If you feel like you’ve walked onto the moon when you arrive at Dee Wright Observatory, you’re not alone: In 1964, NASA astronauts conducted drills in the rocky, jet-black lava flows at the base of the stone observatory to prepare for travel to the moon.
Dee Wright Observatory was constructed in 1935 in the heart of the Cascade Range; today, it sits at the summit of McKenzie Pass and offers 360-degree views that are splendid day and night. The lava flows around the observatory date back 2,000 to 2,700 years.
On a clear day, ascend the observatory’s stone steps and enlist the help of an on-site peak finder to identify roughly a dozen Cascade peaks—including the Three Sisters, Mount Washington, and Mount Jefferson. Along the way, interpretive panels detail local geology, regional Native American history, and the journeys of emigrants and early travelers who came through the surrounding McKenzie Pass.
Stick around after sunset for clear night skies; with little light pollution and nothing to impede the skies above, Dee Wright Observatory offers outstanding stargazing opportunities—even if you don’t have a telescope.
Back at the base, the wheelchair-accessible Lava River National Recreation Trail heads through the lava flow and details its formation and history through captivating interpretive panels. The paved path is a half-mile long.
Open Season
Dee Wright Observatory is open whenever the McKenzie Highway (Highway 242) is open—usually mid-June-early Nov.
Dog Friendly and/or Leash Rules
Leashed pets are technically permitted at the observatory—but rough, uneven, and jagged rocks are present.
Best time to visit
Late June-Oct.
Don’t Miss
Most travelers visit Dee Wright Observatory in the daytime—but consider staying or coming back after sunset for stargazing under some of the darkest, clearest night skies in Central Oregon.
Fees or Pass Needed
None
Restrictions
The winding McKenzie Highway—the only road to reach the observatory—is not suited for long RVs or vehicles with trailers.
Activities
Walking
Viewpoint
Dark Sky
Parking
A parking area is located across the highway from the observatory.
Directions
Dee Wright Observatory is about 15 miles southwest of Sisters and 27 miles northeast of McKenzie Bridge via Highway 242.