We were in Sunriver, OR late June for 2 weeks as Deschutes County opened to Phase 2. For those who are thinking of going to Central Oregon, here are my observations.
Would I go back again?
Yes, for sure in a heartbeat. You can chose your comfort level and easily pick activities that keep a distance outdoors.
As the day’s progressed, we saw better and better compliance by visitors. More people were wearing masks. We did not see 100% mask compliance. However starting July 1st, wearing masks indoors becomes mandatory. To date, there are 192 cases and 0 deaths. Information for Deschutes County and COVID-19 can be found here.
Here are some tips for going to Sunriver:
- While driving to Sunriver, stop at a state park. We stopped at Maryhill State Park, and only one other car was at the state park day-use rest area. In contrast, the highway rest stops were crowded.
- Go hiking, mountain biking, walking, and road biking in the vast Deschutes County by picking less popular trails. By doing this we had gorgeous trails and views, but very few people. The Central Oregon Visitors Center in the Village at Sunriver can help with biking and hiking information. Several stores in the Village have trail maps to purchase.
- As an example, the Deschutes River Trail (Benham Falls from Sunriver) is busy in the summer. An alternative is the Black Rock Trail. Both have options for pavement or single track dirt.
- Eat early at a restaurant to get an outdoor table. We ate at 5:30 PM and were able to get an outdoor table. If we could not eat outside, we would not have eaten at a restaurant. I was not comfortable eating inside. Alternatives are requesting take-out.
- Few people were wearing masks walking around the Village at Sunriver. If you want to avoid walking through the Village at Sunriver, you can pick a business, and enter from the side of the business.
- If you have a a SHARC homeowners guest pass or card, choose this pool. With 200 people maximum for a space with multiple indoor and outdoor pools, there is plenty of space to stretch out. By having lifeguards, people are more inclined to follow the rules. You can reserve on-line 24 hours in advance. Reservation slots fill up within minutes. I was able to reserve lap swimming 3x by booking on-line within 5 minutes of availability.
- Sunriver Resort guests have access to “The Cove” pool.
- Ask for the link to the pool reservation form if you do not receive in an email. Fill out the reservation request form(s) 7 days before you arrive. A form needs to be filled out for each day you want to visit the pool. I suggest filling out the form for every day you are at Sunriver, as more requests are made than availability. We were given a pool time 50% of the time.
- The concierge will review the forms manually and send a text to your cell phone if your reservation request can be made. You reply with a text “YES”.
- When you arrive at the pool, you will be taken to assigned seating. Sunriver Resort has done a great job of spacing out the chaise furniture into groups. Wait awhile and the pool will thin out of people. Do not use the hot tub because sometimes too many people are in the hot tub beyond the maximum allowed.
- Speak up and ask ahead about business procedures and policies. Does the business have one way flow through the store? Do they provide hand sanitizer? Do they require people to wear masks? Do they speak up if people are not keeping their distance? Just because a business is open, does NOT mean it is safe to visit the business. Several times I did this, and the staff I spoke to were polite and honest as to how well their customers were complying.
Hiking near McKenzie Pass 
Biking near La Pine
Biking in Lava Lands
The below businesses and spaces were enjoyed while we were at Sunriver. I have provided my personal observations. These observations ONLY reflect my observations at a point in time when masks indoors were optional (instead of mandatory).
The following businesses get an A. They went beyond the minimum COVID requirements.
- SHARC Pool (we put down our towels and relaxed; the nearest group on the grass was maybe 20 feet away)
- Village Bike and Ski (allowed ONE customer at a time inside; mechanics and staff wore masks)
- Sunriver Books and Music (one way flow and person at entrance)
- Carson’s American Kitchen (restricted entrance into lodge; outdoor seating)
- The Spotted Frog (restricted entrance into lodge; outdoor seating)
- Meal Takeout at Sunriver Resort Lodge (delivered to your car)
- Crane Prairie Lake camp store (Deschutes National Forest) (large sign masks are mandatory and masks are available for purchase at $1)
The following businesses had issues. Observe each businesses and decide for yourself if you want to go inside the business. Issues included staff not covering noses, customers ignoring distance rules or not wearing masks. Here is an example – Sisters Bakery gets an A+ for process with a huge sign that only TWO parties can be inside at a time and separate entry and exit doors. When I was at the cash register, I turned around to find 2 people directly behind me <3 feet away. Those 2 people had 12 feet to distance from me, but ignored the rules. More people were going inside ignoring the super large sign. Both the staff and I spoke up, and the 2 people moved back to where they were suppose to be standing.
- Customers not wearing masks or disregard to keeping distance
- Merchant Trader Cafe and Shop
- Sisters Bakery (Sisters, OR)
- Bike Barn (customer not wearing mask at cash register)
- Trader Joes (Bend, OR) (masks by customers not required)
- Marina 6-mile float bus (masks not mandatory on return bus; we decided to not do this activity as thought was not safe)
- Sunriver Marketplace Grocery Store
- Sunriver Sports
- The Cove Pool (one time there were to many people in the hot tub, another time a father/son was throwing a soft football back and forth across the pool; staff was excellent, procedures to entry and spacing of furniture was A+; consider going to this pool and enjoy lounging, but wait to get into the pool when less people are in the pool)
- Staff not consistently covering noses with mask
- Sunriver Brewing Company (1st visit an issue, 2nd visit was ok)
These business failed to follow policy by employees and customers.
- South Bend Bistro (waitress wore a mask with nose exposed the whole time; the food is excellent and they provide takeout as an alternative)
- Goody’s Chocolates and Ice Cream Shop (while inside the store, many teenagers were inside congregating without masks; dots on the floor to maintain distance were confusing, staff had exposed noses; instead buy ice cream at the grocery store which is just as good if not better)
- JOANN Fabric (Bend, OR) (checkout employee sneezed in front of me, remarking she had bad allergies; she had a mask on and was behind plexiglass)
I have seen similar observations at home and have a similar list where some businesses get an A and other businesses are not as careful. Deschutes County is the same. To Deschutes County advantage, the super dry and sunny weather is conducive to activities outside keeping a large distance which is safer than activities inside.
Questions and Answers
Would I choose Trader Joes in Bend, OR or Sunriver Marketplace Grocery Store?
I would choose Bend Trader Joes because they wipe down their carts and restrict the number of people. Sunriver Marketplace Grocery Store does not. Do most of your grocery shopping at Trader Joes when you arrive. Then, go to Sunriver Marketplace Grocery Store for a few items when you run out and the store is not busy.
You may find other stores in Bend as good as Trader Joes that have enhanced procedures or curbside pickup to do most of your grocery shopping. I like shopping at Bend Costco and Bend Whole Foods. I did not visit them in June, but I think they may be good options. You can call and talk to them.
How can I mail an Amazon package to Sunriver?
This can be a problem when staying in Sunriver and using Amazon. The problem is the address may be different if mailed USPS, UPS, or Federal Express. Amazon does not allow you to indicate what carrier to use for shipping. You can pick a dropbox in Bend for delivery. I talked to the post office, and there is a way to indicate a street address and USPS post office box at the same time. If you need to do this, contact me and I can give you the recipe to do this on Amazon.