Almost every summer since I was 9 years old my family and I have spent a week vacationing at Sunriver Resort, located in Sunriver Oregon, which is 15 miles south of the town Bend in Deschutes County. It is an outdoor resort, perfect for any person who feels the need to get away. Located at the base of the Cascade Mountains, Sunriver's 3,300 acres wind along the eastern side of the Deschutes River. The area was the site of Camp Abbot, a World War II training facility, and was later named by developers John Gray and Donald McCallum. Sunriver is self-governed with its own homeowners association, public works department and budget. Its paved roads and 35 miles of pathways for pedestrians and bicycle riders, two swimming pools, 26 tennis courts, two parks and other common areas are private. A tax-based special service district within Deschutes County government provides fully-staffed police, fire and emergency medical services. The beautiful land of Oregon gives the resort and its visitors the sense of relaxation, and has given me memories to last a lifetime. The community is home to more than 4,000 privately-owned residences and has a permanent population of approximately 1,700, though during peak vacation season it may swell to upwards of 20,000. Sunriver consists of residential areas, recreational facilities, a commercial development known as Sunriver Village Mall, and Sunriver Resort. The mall offers a variety of business and services, including restaurants, retail shops, and vacation rental and property management companies.
When placing an opinion on a vacation spot, many things come to mind. Location, scenery, vibe, price, and activities are just a few categories to name. Before my family visited Sunriver, Oregon we received positive feedback from a family member who posted about his visit to the resort on a travel site called TripAdvisor.com.
“We enjoyed vacationing at Sunriver just a few weeks ago. It was nice to have everything you needed at one place including a grocery store, coffee shop and attractions. The village at Sunriver has a skating rink, shops and ski/snowboard rentals. The resort is spread our so you do not feel overcrowded. We took one day and rented sleds and went to a snow park up near bachelor. This was only 15 minutes away and was super fun for the kids. Lastly, Bend is only 20 minutes away which is a nice touch. Make sure to visit the Mill District which has great shops and a few restaurants. All in all a fun stay!”
As you can see, Sunriver has something for everyone!
My experiences in Sunriver, Oregon have been nothing but positive. When it comes to location, you cannot find any better. Not many people say they can vacationed in Oregon. Without being biased, popular vacation spots usually are located in tropical areas, beaches, places where the sun constantly shines, and there is sand beneath our toes. The state of Oregon does not necessarily scream vacation, and before I had gone, I was nervous on where exactly we were going. Oregon is absolutely beautiful. The mountains, rivers, greenery, and warm summer sunshine paint the perfect picture for a quaint, relaxing vacation. The weather is beautiful, rarely a cloud in the sky. The extraordinarily vast mountains, which are only 10 minutes away by drive, make it so the winters are never boring with the skiing, snowboarding, and other popular winter activities. The scenery blows my mind every single visit I make. It really is unbelievably beautiful. Another part that I love about Sunriver is the vibe that you feel when vacationing there. Something that is hard to come across in vacation locations is a positive, upbeat, friendly vibe that not only makes you feel safe, but leaves you with nothing else to feel but simple enjoyment. Sunriver’s vibe is perfect. The employees are absolutely wonderful, wanting nothing but to make sure that your stay is everything you dreamed it would be. All the homes in the resort are privately owned, and the owners of each home make sure that you have everything you need and that your stay is easygoing and casual. Instead of staying in a hotel, where you share walls with strangers, you have a private home where everything is given to you, including the privacy to enjoy your vacation with those you are actually vacationing with. There is an outdoor mall area where I’ve met some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met in my entire life. Everyone comes together in Sunriver to have a simply wonderful time away from home.
Of course, vacations can be expensive, and price is an issue for everyone. Sunriver rentals go up to $500 a night, including homes with 5+ bedrooms! The homes are large and comfortable, fully furnished, and easily accommodate large groups. All Sunriver Resort vacation rental units provide the finest in comfort:
- Fully-equipped kitchens with tableware, cooking utensils, dish ware, and appliances
- TV, DVD, and stereo
- High quality, professionally laundered sheets and towels
- Fireplace (gas or wood-burning)
- Gas barbecue
- Washer and dryer
- Complimentary high-speed internet access
- Many offer outdoor hot tubs
With wonderful prices that bring you and your loved ones beautiful places to stay, Sunriver is the place to go. I’ve stayed in two different homes during my numerous visits to the resort. Both were drastically large, with everything we needed. The beds were comfortable, it felt as if I were sleeping in my own, which is extremely hard to come by. Both homes had a spa, high speed internet access, and updated appliances. I felt that I was in my own home, only better decorated and in a much more beautiful area.
Of course, no one wants to be bored on their vacation. Sunriver has never bored me, and I have vacationed there an unimaginable amount of times. The large resort pool with a water slide gives those that just want to relax a place to do so. The outdoor mall gives you wonderful restaurants, grocery store, and places to shop. On the resort lands there is a horse stable, in which trained professionals take you on horseback along the clear, vast river that runs through the resort up into the mountains along the edge. I have used the company a total of 6 times, and have had the time of my life. The trainers are friendly and know what they are doing, giving you a wonderful and real experience on horseback. Another activity I highly suggest is the white water rafting. The guides are perfectly well trained as well, and the all day trip is like no other. The entire resort is covered in bike paths, and every resort home holds at least 10 bikes for you to use at your convenience. The vacation can be active, and gives you over 50 exceptionally fun and exciting activities for you to enjoy. Sunriver Resort is truly like no other, as I go back almost every year.