High Desert Museum

Museums, Historical Sites, and ZoosUnited States51-200 Employees

Discover the natural world and cultural history of the High Desert through artful exhibits, alluring animals and meaningful history.

A day at the High Desert Museum is the perfect way to discover what makes Central Oregon unique. Nestled on 135 wooded acres just south of Bend, the Museum offers indoor and outdoor exhibits that spark curiosity and inspire exploration in visitors of all ages. Consistently ranked as a top thing to do in Central Oregon by TripAdvisor, this regional treasure is a must.

Here you’ll find yourself face to face with wildlife native to the High Desert. In the Desertarium, you’ll learn about creatures including burrowing owls and Western pond turtles. Visit the Autzen Otter Exhibit, where you’ll giggle at the playful antics of three North American river otters. See eagles and owls up close in the Donald M. Kerr Birds of Prey Center, and learn about them during daily Bird of Prey Encounters. In the summer, experience the speed and power of nature’s most spectacular predators during the daily Raptors of the Desert Sky free-flight program.

Step back in time and connect to the region’s past to present as you wander through dynamic, permanent exhibits such as "By Hand Through Memory," which shares the culture of Plateau tribes, and Spirit of the West. Discover what life was like more than a century ago from the living history characters at the 1904 High Desert Ranch. Wander up the hill to see the authentic Lazinka Sawmill, which was used at the turn of the 20th century.

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