Overlanding is as Much About the Journey as the Destination
Look out, Redmond. On June 27-29, 2025, the overlanders are converging. A Toyota Tacoma with 33-inch mud tires and LED lights on a custom bumper might crest the horizon. Behind it might be a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van with retractable awnings and skid plates to protect its underbelly. These vehicles are rigged to withstand rough terrain, and there’s plenty to explore—the United States has more public land than any other developed country in the world. [Photo above by Benjamin Edwards]
Around 17,000 overland enthusiasts and their rigs are expected to descend on the Deschutes County Expo Center for the Overland Expo PNW, a weekend dedicated to off-road adventures. Imagine an off-camber, log-jammed driving course, a backcountry-specific culinary pavilion, more than 300 gear exhibits and demonstrations, educational workshops, and 1,000-plus campers all in one place.
The term “overlanding” originated in Australia, originally referring to moving cattle across long distances. Today, this concept has evolved to mean self-sufficient vehicle travel, where the odyssey of traveling is itself the destination. The trend gained momentum in part when Jeep Wrangler fanatics began developing backcountry modifications. Then, during the COVID-19 pandemic, overlanding exploded as people leaned heavily into outdoor recreation and wanted to work remotely, as in faraway forests, canyons or beaches.
“For many people the term overlanding means you have to drive a specific kind of tricked-out rig, but shorter adventures with smaller vehicles can still be overlanding,” said David Kerstan, a marketing specialist at Overland Expo. “I like to define overlanding as using a vehicle to get to a place to do a thing, from expeditions in the outback to weekend warriors car camping.”
Photo by Ray Gordon
While there is a diversity of approaches to overlanding, a consistent feature is the embrace and utilization of gear and vehicle modifications. Imagine improved suspension, engine snorkels for river crossing, traction boards for tires, intricate mounting systems, hitch-mounted cargo carriers, rooftop solar panels and cell phone boosters for backcountry service.
Overlanding has recruited a solid following in Central Oregon, where people have an outsized affinity for both getting outside and cutting-edge gear. Naturally, related businesses have popped up in the area and are thriving, from rack specialists to makers of tow-behind tents and backcountry meal kits.
“As an outdoor-centric area, Central Oregon is a hotspot for overlanding,” said Kerstan. “Our PNW expo is a place wherelocals hang out around fires and connect during campgroundafter-parties after expo activities and classes are done.”
Many local enthusiasts are a part of the Central Oregon Landcruisers, a collective of people who love to ride their highly equipped vehicles on super rough land and snow. Online, the forum IH8Mud is also a hub for local information. One Oregon group, Team Overland, is a volunteer-run nonprofit based in Southern Oregon which takes veterans on free trips three to four times per year, sometimes exploring Central Oregon. Their trips epitomize the spirit of overlanding and why so many people are drawn to it.
Bobby Raetz, the vice president of Team Overland, describes the magic of retreating deep into the woods: “As we travel away from civilization, we tap back into a mentality of camaraderie and support. We use teamwork to navigate obstacles and set up camp. Then, at the end of the day, we sit around the fire and use that as common ground to communicate.”
Overlanding provides the gift of outdoor recreation | Photo by Fluri Adventures
Get Ready to Overland with Central Oregon Companies
Apologies to Ted Lasso, but water (not football) is life. It’s Earth’s secret sauce, the magic elixir of existence. Those who live amid the plateaus and canyons of Central Oregon understand its value. The perpetually thirsty landscape, porous by nature, absorbs nearly all the scant precipitation it receives and redirects that flow underground. Chemistry and gravity carve fissures in volcanic bedrock, fill vast aquifers underneath arid plains and create rivers that sustain every form of life that call this place home.
Few of us, even the most dedicated anglers and paddlers, are as intimately connected to rivers, fisheries and aquatic ecosystems as professional fishing guides. Successful guides don’t just show up, put in their hours and go home—they observe and catalog every nuance of these complex systems for their clients’ success and safety. Because of that vigilance, they’re often the first to notice when a river changes or exhibits signs of distress.
Mia Sheppard owns and operates Maupin-based Little Creek Outfitters and Juniper River Adventures
From the Mouths of Guides
“Guides witness the river’s rhythms every day,” said Dylan Stanford, who takes clients out on the Deschutes River as owner of North Fork Outfitters. “That awareness and intimacy is beneficial in assessing the health of the river system over time. We see the subtle shifts in water quality and the impact on the bird, insect and fish populations. It’s our home water. We’re consistent observers of this place.”
