Fort Rock Loop is a day (or two) trip in the High Desert Loop.  It includes Hole in the Ground on the way to Fort Rock.

At the town of Fort Rock itself, there is Fort Rock State Park, the Fort Rock Museum, and Fort Rock Cave.  Fort Rock State Park has one of the three “craters” in Newberry Country and is on the High Desert Loop.  The Fort Rock cave has a guided tour and it the site of the oldest sandals found in North America–about 10,000 years old.

On the way back to La Pine, you can stop at the Cabin Lake bird blinds (there is no lake), and then visit South Ice Caves are a few miles up a maintained gravel road, near an off-roading staging site.  A great day to add to an off-roading trip.

Another day trip on our High Desert Loop, you can bring your toys to use on the dunes, or take them in by eye and camera.  Make sure to watch for off-roaders.

The Lost Forest is a Ponderosa Pine forest that is surviving and thriving on far less water than the forest around La Pine.  Its natural beauty is something different than the forests here.

A geologic formation showing our volcanic past.  It’s much cooler in the Crack than it is on the surface.

You can also travel out to Green Mountain and the Four Craters to get a different view!

Near Paisley, the Chewaucan River boasts great fishing and hiking.  There are significant burned areas, so choosing an area may take some doing.

Visit the Gallery in Chemist for unique art from local artisans.  Wonderful gifts and souvenirs.  Then head out for a picnic at the outdoor Logging Museum. A great place to spend the day!

Gardening classes, seed fair, dog park, local fishing and floating, soft landing, hiking, playground, and a pavilion.  Rosland Campground is a great place to spend the day outdoors with the family in a local and welcoming environment.

Volunteer miniature railroad aficionados will take you around acres of forest for a great view and a fun time.  Call to make sue they’re open and make reservations.  Donations always welcomed.

Kokanee, campground, cabins, day use, hiking, boat ramp PCT access, all in a beautiful, quiet atmosphere.

A lake with no inlet or outlet.  Hike the 1.7 miles around the lake, or on trails in the area.  Cabins, restaurant, convenience store, kayak and boat rentals.

Beautiful views, wonderful walks.  It’s 7.2 miles around the lake, and the hot springs are about 1.5 miles from their parking lot.  A great way to spend the day in La Pine’s favorite “crater.”

More to do in the Paulina Lake area!  Not only the water, but Paulina Peak and it’s view, and the obsidian flow are featured here.  Careful with your dogs on the obsidian flow–it tears up their paws.

2 natural water slides!  What more can we say!

Bring your kayak or canoe for a fun float.  River is not cleared, so there are snags and logs in the way. Be prepared to portage you kayak on the north side of the river.  First int eh Float the Little Deschutes series.

Second in the Float the Little Deschutes series, this float is probably the most accessible and is available generally from July-October, depending on weather.  Earlier, the river can be too high to get under a bridge near the end, and any portage would be difficult and on private land.  Bring your own kayak or canoe, drop in at Leona Park (make sure you can get in–the landing can have a six-foot drop into the river.  After a few houses, the river flows through very quiet waters with grass and reeds growing right down into the water.  There is no egress before the soft landing at Rosland Park, so be prepared to do the entire float.  Take a lunch and water, bug and sun screens, and maybe even a fishing pole.

The third  and longest leg in our Float the Little Deschutes series, you will find different place to enter and exit the river before arriving at State Rec Road.  This float takes you through housing areas and great places to swim.

Bring your kayaks to this 3-lakes-in-one adventure.  And don’t forget the stream!  Paddle across the small but deep piece of the lake to the connecting neck full of plants and birds, to the wide and shallow part of the lake where water is often just four feet deep.  Please stay off the islands; they are reserved for wildlife.  The feeder stream is waaaay to the left and well hidden, but worth the paddle upstream.  Mornings are best; in the afternoon you’ll likely be paddling back against the wind.

Hike, bike, ride your horse, camp, picnic, fish, kayak, and play in the water at La Pine State Park!  This park is easily accessible from Highway 97 and affords a day-full of activities.  

A beautiful, clear lake great for boating, fishing, kayaking, and hiking.  the scenery has been affected by a wild fire.

Got your horse?  There are plenty of places to ride, but the Ogden Trail up to Paulina Lake is a super ride.  Shady, near the river, it affords new beauties around each corner.

Lave Butte is hot in the summer, so a trip in the morning is advisable.  The stark landscape is a sharp contrast to Benham Falls, just 5 miles down the road.  You can see how the lava flow affected the course of the river from both the viewpoint on the lava trails and from the road along the river.