Sherman County

If you're looking for an adventure off the beaten path filled with outdoor fun, head to Macks Canyon Recreation Site in Sherman County. Located on the Wild and Scenic Lower Deschutes River, this little-known treasure offers fishing, boating, and camping opportunities galore all set against a stunning backdrop with a storied past. It was once home to a prehistoric winter village of the Sahaptin peoples of the Columbian Plateau, and the spot also set the scene for a railroad war in the early 1900s. Here, two tycoons battled to be the first to reach Bend, and the road to reach Macks Canyon is what remains of the losing line. The route is also one of only a few dozen National Back Country Byways in the West, making the journey here almost as beautiful as the destination.