Similarly, Mia Sheppard owns and operates Maupin-based Little Creek Outfitters and Juniper River Adventures with her husband, Marty. She’s been a professional fishing and river guide since 2003.
“Every day, I wake up and see the Deschutes River,” Sheppard explained. “We have raised our daughter on the water. We have hiked almost every canyon and peak in the lower 25 miles. Rivers are our life. [They’re] the lifeblood of Oregon rural communities and this planet.”
Matt Mendes of Spin the Handle guide service has been guiding on the Warm Springs Reservation since he was 16 years old. He apprenticed under his grandfather, the first Native guide on the Warm Springs section of the Deschutes, and continues to work as a full-time fishing guide.
“The Deschutes River is like family: The water, this river, it means everything to us, [through] several generations. I’ve grown up on it. My grandpa took me fishing there. My kids now fish it. I’ve spent countless days and hours with friends on it. It gives us confidence, life, peace, closure and, at moments, even sadness.”
Dylan Stanford
Protecting Resources
Unlike casual anglers and recreators, guides have multiple incentives to care for the river. “Guides bear an inherent responsibility to steward the waters they work,” said Stanford. “We’re obligated to preserve, educate and advocate for these ecosystems. Our livelihoods are tied to the health of the river and fish populations, so it’s not only an ethical obligation, but in a guide’s best business interest to protect these natural resources.”
“Outfitters and guides play significant roles in river conservation,” said Sheppard. “We educate people about the river and wildlife, about sustainable practices, such as how to properly handle wild fish; we inspire people to practice Leave No Trace; we pick up trash and poop and pack it out; we break up fire rings and pull noxious weeds. Our business has donated more than $100,000 in trips to conservation organizations over the years.”
Mendes holds himself and his business accountable to the river, carrying on his family legacy of stewardship.
Forming Relationships
Good guides don’t just lead to fish, they help people develop relationships with rivers and educate them about wild places. The fish are adrenaline catalysts, searing experiences in the minds of people who would otherwise never have such visceral and personal reasons to care about watershed conservation. Some of the people who hire guides become ardent conservation supporters themselves.
“On the surface, it would seem that a fishing guide is primarily responsible to put their clients on fish,” Stanford said. “In my experience, however, the fishing—and especially the catching of the fish—comes second to the overall experience. Bridging the gap between a mysterious wild river and people who want to interact with that place in a positive way is what makes a great guide. I believe people are more likely to protect what they know and understand.”
Sheppard believes guides facilitate meaningful interactions that would otherwise never happen. “A lot of people don’t have a boat, know how to row safely, or have time to learn a river,” she said. “This is why people hire guides. We are all servants to the resources and to our guests. When guests inquire about where to donate money, we offer suggestions on NGOs [nonprofits that address non-governmental or political issues] we trust or suggest giving back to rural communities and programs.”
Fishing and river guides don’t care for the rivers because they work as guides; they work as guides because they care for the rivers.
Mendes explained, “When I need to get away, I go listen to the sounds of the canyon. The wind, the birds, the pungent aromas of sage and juniper. The sound of the water rushing over the rocks balances out my soul. It’s the best medicine around. When I’m in such a sacred and powerful place, all is well again.”
Sisters filmmaker R.A. Beattie and Off the Grid Studios premiered a new film, “The Hard Way,” depicting the beauty and challenges of the Deschutes River through the eyes of fly-fishing guide Matt Mendes. An enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Mendes follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, who was the first Native American fishing guide on the river. The film portrays four seasons of the Deschutes and how the living ecosystem changes throughout the year. Beattie and his team, including writer Miles Nolte and cinematographer Arian Stevens, took two years to create “The Hard Way” and secured rare permits to film on tribal land.
“While it’s a fishing film, it’s not just about the fish,” said Beattie. “It’s about effort, place and presence; about showing what it really means to choose the harder path, and why that choice matters. It’s the kind of story that reminds us why we started fishing in the first place, and why it’s worth pushing through the tough days to get to the good ones.”
The film premiered as part of the 2025 Fly Fishing Film Tour, which spanned more than 14 countries and 300 events, including a sold-out premier in Bend in spring 2025. See offthegridstudios.com.
The free event welcomes families, caregivers, and supporters for games, activities, and community-building fun. It’s more than a party, it’s a tribute to the founders and to five decades of dedication to kids’ health.
