From the snow-capped peaks of the Cascade Range to rugged river canyons and a sprawling high desert, you’ll find some of the best Oregon road trips throughout Central Oregon.
We get that it can be a lot to figure out—which routes to take, when they’re open, and what to do along the way—so we’ve put together a few suggested itineraries that let you embrace the freedom of the open road. Here are a few favorite drives that show off our beautiful region:
Keep reading to plan your trip and build the perfect Central Oregon getaway.
Choose a 3-Day, 5-Day, or 7-Day Central Oregon Itinerary
One of the first steps in planning your Central Oregon vacation should be to figure out how much time you have—and which Oregon road trips you can fit into your schedule. Here’s a breakdown of how we’d suggest you make the most of your trip, whether you’re in town for a few days or a whole week.
If you have 3 days: Hit the highlights, like Bend and Smith Rock, and make time for a day trip along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway or to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
If you have 5 days: With a bit more time, pair the above with a side quest to Sisters and the McKenzie Pass—or a southern sojourn to Sunriver and Paulina Lake.
If you have 7 days: With a full week, explore nearly every corner of Central Oregon by heading east to Prineville, the Crooked River, and the Painted Hills—or drive south to the remote Oregon Outback.
Cruising the Cascades: Must-Drive Scenic Byways
Some of the most scenic drives in Oregon cut through the Cascades and can be reached from convenient base camps like Bend and Sisters. These scenic byways, both open between late spring and early fall, are two of our most popular road trips for good reason.
The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway
An outing on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway makes an easy day trip from Bend. Veering southeast from town, the 66-mile paved road passes Mt. Bachelor, some of the region’s most popular trailheads, more than a dozen glistening lakes, and myriad viewpoints of nearby Cascade mountains. The byway opens as early as late May, but its most popular sites may not be snow-free until mid-June or early July.
McKenzie Pass – Santiam Pass Loop
McKenzie Pass sits at the heart of one of the most scenic drives in Oregon—and is easily reached from Sisters. That stretch of highway is a key part of the 82-mile McKenzie Pass—Santiam Pass Scenic Byway, which cuts through lava flows and alpine forests while passing waterfalls, hot springs, and other beautiful attractions in the Cascades. Start your travels in Sisters, at the eastern edge of the loop, and keep in mind that the McKenzie Highway is open seasonally—usually between mid-June and late October.
Volcanic Landscapes & South Deschutes County
Whether you’re based in Bend or Sunriver, give yourself a bit of extra time to visit Newberry National Volcanic Monument, home to one of the best Oregon road trips and some of the top natural sites in Central Oregon. Learn more about our national parks, and start planning a trip through our otherworldly landscapes.
Walk Through Ancient History at Newberry National Volcanic Monument
The Cascades might tower over the Central Oregon skyline, but the region was shaped by the massive Newberry Volcano and a series of powerful eruptions. See all that history up-close throughout the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, which sits an easy day trip from the likes of Bend, Sunriver, and La Pine. There’s a lot of ground to cover, so we’d suggest sticking to sites around Bend and Sunriver—like booking a hike at Lava River Cave (reservations required), visiting the Lava Lands Visitor Center, or hiking around the Lava Cast Forest to get a feel for what the monument offers.
Visit Paulina Lake, Paulina Peak, and the Big Obsidian Flow
If you’re enamored with Newberry and want to dive deeper into its natural wonders, head up to Newberry Caldera, where you can hike, camp, paddle, and play inside an active volcano. Drive or hike to the summit of Paulina Peak (the tallest point in the monument), put your kayak or stand-up paddleboard into Paulina Lake (one of two reservoirs within the caldera), and take a short hike on the Big Obsidian Flow Trail (which cuts through Oregon’s youngest lava flow). Lodges and campgrounds reside within the caldera if you’d like to spend a night or two.
Volcanic Landscapes & South Deschutes County
Whether you’re based in Bend or Sunriver, give yourself a bit of extra time to visit Newberry National Volcanic Monument, home to one of the best Oregon road trips and some of the top natural sites in Central Oregon. Learn more about our national parks, and start planning a trip through our otherworldly landscapes.
Walk Through Ancient History at Newberry National Volcanic Monument
The Cascades might tower over the Central Oregon skyline, but the region was shaped by the massive Newberry Volcano and a series of powerful eruptions. See all that history up-close throughout the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, which sits an easy day trip from the likes of Bend, Sunriver, and La Pine. There’s a lot of ground to cover, so we’d suggest sticking to sites around Bend and Sunriver—like booking a hike at Lava River Cave (reservations required), visiting the Lava Lands Visitor Center, or hiking around the Lava Cast Forest to get a feel for what the monument offers.
