A Retreat For the Senses: Why You Should Touch Grass at Brasada Ranch

  • Ashley Martens
  • May 27, 2025
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Millennial Magazine - Hotels - Brasada Ranch Entrance
© BrasadaRanch Entrance

If you have ever explored the Pacific Northwest, you may have fallen in love with the beauty of the Oregon Coastline, but if you take a few steps inward to the heart of Oregon, you will find an idyllic escape like no other. Welcome to Brasada Ranch

Located just east of Bend, Oregon, this modern-day luxury ranch is nestled on 1,800 acres of the high desert and is surrounded by 900 protected acres of land offering guests breathtaking panoramic views of the Cascade Mountain Range. Besides stunning views, guests will enjoy upscale accommodations, farm-to-table dining, and a wide range of outdoor activities. 

Go ahead and explore the untamed wilderness, indulge in seasonal experiences, or surrender to the tranquility and untamed natural beauty of the Oregon high desert region.

The Accommodations at Brasada Ranch

Accommodations at Brasada include Ranch House Rooms and Suites, Cascade Bungalows (conveniently located around the adults-only pool), and Sage Canyon Cabins available in 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom configurations. 

Ranch House Rooms and Suites

For guests never wanting to be far from the main Ranch House, Brasada Ranch offers 8 guest rooms conveniently attached to the Ranch House. The Ranch House is a haven of rustic elegance and features both indoor and outdoor spaces to soak in the sweeping views of the Cascade Mountains and beyond. Enjoy sunsets on the back deck with a toast or roast a s’more by the private outdoor fire pit, then meet and mingle with other guests.

Millennial Magazine - Hotel - The Cascade Bungalow Room
© BrasadaRanch, The Cascade Bungalow Interior View

Cascade Bungalows

For those wanting an elevated experience during the stay, check into one of the Cascade Bungalows. This is where mountain air meets modern Scandinavian design. These chic yet quaint individual bungalows offer a private, adult-only setting. 

The bungalows pair sleek contemporary design with natural materials and boundless views, while high ceilings and panoramic windows reveal mountain air and light. Conveniently located next to the adults-only pool, Cascade, these bungalows come complete with an outdoor shower, private hot tub, and your very own private golf cart to cruise around the property in.

Sage Canyon Cabins

If you are looking for more space for you and your entire family, including multiple generations or a group of friends, consider booking one of the 65 Sage Canyon Cabins. Offering two, three, and four-bedroom options, the Sage Canyon Cabins blend rustic elegance with casual sophistication and are set perfectly in the natural environment of the high desert.  

Ranging from 1,265 to 2,665 square feet, cabins are generously proportioned and equipped with all the domestic comforts you could ever need, including cooking facilities, outdoor dining spaces, and indoor fireplaces. Some cabins even come with outdoor hot tubs situated on large, expansive decks perfect for a night of desert stargazing.

Dining at Brasada Ranch

Dining at Brasada is probably one of the most delicious experiences your tastebuds will ever enjoy. From the Ranch House Restaurant to the ranch’s latest addition, Wild Rye, your palate is in for a real treat.

The Ranch House

The Ranch House, Brasada’s casual family-friendly restaurant, offers farm-to-table meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. From salads and wraps to fresh fish and ranch-style steak, the Ranch House feeds your stomach and well-being all year round. Warm up by the restaurant’s large stone fireplace, soak in the views from the wrap-around deck, or head outside by the fire pit to roast a s’more. Tip: If you love sweet potato fries, order them here. They are the best ones this writer has ever had!

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Millennial Magazine - Hotels - Firepit Smores
© BrasadaRanch, Smores by the Firepit at The Ranch House

Wild Rye

The newest addition to the culinary portfolio at Brasada Ranch is Wild Rye, a restaurant that is redefining Central Oregon’s high desert cuisine. Led by Executive Chef Karl Holl, every dish is intricately tied to the land, the season, and the lifestyle of the region. Whether foraged from the surrounding high desert mountains, grown by Central Oregon farms, or philosophically connected to the desert, the cuisine from this tough and arid region is textured with strong flavors offering an expression of what this particular habitat has to share with guests.

