High Desert Museum

About

The High Desert Museum, set on 135 acres of ponderosa pine forest just south of Bend, Oregon, is one of the Pacific Northwest's most distinctive cultural and natural history destinations. An AZA-accredited wildlife institution and Smithsonian affiliate, the museum weaves together living animals, historical interpretation, and contemporary art in an immersive indoor-outdoor experience unlike any other in the region. Living wildlife is central to the museum's identity. The Autzen Otter Exhibit showcases river otters in expansive naturalistic habitat, with viewing windows both above and below the waterline. The Birds of Prey Center features live raptors in educational programs, while the Desertarium houses lizards, snakes, and other desert reptiles in recreated habitat environments. The popular Raptors of the Desert Sky free-flight demonstration brings eagles, hawks, and falcons soaring over the outdoor amphitheater in breathtaking programs. Historical interpretation is equally powerful. An authentic 1904 homestead and working sawmill—staffed by interpreters in period costume—bring frontier-era High Desert life to vivid reality. Galleries exploring the cultures and histories of Native American peoples of the Great Basin and Plateau present art, artifacts, and oral histories with sensitivity and depth. The museum's art galleries rotate exhibitions by regional and national artists responding to the landscapes, wildlife, and stories of the American West. Backpack Explorers loan packs for young naturalists, Kids Camp and school programs, and a dedicated Homeschool Day make the museum a valued resource for families pursuing nature-based and self-directed learning. The Blue Star Museums program provides free admission for active military families during the summer season. The Rimrock Café and Silver Sage Trading gift shop complete a visit to this remarkable institution on Highway 97.

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