"TERREBONNE" Terrebonne by mtncorg

Terrebonne Travel Guide: 6 reviews and 9 photos

Smith Rocks basking in morning sunshine - Terrebonne

Terrebonne is one of Central Oregon's smallest communities, originally a small center for nearby ranches, now - much like most of Central Oregon - Terrebonne is a work in progress. It used to be one of those little stops along US 97 that you hardly noticed except for the little sign denoting the 'town' and it is still possible to be underwhelmed. But also like much in this area, change is here and is constant. Big ranches are still outlying, though many have subdivided into pocket ranches or vacation/retirement centers. The climate is arid - this is a high desert, about 2500 feet. The views are dramatic and wide. To the west, most of the main volcanoes in the Oregon Cascades are to be seen in a close up nature. Just east of town, the world class climbing center of Smith Rocks tower high above the waters of the Crooked River.

Growth. Good? Bad? Depends where in the food chain you are. One VT member recently wrote me about nearby Bend, saying she had lived here 6 years ago when there were 34000 people living here. She was worried that the frenetic growth she witnessed while living there could alter the uniqueness of the town. There are over 54000 in Bend now -more on the way - and probably 150000 at least in the Central Oregon region; loosely defined from Madras to La Pine, Black Butte to Prineville. The 12000 acre Gates Ranch, just northwest of Terrebonne, was transformed into the Crooked River Ranch, in the 1980's. It is a development of mammoth proportion - not unlike the other behemoths in the region: Sunriver, Eagle Crest, Black Butte, Awbrey Butte, etc.. There are 4-5000 people living now in the Crooked River Ranch, mostly on lot sizes of 1-5 acre lots. Unlike the other huge developments, the CRR is not geared towards top dollar development. Manufactured homes are allowed thus making the development affordable to more average citizens rather that the obscene expenses seen in such places like Black Butte, Sisters and Sunriver. You don't have to be a retiring Californian who sells their simple ranch house for $750000 - which they paid $7500 for back in 1975 - a story repeated ad nauseum all over the Western US.

Terrebonne, for the traveller, will be of most interest for Smith Rocks just to the east - or just the couple of Mexican restaurants along US 97, the small Thriftway grocery store or the gas station. Also in the vicinity is fine fishing along the Deschutes River by Lower Bridge and for the natural drama of the Crooked River Canyon - easiest experienced at the Peter Ogden State Park; a dayuse site along US 97 just a few miles north of Terrebonne.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Climbing, rafting, kayaking, horse riding, sunshine
Cons:More people everyday
In a nutshell:Redpoint Climbing Store still there on US 97 in its simple guise

Intro Updated Jul 27, 2004
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Reviews (6)

The Deschutes River tumbling over Steelhead Falls - Terrebonne

STEELHEAD FALLS Things to Do (5)

Drive across the vast Crooked River Ranch development, which is bordered by the Crooked River Canyon on the east and the... more travel advice

The dinner guests have arrived! - Terrebonne

Meals with Views Restaurants (1)

There are a couple of restaurants in Terrebonne that serve up good Mexican food. Usually if you are staying in... more travel advice

Crooked River winding through its desert canyon - Terrebonne

CROOKED RIVER CANYON Things to Do (5)

From Smith Rocks to the reservoir at Lake Billy Chinook - some 25 miles - the Crooked River runs through an awesome 600... more travel advice

Arcteryx Pass is the large gap in the rock walls - Terrebonne

ARCTERYX PASS Things to Do (5)

The pass in the cliff wall was named before the climbing/outdoor company from Vancouver BC was started, so maybe that... more travel advice

Comments (4)

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ophiru Aug 6, 2004 at 1:55 PM

Beautiful page as always my friend !
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XenoHumph Aug 5, 2004 at 11:44 AM

With a good French name smelling of the good Earth, beautiful landscapes, and an Asterix peak, that really makes me feel at home!!! Excellent page as usual!
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caffeine_induced78 Aug 2, 2004 at 5:08 PM

I drove all the way from Seattle to the CRR for a family get together. Might do it again in a couple of weeks - except from Denver. Great page, very nice pics!
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catalysta Aug 1, 2004 at 2:32 PM

Looks like the Mountain Corg is a Chow Corg today, eh? Cute pic!