From the farm to the ranch, local offerings include bison, elk, rabbit, and venison, while elderberry, foraged western juniper, huckleberry, rye, sagebrush, and wild strawberry adorn the menu’s dishes. If you love a subtle taste of fire and smoke, then you are in luck because fire and smoke are the foundations of the kitchen. From the fire-on-the-range to the campfire, dishes are kissed by fire, whether grilled, spit-roasted, smoked, or torched. 

Millennial Magazine - Hotels - Wild Rye Chef Karl Holl
© BrasadaRanch, Wild Rye Chef Karl Holl

Although all of the menu items are delicious, you cannot go wrong with the following recommendations: Wild Rye Rolls, Grilled Albacore ‘Crudo’, Smoked Beef Carpaccio, Charred Dumplings & Dungeness Crab, Little Gem ‘Wedge’, Alaskan Halibut, and Juniper Braised Lamb Shank. 

Whether you prefer cocktails or mocktails, Wild Rye has you covered. The cocktail list, curated by Scott Baird of the highly celebrated Trick Dog and Starlite in San Francisco, celebrates true Western spirits, highlighting locally distilled gins and vodkas, and whiskeys from the West. If you prefer a glass of vino, then be sure to order the local wines straight from the great state of Oregon. The selection of Oregon wines comes from dynamic producers from Oregon’s finest wine regions, including Walla Walla and the Willamette Valley. Cheers!

Wild Rye also hosts special events, such as their spring and fall Foraged Dinner. Led by Chef Karl, this meal includes appetizers and a four-course dinner made with the season’s rarest mushrooms from the high desert in Central Oregon and foraged by Chef Karl himself. Each course was paired with wines from Willamette Valley’s Soter Wines during my experience, but that will change for each dinner and season! Mushrooms included in the meals we experienced include black trumpets, chanterelles, morels, and wild mushrooms. Talk about a chef’s kiss!

Things To Do at Brasada

Brasada Ranch offers a variety of seasonal activities and property amenities for guests to enjoy all year round, but some of the staples include golfing, horseback trail riding, and visiting the spa.

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Golf at Brasada Canyon

Brasada Canyon, Brasada Ranch’s challenging and stunning 18-hole course, is one of the most beautiful and enjoyable courses in the West. Designed by PGA Tour designer and Native Oregonian Peter Jacobsen, the course climbs from the desert floor at 3,272 feet, reaching just over 4,000 feet high up the Powell Buttes. No two holes run parallel, either, so do not be surprised if you see more wildlife than other players. 

Warm up before heading out on the course at the stunning Brasada Canyons 5-acre practice facility featuring a two-tiered driving range, an indoor golf Shed and Simulator featuring three covered hitting bays and the state-of-the-art Foresight Golf Simulator.

Millennial Magazine - Hotels - Horseback Riding Brasada Ranch
© BrasadaRanch, Horseback Riding

Horseback Riding at Brasada Trails

Brasada Ranch is situated squarely in the middle of Central Oregon’s best horse country, which is why the ranch offers real western equine experiences for all ages through Brasada Trails. Explore over 900 acres of soft trails that lead from The Ranch in all directions on horseback while enjoying panoramic high desert and Cascade Mountain views. From trail rides to private instruction, grab your cowboy boots and saddle up.

Spa Brasada

Spa Brasada offers a range of therapies with the healing power of nature at their core. Inspired by the surrounding high desert wilderness, Spa Brasada offers facials, massages, and nail services. Step into peace and tranquility as you seek out respite and relaxation during your western stay away.

Apart from the spa, guests can also enjoy the two heated pools. One family pool complete with a water slide for the kiddos and one adults-only pool with a hot tub to warm up in after a few laps. Grab a beverage or snack at the outdoor snack bar options and enjoy the afternoon under the mountain sun. 

Traveler Tip: If you enjoy walking and wandering, a great way to see the entire property is to hop on a walking trail and simply walk. It is one easy way to enjoy getting your steps in as you take in all of the beauty that is Brasada Ranch. You can also hike up to the nearby trailhead of Spirit Rock for breathtaking views of the entire property, mountains included.

