences marked "Private Property" blocking roads that used to lead to a place enjoyed for years upon years by anyone who wished to stop by for a swim, picnic or fishing trip made me sick. Those signs to me said loud and clear - "This is OURS now. KEEP OUT." It would have been (and still could be) so very easy to provide an access road along the southern shore with a simple boat ramp and parking area to maintain public access. But no. What we have here is a slap in the face of all Oregonians by a select chosen few who thought they deserved this lake more than the rest of us.

World class Camp…read moreCaldera is focused on changing the world through art and creativity. They are succeeding. Given the magnitude of our challenges, we need all the creative thinking we can get! Caldera gets that. In Summer, Caldera employs artists to collaborate with at-risk underserved youth to explore and gain confidence in their creativity. In Winter, Caldera hosts small groups of artists for a month residency. What's world class about Caldera is the setting, curation and communication. Caldera is set on public land under a 99 year lease. It borders Blue Lake amid land imprinted by a large forest fire. The ghosts of burned trees are primarily ponderosa pine with a healthy recent growth of manzanita shrubs. Sun shines. Air at altitude. Caldera curates artists nationally. Locally I know many. Each has a private a-frame cabin. Some years, they walk through shoveled paths between buildings in ten foot snow accumulation. Very, very sadly, and of great concern, snow was scarce this year. I have been wanting to get to Caldera, a 3 hour drive from Portland proper, for some time. I was able to attend one of their resident artists' presentations and studio tours that happen an afternoon just a few times a year. Visitors gathered in the library to hear short presentations with images by each artist. Then we were able to visit their studios and chat individually. It was clear the artists had created an experience of camaraderie and collaboration from those conversations. One artist commented that, unusual for a residency, the program was able to accommodate her husband and son, a part of her everyday artmaking-life, into the experience. Caldera is a project of a local creative agency. So you would expect that they would communicate their successes. On the Zen to Super Bowl communication continuum, Caldera hews to Zen. They have these open houses and they have shows of their youth programs in Portland. Sometimes they show that work in the agency lobby gallery, and they are moving to a new office in the building with more potential for shows. But given their reach and reputation, their promotion of Caldera is done with humility and authenticity. Now let's talk world class. The buildings were designed by Brad Cloepfil at Allied Works Architecture. The materials and aesthetic are closely related to the land, low and angular, massive fireplaces, raw concrete, fir and cedar. Think Timberline Lodge crossed with Taliesin, using local materials for the 21st century. The program is world class for its seemingly effortless engagement of young people. We need more. Each young person encapsulates the possibility for optimism and discouragement in their infinite brilliance and critical idealistic eye. We waste too much. At Caldera they are treated with the respect they crave. Caldera is a private institute. You can visit for a few hours a few times a year they announce. If you are an artist, apply for their residency. If you are a creative youth fitting their program, reach out to them. If you are a patron connect. Get on their social media channels. Any creative agency continuously engages every dimension of culture to discover insights. If you would like a Mad Men history, look up the book Conquest of Cool. For a more breezy view, about a fictional agency, find the book Palladio. This is not that. Caldera is an authentic engagement of creative inspiration in a beautiful setting done right. World class. World changing.

My father passed a few weeks ago.. and about seven/eight years ago, my dad took me on our VERY…read moreFIRST vacation together for my 30th birthday. We drove up to Sisters Oregon from the Bay Area to go fly fishing together. Myself being and avid hunter and outdoorsman, and my dad loving restaurants and fine wines.. He thought a fishing trip would be something that i would enjoy (even though neither of us were fishermen at all) He booked a 2-3 day guided tour through the Fly Fishers Place and it was an absolute adventure that i still to this day will remember for the rest of my life. I cant quite remember our guide's name but he made sure that we were well trained, equipped and that we caught plenty of fish. I'm writing this because as i said, my father just passed. And the Fly Fishers Place created my absolute favorite memory of my life with him. THANK YOU SO MUCH GUYS!

Amazing day on the Fall River with Sequoia, the Trout Whisperer! She has a sixth sense and…read moresensibility. My fly rod was bent throughout the day! A few "early releases" were just as exciting as the healthy bows that made it to the net. I was able to practice and refine (with tips from Sequoia) nymphing, streamers, and dry fly techniques. Will definitely choose/recommend Sequoia again! The Fly Fisher's Place is my new go to shop and guide service!