How Pediatric Healthcare Started in Bend, Oregon
In the early 1970s, Bend looked very different. With just 15,000 residents and only a few medical providers, specialized care for children was limited. There was no pediatric ward in the first St. Charles Hospital, then located on NW Franklin Avenue. Families had to travel to Portland when their kids got seriously ill, but Dr. Mary Brown saw a better way. “I knew we could do more,” Dr. Brown said.
Her residency training included the emerging science of neonatology, and she brought skills of infant ventilation and critical care to the small town. In 1975, she opened a 700-square-foot pediatric clinic with just three exam rooms on NE 3rd Street. That year, she was instrumental in making sure the newly built St. Charles Medical Center on Neff Road included a pediatric ward—it wasn’t in the original plans, but she converted a storage room on the fifth floor into two rooms. Dr. Brown helped bring in the first infant ventilator, called a “Baby Bird,” to Central Oregon. She believed that Bend kids deserved the same high-quality care as children in larger cities, and her goal was to keep kids healthy and close to home.
One year later, Dr. John Chunn, an infectious disease specialist, joined her. He shared her vision that they could do more. “We were both trained to take care of the sickest kids,” said Dr. Chunn. “It was possible to treat them right here in Bend versus sending them away.” Sue Stanley played an important role as their first nurse and administrator.
Together, they built something extraordinary.
A Clinic with a Mission That Still Guides the Work
The small clinic has grown to include upwards of 35 pediatricians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinicians on its healthcare team, but its core values remain unchanged. This clinic is still committed to individualized care for all children in Central Oregon, inclusive of all backgrounds, needs, and medical complexities. It believes every child matters, that all families deserve access to exceptional care, and that pediatric health is a lifelong journey.
“I didn’t realize what I was creating back then,” said Dr. Brown. “I just knew it was important to focus on the kids and not forget what it means to be with a family that is struggling. I love what COPA has become.”
A Full Range of Pediatric Services in Central Oregon
Today, families trust the clinics not just for expert care, but for compassion, respect, and a deep understanding of what children need to thrive. As Dr. Brown explained, the job of a pediatrician is an honor: “Once you get in a room with a 5 year old, you forget about other things.” As the region has grown, so has the reach and expertise. The practice now offers:
Services were created with families and children in mind. Whether your child has a high fever at 10 p.m. or a sprained ankle on a Sunday, access to trusted care is efficient, accessible, and built for kids of all ages.
When 24-Hour Nurse Advice Can Make a Difference
Imagine it’s the middle of the night. Your toddler has a sudden cough and a high fever, and you’re not sure whether to head to the emergency room or wait until morning.
That’s when COPA Kids’ 24/7 Nurse Advice Line becomes a lifeline. A pediatric-trained nurse talks you through symptoms, offers real-time guidance, answers your questions, and helps you decide the right next steps.
Sometimes it’s at-home care and a nurse will talk you through it. Other times, it’s a recommendation to be seen urgently. Either way, a nurse advice line offers peace of mind. You’re never alone.
What to Expect from COPA’s Kids Care: Expert Care for Urgent Concerns
Weekends and evenings are when kids always seem to get sick or injured. COPA Kids’ Care offers expert urgent pediatric care without the high cost and stress of an emergency room visit. Healthcare emergencies can’t always wait until Monday.
Maybe your 6-year-old has a sudden earache on Saturday morning. What if your teenager sprains their ankle during a soccer game? You can quickly schedule online for easy access to evening and weekend visits with a trusted pediatric expert.
Bring your children to COPA Kids’ Care for faster recovery and less worry.
Locally Owned Pediatricians Who Know the Community
One of the things families love most about COPA is its inclusive care for all children. Unlike many large healthcare systems, they remain locally owned and financially independent. This matters. It means decisions are made in Central Oregon, by providers who live here and understand the families they serve.
The team is committed to inclusive care. Every child, inclusive of their race, gender identity, background, and ability, receives compassionate and personalized attention.
“We determine our own future,” says Dr. Chunn. “That means we can keep doing what’s best for the kids, always.”
From Curious Toddlers to Confident Teens
Central Oregon Pediatrics Associates has always believed in the power of connection. That starts with seeing each child as unique, curious, imaginative, and full of potential. “Our approach has always been very individual and down to earth,” said Dr. Brown.
From your baby’s first check-up to helping your teen prepare for college, the early vision of care means providers support families through every milestone and stage of life of a child’s life.
