Quiet streets and easy access to Pendleton in Riverside
Just east of Pendleton, along the northern banks of the Umatilla River, Riverside is a small, unincorporated community surrounded by rolling hills and farmland. On the edge of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Riverside has a quiet, rural atmosphere without sacrificing access to city amenities. “Riverside refers to the area surrounding Riverside Avenue,” says KC Furstenberg, a local Realtor with The Kenmore Team. “But it is usually just considered part of Pendleton instead of its own entity. We have a rural atmosphere but are conveniently located within an hour or so of major cities and recreation areas. Pendleton is best known for our annual rodeo, Pendleton Round-up. It’s one of the biggest rodeos in the country and it brings in thousands of people every fall.”
Cozy Cape Cods and ranch-style homes with fenced-in lots
The area’s ranch-style homes, Cape Cods, manufactured homes and split-levels sit close together on small lots, and most were built between the 1950s and 1990s. Many houses have fenced-in back yards dotted with mature trees. While there have been few recent sales in Riverside, according to Homes.com data, the median sales price is around $245,000 as of July of 2025. The community has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, which is lower than the national average of 4.
Dual credit and CTE courses at Pendleton High
Most local students attend Washington Elementary School before heading to Sunridge Middle School. The middle school has an Outdoor School program for sixth graders every fall, where students can earn leadership skills and apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-life circumstances in their surrounding environment. Pendleton High School offers 10 dual credit classes through Blue Mountain Community College and Eastern Oregon University. High schoolers also have a wide variety of career and technical education courses to consider, with topics ranging from agriculture to visual and media arts. Each of the area's schools earns a B-minus overall grade from Niche.
Historic businesses and an Old-West atmosphere in downtown Pendleton
Riverside sits around 2 miles from Pendleton’s Main Street, which serves as the local hub for shopping and dining. “A lot of the buildings downtown were built in the late 19th century and have been well preserved over the years,” Furstenberg says. The Rainbow Cafe first opened in 1883 and offers pub-style bites and brunch fare ranging from loaded hashbrowns to buttermilk pancakes. Hamley Steakhouse & Saloon is an upscale, Old West-inspired eatery that dates back to the late 1800s, with historic furniture and artifacts providing a rustic, American frontier atmosphere. On Court Avenue, The Saddle Restaurant and Lounge serves breakfast, steak and homemade pie by the slice. For groceries, Walmart, Safeway and Grocery Outlet are just west of downtown Pendleton.
A nationally-known rodeo
With the modo “Let’er Buck,” Pendleton Round-Up's rodeos and performances draw in thousands of locals and out of towners each year. “The population of Pendleton triples when the rodeo comes to town,” says Furstenberg “People camp across the area, rent rooms in town or stay at the nearby Wildhorse Resort. Some of the most famous barrel racing contestants compete at Round-Up. It’s one of the stops on the way to the National Finals Rodeo.”
Trail walking and wildlife viewing near Riverside
The Pendleton River Walk is a paved parkway spanning roughly 3 miles along the Umatilla River, lined with picnic shelters, parks and sculptures. Nearby, Ken Melton Park has four baseball diamonds that host games and practices for Pendleton Little League. South of town, the McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 1,800 acres of natural habitat, including wetlands, open fields and a reservoir. From March to September, anglers can cast a line into the McKay Creek Reservoir to reel in crappie, rainbow trout and black bass. The Refuge is a popular spot among bird watchers, with herons, bald eagles, pheasants and osprey seasonally inhabiting the area. The Wildhorse Golf Course is also nearby.
Travel along I-84
Drivers can take Interstate 84 around 3 hours west to downtown Portland or about 50 minutes southeast to La Grande. The City of Pendleton operates the Let’er Bus, with two year-round routes across town. The Pendleton Airport operates private and charter flights, while the nearest commercial airport is around an hour north in Pasco, Washington.
Written By
Jillian Pillow
