Wonder
Earth, Water, Sky
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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11.03.25
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
During the 1980s, Smith Rock rose from a rarely visited state park to an internationally famous destination for the world’s top rock climbers. The birthplace of American sport climbing, the revolutionary style pioneered here led to an explosion in the popularity of the sport, culminating in the inclusion of sport climbing in the Olympic Games. (more…)
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11.11.25
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
We’ll be honoring Veterans Day all day long with free admission for veterans! FREE admission all day for veterans. Active-duty service members and up to five family members receive free Museum admission through the Blue Star Museums program every day. (more…)
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11.13.25
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Join us for the High Desert Museum’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 13. This annual gathering is an opportunity to come together as a community of supporters and friends to celebrate all that has been accomplished this past year and to look ahead at what’s next. Executive Director Dana Whitelaw will highlight achievements from the (more…)
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11.15.25
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
November 15, 2025 – June 28, 2026 In the 19th and 20th centuries, maps and advertisements functioned as powerful enticements to attract colonists to the High Desert region. Drawn West explores a century of salesmanship, when artists and cartographers alike crafted an image of the West that depicted both truth and fiction. Selected from the Museum’s collections, (more…)
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11.19.25
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Visitors 65 and older are invited to enjoy the Museum for FREE. The Museum will also be open to the general public. 10:00 am to 4:00 pm FREE for all seniors age 65 and older (more…)
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11.20.25
4:00 pm - 6:00 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. 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm FREE for individuals, friends and family; RSVP required (more…)
Changing
Exhibits
9.27.25 -
1.18.26
Art, History
Joe Feddersen: Earth, Water, Sky
Joe Feddersen: Earth, Water, Sky is a career retrospective of nationally renowned artist Joe Feddersen (b. 1953, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation). This exhibition gathers close to 100 works spanning four decades of Feddersen’s prolific career — from prints and glass to weaving and ceramics. The collective richness of his body of work is testament to Feddersen’s appreciation of and respect for the land. Feddersen cultivates a visual vernacular that draws upon recognizable signs, symbols and forms. Organized by the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. Joe Feddersen: Earth, Water, Sky was made possible through major support from the Henry Luce Foundation, the Terra Foundation for American Art, and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Additional support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.
10.4.25 -
10.20.25
Art
The 20-Dollar Art Show
Bend's biggest little art show is back! The Museum is once again honored to host The 20-Dollar Art Show, presented by Bright Place Gallery. The 2025 show features nearly 8,000 pieces of original art by local and emerging artists. The Extravaganza kickoff is on Friday, October 17. For the low, low price of $20, each mini masterpiece will be for sale.
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.
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.
