High Desert Museum
High Desert Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
This one-of-a kind Museum reveals the nature of things in the West’s High Desert through artful exhibits, alluring animals, engaging programs and meaningful history. Otters, porcupines, owls, oh my! Encounter wildlife up close, explore the history and culture of this vast region and take in beautiful art. Get a close-up view of native wildlife, such as an otter, burrowing owl, porcupine and gray fox. Visit an authentic ranch and sawmill from 1904. In the summer, experience a close flying encounter with owls, falcons, hawks and even a vulture. Learn about Native American culture and history and delight your children with one of many fun, hands-on programs that bring history and science to life. With 135 acres and more than 100,000 square feet of exhibit space, it’s a “must see” for anyone traveling through the area. Go to highdesertmuseum.org/tickets for more details!
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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See what travelers are saying
- Julie SPrineville, Oregon7 contributionsFree Museum DayIt's always fun visiting the museum. Enjoy all the critters. Owls, eagles, hawks, turtles, newts, and Otters. The revolving exhibit is new on each visit. This time it was an art exhibit of a collection of Andy Warhol pieces.Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten February 29, 2024
- kiterunner55Portland, Oregon61 contributionsGreat raptor showPaid $5 extra for the raptor show - amazing and well worth it. Five raptor species repeatedly swooping a few inches over our heads. Best raptor show I have seen by far. Also up close visits with great horned owl and red tail hawk, just a couple feet away and perched on handler's arm. All the birds are there because of injuries etc so they can't make it in the wild. Very fun outdoor otters, on grass and in water, with nice otter talk by staff. All are rescue animals. Great Native American and central Oregon anthropology exhibits. Spent 2.5 hours, could be more. Cost 20 dollars, 17 for seniors and most kids(?).Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 12, 2024
- seekingwarmerclimesAnchorage, Alaska105 contributionsThe otters are greatThank goodness for the otters or this one might’ve been a bit of a bust. There is some interesting historical stuff including of the native Americans in the region. Also some cool snakes, lizards and such as populate the high desert area. But the entrance fee is pretty steep and I personally felt it almost was not worth it. That said, our younger kids (7 and 9) really liked it and it did seem to be pretty good for younger familiesVisited June 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 21, 2024
- TOURtheWORLDMexPalUnited States3,577 contributionsWow, what a surprise treatWell put together and well organized museum. It is the highlight and the top to do in Bend. Get there early, as it gets busy. There are two guided special presentations at 10:30 and 11:30 for 30 minutes each. For kids, good to attend. Museum indoor and outdoor, it is like a mini zoo too and nice history tour. Plan minimum 2 hours for the visit and more if to join the presentations and visit every thing. I very highly recommend the visit.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 3, 2024
- Julie P18 contributionsA must see for children and grownupsThis was a great way to experience life in the high desert region. The land is beautiful, the animals are a joy to watch. The raptor show was amazing. They are careful to point out how animals came to be there usually through injury and now can’t survive on their own. My favorite was the porcupine! I loved the art exhibit with the paintings combining animals with Sara Teasdale’s “There will come soft rains”. It is one of my favorite poems. The exhibits showing humans expansions into the area are entertaining and education. This is a must see if coming to this areaVisited July 2024Traveled soloWritten July 6, 2024
- Sara SOak Grove, Louisiana129 contributionsThey have otters!This is a pretty cool little museum. We stopped here thinking there was a restaurant but realized it is a little cafe inside the museum. We decided to check it out & enjoyed our time there. The cafe menu was pretty limited but the food was great. You can eat inside or go outside & eat on the covered deck. After eating we went to see the otters. It’s a short walk from the cafe. The world of otter entrance goes underground where you walk inside & can view the otters from a window while they’re under the water. There are a few windows for viewing. If you walk all the way through the door that leads back outside it will take you to another viewing spot to see the otters playing & swimming outside. There was 3 otters that we saw. They seemed happy & playful. Our last stop was the gift shop on the way out. There’s lots of beautiful gifts available. One thing that stood out to me that I thought was really cool is the dog kennels that are available in the parking area of the museum. It looked like there were 4 kennels that were covered & had raised dog beds in each one for anyone traveling with their dogs bc pets are not allowed in the museum. Definitely a cool little spot if you have time when traveling through this area.Visited July 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 23, 2024
