Large but tough pump track! We prefer the big sky complex in bend for a more family friendly place…read more One big loop or multiple small ones which is cool. No skateboards or scooters, Bikes only! Great except for the skateboarders and parents who were letting their kids just play and race little toy cars down it, hazardous and scary!

We were spending the day in Sisters and wanted to do a hike with our 4 and 8 year old kids. We…read moredrove up early and got there a little after 7 am. There is a small parking lot out front with 2 handicap stalls. We were able to do the hike pretty quick with them, about 15 min. There is gravel/sand with a wide path. It's curves through the woods with vegetation around. Three points to stop and look. The last view was nice of the sisters and broken top. No water access from this hike but the other, longer, trail has it. The kids liked the hike and enjoyed running through and finding walking sticks. Two restrooms at the beginning - gender neutral. Shady for the most part with a few sun rays coming through. We used some bug spray so no issues for us. On the way out we saw a coyote running across the road. Stay safe!!

Nice, easy hike with fabulous views!…read more The trailhead is an easy and pretty drive from Sisters. We'd seen some reviews for this trail and decided to try it out while in town. The trail head has a decent sized lot and toilets, and the trail itself is well marked. It's a loop, and according to the sign taking the trail to the right was supposedly a bit rougher...we didn't find it so. We did the full loop, along which you're provided multiple overlooks. The main overlook towards the mountains is large, with views down to the river below as well. The whole path is easy and not much of a slope. We decided to take an offshoot trail down to the river after we left the overlook. It was a nice, narrow trail that zig zagged down. There were other trails that crossed it at the bottom that weren't marked, so we just used the sounds of the water to get there. A very peaceful, easy trail with beautiful views of the Sisters.

We took the river trail on our last visit to the park. The trek is great, meandering along the…read moreCrooked River directly below the wall of rock and climbers above. The trail itself is fairly flat, and should be pretty accessible for almost anyone. There are countless offshoots down to the water and up into the rocks. My only slight disappointment was that it's an out&back. Would be so great if there was at least one place to cross over the river to enjoy a trip back from the other side. There's plenty of parking along the drive in the park, and bathrooms at the start AND down the trail a ways. This time of year there are some gorgeous fall colors to take in along the water. Great, easy hike...and many more to take nearby.

A nice, mellow, gentle trail that takes you around a good section of Smith…read more The grade is calm enough that you'll frequently see families with strollers. I use it mainly to get to climbs. As a destination in and of itself, it's kind of a snooze.

Where there are horses, there are flies. Otherwise not a bad place. It's not used a lot. There's…read morefive camping units, give or take, and sometimes water for the horses. None for the humans unless you are not picky. There is one outhouse. The campground is located along a long designated equestrian loop trail running through the Crooked River National Grassland. Cyrus Horse Camp is open all year-round, or at least, when the snow doesn't block access.

We visited Lake Billy Chinook on a 90 degree day in July. The water was still cold! We rented a…read morepontoon boat down the road for the day and it was so easy cause they tow it to the lake and bring it back. You just have to know how to drive it. There is a lot of space on the lake, with many floating porta potties scattered on the lake if you don't want to drive up to the docks. I would say after 4th of July they were trashed! We fished and got to explore a beach while on the water. We saw people being pulled on boats, jet skies, and people jumping from the bridge. There are also places for camping but I cannot imagine being out there in the heat with no AC. The parking lot was full by the time we got back and we ended up needing to pay for it. There is a little beach next to the parking lot for those who don't have a boat to go out on but still want to enjoy the lake. I get seasick so I understand how that can be the better option. I was ok for the most part, just when another boat went by the boat would get rocky.

