Crosswater at Sunriver Resort
Sunriver Resort sets the tone for getting outside and enjoying all that Mother Nature has to offer.
Located in the greater Bend, Oregon area, Sunriver Resort has become a haven for golfers who are looking to blend the splendor of the great outdoors alongside first-class golf. This makes it a top destination for golfers in the Pacific Northwest, as well as those looking to escape the peak temperatures of the southern United States.
We’ve outlined some of our favorite aspects of the property here — and why it’s such a special destination.
Meadows at Sunriver Resort
The golf
With 63 holes of golf on property, Sunriver Resort provides golfers of all skill levels with plenty of options when it comes to experiencing some of the best golf in the Pacific Northwest.
The star of the show here is Crosswater, a unique heathland-style design that is pristinely manicured that blends a mixture of preserved wetlands, tree-lined fairways, mountainous backdrops, and views along the waters of the Deschutes and Little Deschutes Rivers.
This combination of elements provides a setting that will rival any course in this section of the country. As you’ll see in our exclusive drone footage, the combination of perfectly maintained bent grass fairways and greens, as well as wonderful vistas, will keep every golfer mesmerized throughout their round.
There’s a reason why the USGA has selected this facility to host the 2031 U.S. Mid-Amateur and the 2036 U.S. Junior Amateur as it is the perfect setting for championship golf.
While Crosswater may be the course that brings most golfers to the resort, we’ve found that it’s the quality of the other three golf courses that really puts this resort into the elite stratosphere.
The Meadows course provides one of our favorite experiences that we’ve found amongst our many travels. With seven holes that border along the Sun River, this course is a mixture of both challenging design and beauty that we found more challenging to play off the tee than the Crosswater course, so leaving your driver in the bag on some holes may be the more prudent play.
Like its sister course, the USGA has also recognized the Meadows course for its distinct design by awarding it to play as the host of both the 2027 and 2028 U.S. Adaptive Opens. It’s an honor that the team here doesn’t take lightly, and in addition to making sure that the course is as playable as possible for this community, they have also created a series of community free clinics to bring golfers with physical, cognitive, and sensory disabilities to the game of golf.
It’s distinctions like this where the team at Sunriver Resort goes above and beyond to fully immerse themselves into their initiatives that creates a culture of doing the right thing for their guests that you will feel the second you arrive on property.
While the championship pedigrees of Crosswater and Meadows are good precursors of what you can expect from the golf experience at each course, the “pleasant surprise” of your visit will likely be the Woodlands course.
As the name denotes, this Robert Trent Jones, Jr. layout weaves its way between dense forests of ponderosa and lodgepole pines and feels like it blends perfectly into its natural setting. While it plays shorter than its sister courses, design elements place a premium on accuracy, and you can plan to encounter multiple dogleg holes where the tree-lined fairways are known to swallow up a ball or two if you try to bite off more than you can chew.
While it is far from a pushover, it does provide a nice reprieve from the tougher courses onsite. It blends perfectly into the itinerary of any golf trip, and we highly recommend you play all three championship courses during your visit.
Sunriver Resort provides an extremely fun short course known as Caldera Links that is perfect for both golf groups and family outings to enjoy. With holes that range from 60 to 185 yards, there are several holes that play around several hazards and thick rough. A mishit shot will require you to work some short-game magic, so make sure your wedges are dialed in here. It is a great walk to enjoy, and it’s the perfect way to cap off a day with some extra golf.
Woodlands at Sunriver Resort
Off-course activities
While we know golf is the amenity that will bring you to Sunriver Resort, we would be remiss if we did not highlight some of the activities that you can enjoy here when you are not teeing it up.
Sunriver Resort is the perfect place to take in the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. You can run, walk, or rent a bike and make your way around some of the over 40 miles of paved trails that run in and around the property.
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, we suggest you head over to the Marina to spend some time on the water. A favorite summertime activity is to grab some tubes and float down the Deschutes River, or you can rent a kayak or paddleboard if you’re looking to add a little more exercise to the experience.
Another great way to enjoy the outdoors here is to head over to the Stables and explore the property on horseback with a guided trail ride. If you’re still craving more exercise, Sunriver Resort features a well-equipped Fitness Center that features daily yoga and fitness classes, personal training, an indoor lap pool, and a Pickleball Pavilion.
After all this activity you’ll have earned a little indulgence, so be sure to visit the spa to reward yourself and get your body reinvigorated with services that incorporate the Oregon high desert spirit into your recovery.
At this point, you are sure to have worked up an appetite, and Sunriver Resort does not disappoint with a great variety of dining venues for you to enjoy.
One we highly recommend is the Lodge Kitchen where the culinary team goes above and beyond to create a seasonal dining experience under the expertise of Executive Chef Joshua Hedrick.
As you’d expect from this region with the nearby rivers and lakes, there are some wonderful seafood options to enjoy. While the flavor of the fish options was exceptional, it was the craft and care that went into the dry aging process here when it came to their steak offerings that really blew us away. Dry aged onsite in a massive facility that resides over top of the restaurant, the team here is obsessed with maximizing this process to create a combination of flavors and tenderness that is among one of the finest we have found during our travels.
In addition to this exceptional experience, Sunriver Resort has myriad options to enjoy throughout the property for both sit down and more grab-and-go options that fit perfectly into any trip.
The Stables at Sunriver Resort
Accommodations
When it comes to golf trips, we love lodging options. Every group is different, and Sunriver Resort has a variety of accommodations that can work for every time of outing.
There are more than 600 different vacation homes, condos, and villas that are available for resort guests to enjoy. We had the pleasure of staying in the River Lodge during a recent visit, and the convenient location alongside the stunning views and enjoying a fireplace in your room created a sanctuary that was the perfect way to unwind at the end of a busy day.
Additional options are available for guests at the nearby Lodge Village that feature both guest rooms and suites with Volnica rock fireplaces in each room, a perfect backdrop as you and your group gather to regale each other with tales from the course that day. If your group is looking to all be under one roof, Sunriver Resort features a multitude of vacation home rentals including those at Caldera Springs and Osprey Pointe at Crosswater.
As we hear more golfers looking for these types of accommodations these days, we love that Sunriver Resort has such a wide variety of options here for you to maximize your experience.
The River Lodge at Sunriver Resort
Recommendation
If your group is looking to enjoy the splendors of nature, exceptional golf, spacious accommodations, and exquisite dining, then Sunriver Resort must be added to your list of golf getaways. There’s a reason why the USGA, PGA and NCAA has recognized the level of excellence that the resort’s golf mix provides, and there’s still plenty of time to book golf getaways for the back half of their season in 2026.
Their team focuses on making sure every detail is covered for you. Whether it is ensuring your clubs arrive and are waiting for you on your first day of golf with Ship Sticks, creating a special event for your golf group, or setting up a private room for a dining experience that you and your crew will never forget, the team at Sunriver Resort has you covered.
If you’re thinking of trips for 2027 and beyond, then don’t wait as this sought-after resort stays busy so start planning today!