Scenic Drives In Oregon – Hell’s Canyon. Crater lake. Mount Hood. Columbia River Gorge. Want to see them all on pre-arranged trips? You did it. All of these incredible sights – and many, many more – can be found on Oregon’s 16 scenic trails; driving routes that wind through every beautiful corner of the country.
They stretch all along the Pacific coast, through the great Cascade Mountains, across the endless expanse of the high desert of eastern Oregon, and through many stormy rivers altogether. The 14 roads listed here are National Scenic Byways, Oregon State Scenic Byways, or All-American Highways, designations that have little to do with natural beauty.
Scenic Drives In Oregon
Once considered the most scenic highway in the US, the history of the Columbia River Highway is largely a memory. But a significant part of that memory can be found along Interstate 84 — which replaced the old highway — in the Columbia River Gorge. Stop by several waterfalls and beautiful views from the canyon cliffs. But soon the old road will be raised – literally – as a pedestrian and bicycle path.
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See Hells Canyon, the deepest canyon in North America at 7,993 feet (only the Grand Canyon is 6,093 feet deep), along the Hells Canyon Scenic Trail that runs between La Grande and Baker City. Although Hells Canyon is named after the road, the Wallowa Mountains and the town of Joseph are just as beautiful and worth a few trips along the way.
Running from Crater Lake through Klamath Falls to Northern California, the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Trail passes evidence of many volcanic activities, from eruptions and lava flows to cinder cones and pumice plains. The route includes a stop at Crater Lake National Park, along the 33-mile Rim Drive.
One beach, one road, one incredible sight after another. It stretches along the entire U.S. Route 101 in Oregon, the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway begins in Astoria and ends south of Brookings, passing through natural wonders: Tillamook Rock, Ecola State Park, Cape Perpetua, Oregon Dunes, Arch Rock, Harris Beach and more. Consider joining a tour of 11 Oregon Coast Lighthouses.
Mount Hood Highway
A two-way hike across the Cascade Mountains, the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway is best done in late summer and early fall. The route goes right through Black Butte and between Mount Washington and Three-Fingered Jack, heading south along the McKenzie River before turning back onto Oregon Highway 242. Stop at the Dee Wright Observatory for amazing views of the Three Sisters as you travel. there.
The 215-mile West Cascades Scenic Byway takes you along the west side of the Cascade Mountains, follows the Clackamas River to Detroit Lake, then flows through the North Santiam and McKenzie rivers before branching off onto a forest road that winds along the Willamette. National Forest in the small towns of Westfir and Oakridge.
Australia isn’t, but the Oregon Outback Scenic Byway certainly deserves comparison. East of the foothills of the Cascades, the rainforest changes to a high desert populated by spruce, scrub, and weeds. Fort Rock is the most famous landmark along the way, but Summer Lake, Goose Lake, and the Warner Mountains (which stretch into northern California) round out the trip.
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A short 66-mile trip along the Cascade Lake Scenic Trail takes you past several beautiful alpine lakes in the central Oregon Cascades. For this trip, avoid the popular Paulina Lake in Newberry Volcano in favor of the larger lakes west of Bend. With views of Mount Bachelor and Broken Top, the trail takes you past Sparks Lake, Devils Lake, Elk Lake, Little Lava Lake and more.
Climbing Oregon’s highest mountain is a must for travelers from the west. To drive the Mount Hood Scenic Byway, start in Hood River or Troutdale and use the U.S. Route 26 through Government Camp and Oregon Route 35 north to join the Columbia River. Be sure to stop at Timberline Lodge (the official trailhead) and consider driving the scenic, historic Columbia River Highway to make the full circle.
The 172-mile Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway takes you along Oregon’s two wild and beautiful rivers – the Rogue and the Umpqua – both popular for rafting, fishing and beautiful scenery. The trail is between Roseburg and Gold Hill, and escapes busy Interstate 5 for a riverside ride that includes other natural features such as Toketee Falls and Diamond Lake. Get outside in the fall for a beautiful display of color.
