There’s something special about walking into a place that still smells like sugar and warm dough before sunrise. You know you’ve hit a gem when people are already lined up with coffee cups in hand, chatting like it’s the local meeting hall. That’s exactly what you’ll find at Wickiup Junction in La Pine, a gas station bakery that’s been fueling Central Oregon mornings since the 1970s.
At first glance, it looks like your average roadside stop off Highway 97. There’s a row of pumps, a few locals gassing up before a fishing trip, and the hum of engines pulling in and out. Step inside, though, and it’s a different story. The smell of freshly fried donuts takes over, warm and heavy in the air, and behind the counter, trays of fritters and cinnamon rolls glisten under soft lights. The place was remodeled recently, but it still holds the rustic charm of an old Oregon general store.
If you get there early enough, you’ll catch them still pulling donuts from the fryer. Reviewers describe them as some of the best in the state, huge and perfectly soft with that crisp outer edge you only get when they’re fresh. By 10:30 a.m., they’re usually close to sold out, which says everything you need to know about their popularity.
The apple fritters are the star of the show, packed with real apple pieces and big enough to share, though no one ever seems to.
The bacon maple donut hits that Oregon sweet-and-salty balance perfectly, and the marionberry donuts are a true nod to local flavor.
Then there are the cinnamon rolls. They’re massive, gooey spirals of dough that smell like butter and sugar heaven. One reviewer called them “the size of your head,” which isn’t far off. They’re the kind of old-school pastries that remind you of road trips with your grandparents, made with care instead of shortcuts.
The staff at Wickiup Junction are as much a reason to stop as the baked goods. They greet customers by name, remember regulars’ favorite orders, and even give friendly advice. One customer mentioned that the owner once tried to talk him out of buying cigarettes, genuinely encouraging him to quit. That’s the kind of small-town care you don’t see much anymore.
Sandee L. / Yelp
Of course, like any small business, it has its quirks. A few locals miss the days when the store served hot food like breakfast sandwiches and burgers, but even those reviews end with a compliment about the people, the remodel, or, of course, the donuts.
There’s also a sense of history baked into this place. One family said their in-laws have been coming here since the early 1970s, long before La Pine was on anyone’s tourist map. That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because a business keeps doing something right for decades, and in this case, that something is hot coffee, warm donuts, and friendly conversation.
Wickiup Junction isn’t trying to reinvent itself as a trendy cafe or a roadside attraction. It’s content to stay exactly what it’s always been: a clean, friendly stop for travelers and locals alike, where you can grab a donut still warm from the fryer and a coffee that tastes better because of the company around you.
You’ll find it at 17000 Burgess Road in La Pine, Oregon. Go early, bring cash just in case, and don’t be surprised if you end up leaving with a bag of donuts, a cinnamon roll, and a story to tell on your way to the lake. Wickiup Junction opens early enough to catch the sunrise crowd, serving hot coffee and fresh donuts just as the day begins.
The store’s long hours make it a convenient stop for both locals and travelers passing through La Pine. They’re open Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., giving you plenty of time to grab breakfast before work, stop for a quick bite on your way to the lake, or pick up a few last-minute essentials in the evening. It’s the kind of dependable roadside stop that feels like it’s always there when you need it — whether for coffee, conversation, or a warm donut straight from the fryer.
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