Embarking on a 185-mile (300-kilometer) day trip from Bend, Oregon, to witness the breathtaking Painted Hills is an experience truly worth savoring. Our day began with a delightful breakfast at The Row, nestled within Tetherow resort, where panoramic views set the stage for the adventures ahead.
Breakfast at The Row in Tetherow resort, Bend Oregon
Magnificent views from The Row restaurant in Tetherow, Bend, Oregon
For breakfast, I indulged in the McTetherow Breakfast Sando, a satisfying combination of fried egg, sliced ham, and cheddar cheese on a toasted English muffin, accompanied by a refreshing agave mint fruit salad. Chantal opted for the Avocado Caprese Toast, featuring house-made pesto, fresh mozzarella, creamy avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a balsamic glaze on a slice of striatta toast. The children happily devoured stacks of fluffy pancakes, complete with whipped butter, house vanilla bean maple syrup, and crispy bacon on the side.
Route map from Bend to Painted Hills via Prineville, Oregon
Setting off from Bend, we navigated north on Highway 97 until Redmond, before veering east onto Highway 126, also known as the Ochoco Highway. Our route took us through Prineville, where Highway 126 seamlessly transitions into Highway 26, guiding us past the tranquil Ochoco Reservoir and into the heart of the Ochoco National Forest. This scenic drive itself was a highlight, showcasing the diverse landscapes of Central Oregon.
Driving through Ochoco National Forest near Prineville, Oregon
Ochoco Highway scenery near Prineville, Oregon
Road trip views on the Ochoco Highway in Oregon
As we approached Mitchell, signs for the Painted Hills directed us off the main highway. The Painted Hills, part of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, derive their name from the vibrant layers of color etched into the hillsides. These colors are a result of floodplain deposits from different geological periods. Interestingly, the area is also renowned for its rich fossil record, revealing remains of ancient horses, camels, and rhinoceroses. This paleontological significance adds another layer of depth to the natural wonder of the Painted Hills.
Sign for Painted Hills Overlook in Oregon
The Painted Hills are justifiably recognized as one of Oregon’s Seven Wonders. As we arrived at the Painted Hills Overlook Point, the otherworldly panorama unfolded before us, a landscape sculpted by time and nature’s artistry.
Panoramic view of Painted Hills Overlook in Oregon
Colorful layers of Painted Hills in Oregon
Unique landscape of Painted Hills, Oregon
Close up view of Painted Hills' colors in Oregon
Vibrant red and yellow hues of Painted Hills, Oregon
Textured surface of Painted Hills geological formations in Oregon
Detailed view of Painted Hills soil and rock layers in Oregon
The diverse colors of the Painted Hills are attributed to different soil compositions. The black soil, for instance, is lignite, derived from ancient vegetation that once thrived along the floodplain. Grey hues come from mudstone, siltstone, and shale. At Painted Cove, located about a mile from the main overlook, red soil dominates. This laterite soil formed from floodplain deposits during a period when the region experienced a hot and humid climate.
Painted Hills Painted Cove trail and red soil landscape in Oregon
Red soil detail at Painted Cove, Painted Hills, Oregon
Walking path through Painted Hills Painted Cove area in Oregon
On our return journey towards Mitchell, we noticed smaller, equally captivating Painted Hills formations that had eluded us on the way to the main site. Arriving in Mitchell, we found both local restaurants closed. Undeterred, we refueled the car and decided to head back to Prineville for lunch.
Mini Painted Hills formations along the road near Mitchell, Oregon
Rural road scenery near Painted Hills and Mitchell, Oregon
Lunch at Pioneer Club Prineville Oregon
Our lunch destination was the Club Pioneer in Prineville, located at 1851 NE 3rd Street. This establishment, dating back to the early 1940s, exudes a classic cowboy and logging camp atmosphere, reflecting the region’s heritage. Club Pioneer is a unique roadside gem, functioning as both a family-friendly restaurant and a saloon, aptly named The Saloon, complete with a sports bar and Oregon Lottery gambling options. Due to age restrictions in the bar area, the building features two separate entrances, though internally, we observed that the spaces are seamlessly connected. Pioneer Club Prineville Oregon offers a glimpse into the area’s history and local culture.
Exterior of Club Pioneer restaurant in Prineville, Oregon
Entrance to The Saloon at Club Pioneer in Prineville, Oregon
Interior of Club Pioneer restaurant in Prineville, Oregon
For our main course at Pioneer Club Prineville Oregon, the men opted for the Pioneer Wagyu Beef Burger, featuring a generous half-pound of ground Wagyu beef on a grilled bun, topped with lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and mayonnaise. We enhanced our burgers with cheese – cheddar for the kids and pepper jack for myself – and added crispy bacon. These were no-fuss, exceptionally juicy and flavorful burgers, perfectly complemented by excellent fries and remarkably crispy onion rings. Chantal chose the Mushroom, Kalamata Olive & Marinara flatbread, distinguished by the intriguing Cada Dia jalapeño feta topping. To accompany our meal, the very hoppy, yet balanced RPM IPA from Bend’s Boneyard Beer Company was a welcome choice. The food and enthusiastic service at Pioneer Club Prineville Oregon made it a truly satisfying lunch stop.
Crux Fermentation Project, Bend
Returning towards Bend, we made a quick detour to Crux Fermentation Project at 50 SW Division Street. This craft brewery is known for its innovative brewing techniques, including open fermentation, barrel aging, wild yeast experimentation, and the use of experimental hops.
Housed in a repurposed AAMCO Transmission plant – a nod to which is given through a T-shirt design inspired by the AAMCO logo – located within an industrial area of Bend, the tasting room is adjacent to the brewery. While a limited pub fare menu is available indoors, the outdoor area features an additional bar and various food stalls offering Mexican, Hawaiian, pizzas, and bratwurst. Combined with bar tables and a picnic area, Crux provides an ideal setting to spend an afternoon with friends and family while enjoying the sunset. Initially hesitant, the children quickly changed their minds upon discovering that the Manua Kea food stall offered Hawaiian ice cream cones, a delightful combination of traditional ice cream and flavored shaved ice.
Outdoor area at Crux Fermentation Project in Bend, Oregon
Crux Fermentation Project bar and food stalls in Bend, Oregon
From the extensive selection of around 20 beers on tap, Chantal sampled their Gimme Mo IPA, advertised as a “next-generation IPA.” In contrast to some intensely bitter hop-forward beers we had encountered earlier on our road trip, this IPA maintained a hoppy profile but leaned towards a slightly sweet pilsner style, with tropical fruit aromatics. It proved to be a refreshing and enjoyable take on the IPA.
Dinner at The Row, Bend
Due to our late lunch, we opted for a lighter dinner of appetizers and salad at The Row, back at our hotel, Tetherow.
Dinner appetizers at The Row restaurant in Bend, Oregon
Kale and Quinoa Salad at The Row in Bend, Oregon
Chantal selected the Kale & Quinoa Salad, featuring sautéed shredded kale with quinoa, pickled onions, and roasted shallot vinaigrette, topped with fresh vegetables and crumbled feta cheese.
I chose the Beer Cheese Hopanero Dip, admittedly without fully understanding what “hopanero” entailed. Mistakenly assuming it was a local, mild chili pepper, I quickly learned that it denoted a combination of beer (hop) and habanero chilies 😳. While some beers integrate these flavors, this dish seemed to combine a beer-infused cheese dip with habanero peppers. Regardless, served with fire-roasted tomato, grilled flatbread, and tortilla chips, it lived up to its description: melty, crispy, charred, and intensely spicy – yet utterly delicious. We required some wheat beers to quell the fiery sensation!
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