Ranch at the Canyons tour

11750 NE Canyons Ranch Dr.

Ranch at the Canyons is the community you see after you’ve hiked the Misery Ridge Trail at Smith Rock State Park outside of Terrebonne, OR. There is 1700 acres that have been divided into 46 “landholdings” (lots) that range between 3-12 acres. Of the 46 parcels 27 have been built on. Rumor is, Phil Knight owns one. I’ve been hiking and riding in the Smith Rock area since I was a little girl. Before climbing Monkey Face was a thing and before summer crowds choked the area with cars. Just last year we held a memorial for my mom’s brother, Uncle Marvin there. It’s not a stretch to say it’s a special, almost sacred place for me.

When I got the email promoting a realtors tour of “the ranch” I had to go. After 20+ years of living back in Bend, which corresponds to when it was developed, I had never been. There were 6 homes on tour and one lot for sale; all listed by agents I know and really respect.

I was instantly smitten. The gorgeous stacked rock walls at the entry that continue everywhere had me hooked. There is literally no signage out front. This place is exclusive and understated. What makes it really different, is that the 1700 acres are split between the 46 land holdings. They hay, and grow wine grapes and have an orchard with bee hives. These amenities add beauty and function as a farm deferral. The community has the amenities you want for entertaining guests, or for escaping reality for a bit. Stables, a community center with a pool, pickleball courts, 2 miles of riverfront trails and unmatched beauty.

The homes I saw ranged in price from $1.8 million to 5 million. Each had views to die for. Canyon walls, hay fields, ponds, deer, birds as you drive around on impeccable red paved roads with subtle stone speed bumps you see Broken Top, the Three Sisters, Jefferson, Mt. Washington, and I’m sure Mt. Hood shows itself as well.

3 horses were at the stables. Beautiful and friendly. I let myself into the barn and the stalls were also pristine. I used the barn bathroom and it was all tile with a petrified wood sink and a full tile shower. Pure, class and incredibly tasteful and beautiful. There was only one problem. I didn’t see any other people except for different shapes and sizes of Mercedes Benz slowly cruising the roads with realtors inside.

Did I love it? YES The question is, in pure Carrie Bradshaw style is. “Who needs to buy one of these homes?”

If you are busy and in demand and want time with a multi-generational family this would be the ultimate family estate. It’s only 20 minutes from the Redmond Airport. A short Lyft to your door and keep an old station wagon in the garage. This area is for people who don’t want to fly to a summer home in Italy… too far. Keep it simple, connect with nature, rest, write, cook, and bird watch from nearly every spot in your house or on the property. You own 1700 acres under blue skies in the high desert! Leave rainy Seattle, congested LA, and cold San Francisco and in 3 hours breathe fresh clean air and hide from the world!

If you have a horse, even better…

If you know me, or ever shopped at Cowgirl Cash in the past (the store in Downtown Bend I owned for 15 years) you know I always had a buying criteria. When I apply it to Ranch at the Canyons it looks like this:

Is it authentic: NO (tuscan style in Central Oregon)

Is it practical: NO

Is it beautiful: Hell YES.

This property is clearly not targeted for a buyer like me. But it’s a dream come true for someone. Do you know that person? Please send them my way.