They believe that kids aren’t simply small adults; healthcare isn’t just about treating illnesses. It’s about helping kids develop positive, life-long attitudes about their health and wellness.
Building a Healthy Future—Together
The vision that began in a tiny three-room clinic has expanded into a trusted, multi-location practice serving tens of thousands of Central Oregon families. Yet the heart of Central Oregon Pediatrics Associates remains the same: Compassionate care. Local connection. Expert guidance for every stage of childhood.
“The joy of pediatrics is knowing you played a part in the life of someone; that the things you did or said made a difference in the person they’ve become,” said Dr. Brown. “Being a pediatrician is the best job in the world.”
As COPA Kids celebrates 50 years, it looks forward to serving the next generation of young patients as they grow, learn, and thrive. We invite you to attend the COPA 50th Celebration:
A community event with activities, music, and more
Here in Central Oregon, long before it was known for skiing and mountain biking, it was a hub for ranching and farming. Folks grew their own food, fixed their own fences and relied on each other for help when needed. The roots of that culture still thrive here, and growing numbers of people seek out the satisfaction of creating a lifestyle that is grounded, literally, in the land. Traditional knowledge that once passed through generations now can be learned through local organizations such as the School of Ranch. With its blend of high and low technology, the nonprofit connects people who want to learn traditional ranch skills with local mentors and helps build a community of shared values, according to its founder Mark Gross.
In 2020, Gross left a high-tech career in California, aiming for a low-tech retirement in rural Central Oregon. Rural life wasn’t as simple as it seemed, and he soon realized he needed help learning to use a chainsaw. Ex-Marine Kaleb Watson answered his Craigslist ad.
“We were opposites in many ways, but through that project we became friends,” said Gross. “I saw how hands-on collaboration builds bridges across differences, while teaching practical skills.”
This learning experience inspired Gross to establish the school, based in Terrebonne, and cultivate a team of instructors. The organization’s website links students to in-person, hands-on workshops held throughout Central Oregon. With a full menu of ranch-relevant topics such as handyman basics, tractor driving, welding, beekeeping, canning and soapmaking, participants and expert mentors work and learn together. Along the way, they find common ground and friendship.
Mark Gross
Resilient Individuals, Stronger Communities
Julia Vasinda and Steve Challis joined the School of Ranch in 2024 after purchasing 80 acres of undeveloped farmland near Sisters. They’d been seeking a more balanced life, one that felt substantial and connected to the land. They had a vision for small-scale farming and the School of Ranch workshops are helping them realize that dream.
“The Power Saws for Women class got me started. Then carpentry, soil management, welding and chicken keeping,” said Vasinda.
Each class enriches students’ ranching know-how and builds upon itself—a student learns how to build a coop before learning how to raise chickens. Of all the workshops, Vasinda and Challis found welding the most challenging and satisfying. “Welding can be intimidating, but by the end I had the basic skills. On our rocky terrain, we’re sure to break equipment, and now I know how to fix it,” said Challis.
Joe Slattery
That sense of satisfaction came as no surprise to welding instructor Joe Slattery, who runs the class in his personal workshop. After a career that included fusing NASA space shuttles, he enjoys sharing his wealth of knowledge. “Everyone likes to make stuff, to fix things yourself instead of hiring someone,” said Slattery. “Each class has a diverse group, people from all walks of life, but here we share the same goals.”
A drive for self-sufficiency shows up in the kitchen, as well, according to Beth Covert, School of Ranch board member and instructor. Covert has seen a fresh desire for a return to traditional ways, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. In that time of insecurity, people turned to the forgotten arts of cultivating gardens, preserving the bounty and sharing delicious dishes.
Beth Covert
For Covert, food is the foundation of a healthy community. She’s always cultivated and preserved home-grown food, even as more convenient options filled grocery aisles. Covert’s workshops focus on high desert gardening and food preservation, including canning, fermenting and dehydrating. Sharing her knowledge is easy, she explained, because of the structure built into every School of Ranch program.
“I’ve built hoop beds, propagated low-water plants, mastered my compost system and filled my pantry with dried and canned food, but I’ve never been a teacher,” said Covert.
For her classes, Covert schedules time for a potluck to nurture friendships among the participants.