- Lalo FuentesNanaimo, Canada3 contributionsA visit to an incredible museumSpent 4 hours there and probably did not see everything. One of the highlights was speaking to "Irene" Harper at the settlers cabin. The year was 1904 and she was very concerned about her husband who went to investigate the killing of sheep up in the montains. Hope he returned safely. Fantastic museumVisited July 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 26, 2024
- John KMesquite, Nevada84 contributionsVariety and then some!This museum had a variety of things to see and do, including sculptures, live animal enclosures, native peoples exhibit, settlers exhibit/living history museum, birds of prey encounter and more. The staff were all pleasant and extremely helpful in assisting us as we navigated the place. All the exhibits were accessible and informative. We would highly recommend a visit here.Visited July 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 31, 2024
- RancherRebecca5 contributionsRaptors and otters and a bobcat, oh my!Wonderful and highly informative about the local flora and fauna. The raptor show is outstanding! Requires a separate ticket and sells out so go early. There are a lot of excellent talks to hear and animals to see.Visited July 2024Traveled with friendsWritten August 2, 2024
- Autumn G447 contributionsBeautiful and Thoughtful Museum Exhibit!This museum cannot be missed when visiting Bend! A mixture of indoor and outdoor exhibits. We spent about 3 hours here and felt like we saw most of the museum, though you could spend longer. It would be entertaining for any age and was very well done!Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 11, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Tita0809
Hermiston, OR80 contributions
Jan 2020
I was not excited to visit a museum in Bend since Bend is know for its natural outdoor beauty, however, I was extremely happy to visit this museum since it represents really well the natural beauty of the area. The live exhibition is great. I though I would spend 1 hr there and i ended up spending 4 hours walking around and enjoying the culture, history, and natural beauty of OR very well represented on this museum.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for giving us a chance and visiting the High Desert Museum! It's so much more than one expects and with our ever-changing exhibits, there's always something new to explore. If you made it here during our snowfall, that would make for a very special visit. Watching the otters play in the snow, nothing compares!
Thank you again for your visit and we hope you stop by again on your next Central Oregon adventure!
Written January 28, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
un20023
Milwaukie, OR5 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
Was by far the most interesting historical museum I have visited related to Human habitation in the region. Fantastic Native American Indian artifact displays, historical accounts of US Government treaties, Oregon Trail, gold rush, Chinese influence, and even a replica gold mine!
Live animal displays included native snakes, lizards, tortoises, turtles, porcupine, and a separate building housing several different raptors (birds of prey). Outdoor walking paths through beautifully maintained natural areas with creeks running throughout hosted various bronze statues of local flora and fauna. Could have spent several hours there, as there were numerous speakers providing informational walkabouts with talks on local plants and animals. Highly recommend! Will definitely visit again!
Live animal displays included native snakes, lizards, tortoises, turtles, porcupine, and a separate building housing several different raptors (birds of prey). Outdoor walking paths through beautifully maintained natural areas with creeks running throughout hosted various bronze statues of local flora and fauna. Could have spent several hours there, as there were numerous speakers providing informational walkabouts with talks on local plants and animals. Highly recommend! Will definitely visit again!
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter K
Hurricane, UT862 contributions
Jun 2020
We visited here on 6/22/20. We spent about three hours exploring the museum and grounds. We found the raptors, otters, snakes, lizards and ground owls fascinating.
There is a section on the local Indian tribes, early settlers to the area and an interesting photo gallery.
There is a good sized interior museum and a number of exterior buildings to explore. There is plenty of parking and a nice gift shop.
Covid 19 precautions
You are required to wear a mask inside the museum, you can take it off outside. There were several hand sanitizer stations and for the most part social distancing was observed.
The cafe was closed
If you are in the area this is worth visiting.
There is a section on the local Indian tribes, early settlers to the area and an interesting photo gallery.
There is a good sized interior museum and a number of exterior buildings to explore. There is plenty of parking and a nice gift shop.
Covid 19 precautions
You are required to wear a mask inside the museum, you can take it off outside. There were several hand sanitizer stations and for the most part social distancing was observed.
The cafe was closed
If you are in the area this is worth visiting.
