Scenic Drives & Attractions

Did you know that Oregon now has more All-American Roads
and National Scenic Byways than any other state in the U.S.?

Oregon's five National Scenic Byways are:

The McKenzie Pass - Santiam Pass

Cascade Lakes

The Oregon Outback

West Cascades

Rogue - Umpqua

Oregon's four All-American Roads are:

The Historic Columbia River Highway

The Volcanic Legacy

Hell's Canyon

Pacific Coast

Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway

Crater Lake National Park

Newberry National Volcanic Monument
**Partial seasonal road closures.
Newberry National Volcanic Monument is a fascinating wonderland of hiking trails, campgrounds, wildlife and lakes all within the Newberry Caldera. Fishing and sightseeing are popular daytime activities. Waterfalls are everywhere along the Peter Skene Ogden trail, and geothermal activity has created some natural hot springs within the caldera.

Lava Lands Visitor Center and Lava River Caves
**Seasonal Closures**
On Highway 97 between Bend and Sunriver is the Lava Lands Visitor Center. The center is normally open from late April through mid-October. Hours vary. Be sure to stop by to explore the facility and talk with the Deschutes National Forest representatives on hand. Hike or drive to the top of Lava Butte for one of the best views in all of Central Oregon! NW Forest Passes are required and are available at this location to give you access to the hiking trailheads throughout the Pacific Northwest. Lava River Caves is on the east side of Highway 97 about 1/2 mile south of Lava Lands Visitor Center.

Phone 541-593-2421 for more information on all of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, including Lava River Caves and Lava Lands Visitor Center.

The Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway
**Seasonal Closures**
The Cascade Lakes Highway may be driven as a loop starting and ending in Bend, First stop is at Mt. Bachelor, to ride the lift (July 4- Labor Day) to experience great food and the dramatic view. Then drive into the alpine country, where dozens of lakes offer fishing, hiking, resorts and sightseeing. Beyond that you'll pass North and South Twin Lakes, Wickiup Reservoir, Pringle Falls and the Experimental Forest. Turn south to La Pine and on to Newberry National Volcanic Monument, or north to Sunriver Resort, or Lava Cast Forest. Finally, head back to bend on Hwy. 97 North, with stops at Lava Lands Visitors Center and The High Desert Museum.

The McKenzie Pass Tour Route
**Seasonal Closures**
The McKenzie Pass tour route is also designated as a National Scenic Byway. It provides a spectacular summer alternative to Hwy. 126 between Eugene and Sisters. The Hwy. 242 route winds through some of Oregon's most recently formed lava fields. Interpretive trails meander the fields. A lava rock observatory, the Dee Wright Memorial, offers outstanding vistas, including the area's most amazing view of the Three Sisters. Although this route is shorter mileage than Highway 126, it will take you longer.

Please, no trailers or vehicles over 35 feet.

The Cove Palisades Loop
The Cove Palisades Loop leaves Hwy. 97 ten miles south of Madras on a 31-mile drive that goes through the town of Culver and to Lake Billy Chinook, skirting the park area up to Round Butte before turning and heading to Madras. The drive takes in remarkable geologic features and leads to one of Oregon's most popular recreation areas.

The Hwy. 126-Prineville Tour
The Hwy. 126-Prineville Tour takes in 50 miles of desert, irrigated valleys, mountains, vertical rock formations, desert rivers and mountain streams. In other words, the best of high-desert landscape. Begin in Prineville, Madras or Redmond on a loop that leads through the Crooked River National Grasslands and to Smith Rock State Park, passing old mines, stagecoach roads, viewpoints and historic ranches along the way. An alternate route begins in Prineville and leads through the Ochoco Forest and along the Crooked River. It passes both Prineville and Ochoco reservoirs as well as Steins Pillar and other geologic attractions. For maps contact local chambers of commerce.

Lava Lover's Tour
Central Oregon islava. Pumice and Obsidian are easily spotted throughout the area
as well, due largely to the eruption of Mt. Mazama some 7,700 years ago covering the area with feet of pumice and ash. More recently, eruptions creating the Newberry Caldera and Lava Butte (about 1300 years ago), have added to the interesting formations and terrain surrounding Bend and Central Oregon. Begin your journey by heading south on Highway 97. Driving past The High Desert Museum, remind yourself to spend a full day there soon. As you approach Lava Butte, curiosity will make you stop at the Lava Lands Visitor Center. Inside are informed Deschutes National Forest representatives and wonderful displays to tell you about the geologic history of Central Oregon. Drive or hike to the top of Lava Butte for a world-class view of the Cascade Range and the nearby lava flows. Heading back out on Highway 97, drive south about a half-mile for a trek through Lava River Cave. The Cave is the largest uncollapsed lava tube in Oregon. It is closed from mid- October to mid-April due to the hibernation of resident bats. Walking to the end of the cave you will travel about a mile through 100-foot-high ceilings as well as places accessible by crawling.
Turn east at the flashing light across from Sunriver and follow the 9-mile gravel road leading to the Lava Cast Forest. The hike loops around through a unique landscape of lava surrounding trees once destroyed by flowing lava, creating “casts” or “molds” of those trees.

Back out on Highway 97, continue south to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument turnoff. Paulina Lake and East Lake are inside the caldera about 13 miles to the east. Along the way there are camping areas, access points to the Peter Skene Ogden National Recreation Trail, and viewpoints. Inside the caldera and between the two lakes is a parking area for the not to be missed Big Obsidian Flow. It is one of the largest easily accessed obsidian flows in the world, with a nice hiking loop.