There are several useful maps showing Central Oregon:
- The Visit Bend has downloadable maps focused specifically on the Bend, Oregon area and surrounding Central Oregon region. These include maps of Bend showing key attractions and infrastructure like hotels, a Central Oregon road map highlighting main highways and roads, and a Central Oregon map with cities, national forests, and wilderness areas marked.
- The Go Northwest has a broader map of Central Oregon showing major interstates and highways, key cities and towns across Central Oregon like Bend, Redmond, Prineville, and Madras, plus some of the main wilderness and scenic areas in the region.
- My Maps show similar information to the other maps – major highways, roads, and cities across Central Oregon, plus pins and markers for various attractions and points of interest like national parks, lakes, ski resorts, and more across the region. They seem to focus more specifically on sites and destinations people may want to visit.

What are some popular tourist attractions in Central Oregon?
Some of the most popular tourist attractions and things to do in Central Oregon include:
- Smith Rock State Park – Known for rock climbing and hiking, with stunning red rock formations and views.
- Newberry National Volcanic Monument – Area with lava flows, lava tubes, lava casts, and a volcanic crater lake.
- Tumalo Falls – A 97-foot waterfall located in the Deschutes National Forest near Bend.
- High Desert Museum – Museum exhibiting the cultural and natural history of the High Desert region[.
- Outdoor recreation – Activities like mountain biking, fishing, kayaking/rafting on rivers and lakes in the region.
- Bend Ale Trail – Touring Bend’s 20+ craft breweries and brewpubs.
- Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway – Driving route along Cascade mountains with views of mountain lakes.
- Downtown Bend – Shops, restaurants, and attractions in Bend’s walkable downtown area.
- Pilot Butte State Park – Hiking trail leading to the top of Pilot Butte for panoramic views.
- Lava River Cave – Exploring a 1-mile lava tube cave near Bend.
The search results highlight the diversity of natural sights, outdoor recreation, museums, and other attractions that make Central Oregon a popular tourist destination.

What are the major cities in Central Oregon?
Some of the major cities and towns located in Central Oregon include:
- Bend – The largest city in Central Oregon with over 97,000 residents. Bend is considered the hub of the region and is known for outdoor recreation, craft beer, and a lively downtown area.
- Redmond – The second largest Central Oregon city with over 30,000 people. Redmond has an airport, a manufacturing industry, and access to recreation.
- Prineville – A Central Oregon city with about 10,000 residents located near the Ochoco National Forest. It has a Western and ranching culture.
- Madras – Called the “Gateway to Recreation” with about 7,000 residents.
- Sisters – A small city with a Western-themed downtown located in the Cascade foothills. Gateway to wilderness areas.
- La Pine – A growing Central Oregon community popular for fishing and boating on nearby lakes.
- Warm Springs – Home to the Warm Springs Indian Reservation with cultural museums and natural hot springs.

So in summary, while Bend is the major urban hub, Redmond, Prineville, Madras, Sisters, La Pine, and Warm Springs make up other key population centers and attractions within the Central Oregon region. The area features diversity both culturally and for outdoor recreation.
What are some popular ski resorts in Central Oregon?
Some of the most popular ski resorts and areas for skiing and snowboarding in Central Oregon are:
- Mt. Bachelor – The largest ski resort in Central Oregon, located outside of Bend. It has the most vertical feet, lifts, and terrain and receives the most annual snowfall out of the region’s resorts.
- Hoodoo Ski Area – A family-friendly ski area located near Sisters, OR with over 30 runs spanning from green to black diamond. Known for good beginner and intermediate terrain.
- Willamette Pass Resort – Located further west but still considered part of Central Oregon. Features 29 runs from beginner to expert as well as multiple lifts.
- Warner Canyon Ski Area – A small, affordable ski area offering night skiing located off Highway 97 near Lakeview, OR.
The sources emphasize Mt. Bachelor as the premier ski destination in the region, with the most lifts, runs, vertical drops, annual snowfall, and a variety of terrain for all ability levels from beginner to expert. Hoodoo and Willamette Pass offer additional family-friendly options, while Warner Canyon is a smaller night skiing alternative. So these make up some of the top skiing and snowboarding resorts/areas that visitors to Central Oregon can enjoy.

What are some beginner-friendly ski resorts in Central Oregon?
Some of the most beginner-friendly ski resorts in Central Oregon are:
- Hoodoo Ski Area – Described as having “friendly, gentle terrain” that is good for beginners to learn on. It also offers night skiing and snow tubing.
- Mt. Bachelor – Has a variety of green/easy runs across its extensive terrain, along with learning programs like the Mt. Bachelor Ski and Snowboard School that cater well to beginners.
- Willamette Pass – Not mentioned in the sources but located in Central Oregon and said to have terrain well-suited for beginners in multiple online reviews.
The sources emphasize Hoodoo Ski Area as an especially beginner-friendly option, given its mellow terrain and family-oriented amenities like tubing and night skiing. Mt. Bachelor also offers a lot for beginners to start on with green runs and learning programs. So both make for great options for those just starting with skiing or snowboarding in Central Oregon.

In summary, the key elements shown on maps of Central Oregon include major cities and towns, main highways and roads, national parks/forests and wilderness areas, rivers, and lakes, plus attractions and sites of interest to visitors. The scale ranges from statewide context down to detailed Bend metro area maps. These provide a good overview of the geography and infrastructure of the Central Oregon region.