Top Five Places to See the Fall Colors in Central Oregon

There is nothing quite like the beauty of the Fall color show to make you truly appreciate the gorgeous natural surroundings of Central Oregon.  Nestled in between Summer’s last sunny gasp and the first true snowfall, watching the woods come alive in yellow, reds and oranges is one of the best things about Autumn in Central Oregon! Below is a list of some of the best places for you to see the Fall Foliage, and Meredith Lodging can be your perfect home base.  With cozy homes in Bend, Sunriver and up at Mt. Bachelor Village, we can help you Fall in love with Central Oregon! Visit MtBachelorVillage.com and MeredithLodging.com to see our Central Oregon collection of vacation rentals and book your seasonal #staywithmeredith

5. Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory

Not only is this spot a perfect stop for some family-friendly fun year-round, in the Fall it’s also a great place to watch the colors change – and if you are staying in Sunriver, it is also one of the most convenient. Gather your kiddos and explore this hidden gem in the crisp early morning hours (maybe with a coffee to go from Brewed Awakenings).  The trail is accessible and mostly flat, and everyone will enjoy the view! https://snco.org/

4. Tumalo Creek Trail to Tumalo Falls

Want to get outside of Bend but not have to go far to feel like you are truly out in the woods? Tumalo Creek Trail to Tumalo Falls is a great option.  Check it out during the Fall to see the leaves turn and then come back in the Winter for some great snow-shoeing or cross-country skiing adventures. You will want to bring your camera for this one, the falls are stunning year-round! https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/tumalo-creek-trail-to-tumalo-falls

3. Smith Rock State Park

A big part of the Fall color show at Smith Rock is the golden light that seems to wash the world-famous cliff sides in color, but Smith Rock offers up some beautiful shades of Autumn yellows and greens reflected off Crooked River Canyon, too.  Plus, if you go in October, you can stop by the Pumpkin Patch, which offers world-class views while you hunt for your perfect jack-o-lantern-to-be.

2. Deschutes River Trail

This beautiful and accessible trail runs just over 23 miles from Farewell Park to Riverbend Park, through the Old Mill District and ends near McKay Park. Stay with Meredith Lodging at Mt. Bachelor Village Resort and catch the trail right outside your door! Many of our Bend homes are located near the trail, too, making it an easy way to see all the natural beauty in Bend as the seasons change.

1. Drake Park and Mirror Pond

This is our number one for several reasons…there is a wide variety of trees planted in the park, so you can see a lot of color in one place; it is centrally located in Bend (and easy to get to) and it’s a park – so the kiddos can play while you drink in all that color; AND, if you like to take photos, the reflection of the fall trees in Mirror Pond is nothing short of stunning. The park is 13 acres in size and boasts more than ½ mile of riverfront. The many maple trees planted in this park provide bright shades of red and orange for your photo opportunities!

Visit MtBachelorVillage.com to book your stay in Central Oregon this Fall!