Millennial Magazine - Hotels - Touch Grass
© BrasadaRanch, Touch Grass Retreat

Touch Grass Wellness Retreat

Wellness goes West when you sign up for the Touch Grass Wellness Retreat offered at Brasada. Think of it as a way to reconnect, rejuvenate, and revitalize while immersing yourself in a week of wellness in Central Oregon. Touch Grass is where breathtaking landscapes and intentional experiences come together to restore the body, mind, and spirit. 

Get grounded in the high mountain desert while you reset in the rugged. Reconnect with Mother Nature and restore your well-being. Channel the high mountain desert for higher vibes. Get dusty, not digital, swap screens for sagebrush, unscroll, and be unbothered. After all, this is where wild meets wellness. It is wellness in the wild west!

Each morning begins with mindful moments and light movement through activities like meditation, mat pilates, sound baths, and yoga. Head back to your cabin and brew up a batch of fresh herbal tea or sip on a hot cup of Brasada Ranch Roast handcrafted by Sisters Coffee. Wait for a seasonal breakfast basket to be hand-delivered to your doorstep, then curl up by the roaring fire and enjoy a cozy morning as you slowly ease into the day.

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Millennial Magazine - Hotels - Touch Grass Wellness
© BrasadaRanch, Touch Grass Wellness Retreat Program

In the afternoon, enjoy more activities like equine-assisted learning, hiking, kayaking, or unwind at the Brasada Spa. You may even enjoy a dip in the heated adults-only pool as you enjoy the high desert sun rays. Just be sure to apply some SPF!

For the evening, head to the back porch for a refreshing cocktail or mocktail while you take in the sunset over the Cascade Mountains. Enjoy dinner at farm-to-table fare at Wild Rye or keep it casual at The Ranch House. 

Afterwards, gather around the fire for some cowboy stories and s’mores, then head back to your cabin for a long soak in your private hot tub while you stargaze at the deep desert night sky. Touch Grass and Stay Wild with the Touch Grass Wellness Retreat.

For the latest up-to-date information on the Touch Grass Ranch Wellness Retreat, check their website and social channels for announcements on the latest dates, details, and pricing.

Millennial Magazine - Hotels - Front Pasture Views from Ranch House Balcony
© BrasadaRanch, Front Pasture Views from Ranch House Balcony

Exploring the Area Around Brasada Ranch

If you are looking to venture off property for the day, there are plenty of things to do around Brasada. There is something for every season, no matter when you are visiting. Activities include:

  • Attending a local festival or event
  • Exploring the town of Bend
  • Fly fishing
  • Going to the High Desert Museum
  • Hiking
  • Mountain biking
  • Snow recreation during winter
  • Taking a tour or signing up for an outdoor adventure
  • Visiting Smith Rock State Park or the Mt. Bachelor Wilderness
  • Water recreation during summer

Fun fact: Bend is home to the last remaining blockbuster on Earth, so if you want to take a step back into 90s nostalgia, add it to your places to visit while exploring Bend, Oregon.

Millennial Magazine - Hotels - Brasada Ranch Equestrian
© BrasadaRanch Equestrian

Getting to Brasada Ranch

Direct flights to the Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) are currently served by five air carriers: Alaska Air, American Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines, with many direct flights from Western cities including Denver, Los Angeles, and Seattle, as well as a few others. Once you arrive in Redmond, it is only a quick 15-20 minute car ride to the ranch.

Break Away at Brasada Ranch

Whether you are looking to escape the ordinary or head West on an adventure, Brasada has something for everyone for every season. Attend the seasonal foraged dinner, book a spa appointment, or sign up for the Touch Grass Wellness Retreat – whatever you decide, one thing is for certain: Brasada Ranch will have a special place in your heart that will have you coming back for years to come.


Ashley Martens is a wellness writer based in Chicago. With a lifelong passion for all things health and wellness, Ashley enjoys writing about travel and new places to explore. She covers domestic and international travel, wellness within travel, and solo travel.

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