At 24,000 square miles, Oregon's high desert region is ripe for exploration. And near Bend, you can learn all about it. Visit the High Desert Museum and then get completely immersed in it at Deschutes National Forest.

Opened in 1982 and founded by Don Kerr, this property just outside of Bend is 135 acres and features 100,000 square feet of space.

Within, you’ll be able to learn all about the High Desert and its inhabitants through artwork, animals, and exhibits.

There are over 29,000 pieces here that relate to pioneer history as well as Native American culture. Just some of these items include rugs, paintings, headdresses, and moccasins.

There are also artifacts related to the US Forest Service, the Basque, ‘Buckaroo, frontier medicine, and much more.

Definitely check out the mid-1850s DeMoss Stagecoach, one of the most famous in Western America. In its heyday, it transported loads of famous people like Prince Alexander of Russia and 19th president of the United States, Rutherford B. Hayes.

Some of the wildlife and animal exhibits you’ll see here include birds of prey, reptiles, fish, a gray fox, porcupines, and more. You can find them indoors as well as some along the scenic trails in outdoor exhibits.

Like these river otters!

You can even talk to costumed historical figures to get their account of life for homesteaders in Oregon. There's also an authentic 1904 sawmill and ranch as well as other structures like a 1933 ranger station.

Aside from the museum's goodies, there is also the Silver Sage Trading store and the Rimrock Café on site. Be sure to take a souvenir home with you and grab a bite to eat either during your exploration or for the ride back out.

Be sure to visit the museum often, as there is always something new popping up, whether that's events, exhibits, or new animals.

Now that you have seen artifacts and animals native to Oregon’s high desert region, it’s time to get right into it. Located on the Cascade Range’s eastern side in central Oregon is the 1.8 million-acre Deschutes National Forest and its mountains, forests, volcanoes, and lakes.

Established In 1908, within, you’ll find tons of recreation like hiking, boating, biking, and fishing as well as some of the most popular and intriguing natural areas within this part of the Beaver State. Check out places like the 12-mile Deschutes River Trail or the 11.6-mile Phil’s Trail, made just for mountain biking.

There is a great deal to explore here, like the over 54,000-acre Newberry National Volcanic Monument. The largest of all Cascade volcanoes in volume, here, you can examine lava flows, lava tubes, caldera lakes, and cinder cones.

Other adventures within the forest include epic drives through places like the 66-mile Cascades Lake Scenic Byway where you’ll see the 9,068-foot Mount Bachelor, and fantastic hikes like the one up to Tumalo Mountain to catch vistas of the many volcanoes in the region. There is also the 82-mile McKenzie-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway and the 171-mile Outback Scenic Byway.

The forest is divided into five wilderness areas (Diamond Peak Wilderness, Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Mount Thielsen Wilderness, Mount Washington Wilderness, and Three Sisters Wilderness). There are more than 300 caves as well as six National Wild and Scenic Rivers (Big Marsh Creek, Crescent Creek, Deschutes River, Little Deschutes River, Metolius River, and Whychus River).

No matter which area or activity you choose here, be sure to stay on the lookout for various wildlife. Just a few that might come across include birds, bears, elk, cougars, deer, and foxes, among many others.

Since this forest is so massive and there's so much to see and do, you might want to consider staying for awhile. There are a whopping 80 campgrounds within the forest, all with astounding backgrounds. You can pitch a tent or bring your RV and continue on exploring the next day!

Head to the websites of the High Desert Museum and Deschutes National Forest for the most up-to-date information about visiting.

Have you ever been to Oregon's high desert region? What's your favorite part of it? Tell us in the comments below!

Looking for more interesting museums in Oregon? Check out the Portland puppet museum.