our story
Our Nature is the Reason Why
A Historic Landscape
Centuries ago, water covered the vast Sunriver area, eventually breaking through a natural dam, leaving behind a dry lake bed that slowly flourished into one of the Pacific Northwest’s most beautiful landscapes. It became a gathering place for Native Americans, later attracting trappers, settlers, and explorers, such as John Fremont and Kit Carson, who led expeditions along the Deschutes River in the 1800s.
Camp Abbot & WWII
In 1943, the U.S. Army claimed the meadow as a training ground, calling it Camp Abbot after Pacific Railroad Surveyor, Lt. Henry Abbot. Camp Abbot was used as an Engineer Replacement Training Center, providing instruction in military construction and engineering, as well as basic training through 1944. During this time, Camp Abbot’s Officers’ Club, now Sunriver Resort’s Great Hall, was completed, designed in the style of a Mountain Lodge and crafted from lumber sourced from the surrounding national forests, including the tree for the circular staircase.
Founding
Sunriver Resort
In 1965, John D. Gray and Donald V. McCallum announced plans to build an incredible resort destination minutes from Bend, Oregon. Inspired by the surrounding beauty, they named it Sunriver Resort and committed to maintaining the natural environment while offering an unforgettable experience to all who visit. In 1993, owner Sunriver Resort Limited Partnership began an extensive capital improvement project that would lead Sunriver Resort into the future while preserving the traditions of the past.
A Welcoming Destination
The Sunriver Resort guest experience is defined by the welcoming spirit you feel the moment you arrive and encounter with every point of contact. It’s a warm sense of belonging that serves as the foundation of the guest experience. Every visit to Sunriver Resort is an opportunity to discover something new about yourself and the world. This spirit of discovery is intrinsic to our nature and the one-of-a-kind experiences we curate for our guests. Today, Sunriver Resort features a wealth of amenities, recreation and accommodations, offering an all-season destination in a one-of-a-kind location.