Darcy and the whole staff at Sisters Athletic Club are truly wonderful people. They are so warm and…read morekind. They give amazing customer service and always greet you with an engaging conversation or just a simple smile if you're in a rush. The facility is always clean, really clean! The men's locker rooms are large and have great showers and a killer steam room. The jacuzzi is my favorite part and the wellness room with the massage chairs. I have traveled all over the west coast being a member at many different health clubs and gyms. Sisters Athletic club is at the top of my list. Would recommend 10/10

Small-town athletic club with big-town amenities. The only stuff it doesn't have are courts which,…read moreof course, would be really expensive. I've been a member here from virtually its inception. For such a small town, the management does well in getting good staff. (Granted, there was one about whom a negative review was written, and I'm pretty sure that was taken care of.) There are some very legit athletes here. The bulk of us simply enjoy fitness and conditioning to live life to the fullest. The personal trainers are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, as they're also legit athletes themselves--able to assist everyone from medically compromised to more serious athletic pursuits. Socially, it has become my Cheers..."where everybody knows your name."

Staff is amazing. Even had a little hiccup with the bikes & they were all over it to make it right…read moreno questions asked. Couldn't have asked for a better overall experience.

Excellent customer service. Great selection of bikes and…read moreaccessories. I will drive from the Willamette Valley to shop here.

Last stop on our trip to Oregon before heading back to San Diego. It was May 1st and we arrived…read morearound 9am so it was not that busy. Drive: Basic mountain roads. Most roads feel brand new with well marked lines and signs. Parking/trailhead: Signs clearly marked parking area for Blue Pool. Long road leading up to trailhead is unpaved and parking is only allowed on one side. Luckily we were early so got a spot not too far down. Two restrooms, pretty stinky but what can you expect? Trail: Pretty easy hike. Mostly even paths I think overall theres about 300 feet gain on it. Some parts were very muddy, a big portion is rocky with lots of lava rock. Some parts have tree roots sticking up. CAUTION: Parts of trail have a really high cliff that drops off into the river with no markings so be careful especially with dogs or kids. Pool: Of course amazing views once you get to the pool. The side you arrive on is on a cliff with the view of the pool below. You can hike down to the pool by hiking around the edge but some parts are really close to the edge. Descending and ascending is difficult and is not for the weak. Over all we had an amazing time. The hike was a little longer than I thought but nothing too crazy even for a novice hiker. I would suggest bringing water and snacks, we didn't and regretted it. If you get down to the water at least dip your feet in. We did and it felt amazing and we actually felt reguvenated for our hike back.

Great trail leading up to the pool. Not a difficult hike at all. Wouldn't suggest doing it when…read moreit's dark though as there are small rocks and rocky areas that can seem to pop out of nowhere and destroy your ankles. The pool is Absolutely beautiful and this is my favorite color. Once you see the one sign that says no bikes allowed, turn towards the water and look over the cliff.

I recommend parking at the Koosah Falls parking lot- there is ample parking available there…read more Parking at Sahalie Falls is overcrowded and some folks had to park across the highway. There is a dig out restroom available in the parking lot. The trails are very well maintained and the overlooks offer excellent views of the falls. The path between the falls offers views of the BLUE McKenzie River. Across the river you will see the McKenzie River Trail with runners and hikers. There are several unmaintained paths going from the trail to the river- wander down at your own risk! Definitely a low effort high reward hike! Do not miss this one!

Koosah Falls sits right along Waterfalls Trail beside the McKenzie River. It's not difficult to…read morereach and there are a bunch of overlook viewpoints with benches offering different perspectives. The first few lookouts are partially obstructed by trees and branches, but eventually as you keep walking, you're afforded undisturbed panoramas which are special, imo. And before walking over to this Koosah Falls (since it's barely strenuous, I wouldn't even consider it hiking), you'll immediately confront another terrific looking waterfall, and that's Sahalie Falls. You get two scenic waterfalls by simply stopping here for an hour or so. That's pretty efficient in my opinion, lol. I showed up in late July around 3:30pm and although the small parking lot was mainly full, I was still able to nab a spot. It's free to visit at your own accord. This Highway 126 situated next to the McKenzie River is the epitome of exploring around nature and is "one of Oregon's most famous recreation areas". Just 3.5 miles up the road from here at Koosah and Sahalie Falls is the iconic Tamolitch Falls - Blue Pool. That should not be missed as well. Including hiking to the colorful Blue Pool, it takes about half the day to visit. Back to this Koosah Falls...while walking along Waterfalls Trail, you'll have opportunities to relax at any point and soak up the McKenzie River forest surroundings. It's a pleasant setting. Extra notes... - Koosah Falls is 64 feet tall but appears more grand in real time. Sahalie Falls is about the same length. - Although you can't reach down to the base of Koosah Falls, Sahalie Falls is accessible and I suggest climbing over the railing for closeup views. It's not hard to do. Last thing I can say, I discovered Koosah and Sahalie Falls through TikTok mentions. TikTok is a great source of information for adventurers looking to find hidden gems among the great outdoors. Thank you to TikTok.