Dayle

Hi Fodorites,

I'm doing my 3rd trip to Oregondriving from Utah. It's a LONG drive and I need some suggestions for a loop route based on pet friendly and my already booked rental homes.

Have 2 nights to stay along the way before arriving at rental #1 in Bandon (booked for 4 nts).
Next - drive to rental #2 near Talent (between Jacksonville & Ashland for 5 nts)
Next 3 nts to travel home -

I would like to visit Crater Lake, mainly for scenery and short hike. I have a place in Fort Klamath that is available for 3 nts, but would probably only stay for 2 and head home.

Or, should I get an early start from rental #2, spend the day at Crater Lake, stay at Diamond Lake and continue on to Sisters, OR for a 1 night visit? A co-worker (former OR resident) recommended Sisters. I visited Bend a couple years ago and like it, but don't need to return. Sisters is a bit more out of the way for the drive home, but not far considering the overall drive back to UT.

I will probably go west on I-80 and thru the NV desert on the way out. Recommendations for an overnight stopping point? Should I spend 1 night along the far south OR coast (Brookings?) before heading up to Bandon? Remember, need pet friendly lodging.

OK Oregon experts - what do you think?

Thanks in advance!

Dayle

ttt - anyone? Mainly interested on opinions of Sisters, OR. worth a visit?

Fodorite018

My first thought is about Crater Lake. Not sure when you are planning this trip for, but if it is summertime I highly recommend arriving early and getting tickets for the boat ride. It is a must see, IME.

As for Sisters, I love that area and we spent quite a bit of time around there. But, for just one night it depends on if you mind driving there. The town isn't big and in the summer it gets pretty congested as the highway goes right through downtown. The area though is beautiful, and must stop nearby is the Dee Wright Observatory.

sunbum1944

I think Sisters is a cute little town - just don't be there the weekend of the quilt show . It does get very busy on weekends in the summer.

For lodging options close by but not in Sisters consider the Metolius River area - it is one of my favorites- or Black Butte resort- the Metolius would be quieter, more scenic- Black Butte is a resort with golf, biking etc etc-

The Metolius is one of my favorite areas in Oregon - come and see it now before they build a destination resort there which they are talking about doing

Fodorite018

Sunbum--That is one of our favorite areas too. I would absolutely hate a resort there though!

Dayle

mms & sunbum,

Thanks for the comments. Coming from Park City, UT, I know about busy summers! The Metolius does sound interesting. Maybe stay there and just visit in town? I'll check the lodging situation and see if there is pet friendly.

Are you saying Sisters is worth more than a 1 day visit? I have the impression it's pretty small.

sunbum1944

Sisters is small - but there is a lot to see and do in the surrounding area- would be easy to stay at Metolius and drive to Sisters. There is a very nice restaurant at Camp Sherman ( Metolius) or across the road at Black Butte

BarbAnn

Sisters is a cute town. Many cafes are dog friendly with outdoor patio eating areas. The Bend Distillery south of the town of Sisters is an interesting stop if you like gin and vodka...free tasting flight.

Sunbum--I love being in Sisters during the quilt show. I purposely stay at our vacation home in Sunriver during mid-July so I can view all the beautiful quilts during the show.

sunbum1944

BarbAnn- agree the quilts are beautiful - but the town because a zoo of frenzied women buying their quilt fabric and supplies.

Maybe we will meet up at Sunriver one of these days- was just there last weekend.

tomfuller

The pet friendly hotels in Sisters: http://hotels.uptake.com/oregon/sist...944107817.html
Suttle is a nice lake west of Sisters at the start of the mountains.
Are you turning off I-80 in Winnemucca? Make sure to fill the gas in Winnemucca because it is a long ways to Lakeview Oregon. There are no towns or gas stations along 31. There are 3 gas stations in La Pine.

Tomsd

The Ft. Klamath area is a very pretty - laid back meadow type of setting, with some of the best fishing you can find anywhere.

The Wood River is known for their (German) Brown Trout - in addition to the Bows (Rainbows) but it's only drift.

The nearby Williamson has some of the biggest Bows you will find anywhere.

I haven't gone with a guide but have talked with these people - Roe - and they have a good reputation, and the second page also has some good fishing info: http://www.roeoutfitters.com/rivers1/wood-river and http://www.oregontrophytrout.com/ore...ng_report.html

Dayle

Thanks BarbAnn, sunbum, tomsd and tomfuller!

Good recommendations.

Tom, I'm not in to fishing, but I do love to eat fresh trout!
I'm going to take my mountain bike along this time.

the Metolius river does sound nice and I have a request in to a rental home for 2 nights. We'll see!

Thanks for the tip on gas stations on the desert route. That is about what I expected!

Thankfully I have a brand new 4 Runner. I would never try driving across the desert in my 2003 POS Grand Cherokee! After 20 years and 3 Jeeps - I am DONE with Jeep/Chrysler.

If you have more suggestions for your favorites places/dining, I would love to hear them.

I'm planning on a Rogue River jet boat ride, a Shakespeare play, horseback riding and rafting, mountain biking and wine tasting. Not especially in that order

sunbum1944

There is a nice restaurant at Camp Sherman called the Kokanee- if you plan to dine there you would need reservations I think-

If unable to get reservations at Kokanee- dining at BlackButte is nice too with great views of the Three Sisters ( Black Butte is also a nice place to rent bikes )

Another option is the restaurant at Suttle Lake Lodge- I have not been there in a couple of years - its not high end, just a casual lake restaurant. Last time I was there, an eagle swooped down and flew off with a fish right before our eyes.

Dayle

Route question part 2 - I would like to drive further than Winnemucca, NV (which seems to be sold out as far as lodging on the weekend anyway), but Lakeview, OR looks like a place I'd rather pass on.

Is there a decent town in between, or near Lakeview? Just need clean, safe lodging for the night. Any Fodorites with good suggestions?

Grazie!

tomfuller

I was headed for home south of La Pine and went through Winnemucca and was lucky to find the one motel in Lakeview. There ain't nothin' out there but sagebrush, volcanic rock and maybe a few wild horses.
If you go all the way into Reno you can take US 395 north through Susanville. There are a couple gas stations in Susanville but it is still better to fill up in Reno before heading to Lakeview.