Sisters, Oregon is named after three majestic mountain peaks that stand tall in the distance. The Three Sisters were once active volcanoes that flooded the surrounding region with hot lava. These days, the stately peaks of the Three Sisters loom over the charming small town that shares their name.
![Three Sisters Mountains in Oregon with an informational sign.](https://i0.wp.com/unusualplaces.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Depositphotos_481651758_S-jpg.webp?resize=960%2C640&ssl=1)
Three Sisters Mountains in Oregon with an informational sign. Photo by depositphotos.com
Sisters, Oregon is a lively town that hosts a folk festival, the world’s largest outdoor quilt festival, and a spirited rodeo that attracts fans from all over the state of Oregon. Visitors can browse boutique shops, order a snack at a gluten free bakery, or stay at a lodge that offers every guest a free rental bike.
![Store front of antiques and second hand Heritage USA in Sisters, Oregon, USA.](https://i0.wp.com/unusualplaces.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Depositphotos_330814116_S-jpg.webp?resize=960%2C640&ssl=1)
Store front of antiques and second hand Heritage USA in Sisters, Oregon, USA.
Photo by depositphotos.com
The mountains and lakes surrounding Sisters offer endless opportunities for recreation and sightseeing. Nearby Clear Lake is home to a sunken petrified forest. The frigid water of Clear Lake—which is only slightly above freezing during the warmest months of the year—offers a flawless view of an ancient forest that was submerged due to volcanic activity. Scuba certified visitors can don a wetsuit and explore the pristine, icy depths of Clear Lake.
![Row Boats tied to a deck Clear Lake Oregon](https://i0.wp.com/unusualplaces.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Depositphotos_134785092_S-jpg.webp?resize=960%2C585&ssl=1)
Photo by depositphotos.com
Lost Lake—which is located a short distance away—literally disappears once a year. Lost Lake swells to capacity each winter, then swirls into a hole and vanishes each spring. Scientists speculate that the water drains into a dormant lava tube. Hydrologists have traced the movement of Lost Lake’s water and determined that the water travels several miles and ultimately drains into Clear Lake.
![Lost Lake in Central Oregon drains through a large lava tube each year in the late Spring. Geologists and scientists are trying to determine where the water from the lake goes.](https://i0.wp.com/unusualplaces.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Depositphotos_96778572_S-jpg.webp?resize=960%2C640&ssl=1)
Lost Lake in Central Oregon drains through a large lava tube each year in the late Spring. Photo by depositphotos.com
Sisters is a cheerful mountain town surrounded by some of the most picturesque peaks in Oregon. If you’re looking to enjoy some folk music, watch authentic cowboys strut their stuff at a vibrant rodeo, or snack on a flourless chocolate cupcake that doesn’t skimp on taste, a trip to the breathtakingly beautiful town of Sisters should certainly top your travel list.