Wonder
opening February 7
About the Museum
Plan Your Visit
Check out current exhibits and daily programs, find directions, rates, hours and more.
Education
Teach & Learn
Lifelong learning starts here! Explore teacher trainings, memorable field trips and unique school programs.
Join the HDM Family
Make an Impact
Volunteer, become a member or donate to support arts, education, wildlife and more.
Wildlife, History & Art
Otters, porcupines, owls, oh my! Encounter wildlife up close, explore the history and culture of the wild West and take in beautiful art. The High Desert Museum is a cultural gem set on 135 acres of awe. It’s no wonder visitors voted us one of the best things to do in Bend Oregon!
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
-
01.24.26
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Join us as My Name is LaMoosh author Linda Meanus shares stories from her life. She grew up with her grandma Flora Thompson and grandpa Chief Tommy Thompson near Celilo Falls and has persevered through life’s challenges to teach broad audiences about Indigenous ways of life and ongoing connections to the Columbia River. Learn more (more…)
-
01.29.26
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Come on an adventure! Children ages 3-5 and their caregivers learn together through science, art and stories with fun, hands-on activities from 10:00 am to 11:00 am Thursdays (unless otherwise noted). Each week introduces a new theme. BURROWING BEASTS, January 29 All sorts of creatures make their homes under our feet! We’ll learn how animals create (more…)
-
01.30.26
9:00 am
Nominations close for the Schnitzer Prize of the West, which honors and celebrates uncommon collaboration and innovation in solving the legacy challenges of the American West. The Schnitzer Prize winner will receive a $50,000 cash prize at the inaugural Prize Ceremony held in Portland, Oregon, and Prize Reception in Bend, Oregon in the spring of (more…)
-
01.31.26
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Everyone gets in free! 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Made possible by Photo by Todd Cary (more…)
-
02.02.26
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The images we see from the James Webb Space Telescope are more than just a picture. They are the result of billions of photons filtered, counted and interpreted by astronomers. How do astronomers know what they’re looking at when objects can be specks, or raw data are just lines, spikes and dots? Join Dr. Brandon (more…)
-
02.05.26
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Come on an adventure! Children ages 3-5 and their caregivers learn together through science, art and stories with fun, hands-on activities from 10:00 am to 11:00 am Thursdays (unless otherwise noted). Each week introduces a new theme. WARP! WEFT! WEAVE!, February 5 Learn about the wonderful art of weaving through tactile exploration and hands-on activities. $15 (more…)
Changing
Exhibits
10.18.25 -
3.29.26
Science, Natural History
Soil Alive!
From dry and sandy to slimy and wet, many types of soils exist in the High Desert. But all healthy soils have one important thing in common: they form the foundation of the West’s ecosystems. This family-friendly exhibit takes visitors on a subterranean journey to encounter mycorrhizal networks, burrowing animals, and microscopic organisms. Dive underground to explore the hidden world of soil. Presented in English and Spanish.
11.1.25 -
2.15.26
Art, Natural History
Hollow and Still: Photographs Following Fire by David Paul Bayles
In September 2020, the Holiday Farm Fire, driven by fierce east winds, burned 173,000 acres along the forested McKenzie River canyon. Hollow and Still brings together a special collection of photographs from acclaimed photographer David Paul Bayles.
11.15.25 -
6.28.26
Art, History
Drawn West: A History of Promoting Place
Explore a century of salesmanship, when artists and cartographers alike crafted an image of the West that depicted both fact and fiction in this visually engaging exhibition featuring 50-plus maps, artworks and advertisements from the Museum's collection.
the West
Through Memory
Ranch
Birds of
Prey Center
Otter Exhibit
The Institute of Museum and Library Services named the High Desert Museum as one of six recipients of the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities.
The Museum was recognized for providing dynamic programming and services through community outreach, working to create programs that offer rich educational programming and expand museum access.