Written July 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stull1941@gmail.com
East Olympia, WA27 contributions
Jun 2022
We had high expectations. Displays inside were largely very armature. Otters were missing in action. Lunch was expensive and service was slow. Entry was $20 per person. The whole facility looks like it was patched together. Too call it a museum is an overstatement. Likely good for kids under 12. Covid recommendations were not present.
Written June 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tatiana H
Charleston, SC11 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
I don’t think I’ve ever visited a museum that had this much information about natural history and living history/history of people of the area. I didn’t know there wouldn’t be interpreters in the living history area during our visit, but we had a great time anyway. Really well-curated exhibits and yes, the playful otter in the snow was the cherry on top! Definitely recommend.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for visiting! We always aim to surprise and surpass expectations. Between the wildlife, living history characters, exhibits exploring nature, art, culture and history, we truly believe the Museum has something of interest for everyone and many reasons to return, learning experiences for everyone. Come see us again soon!
Written January 28, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Michael M
Lebanon, OR685 contributions
Jan 2020
My family of 5 loved this place. My wife and our kids (10, 8 and 3) all enjoyed it. They have a ton of indoor exhibits and my kids especially enjoyed the owls. Outside they loved the eagles and otters. The otters were all cuddled up in their den and it was adorable. We also walked around the open area which is to be like an old farm. It was cold and there was snow on the ground, but that only added seemingly to the authenticity. Plenty of stuff to do, a cafe to eat at and a nice gift shop. We really liked it.
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jasmine38Chichester UK
Chichester, UK1,983 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
The museum is well set out with sections on different topics. The native American area has some wonderful exhibits. There dioramas are very good too, especially the mining one. About 2/3 of the museum is indoors so can be enjoyed if the weather isn't great and there is something to appeal to all age groups. You need to allow at least two hours for a visit.
However. I had expected to see more animals The birds were all out of bounds due to avian flu so the two main displays were cancelled. The porcupine was also absent so this only left a few reptiles, the fox and otters.
I do think when some of the main features are unavailable the entry price should be reduced accordingly and felt 20 USD entry was rather steep.
However. I had expected to see more animals The birds were all out of bounds due to avian flu so the two main displays were cancelled. The porcupine was also absent so this only left a few reptiles, the fox and otters.
I do think when some of the main features are unavailable the entry price should be reduced accordingly and felt 20 USD entry was rather steep.
Written July 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie Mae
Prineville, OR105 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Every year The High Desert Museum hosts Family Free Days in January and February. With rotating exhibits, bird shows, otters, owls, and other critters, there is something new to see. High Desert heritage is displayed along with a mining town replica. The otters are not to be missed. They are fun and playful and always a joy to watch. Both my children love the museum.
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie, thank you so much for your review. Family Free Days are so important to us, giving everyone access to the Museum. This is a Museum for everyone! And they are such busy days, it's all hands on deck. I love it!
Between the wildlife, living history characters, exhibits exploring nature, art, culture and history, we truly believe the Museum has something of interest for everyone and many reasons to return, learning experiences for everyone. Come see us again soon!
Written March 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Anthony T
Coeur d'Alene, ID201 contributions
Aug 2022
The rapter demonstration is amazing. I never expected to be so enthralled. It is definitely worth the extra ticket price. We also really enjoyed the river otter exhibit. Too many displays and animals are not currently open, but the museum is still worth the admission price.
Written August 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Preslee Ann
Pasco, WA74 contributions
Apr 2021
This museum was fairly interesting but the admission fee seemed high for what they offered. Some interesting exhibits but seeing caged animals... even snakes and frogs ...was a bit sad. Otters were pretty cute and entertaining. Didn’t care for the vultures feeding on the dead carcass statue but that’s me. Overall I give it a meh but pretty educational for kids and maybe it’s just not my cup of tea.
Written April 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolyn, thank you for your open and honest review. The visitor experience is so important to us and our teams do all look at constructive criticism as very useful opportunities.
Please know that all of the wildlife in our care are non-releasable creatures. They all have a different story, from injuries to being imprinted on humans. Our wildlife team goes above and beyond in their enrichment and making sure they live full lives, knowing that if they were released into the wild, they wouldn't survive. They get to be here in our care and act as ambassadors for their species.
I will pass on the comment about the vulture and deer installation to our curators and wildlife team.
Thank you again for visiting and sharing your thoughts. We appreciate it!
