High Desert Museum — Attraction in Bend

I planned a road trip with my kid from PDX to Bend, stopping at parks, trails, museums and other attractions along the way. I decided High Desert Museum would be our surprise last stop before heading back, given his love of animal and history details. This museum appeared on my of the "best museums in the PNW" lists I found online.

I was quite surprised to be completely disappointed by this place.

The white-washing of the history presented.

Their history stuff is VERY white-washed. There are many Native American artifacts mixed in with the settler/cowboy/pioneer pieces. There is almost no mention of the treatment of tribes, and where that mention does exist it is very glossed over. Some notable parts are descriptions of how the US Army built bases around reservations to protect the tribes from threats... yeah... There were just a few mentions of the legal aspects of forced reservation or the eventual granting of autonomy to the tribal nations.

I am not an expert in this area, so it's surprising the attitude of omission and whitewashing was so blatant to me. We stopped at Warm Springs museum on our drive, and were blown away with their exhibits and learned a ton about the topics I described above. Truthful descriptions of the conflicts, discriminations and cultural violence against the tribes is an important, and interesting, part of history. How can you have a museum that is roughly half configured to show the history of this region over the last few centuries, specifically has many native American exhibits, and completely miss the mark so badly? The only answer is it is intentional. Is it the museums' board members bias? Is it to avoid the ire of any middle-America visitors? No matter the reason it's gross and disappointing.

Animal treatment The animals on display here are all in very small enclosures, including mammals and birds. The birds are kept due to injuries preventing their release, so I that's good, they aren't buying from breeders or poachers, yet even so these are not objects, they are living animals. The birds in particular had nowhere to escape the attendees. Just enclosed cages with nowhere to get out-of-sight. Visitors were yelling, hooting, banging on cages. There was no oversight by staff.

Otters were not much better. They had one or two little caves, but one even had a window into it. Their treatment is as bad as any of the road-side zoos you might see in the south.

Activities There were very few activities. The playground is largely made of carved art statues with signs that say "do not climb". Yeah, they say that... in the playground. Scheduled activities like the raptor tour did not occur when I was there, with no notice. Just no one showing up at the designated start point. Some of the items on the website and map were just not there. A lot of what is is incredibly simple. There is an indoor kids climbing area with fake rocks and some hidden creatures to find. It was very simple, but did seem pretty fun.

Pros: Some of the old structures and related items are pretty cool. Just seeing the inside of a prop filled cabin was neat. The saw-mill was also an interesting artifact of the past. Really though you burn through this stuff very quickly.

We liked the statues. There are a lot of great opportunities for photos with the various metal animals.

If you have time for only one activity in proximity to Bend, really just avoid this place. It's at a level of a regular city science-center type museum, with a history focus. OMSI in Portland is much better as an example.

Seriously, go checkout the volcanic sights instead. There are several breathtaking and seemingly un-known volcano related attractions just a few minutes from...

For anyone visiting the Bend area, the High Desert Museum is an essential stop, offering a captivating blend of regional history, culture, and wildlife. While the sprawling 135-acre property includes impressive outdoor exhibits, our recent visit focused on the museum's interior, and we were left profoundly impressed. The museum excels at weaving together diverse stories of the High Desert, but the exhibits dedicated to Native American heritage and the arduous life of early pioneers were particularly compelling and left a lasting impact. The "By Hand Through Memory" exhibit is a powerful and moving exploration of the Indigenous peoples of the Columbia River Plateau. This is far from a static display of artifacts. Instead, it is a vibrant celebration of living cultures, showcasing the history, resilience, and artistic traditions of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and others. We were captivated by the intricate beadwork, functional yet beautiful basketry, and the personal stories that breathe life into each piece. The exhibit thoughtfully portrays the journey from pre-reservation times to the present, emphasizing the enduring cultural identity and innovation of the region's First Peoples. Equally immersive is the "Spirit of the West" exhibit, which transports visitors back in time to the turn of the 20th century. Walking through a meticulously recreated boomtown, complete with a blacksmith shop, a bustling saloon, and a Chinese mercantile, offers a tangible sense of the era's atmosphere. The incredible attention to detail, from the goods on the shelves to the tools of the trade, provides a vivid glimpse into the daily struggles and triumphs of homesteaders, miners, and entrepreneurs who shaped the High Desert. This walk-through experience allows for a deeper appreciation of the grit and determination required to forge a life in this often-unforgiving landscape. Beyond these two standout galleries, the museum's other indoor attractions are well worth your time. The "Desertarium" offers fascinating, up-close encounters with the region's native reptiles and other creatures, while various art galleries feature stunning works that capture the unique light and landscapes of the High Desert. A visit to the High Desert Museum is more than a simple day out; it is an educational and emotional journey. It masterfully tells the complex and interwoven stories of the land and its people. For those who appreciate history, culture, and the enduring spirit of the American West, this museum is an...

The High Desert Museum is a place you need to check out if you're passing through or a local even! These photos are from the short but beautiful walk up to the front doors. Bonus tip: Look in the small ponds and water for a chance to see small trout! When you get in the staff are so friendly. The tickets prices are fair! Upon paying for the museum you'll be told about event(s) going on, times, and offered tickets for the event(s). There are three wings, all throughout them there is LOCAL art which has an online auction going on right now. One wing has an amazing walk through historical look at Native Americans that is well put together and represents a proud rich history and talks about the transition to the modern world we live in today! It was my favorite one. There are also live animal exhibits inside and outside of the building of animals that are out in the wild! You'll even see little chipmunks running around. There's so much natural flora and bugs you get to see too! There is also a little gift shop that has a lot of amazing products from kids items, to stones and crystals, books, food, and much more! Next to it there is a little cafe that has indoor and outdoor seating, it has a smaller but speciality menu. The staff there are so sweet too! They also have vegetarian options and a nice selection of alcohol too! I want to add on me and my boyfriend spent hours here and still could have kept learning and exploring! It's huge and has a lot to look at and learn about. This would be a great place to go explore by yourself or with family/friends! Now there are many other exhibits/displays to talk about but I cannot spoil it all! Go see...