While Covert’s classes revolve around the garden, instructor Rick Bell helps learners move toward energy independence. After a lengthy military career, Bell turned to self sufficiency, living off the energy grid. Through School of Ranch, he teaches others to do the same. His workshops help participants understand wiring and electrical systems, beginning with small projects such as solar batteries and wiring for trailers. Like other instructors, Bell remains available for advice and help as students venture into their own solar and off-grid projects.
“These classes help people take care of both themselves and others, rather than depending on the grid. It makes for a stronger local community, and the local level is where it matters,” said Bell.
Rick Bell
Nurturing the Ranch Mindset
Community engagement has always been part of the mission for Shannon and Taylor Kane of Wild Grown Farm in Redmond. Through School of Ranch, they help people understand the foundations of producing their own food. “As a society, we’re increasingly disconnected from where our food comes from,” said Taylor. “I was raised in a city, so I took the long route to learning these skills. These workshops allow us to bridge the gap for folks like me who weren’t raised with this knowledge base.”
The Kanes’ approach to farming goes beyond traditional agriculture into agroecology and permaculture, with a mindset that keeps them looking to nature as a guide for building regenerative, closed-loop systems on their farm.
The Kanes
“These workshops are a gateway into this lifestyle and philosophy. We hope that folks see the connection between nurturing the earth and nurturing ourselves. Getting your hands in the soil and raising your own food is empowering, and we want to inspire people on that path. The more folks that do that, the better we collectively will be,” said Shannon.
For Vasinda and Challis, they’re ready to start beekeeping while carefully laying out their farming strategy. They’ve got a list of workshops yet to join, to grow their community as well as their skills. Eventually, they hope to come full circle and host School of Ranch sessions on their own land.
Gross, in the meantime, has gone from thoughts of retirement to creating a legacy. “School of Ranch will continue to grow because there is so much in the concept of ranching that matters,” he said. “Ranch is a metaphor for using your hands, for connecting to land, for community, for sustainability, and even for finding common ground with those who have differing opinions. We all need that now.” Learn more at School of Ranch.
Get ready for a cosmic spectacle, 2025 offers a variety of notable astronomical events! 2025 is packed with incredible night sky events, from dazzling meteor showers to breathtaking auroras and dramatic blood moons. Discover the must-see celestial shows of the year, many of which you can enjoy with just your own eyes. Even if you’re new to stargazing, these upcoming wonders are sure to amaze.
Join amateur astronomers at Indian Trail Spring in the Ochoco National Forest for this annual multiday celebration. Find educational speakers, telescope mentoring for adults and youth, along with telescopes available for use in the ‘Telescope Tent.’ Oregon Star Party is held 45 miles east of Prineville, Oregon, and camping is available.
June 26, 2025: Moon and Mercury Meet Up
Witness a rare celestial rendezvous! On June 26th, tiny Mercury, the sun’s closest planet, emerges from its hiding place to join the slender crescent moon. To see this subtle spectacle, peer low into the western sky shortly after sunset, 20-30 minutes before darkness falls. Mercury, a faint glimmer, will be just three degrees from the moon. A clear western view is essential, and binoculars can cut through the sunset’s glow.
August 12, 2025: Venus and Jupiter’s Close Encounter
Mark your calendars for an early morning planetary conjunction on August 12th. Venus and Jupiter will appear very close together in the eastern dawn sky. Venus will be the brighter of the two, shining with a white light, while Jupiter will appear dimmer and golden. Binoculars will easily show both planets together. A small telescope will reveal Jupiter’s atmospheric bands and the Galilean moons.
September 7, 2025: Total Lunar Eclipse and Blood Moon
Sorry, this total lunar eclipse (“blood moon”) will only be visible in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. But in case you are traveling, a partial eclipse begins at 9:27 a.m. PST, with totality from 10:30 a.m. to 11:52 a.m. PST. This timing is to show when it occurs relative to PST, it will be visible during evening hours in the locations mentioned above. Look east at the moonrise for the red glow. No equipment is needed, but binoculars/telescope will enhance the view.
September 19, 2025: Moon, Venus, and Regulus in Celestial Group Hug
Dawn’s celestial triangle. 45 minutes before sunrise, look east for the crescent moon, dazzling Venus, and blue-white Regulus forming a beautiful trio.
November 8, 2025: Saturn’s Rings Vanish
Prepare for a rare Saturn sighting! In early November, its famous rings will appear edge-on, nearly vanishing. This happens only every 15 years. Use a backyard telescope for the best view, looking south in the evening sky within Aquarius.