Written April 27, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
April 1 – October 31 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
General: $20
Senior (65 plus): $17
College Student (with I.D.): $17
Child (ages 3-12): $12
2 and younger free
November 1 – March 31 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
General: $17
Senior (65 plus): $15
College Student (with I.D.): $15
Child (ages 3-12): $11
2 and younger free
Written April 21, 2022
Does anyone know High Desert Museum holiday hours? Thanks.
Written December 31, 2021
This is taken directly from their website:
Hours & Rates
Admission for members during normal business hours is always free!
If you’re not yet a member, now’s a great time to become one! Membership includes exclusive invitations to special events, unlimited admission to the Museum for a full year, and discounts on programs and in the Museum store and Rimrock Café. Click here to join!
Open daily, except for Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
April 1 – October 31 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
General: $17
Senior (65 plus): $14
College Student (with I.D.): $14
Child (ages 3-12): $10
2 and younger free
November 1 – March 31 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
General: $14
Senior (65 plus): $12
College Student (with I.D.): $12
Child (ages 3-12): $9
2 and younger free
Active U.S. military and families are free, with identification! Click here for more information about the Blue Star Museums program.
Stroller and wheelchair rentals free
AAA Discount. We offer a 10% AAA discount with a valid AAA membership card.
Military Discount. Veterans and retired military personnel with government ID receive 10% off their family admission.
Blue Star Museum Discount. Free admission for all active duty, National Guard and Reserve military personnel and up to five family members with identification.
Museums for All. Guests with an Electronics Benefits Transfer (EBT) card and photo ID receive a reduced admission rate of $2.00 per person, offered for up to six individuals (up to two adults and four children) and is valid during normal business hours only.
The Museum accepts Visa and Mastercard only.
We suggest that you allow at least two to three hours for your visit.
Written June 15, 2019
caratopliff
Madras, Oregon
Can I bring my own stroller from home for my 1.5 year old?
Written March 21, 2018
Greetings from the Museum! The aforementioned rates are incorrect. Please see the rates below and we hope to see everyone soon!
April 1 – October 31 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
General: $17
Senior (65 plus): $14
College Student (with I.D.): $14
Child (ages 3-12): $10
2 and younger free
November 1 – March 31 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
General: $14
Senior (65 plus): $12
College Student (with I.D.): $12
Child (ages 3-12): $9
2 and younger free
Written October 1, 2020
I'm wondering if the High Desert Museum is worth doing on a cold rainy day? How much of it is outdoors?
Written October 12, 2017
Greetings. There is a 1/2 mile paved path that loops through the Museum grounds to several stand-alone exhibits. The Autzen Otter Exhibit has both an outdoor viewing area and an indoor exhibit area with displays and an aquarium with lamprey and Warner suckers. The Birds of Prey exhibit is mostly indoors or outdoors with a covered roof. Here you'll see raptors such as owls, hawks, and eagles. The indoor area has presentations and some displays. The trail also leads to the Miller Ranch. The buildings on display depict a 1904 High Desert Homestead with a barn, cabin, and other outbuildings. The nearby Lazinka sawmill runs in the summer on special occasions. The main building has many exhibits, wildlife, and other art to keep one busy even if the weather turns nasty. Our facilities crew does stay on top of maintaining the trails, plowing or sanding, as needed. Don't forget to check the website for a list of current exhibits and the daily schedule.
Written November 2, 2017
Military Discounts: Active and retired military personnel with government ID receive 10% off their family's admission.
The Museum accepts all major credit cards.
The best way to see the Museum is to design your own personal tour of our exhibits and wildlife, and find out what's happening daily. We suggest that you allow at least 2 to 3 hours for your visit.
ummer: May 1 - October 31 Winter: November 1 - April 30
Adult $15 Adult $12
Senior (65 plus) $12 Senior (65 plus) $10
Youth (ages 5-12) $9 Youth (ages 5-12) $7
Child (4 and under) Free Child (4 and under) Free
Stroller Rental Free
Wheelchair Free
Written April 13, 2016
Hi -
Our summer rates are:
Adult $15 Adult $12
Senior (65 plus) $12 Senior (65 plus) $10
Youth (ages 5-12) $9 Youth (ages 5-12) $7
Child (4 and under) Free
We also allow active members of the military and their immediate families free admission through Labor Day.
Written August 12, 2015
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