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.
The Museum
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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01.28.23
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Help us celebrate the opening of Creations of Spirit. This exhibition features artwork by Indigenous Plateau artists created to gather roots, be worn in ceremonies and teach future generations. It shares the meanings cultural items hold to Plateau people and their purpose and ongoing relationships with contemporary communities. Hors d’oeuvres, no-host bar Members free, (more…)
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02.01.23
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Come on an adventure! Children ages 3-5 and their caregivers investigate science, art, music, stories and culture in a fun, hands-on manner. Don backpacks filled with exciting objects while journeying through the Museum’s nature trails and exhibits. New themes weekly! FEBRUARY 1 – BOOK NOW Winter Impressions Experience the beauty of winter as we use (more…)
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02.06.23
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Old stands of largely cottonwood trees grow within Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Eastern Oregon. Although these trees are not native to the region, many of the over 340 species of birds that visit Malheur annually depend on these trees to nest, feed, and rest. Join Janelle (more…)
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02.08.23
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Come on an adventure! Children ages 3-5 and their caregivers investigate science, art, music, stories and culture in a fun, hands-on manner. Don backpacks filled with exciting objects while journeying through the Museum’s nature trails and exhibits. New themes weekly! FEBRUARY 8 – BOOK NOW Burrowing Beasts Why do some High Desert animals live in (more…)
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02.09.23
4:00 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 exhibits and revisit your favorites. Sensory packs are available to borrow with headphones, fidgets and more. Free for individuals, friends and family With support from Mark and Kathy Kralj (more…)
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02.11.23
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Everyone gets in free! Made possible by (more…)
Changing
Exhibits
5.28.22 -
11.27.22
Art
Lair: Light and the Art of Stephen Hendee
Immerse yourself in a futuristic world of light and sound. The glowing, high-tech world of Stephen Hendee explores the spaces in which we live, both physically and virtually.
10.15.22 -
1.8.23
Natural History, Science, Art
Survival Architecture
What does home mean to you? The question lies at the center of the new exhibit coming to the High Desert Museum. It features the ideas of artists, designers and engineers looking to the future and considering what human shelters might look like in the face of challenges like climate change.
11.19.22 -
6.25.22
Art, History
In the Arena
Through the lens of San Francisco Bay Area photographer Gabriela Hasbun, this exhibit documents the exhilarating atmosphere of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo—the only touring Black rodeo in the country—and the showstopping style and skill of the Black cowboys and cowgirls who compete in it year after year.