Visit Paulina Lake, Paulina Peak, and the Big Obsidian Flow
If you’re enamored with Newberry and want to dive deeper into its natural wonders, head up to Newberry Caldera, where you can hike, camp, paddle, and play inside an active volcano. Drive or hike to the summit of Paulina Peak (the tallest point in the monument), put your kayak or stand-up paddleboard into Paulina Lake (one of two reservoirs within the caldera), and take a short hike on the Big Obsidian Flow Trail (which cuts through Oregon’s youngest lava flow). Lodges and campgrounds reside within the caldera if you’d like to spend a night or two.
Add a Longer Detour to the Painted Hills or Oregon Outback
The Oregon high desert extends beyond our region’s borders, running headfirst into some of the state’s most remarkable landmarks. East of Redmond, Madras, and Prineville sit the Painted Hills, popular for their colorful hillsides. To the south, La Pine acts as a gateway to the scenic beauty of the Oregon Outback.
Extend the Trip Toward the Painted Hills
When you’ve driven into the Cascades and hiked through lava flows around Newberry Caldera, see just how wild our landscapes get with a trip to the Painted Hills—part of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. There, hillsides are covered in vibrant hues of red, yellow, and even black; a handful of short, mostly flat hiking trails afford picture-perfect views of the colorful scenery. With plenty of hotels, restaurants, and nearby attractions, Prineville makes an excellent base camp if you’d like to make a day trip out that way.
Consider Fort Rock or Christmas Valley for a Longer Outback Route
See more of the Central Oregon high desert from along the Oregon Outback Scenic Byway. The 171-mile route is one of the most scenic drives in Oregon as it passes Fort Rock State Natural Area and other iconic rock formations, affords easy opportunities to spot pronghorn and other wildlife, and offers the chance to stargaze under clear night skies in the charmingly named Christmas Valley. Consider basing yourself in La Pine and choosing a few top stops and activities before starting your day trip to help ensure you have the best possible trip.
Iconic Towns and Destinations Along the Route
Wherever your road trip takes you, chances are good you’ll base yourself in the likes of Sisters, Sunriver, and Bend—all centrally located and outfitted with brewpubs, eateries, family-friendly activities, and overnight stays for all styles and budgets. For more inspiration, check out our guide to the best small towns in Central Oregon.
Stepping into the Old West in Sisters
Sisters started as a timber town in the late 1800s but has refashioned itself today as a tribute to the Old West. It’s the kind of city where you pass through saloon doors at the brewpub after a day of hiking around McKenzie Pass—and where summertime patios come alive in the shadow of buildings with false fronts and wooden sidewalks. Learn all about the fun things to do in Sisters.
Unwinding in Sunriver and Bend
With a population of around 100,000, Bend is the largest city in Central Oregon—and where you’ll find the most services, hotels, and activities; the community’s central location makes it an easy home base for a variety of day trips, from the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
A few miles south, the community of Sunriver sits in a forest of ponderosa pine and is best known for hosting the well-appointed Sunriver Resort. Families, especially, appreciate the wide variety of overnight options and kid-friendly activities in the area. See how to plan the perfect weekend trip to Sunriver.
Know Before You Go: Roads, Seasons, Permits, and Packing
If you’re ready to plan your trip, you’ll want to keep a few tips in mind:
Road conditions: Some of the roads we’ve covered here are open seasonally, and others might occasionally implement lane closures for construction or maintenance. Keep tabs on what’s open with the Oregon Department of Transportation’s TripCheck tool, which includes closures, live traffic cameras, alerts, and other tools to help plot the perfect road trip.
Permits and passes: Ready to head underground at the Lava River Cave? Excited to do some hiking along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway? However you like to have fun, check with each attraction’s official website to see if a permit or pass might be required—like an Oregon State Parks pass, a Central Cascades Wilderness Permit, a Northwest Forest Pass, or timed reservations.
Safety: Most visitors love our sunny skies and pleasant weather, but conditions can change quickly. Prepare for safe and enjoyable outdoor adventures by packing layers, downloading offline maps for easy navigation when cell service runs out on road trips, bringing plenty of water to stay hydrated, and fueling up often—especially when visiting more remote destinations like the Painted Hills and Oregon Outback.
You’ll also find a map, flight information, drive times, and other helpful information on our Getting Here page.
