Wonder
A Volcanic Exploration
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
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03.06.26
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Learn about volcanoes in the High Desert and Cascade Range! Register for a self-guided day of volcanic adventure and experience a field trip at the Museum! Sign up for either Thursday, March 5 or Friday, March 6. $7 child/student | $12 chaperone Photo courtesy USGS (more…)
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03.12.26
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
How have Western writers and scholars imagined and shaped the American East? In her book Back East, historian Flannery Burke flips the script on American regional narratives by centering the west in the cultural landscape. Join us for a discussion of how Westerners have influenced the development of the United States. 2026 marks the 250th (more…)
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03.21.26
11:00 am - 1:30 pm
Raptors take flight overhead in this intimate, indoor demonstration. Experience these powerful predators as they showcase their agility and grace. Arrive early to get tickets, as they are only available at the Museum for that day’s programs. 11:00 am and 1:30 pm daily through Saturday, March 28 $7, members receive 20% discount (more…)
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03.28.26
11:00 am - 1:30 pm
It’s the final day of Sky Hunters! Raptors take flight overhead in this intimate, indoor demonstration. Experience these powerful predators as they showcase their agility and grace. Arrive early to get tickets, as they are only available at the Museum for that day’s programs. 11:00 am and 1:30 pm daily through Saturday, March 28 $7, (more…)
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03.29.26
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Dig into the subterranean world beneath our feet in Soil Alive! Presented in English and Spanish. Free with Museum admission. (more…)
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04.08.26
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Locally harvested, pre-contact foods are a testament to the resilience of Native lifestyles and should be part of our modern kitchens. Founder and CEO of Indigikitchen Mariah Gladstone (Blackfeet/ Cherokee) is leading the way in a food movement that is revitalizing these important foods. She will discuss the history of Indigenous food systems, as well (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.
11.15.25 -
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.
02.7.25 -
1.3.27
Science, Nature
Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration
An original exhibition, Under Pressure takes visitors on an educational, insightful and thought-provoking journey into the forces that make volcanoes among the most majestic and often misunderstood natural wonders of the world, while exploring their individual stories and temperaments.
2.21.26 -
4.26.26
Art, Natural History
Prophets - Paintings by Hilary Baker
A new series of works by Los Angeles artist Hilary Baker investigates the symbology of moths. Though great pollinators and surprisingly beautiful, moths have long been saddled as omens of destruction and misfortune.
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.