Dazzling Oregon Scenic Drives To Take This Fall
From the Columbia River to the Painted Hills, past the Malheur National Forest along the John Day River to Baker City, the Scenic Byway Time Travel is a journey through Oregon’s history — natural and human. In addition to the natural wonders, the tour passes through ghost towns, lumberyards and the Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site, one of the best museums in the Pacific West that reflects Asian-American culture.
Traveling through one of the forgotten mountain ranges, the Blue Mountain Scenic Trail winds its way along the pastoral hills south of the Columbia River, past Heppener (you gotta get some air) and the Umatilla National Forest to Granite. There you can connect to the Elkhorn Drive Scenic Byway, which creates a scenic view of downtown Baker.
The rugged Elkhorn Mountains dominate the scenic Elkhorn Drive, a 106-mile stretch that anchors in Baker City and winds past the old Gold Mines on the Powder River, past Granite and into Anthony. Lakes, a popular ski resort in winter. The road is nothing short of spectacular, but it is full of the beautiful beauty of Eastern Oregon.
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Take your favorite music to the desert and prepare for the dusty, untamed southeast corner of Oregon. The High Desert Discovery Scenic Byway begins in Burns and heads south past the beautiful Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, the spectacular Diamond Craters volcanoes and the expansive Catlow Valley before winding through fields on the edge of the Alvord Desert. Take the time to drive the Steens Mountain Loop Road, one of the most spectacular places in the state.
Following the Umpqua River inland to the Pacific Ocean, the Umpqua River Scenic Byway is a 66-mile scenic byway between Oakland and Reedsport. Stop by Fort Umpqua for a dose of history or Dean Creek to see a herd of Roosevelt elk from the trail. The Oregon Dunes await you at the end of the trip – everything is amazing to explore.
This named ride lives up to its promise: The scenic cross-river and forest trail runs along the Calapooia River and the South Santiam River, before dipping into the Willamette National Forest. Along the way, you can stop at Soda Creek Falls, Green Peter Reservoir, Cascadia State Park, and the Hackleman Old Growth Trail. Continue to the West Cacscades or McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byways at the end.
Marys Peak To Pacific Scenic Byway
Looking for more information on Oregon’s beautiful trails? Check out the official driving guide online, with maps, photos and information about side trips.
You can also find more information on travel, hiking and small towns around the Pacific Northwest – as well as news and updates for local adventurers – at /trip.
South Oregon Coast: Travel along the most beautiful part of the Oregon Coast, the South Coast State Boardwalk.
The 10 Best Scenic Drives In Oregon
Lighthouse Tour: Visit all 11 lighthouses on the Oregon coast, from remote Tillamook Rock to the beautiful Heceta Head Lighthouse.
Hiking on rainy days: A gray day? That doesn’t mean you can’t go out. Here are 10 of the best rainy day hikes around Oregon. Check the conditions before departure.
Where to rent a yurt: Looking for a break from tents? Here are 25 places to rent a yurt in Oregon. Oregon boasts spectacular beauty, from rugged and rugged coastlines to high desert formations.
A Winding Road Along The Columbia River Scenic Byway With The Classic White Fencing In Oregon Stock Image
In fact, the state is home to the largest number of designated scenic and travel trails in the country, including two that are considered All-American trails!
Oregonians and visitors alike enjoy road trips on these popular Oregon drives, through great shopping areas and remote areas.
These beautiful drives in Oregon are more about the journey than the destination, and a trip on these great roads will showcase some of the best Oregon has to offer!
Find The 8 Best Scenic Drives In Oregon
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The purpose is to enhance the spectacular views of the Columbia River Gorge – and participate in the largest influx of waterfalls in the country!
Originally, the route was 75 miles from Portland to The Dalles; today,
Scenic Byway Road Sign Hi Res Stock Photography And Images
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