Camping is mostly primitive and undeveloped, and could even be in the parking lot of a rural airport or farm field. Campers, trailers, tents, are fine. Motel accommodations are available near most flying sights, as are grocery stores and gas stations. During the afternoons when flying is not good or if the weather doesn't cooperate, you'll find many things to see and do if you enjoy the outdoors.

Those attending should not expect a lot of organization. You'll be on your own, with suggestions and help from us who know the area. Cross country flights are possible if we have people willing to drive chase vehicles. Everyone will be expected to be a courteous flyer so we'll be able to do this for many years to come. Above all BE SAFE.

Prineville: Crooked River Canyon, Smith Rock, Prineville Reservoir, Steens Pillar, possible cross country flight to Madras or Bend.

Madras: Lake Billy Chinook, Deschutes River Canyon, great views of the Cascade Mountains, possible cross county flight to Prineville.

Bend: Pine Mountain, wide open desert, Mt Bachelor, lava caves, lava flows, high desert museum, Newberry National Monument, Benham Falls. Possible cross country flight to Christmas Valley.

Sisters: small airport, great camping, amazing views of the mountains, possible cross country flight to Bend, Madras or Prineville..

Fort Rock: Hole in the Ground Crater, Fort Rock State Park, wide open desert flying.

Christmas Valley: Crack in the Ground, Sand Dunes, Dry Lake, rabbits, coyotes, wide open desert flying.

Here is the info on when and where we plan to camp and fly. During the day there will be plenty to do depending on the individul's likes, spelunking, bike riding, swimming, fishing, rock climbing, canoeing, museums, shoping, whatever you like as far as outdoor activities. I havea couple of canoes available for use. Talk to me for ideas. Plan on cool flying conditions with warm to hot days. Flying from dry lakes will get dust on everything, one field is partly gravel, some are pavement.
Recommended take off time each day will be just before sun up to avoid thermal activity.

8-5 Saturday, meet up at Cold Springs campground near Sisters to camp.Fly Sunday morning from Sisters Airport. To get to Cold Springs USFS campground
take Scenic HWY 242 west from Sisters about 5 miles, it is clearly marked. Note, there is a $3 fee to fly from Sisters Airport (privately owned). Many things to see in this area during the afternoon. Cold Springs Campground N44 18.600 W121 37.807 Sisters Airport N44 18.284 W121 32.285

8-6 Sunday, after flying drive to Lake Billy Chinook State Airport to camp. Fly from there Monday morning. This is a gravel/dry grass strip so a rock guard is a good idea. Swiming/boating/fishing are available at the lake about 5 miles from the airstrip. A small convinience store is within walking distance of the airstrip.
Lake Billy Chinook State Airport N44 31.225 W121 19.113

8-7 Monday, after flying take a dip in the lake then drive to Prineville airport or Bill Lee's ranch to camp and fly Tues. morning. I haven't been able to contact Bill so it looks like it will be Prineville. Campers can park overnight at the west end of the airport. Prineville Airport N44 16.822 W120 54.148 Note: I've been in contact will Bill Lee and we'll be going to his ranch for camping and flying instead of Prineville. Directions are from Bend take Hwy 20 east toward Burns about 8 miles. His ranch is on the right just before Dodds Road. Click here for a photo. or see a map for the GPS coordinates.

8-8 Tues., after flying, drive out to Fort Rock (the dry lake bed) to camp, perhaps stopping at the High Desert Museum, Lava River Cave, or Newberry Crater
National Monument. Fly around Fort Rock and Hole in the Ground Wed morning. Fort Rock N43 19.264 W121 00.931

8-9 Wed, after flying, drive over to Christmas Valley dry lake or airport to camp. Spend the afternoon at Crack in the Ground (where it is cooler). Fly the dunes and hunt for wild horses in the morning. N43 18.775 W120 37.824 or airport N43 14.074 W120 40.596

8-10 Thursday, after flying either spend another day at Christmas Valley or close by Fort Rock, or drive to Chiloquin, Burns, Silver Lake, Paisley,  to camp
and fly Fri. morning.

8-11 and 8-12 Friday and Saturday, leave these days open to go back to places we really liked, or places where it was too windy to fly.