December 13 to 14: Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks
Prepare for a dazzling display of shooting stars! The Geminid meteor shower, peaking December 13-14, will deliver up to 120 meteors per hour. Thanks to a dark, moonless sky, this year’s show will be exceptional. Escape light pollution for the best experience, but even backyards can offer a great view.
Oregon Badlands Wilderness
Past Events in 2025
March 13, 2025: Total Lunar Eclipse and Blood Moon
The eclipse is viewable anywhere in the Western Hemisphere that has clear skies, including every state in the U.S. The moon will start to look a little different just before midnight EDT on Thursday. The eclipse will start shortly after 10 p.m. PST and totality happens between about 11:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. PST.
March 29, 2025: Partial Solar Eclipse
The next partial solar eclipse will occur on March 29 and will begin around 1:50 a.m. PST, according to timeanddate.com. It’s expected to end just before 5:43 a.m. PST. The peak of the partial eclipse is scheduled to happen around 3:47 a.m. PST.
Dawn Nilson spends a lot of time under starry night skies. When she gazes at the cosmos alongside campers and astronomers, she notices a peculiar pattern. Voices get quiet, and tones are softened. A serene stillness blankets the scene. Certain animals come out and specific plants begin to flower. As the sun sets and the stars twinkle, the world transforms, and we transform with it.
In those awe-inspiring moments, Nilson—dark sky preservation director with the Rose City Astronomers and a delegate for DarkSky International—says we’re connecting to something deeper than the brilliant display before us. “The stars have engaged people since we’ve been people,” she said. “They have inspired all the major religions, all the sciences, farm work and poetry. It’s just this big beyond—these really vast places of unknown.”
Todd Lake looking at Mount Bachelor | Photo by Jared Mantzouranis
This is the sentiment at the heart of Nilson’s professional efforts to protect and preserve dark night skies for generations to come. Most recently, she managed and authored an application to create the Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary—an area of more than 2 million acres, roughly 90 minutes southeast of Bend, recognized for its bracingly clear night skies.
Broken Top | Photo by Nick Lake
Those efforts paid off in early 2024 with the establishment of the sanctuary, and organizers across the region aren’t done trying to save our dark skies. Here’s why that matters and what organizers are doing to keep those pristine views intact.
Why Dark Night Skies Matter
According to a 2016 study published in the journal Science Advances, nearly 80% of North Americans can’t see the Milky Way on an otherwise clear evening—a problem caused by what’s known as light pollution.
Light pollution occurs when streetlights and other sources of artificial light brighten and wash out otherwise pristine night skies. According to the National Park Service, that man-made light can travel up to 125 miles from its original source.
But the effects go far beyond what we can or cannot see. The presence of artificial light may attract invasive species that can alter established ecosystems, force native species from their habitats and throw off long-held migration patterns.
Summer Lake Hot Springs | Photo by Joey Hamilton
How Skies Are Being Protected
Fortunately, organizations around the world are working to reduce light pollution and protect clear night skies. Chief among them is the nonprofit organization DarkSky International, whose International Dark Sky Places program strives to curtail light pollution, collaborate with local communities to implement responsible lighting practices and educate the public on the importance of clear skies.
The first location in Central Oregon to receive a DarkSky designation was the community of Sunriver—which in 2020 was dubbed a Dark Sky Friendly Development of Distinction.
The recognition came after collaboration between Bob Grossfeld, who led the effort as observatory manager of Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory, and local stakeholders. Efforts included minimizing the number of streetlights and reworking lights on homes and community buildings—typically by installing shields and focusing beams of light away from the sky and toward the ground. The following year, Prineville Reservoir was dubbed an International Dark Sky Park after staff members installed soft yellow and red lighting that reduced light pollution.
Most recently, in March 2024, the 2.5-million-acre Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary was established in southeastern Oregon. Within those boundaries, and under the region’s clear night skies, sits Summer Lake Hot Springs, the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge and other popular attractions.
Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory | Photo by Grant Tandy
Todd Forbes, the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Lakeview district manager, said the effort started after being approached in 2019 by community stakeholders, including Nilson.
Forbes has worked in Lakeview for more than two decades and says that travelers have been visiting the Oregon Outback the entire time to admire its starry skies. So when Nilson and others asked the BLM to support their efforts to establish the sanctuary, Forbes said it was a no-brainer to take part. “We saw this as a way to validate some of that recreation use that was already happening—and maybe draw some additional attention to the area,” he said.
