Eagle Crest Resort: Vacation paradise in Central Oregon area

By
Updated: August 5, 2012

The good thing about being a golfer with a family in the Pacific Northwest is that you don’t have to travel far for a first-class vacation. In the heart of Central Oregon Eagle Crest Resort is another place that you need to put on your list of vacation hot spots.

Eagle Crest is a full service vacation stop for golfers and families. For the golfer, there is three golf courses plus an 18-hole putting course. For the families, there is the hiking, biking, horseback riding, rafting, fishing, rec center, swimming pools, splash park …. anything is fair game when you are in Central Oregon.

Eagle Crest is a full-service destination resort located just outside the city of Redmond on 1,700 acres in the high desert of Central Oregon. Nestled against the majestic Cascade Mountains near Bend, Oregon, Eagle Crest boasts over 300 days of sunshine each year with an annual rainfall of less than nine inches. That’s no typo. Eagle Crest has more sunshine that many of the other exotic golf destinations around the globe and just because it’s in Central Oregon don’t think that golf is only a summer proposition. Golf can be played year-round at Eagle Crest.

For the golfers, there is plenty of variety to choose from. The Eagle Crest Resort course is the original layout, created by Gene “Bunny’ Mason in 1986. One hole that definitely gets your attention is the second hole, a 481- par-5 that twists down through a canyon. The tee shot alone is intimidating. The newer Ridge course opened in 1993 and gives you more of an Arizona desert feel.

The 9-hole Challenge Course is a shorter course but it still fun to play. In fact it was ranked as the Best Short Course in the Pacific Northwest in 2006 by Links Magazine. An 18-hole putting course near the Ridge clubhouse is another way to practice or enjoy golf with the family.

The outdoor activities are seemingly endless at Eagle Crest Resort. Guests at the resort have access to over 11 miles of walking trails with one of the most popular trails a 1.5-mile scenic hike along the Deschutes River. Away from the resort. Smith Rock State Park gives you the chance to watch rock climbers do their thing. And Tumalo Falls is a 97-foot waterfall just a 1/4 mile away from the parking area. For more, see www.eagle-crest.com.

Eagle Crest Resort at a glance
Where: Redmond, Oregon
Resort: Eagle Crest is spread over 1,700 acres with plenty of lodging with a resort hotel, golf villas and condos. A recreation area with swimming pools is also available as well as bike paths and hiking paths.
Golf: Golfers can choose from the Resort Course, Ridge Course, Challenge Course and 18-hole putting course.