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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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…)
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02.06.26
6:45 pm - 8:30 pm
Be among the first to experience our new exhibition Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration, at this member-exclusive event. Enjoy an after-hours celebration featuring light bites, drinks and a first look at the exhibition before it opens to the public. Connect with fellow members, explore the gallery and enjoy a few surprises along the way. RSVP (more…)
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02.07.26
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
February 7, 2026 – January 3, 2027 For thousands of years, the tranquility of the High Desert has been punctuated by the explosive power of volcanoes. Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration explores the natural history and science behind the West’s most iconic powerhouses. This immersive gallery experience will engage visitors’ senses with hands-on activities and (more…)
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02.12.26
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Join us for an exclusive evening dedicated to our members as we celebrate the Museum’s interactive exhibit, Soil Alive! Explore the fascinating world beneath our feet and enjoy hands-on activities, music and down-to-earth fun. Immerse yourself in the hidden world beneath us and discover what makes the High Desert thrive from the ground up. You (more…)
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02.15.26
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Last chance to see Hollow and Still: Photographs Following Fire by David Paul Bayles! (more…)
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02.20.26
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Step back into the 1920s at our annual Prohibition Party! Dress in your best as you mingle with cocktails in hand and dance the night away like it’s 1926. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the 1920s sprinkled with live music, old movies and history. This year’s theme is A Fringe Affair, celebrating the cowboy (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. 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.
10.18.25 -
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.
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.