The sanctuary largely sits on existing BLM land, much of which is unlit—reducing the need to mitigate light pollution. “There are usually a lot of conflicting uses out there,” Forbes said. “And this is one that really doesn’t conflict much with uses that are already going on.”
That solitude gets at why so many have visited the region for decades—a trend that Forbes doesn’t think will slow anytime soon. “What makes the Oregon Outback so special is the ability to find solitude pretty easily,” he said. And now there are two million acres of dark sky to make it even more remarkable.
Chasing Aurora
Written by Christian Murillo
When people think of chasing the northern lights, arctic destinations such as Alaska, Iceland or Norway typically come to mind. While auroras may not occur often in Central Oregon, the year ahead could be special.
The aurora borealis occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in a dazzling display of light and color. The solar flares that cause these energetic spikes follow a roughly 25-year cycle. We are currently reaching the solar maximum, a period typically associated with more frequent and stronger auroras. This period is expected to last through 2025 and may not appear for another 11 years.
To View and Enjoy the Aurora in Central Oregon
First, keep an eye on the planetary K-index of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center. The planetary K-index, or Kp, predicts the strength of an aurora. For reference, the aurora on May 10 hit Kp levels of 9, the upper limit of the scale. I have photographed an aurora in Oregon with a Kp as low as 6, but have found that it isn’t really visible to the naked eye until it gets above 7. Even at this strength, the aurora is more visible to most cameras (even smartphone cameras) than to the naked eye. Since night vision in humans is poor, we need to do everything possible to see the night sky in its full glory.
One of the best ways to see the aurora with your naked eyes is to avoid light pollution. The northern lights typically display on the northern horizon so it is worth noting light pollution to the north. The moon should also be considered when making aurora plans. Its brightness can easily wash out even the strongest auroras; instead check for aurora activity around a new moon, before moonrise or after moonset.
As with any night sky viewing, it is important to look for a place with clear skies. Central Oregon is blessed with frequently clear skies, but weather patterns may be different in the mountains. Always check the latest forecast before heading out.
Lastly, it is important to let your eyes adjust to true darkness when trying to view an aurora. It takes our eyes about 30 minutes to adjust and see as much detail in the night sky as possible. That means no headlamps, phones or flashlights, except in red mode. Red light wavelengths do not spoil night vision, so this mode is recommended when viewing the night sky. With that said, part of the reason catching an aurora is so special is because it is so rare. Aurora forecasts are even less accurate than weather forecasts. Worst case scenario, you get to spend an incredible night out under a blanket of endless stars. See murillophoto.com.
Santiam Pass | Photo by Christian Murillo
What Can You Do?
Eager to help reduce light pollution and brighten the night skies across Central Oregon? It’s easier than you think. Here’s how to get started:
Unused lights: One of the easiest ways to make a difference is to turn off lights when not in use or aren’t a necessity after dark.
Household lighting: Install shields that prevent porch lighting from pointing upward and toward the atmosphere and use lighting that focuses its beam toward the ground.
Camp lighting: Traditional headlamps, lanterns and flashlights can impair night vision and wash out the sky, so consider using red lighting, which provides illumination without ruining the views overhead.
Make a donation: Nilson says one of the easiest ways to get involved is through a tax-deductible donation to DarkSky International, which funds the group’s advocacy work and supports the growth of its Dark Sky Places program.
Where can you go?
In Central Oregon, we’re some of the lucky ones who can actually see the Milky Way on a clear night. If you’d like to take a closer look, appreciate and celebrate the wonders of the universe, here are a few places around the region where you can do just that:
Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory has the largest collection of telescopes accessible to the public in the United States and offers year-round nighttime viewing by reservation. See snco.org.
Twenty-six miles southeast of Bend, Pine Mountain Observatory welcomes visitors on weekends from May through late September. The observatory is operated by University of Oregon Department of Physics under a special use permit from the Deschutes National Forest. See pmo.uoregon.edu.
The Asterisk Observatory at Smith Rock features a 17-inch PlaneWave telescope to offer a 360-degree view of the night sky and surrounding skyline. Visitors are welcome nightly through October or by appointment. See asteriskobservatory.org.
Overnight guests in Tetherow’s Ridge Homes can view galaxies, star clusters and other celestial wonders alongside Bend-based astronomer Grant Tandy. The experience even includes celestial-themed drinks and dessert. See tetherow.com.