It's been at least 16 years since I was boating on Lake Billy Chinook! At the time, we took the…read moreboat out for fishing Shad and crawfish. The fish, so small, so I threw most back, but Alleluia, the crawfish were such a delight. Just like baby lobster. I boiled them in a brine and dipped them in a melted garlic butter! Mmmm mmmm mmmm! Presently, living in the area, I look forward to many more days on the lake, fishing, swimming, and enjoying the summer days close to Heaven. All sights on the lake, immaculate and the pristine views of the Indigenous Peoples (American Indian) always so picturesque. As if it still the land of old, 1800 possibly before. As an advocate of keeping America clean, let us work hard to ensure the lake remains clean, properly maintained so many generations to come will enjoy the beauty of Lake Billy Chinook, Culver, Oregon.

We were renting a party boat & went the day before to check it out & came across this place. Very…read morequaint on the inside but lots of outdoor seating. It was almost triple digits & wanted light so 2 BLTS were ordered. Reeser's Potato Salad & bagged Chips & orange slices. Vanilla Shake to keep cool... just enough options to fill a persons desire. Check it out

so overpriced and so bad. I'm sorry to say this place was a huge let down. I was expecting a really…read moregood burger for the price but it was actually terrible. The lemonade was decent at least, and the staff was nice.

Tam-a-lau seems like a bucket list hike, at least in terms of those in Central Oregon. It's not…read moreterribly difficult but is well worth the effort nonetheless. The trail runs from near lake level in Cove Palisades State Park to the top of the 'Peninsula', as it's called. The Peninsula is that bit of land jutting north into Lake Billy Chinook between the Deschutes and Crooked Rivers (minus The Island, which is a whole 'nother experience if you are fortunate enough to get a chance to go there). Tam-a-lau Trail is about seven miles in length, which comprises 1.7 miles hiking from the trailhead parking lot and then ascending the steep canyon wall, about 3.6 miles of relatively flat hiking on top of the Peninsula, and then 1.7 down. The trailhead is two locations, really. One starts at the big parking lot just past the boat launch on the Deschutes River and has you walk a bit to the other trailhead. That one is at the Deschutes Campground and is the beginning of your ascent up the slope. Unless you're staying in the campground, I recommend the further trailhead - the half mile or so extra is a nice trail. Footing is OK throughout, although the ascent has some steep bits that you'll want to be careful with. Once you're at the top, it's a piece of cake. The top reminds me of the Oregon Badlands, except for the really nice lake views. Once you get to the top, you'll be at a junction. Left takes you to the tip of the peninsula by way of the Deschutes River side, while right takes you overland to the Crooked River side and thence to the tip. Either way, your goal is the peninsula tip. Some folks seem to think the overland section is boring but not me. If for some reason you want a shorter hike, go left and then backtrack the way you came. Tam-a-lau is about views of Lake Billy Chinook, the canyon lava walls and, if the weather is good, the distant views of the Cascades. It's also a good bit of exercise. During the summer, it will be hot. There's not a lot of shade - this isn't a ponderosa forest hike. Take plenty of water. Being in a state park, you'll either need an annual/biannual pass or pay $5 to park. Note that you can access the upper part of the Tam-a-lau (the flat part on the Peninsula) from roads to the south. You don't have to enter the state park from that way. In fact, much of the Tam-a-lau is not actually within the state park boundaries but rather on BLM land.

Very nice views from the top of trails definitely will be back used to go camping there al the time…read morewhen I was a kid now going back as a adult

4.6 mi, 1621 ft elevation gain, 1hr 52 minutes…read more The road to the trail is washboard gravel for two miles which then turns to large gravel/rocks for the last mile. A northwest forest pass is required to park at the trailhead. If you don't already have one you can purchase a day pass in the parking lot. This is a popular trail so I recommend coming early! The trail itself is a steep and dusty incline. It is hard work to get to the top, but you will be distracted by the Mountain View's and gorgeous wildflowers along the way. Once at the top there are 360 degree views and an old fire lookout. This is a great spot to stop and enjoy a snack and take it all in!

Perfect combination of challenging but doable! Great workout and even greater views! Fairly…read morepopulated when we went, but everyone was very friendly of course. Took a little less than 2 hours to complete, will definitely do this one again.