Outdoor Mecca
Madras offers high desert scenery and panoramic views of the magnificent Cascade Mountain Range with many outdoor recreation opportunities close by. The Willow Creek Trail System, which you can walk or cycle, consists of over 7 miles of paved trails connecting residents to downtown commerce, area schools, Willow Creek Canyon, and other recreation.
Avid cyclists will enjoy the Madras Mountain Views Scenic Bikeway, a 30-mile loop through Oregon’s High Desert showcasing basalt palisades and the majestic Cascade Mountain range. Hikers and backpackers frequent the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness area. While you will find fishing, boating, and camping in abundance at Lake Billy Chinook, the Metolius Wild & Scenic River, and Lake Simtustus.
Growing City
The city features an exceptional aquatic center, Performing Arts Center, extensive green spaces, skate park, and a kids’ fishing pond. Nearby attractions include Indian Head Casino, Erickson Aircraft Collection, and Desert Peaks Golf Course.
The Madras Airport, a former World War II training base for B-17 pilots, is the site for the annual Airshow of the Cascades, the Erickson Aircraft Collection, and Erickson Aero Tanker that provides support for wildland fire suppression. Redmond Municipal Airport is just a short drive to the south with flights to major cities, connecting to destinations worldwide.
A Sense of Community
The community is a blend of industry, agriculture and recreation. Residents enjoy a variety of employment opportunities, including manufacturing, aviation, agriculture, retail, education, tourism and health care.
