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Experience
Wonder Visit Today Learn More Under Pressure:
A Volcanic Exploration Because volcanoes never go out of style Learn More Las Manos que
dan de Comer The Hands That Feed, art by Miguel Almeida Learn More Drawn West Explore the history and art of promoting place

About the Museum

Plan Your Visit

Check out current exhibits and daily programs, find directions, rates, hours and more.

See Hours and More

Kids & Families

Explore Together

Learn about kid-friendly exhibits, activities, camps and more.

Family Fun

Education

Teach & Learn

Lifelong learning starts here! Explore teacher trainings, memorable field trips and unique school programs.

Education for Everyone

Join the HDM Family

Make an Impact

Volunteer, become a member or donate to support arts, education, wildlife and more.

Get Involved

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!

Daily Schedule

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events


  •  05.08.26
     6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Connect, compete, and experience history through play! From saloons to community halls, games have long been a part of High Desert social life. The Museum invites you to explore how people played, gambled, and gathered by learning historic favorites like Faro and Keno alongside contemporary games in a lively, welcoming setting. With food and drinks (more…)


  •  05.09.26
     7:00 am - 9:00 am

The Museum provides an excellent habitat for migratory bird species. Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day by joining Museum staff and volunteers to explore the Museum grounds looking for warblers, raptors and other birds. 7:00 am to 9:00 am Coffee and light breakfast items provided. $25, members receive 20% discount. Space is limited.   (more…)


  •  05.10.26
     9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Mothers and those who serve as mothers receive free Museum admission!  The Museum is also open to the general public. (more…)


  •  05.20.26
     5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

A quieter time for children and adults who experience physical, intellectual and/or social disabilities to enjoy the High Desert Museum after hours. Explore the Museum’s newest exhibitions and revisit your favorites. Sensory packs are available to borrow with headphones, fidgets and more. 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm FREE for individuals, friends and family (more…)


  •  09.17.26
     6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Save the Date! The Waterston Desert Writing Prize Ceremony returns September 17! Hear from the winner and the 2026 keynote speaker, enjoy a reception with light appetizers, and stay for a book signing following the program. The Waterston Desert Writing Prize (the Prize) was established in 2014, inspired by author and poet Ellen Waterston’s love (more…)

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Changing
Exhibits

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.

04.11.26 -
10.11.26

Art

Miguel Almeida: Las Manos que dan de Comer

In a new, site-specific installation for High Desert Museum, Boise, Idaho, based artist Miguel Almeida shares vibrant mural, large scale sculptures and hand drawn animations, offering a window into the daily lives of the people that harvest the fresh fruits and vegetables bound for our local markets and dinner tables.

5.5.26 -
6.7.26

Art, Natural History

Kids Curate 2026

For Kids Curate, third and fourth graders from La Pine Elementary focused on the diverse perspectives of fire—from an agricultural tool to community threat to natural process. Come enjoy the students' artworks!

Spirit of
the West Learn More Experience the vibrant history of the West as you explore its people, their challenges and successes. Permanent Exhibits By Hand
Through Memory Learn More Discover the journey of the Plateau Indian Nations as they traveled from reservation confinement to the 21st century. Permanent Exhibits Miller Family
Ranch Learn More Living historians bring 1904 to life as they maintain the cabin, barn, willow corral and sawmill and care for their animals. Permanent Exhibits Donald M. Kerr
Birds of
Prey Center Learn More See some of nature’s most spectacular aerial predators up close: owls, hawks, eagles, falcons and vultures. Permanent Exhibits Autzen
Otter Exhibit Learn More Our three river otters define “play” in their newly-renovated exhibit. Permanent Exhibits Desertarium Learn More View High Desert reptiles, amphibians, spiders and burrowing owls. Permanent Exhibits Galleries Learn More Temporary exhibits on art, history, nature and culture. Changing Exhibits

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.