LIFESTYLE
Why relocate to La Pine? Ask any resident how he came to be in La Pine, and new or old, you are likely to get the same answer across the board- we spent time coming here to fish or camp and we loved it, so we moved here. Now that is how locals feel about being residents!
La Pine Park and Recreation District (LPRD) has city parks, baseball fields, river trail floats available and after-school programs for all of the district citizens. Adult Education is part of the LPRD Mission and classes for adults through an agreement with our local community college (COCC). Our La Pine Community Health Center, St Charles Clinic and Urgent Care, dental offices and Nurse Practitioner Family Care facilities, are downtown. Our medical professionals provide services for over twenty thousand residents in our area and walk-in services are available. We have a selection of retail and grocery stores and service businesses that include realtors, insurance, investment, and financial planning and local financial institutions, US Bank, Washington Federal, Mid-Oregon Credit Union, and First Interstate Bank. Most of what you need for living a good life is located here in La Pine. Locally owned Bi-Mart is here, gift stores, bakery, restaurants, Ace hardware, and others are waiting to make your La Pine experience a good one!
When you arrive, make time for our annual events like our March Crab Feed, The Frontier Days 4th of July celebration (complete with Parade and fireworks). Let the buckaroos at La Pine Rodeo dazzle you with real cowboy skills. Taste the Rhubarb at our annual June Festival. Enjoy Old Time Cars at the High Lakes Car Club Show and Shine- the list goes on and on… There is always something to do, and when you want to give back, there are nonprofits waiting for you to volunteer. When it comes to worship, La Pine offers twenty local churches ready to greet you.
Once you come here to play, you'll make plans to stay. The outdoors is out their backdoors. Below we'll walk you through the numerous exciting adventures available to you, here in La Pine.
Winter fun
Skiing Newberry Country
Is home to the steepest slopes on the mountain, with numerous gullies dropping from the summit between eroded lava pinnacles in the upper bowl, thus remedying Bachelor’s only major terrain deficit. Despite its location a few miles east of the Cascade Crest, Bachelor still receives nearly 400 inches (10 m) of snowfall annually, and its snow retention is among the best of any ski area in North America, resulting in a ski season which stretches reliably from November to June, and often even into July circuit from the winds. In addition, Bachelor is much less glaciated than its neighbors, allowing skiers to venture safely about the mountain without fear of crevasses. The one major glacial feature is a large cirque on the northeast side, which is still occupied by an inactive glacial remnant. This snowpack pitch slopes for skiing, which drop from the summit over the full 360-degree circle. Tree cover on the upper portions is quite sparse, but the few trees are distributed along radial erosion furrows, thus creating ready-made ski runs and also protecting the perfectMount Bachelor is home to the largest ski area in the US Pacific Northwest. If any volcano in the range had to be given over completely to lift-served skiing, Bachelor is perhaps the finest choice. It's very symmetrical form, consisting of a steep-sided shield surmounted by a composite cone, results in
Visit their homepage at www.mtbachelor.com
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Areas for XC Skiing/Snowshoeing at Newberry National Volcanic Monument
hiking
Newberry National Volcanic Monument
We were at Newberry National Volcanic Monument. This outstanding playground in central Oregon stretches from high in Newberry Crater to the Deschutes River corridor and welcomes discovery by foot, horse, mountain bike, car, and boat. The monument spreads across some 87 square miles and joins together pine forests, lava plains, caves, cinder cones, obsidian flows, a waterfall and twin caldera lakes, which rival famous Crater Lake to the south in azure-clarity and origin.
The attractions are all easily accessed along and just off U.S. 97, between the towns of Bend (a year-round recreation center) and smaller La Pine. Monument visitors can select their own pace and level of physical exertion and adventure. The region boasts a network of more than a 100 miles of trail, including a long-distance route encircling the crater rim and several short, all-ability nature walks. Drive-to vistas are also in good supply.
Campers will find lakes, forests, and creekside sites, with convenient full-service campgrounds just outside the park. Lounging in the shadow of a pine within earshot of the lake’s lapping has its own appeal. Add a cool drink and a good book and you just might take root.
For many, Newberry National Volcanic Monument (managed by the U.S. Forest Service) remains unknown. It was back in 1990 that this unsung treasure quietly crossed the threshold from a local attraction to one of national standing. Prior to receiving this federal protection, nature provided its safeguard — a rugged armor of crusted lava. Monument visitors find a wild, mostly natural beauty, but one where the recreation potential has been coaxed to near perfection.
Despite its relative present-day anonymity, this area was not unknown to the earliest peoples. Archaeological excavations have documented a nearly continuous Native American presence here, dating back 10,000 years. As the eruptions of Mount Mazama (which created Crater Lake) and Newberry Volcano altered the landscape, the area’s inhabitants adapted to their changing home. With obsidian for tools and trade, trout-filled lakes and streams and game in the forest, this land of fiery origin had much to offer then, and now.
For more on the center of activity in Newberry Country, CLICK HERE
Miles of trails run through Newberry National Volcanic Monument, offering visitors year-round opportunities for hiking and exploring.
Big Obsidian Flow Trailhead and Interpretive Site
Hoffman Island Trail
Lava Butte Interpretive Site
Lava Butte Trail
Lava Cast Forest Trail
Lava Lands Visitor Center
Trail of the Molten Land
Whispering Pines Trail
Little Crater Trail
Lost Lake (South) Trail
Lost Lake Trail
Newberry Crater Trail
Obsidian Flow Trail
Parallel Trail
Paulina Falls Trail
Paulina Lakeshore Trail
Paulina Peak Trail
Peter Skene Ogden Trailhead
Silica Trail
Areas for Backpacking at Newberry National Volcanic Monument – Deschutes NF
Crater Rim Trail
Newberry Crater Trail
Paulina Peak Trailhead
FISHing
Central Oregon Fishing within 60 – 90 minutes of La Pine, Oregon
Central Oregon fishing spots are just a short drive away from La Pine. Make sure you read the OregonSport Fishing Regulations, and why not grab a friend or family member to go with you? The times and distances listed are from Drake Park in Bend.
