Skip to content
Voykit
Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Major city · United States

SistersSisters, Oregon

Stay 1–2 nights: a walkable Old West main street plus trailheads at the town edge. Two nights if you add Black Butte or Suttle Lake.

Sisters is a small Central Oregon town of about 2,000–2,800 people, named for the Three Sisters peaks roughly 16 km south. It is the headquarters of the Sisters District of the Deschutes National Forest, so hiking, biking and horse trails start at the town limits. The downtown core is compact and walkable; the surrounding draws — Black Butte, Suttle Lake, Camp Sherman, Hoodoo — need a car. Most travellers use it as a quieter base than Bend, 35–40 minutes east on US-20.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Jun–Sep for trails and events; Dec–Mar for Hoodoo skiing
avoid Late Jul–Aug event weekends (traffic blocks the main street); check smoke season
Airports
RDM · PDX
Nights
1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Sisters911 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Sisters, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$3–6
  • Street or quick mealDeli sandwich$10–16
  • BeerDraught beer$6–9
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
  • Budget bedHostel or budget motel bed, a night, per personUS$55
  • Mid-range bedMotel or lodge double room, a night, per roomUS$180
  • High-end bedMotel or lodge double room, a night, per roomUS$320

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$280

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Old West main street and independent shopsThree Sisters Wilderness trailsBlack Butte hikeMetolius River fly fishing at Camp ShermanDark-sky stargazingSisters Rodeo and quilt show
Airports
RDM Redmond Municipal Airport (Closest airport, about 30–35 min by car; daily flights to Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Denver, Phoenix and Salt Lake City (check current routes)) · PDX Portland International Airport (About 3 h by car via US-26 and OR-22; the usual long-haul gateway)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    6°C (43°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    8°C (46°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    11°C (52°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    14°C (57°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    19°C (66°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  7. Jul

    Care*

    29°C (84°F)

  8. Aug

    Care

    29°C (84°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    17°C (63°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    9°C (48°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    5°C (41°F)

Best: Jun, Sep, Dec–Mar. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)), coolest Dec (−5°C (23°F) low), wettest Dec (11 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.

* only part of the month (early, mid or late).

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Sisters: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

6°C (43°F)

−4°C (25°F)

10 rd

Feb

8°C (46°F)

−4°C (25°F)

9 rd

Mar

11°C (52°F)

−2°C (28°F)

9 rd

Apr

14°C (57°F)

0°C (32°F)

8 rd

May

19°C (66°F)

3°C (37°F)

7 rd

Jun

24°C (75°F)

6°C (43°F)

5 rd

Jul

29°C (84°F)

9°C (48°F)

3 rd

Aug

29°C (84°F)

9°C (48°F)

3 rd

Sep

25°C (77°F)

6°C (43°F)

4 rd

Oct

17°C (63°F)

2°C (36°F)

7 rd

Nov

9°C (48°F)

−2°C (28°F)

10 rd

Dec

5°C (41°F)

−5°C (23°F)

11 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Downtown is walkable and flat. For everything else you need a car: Black Butte Ranch and Camp Sherman are 15–25 min, Suttle Lake and Hoodoo about 25–30 min, Bend 35–40 min on US-20. A bike works well in town and on nearby trails when there is no snow. During the rodeo and other big event weekends, out-of-town traffic can effectively block the roads through town — walk or cycle instead.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Black Butte

go

Door to door: About 3–4 h round trip

Drive about 15 min northwest on US-20, then hike the trail to the summit

Steady climb with wide Central Oregon views; start early in summer heat.

Camp Sherman and the Metolius River

go

Door to door: About 30 min each way

Drive about 20–25 min northwest via US-20 and Camp Sherman Road

Store deli, riverside walks and fly fishing; upper Metolius is fly-fishing only, catch and release.

Suttle Lake

go

Door to door: About 30 min each way

Drive about 25 min northwest on OR-20, then turn off on Suttle Lake Road (route check)

Lodge, cabins and boat rental; easy lakeside loop.

Hoodoo Ski Area

go

Door to door: About 30 min each way

Drive about 25–30 min west on OR-20, then Big Lake Road

Winter only: downhill, tubing and Nordic. Check snow conditions and road status first.

Door to door: About 40 min

Drive 35–40 min east on US-20

Bigger food, beer and shopping scene; easy half-day or evening run.

Three Sisters Wilderness

caution

Door to door: Half day or more

Drive to a signed trailhead south of town (for example the Green Lakes or Pole Creek trailheads), then hike in

The peaks are roughly 16 km (9.9 mi) south of town and are not reached from the town limits; check trailhead access and whether a permit is required before you go.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Downtown Sisters (Cascade Ave)

Walk to shops, restaurants and the brewery; motels and lodges on or just off the main street.

FivePine campus (east end)

Lodge and cottages, brewery, cinema and spa on one site; about a 15–20 min walk to the main street.

Black Butte Ranch

About 15 min west; resort condos and houses with golf and biking — book ahead in summer; facilities check.

Camp Sherman / Metolius River

About 20–25 min northwest; cabins, camping and RV spots along the river.

Suttle Lake

About 25 min northwest on OR-20; lakeside lodge and cabins, boat rental.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$90–140 excl. bed
Mid
$150–240 excl. bed
High
$250+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or lodge double room1 × 2 nights × US$180US$360
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$160US$640
Car rental, one day1 × US$60US$60
Hoodoo lift ticket, one day2 × US$80US$160
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$125
Trip total≈ US$344 per person per day, bed includedUS$1,375

2026 estimate in US dollars; prices shown before sales tax. Flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$3–6
Deli sandwich$10–16
Brewpub main dish$16–28
Draught beer$6–9
Motel double room, summer weekendEvent weekends higher; check$150–320
Gallon of petrol$3.50–4.50
eSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Sisters is a low-crime small town; the real risks are mountain weather, wildfire smoke, winter driving on OR-20 and long distances between services. Tell someone your trail plan and carry water.
  • A car is effectively required for the mountains, lakes and Hoodoo; there is no town bus service to them.
  • Summer wildfire smoke can cancel hikes and views: check air quality and forest closures before you drive.
  • Mountain weather changes fast at 900 m+; carry layers and water on any hike.
  • Event weekends (rodeo, quilt show) fill every bed in town — book months ahead or stay in Bend or Redmond.
  • Some forest roads and trailheads are gravel; check conditions and snow line before committing.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

SistersSisters, Oregon

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Embassy

No embassies in Sisters; nearest consulates are in Portland (check).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • RDM airport → Sisters, taxi or rideshare: about $60–90, 30–35 min (check)
  • Sisters → Bend by car: about 35–40 min on US-20
  • Hoodoo lift ticket, one day: about $80 (check)

Say or show

  • Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
  • Is the road open? — Is the road open?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • How far is it? — How far is it?

Tipping is expected in the US: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sisters. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Sep for trails and events; Dec–Mar for Hoodoo skiing · avoid Late Jul–Aug event weekends (traffic blocks the main street); check smoke season · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 5 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for RDM: last flights, taxi and rideshare fallback, Bend overnight rung.
  2. Walking clusters for downtown Sisters, the FivePine campus and the Camp Sherman river corridor.
  3. Place pages with verified hours for the main-street shops, the brewery and the Camp Sherman store.
  4. Event-weekend fixtures (rodeo, quilt show) so traffic and bed-shortage warnings can go green.

Sources