Petersen Rock Garden

Petersen Rock Garden and Museum is one of the most unusual places to visit in Central Oregon. The garden was established in the early 1900s by Rasmus Petersen, a Danish immigrant who explored the high desert in search of interesting rocks. He brought the rocks back to his property and built an astonishing number of castles, bridges, walls, statues and other eclectic structures with his findings.

Today the rock garden still stands, albeit in varying states of disrepair. The garden closed temporarily in 2013 and again in September 2016. As of March 2017, it is currently open to tourists by donation. As you explore the grounds, let your mind wander back to the days of fun roadside attractions that were built as Americans started taking family road trips all over the country. Imagine this place in its heyday, with beautiful new statues, carefully maintained landscaping and peacocks gracefully strolling through the grass. Today, the peacocks still walk among the rock sculptures and beautiful flowers still bloom among the weeds.

Give yourself at least an hour to make sure you have time to see everything. Take a peek inside the museum if it's open. And take plenty of pictures, because who knows how long this gem will be around for the public to enjoy.