Getting off the beaten track If you prefer getting away from the crowds, there are several nearby hike-in lakes that offer calm, quiet and good fishing.
The following all are just a short hike away:
Todd Lake – short .5 mile hike in; brook trout up to 15-inches.
Blow Lake – good hike-n-fish opportunity for kids; swimming in July and Aug.
Doris Lake – great day trip; 2.7-mile hike to picturesque lake.
Deer Lake – good early season fishing for brook and cutthroat trout.
Lucky Lake – abundant brook trout; moderate1.3 mile hike.
Rosary Lakes – series of three hike-in lakes; lowest is a2.5 mile hike; all are easily fished with a spinning rod.
Square Lake – popular hike lake-in near Santiam Pass; good catches of brook trout; 2-mile hike.
Little Three Creeks Lake – short hike from Three Creeks Lake; naturally reproducing brook trout.
Yoran Lake – challenging5.3 mile hike from Odell Lake.
If you go, remember:
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Go prepared for a day on the trail and follow all the usual precautions when going for a hike.
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Sport Fishing Regulations, all stream fishing is with flies and artificial lures.
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If you choose to fly-fish, consider carrying in a float tube or use a spinning outfit with a casting bobber and fly.
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Check road conditions before you go. Some higher elevation lakes may not be ice-free and accessible until July
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Contact the land manager (usually BLM or Forest Service) before you go to check on trail conditions.
East Lake
Paulina Lake
Upper Deschutes River
to a fascinating landscape of past volcanic activity and Cascade mountain wilderness just waiting to be explored.doorThe Upper Deschutes and Fall rivers are filled with trout. Its 10 miles of trails afford plenty of views for sightseers and wildlife watchers. And, its campground and cabins are next
BOATING
Newberry Country has excellent boating opportunities that are well worth the trip. Many of the best lakes here are at altitudes of 4,000 feet and higher, and a few of them are even formed as extinct volcanoes. You will enjoy an isolated and pristine boating experience. Here is a look at some of the best boating lakes in Newberry Country.
Boating – Motorized Areas for Boating – at Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Boating – Motorized Areas for Boating – at Newberry National Volcanic MonumentBenham East Picnic Area
Cinder Hill Boating Site
East Lake
East Lake Boating Site
Hot Springs Boating Site
Little Crater Boating Site
Paulina Lake
Paulina Lake Day Use Area
Boating – Non-Motorized Areas – at Newberry National Volcanic Monument
East Lake
East Lake Boating Site
Paulina Lake
Twin Lakes Area
North and South Twin Lakes – two almost identical alpine lakes – are located in the Deschutes National Forest. They are a popular place for swimming, fishing, and boating.
Twin Lakes Resort
Cultus Lake Area
Cultus Lake is one of The High Lakes that permits highspeed motor boats. Therefore, it is popular for water and jet skiing.
Cultus Lake
Cultus Lake Resort
Wickiup Reservoir
Wickiup is Oregon’s second largest reservoir and the highest of the Cascade High Lakes. It provides salmon and trout fishing via boats.
Wickiup Reservoir
OHV
OHV Trail Riding Areas/Deschutes National Forest
Edison Butte OHV Trail System
Edison Butte Sno-Park/Staging Area/Trailhead
Crescent Lake Sno-Park
China Hat Campground
Camp II OHV Staging Area
Road 2510 OHV Staging Area
South Lava OHV Staging Area
Road 25 OHV Staging Area
Ground Hog Rock Crawl and OHV Play Area
CAMPING
There are countless camping opportunities both primitive and established throughout the region.
CAvING
When you run out of activities above ground there is always sub terrain exploration
hunting
Make La Pine, Oregon your next destination for a hunting adventure. The land around here opened to licensed hunters includes national forest, high desert, mountain ranges, grasslands and wetlands along with hundreds of miles of rivers and streams, lakes and reservoirs. This variety of habitat enables a diverse range of wildlife to thrive throughout the region.
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For abundant bird hunting, choose one of one of Central Oregon’s three hunting preserves listed below, where you will find large populations of pheasants, chukar and quail. Terrain and varieties of cover vary greatly in these preserves, complimenting any skill level, and hunting guides are always available.
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If Big Game trophy animals like deer, elk, antelope, cougar, bear and coyote are what you are after, put in for a draw with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and cross your fingers that you will win a tag for the fall hunting season. Units close to Bend include the Upper Deschutes, Ochoco and Grizzly and detailed maps of each region, as well as the required hunting license, are available on the ODFW website.
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Bow hunting has gained more and more popularity in Central Oregon in response to a more controlled rifle season. Drawing for a bow hunting tag is still required, and buck deer and elk archery hunts are popular in the Ochoco unit, east of Bend. The Bend Bowmen Archery Club is a great place to get started if you wish to learn more about bow and archery hunting opportunities in the area as well as hone up on your skills before heading into the forest.
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If you looking for a chance to learn more about the hunting in Central Oregon be sure to take the time to read some of the great articles written by Gary Lewis. Gary has also become a popular television personality in the region and spends much of his time highlighting the abundant opportunities in the region through his show.