Byways-Routes

Blue Mountain Scenic Byway

Length: 130 miles / 208.0 km
Time to Allow: 3 hours to 3 days
Fees: You must always pay to camp. Fees range.

Driving Directions
This byway picks up at one end of the Elkhorn Scenic Byway. It starts at the North Fork John Day campground junction, 10 miles north of Granite. At this junction, take Forest Road 53 west to start the Blue Mtn. Scenic Byway.

Ride FR 53 northwest for about 65 miles until you hit Heppner.

Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway

The towering Cascade Mountains provide the backdrop for this scenic drive and offer fabulous hiking and challenging rock climbing. Wind your way along the Byway as it climbs into the Deschutes National Forest where fishing, hiking, rafting, and other outdoor sports are plentiful.

Cow Creek Tour Route

Length: 45 miles / 72.0 km
Time to Allow: 1-2 hours minimum.
Fees: No fees known.

Driving Directions
The route starts at exit 103, 21 miles south of Roseburg. The route loops toward the west and ends when it joins I-5 at exit 80, 18 miles north of Grants Pass.

Elkhorn Scenic Byway

Length: 106 miles / 169.6 km
Time to Allow: 5-7 hours
Fees: A few museums charge fees. So do some campgrounds.

Driving Directions
From Bend, take State Highway 372 (Century Drive) east for 4.5 miles to the boundary of the Deschutes National Forest where the Byway begins. The Byway comes to an end as Forest Route 46 meets State Highway 58.

Grande Tour Route

Length: 80 miles / 128.0 km
Time to Allow: 4 to 5 hours
Fees: Some fees may be charged at some attractions.

Driving Directions
Start at the visitors center in downtown La Grande. From here, follow the signs to Birnie Park. The tour leaves the park and proceeds south the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Refuge overlook. After passing Hot Lake Resort, hook onto route 203 to Union. From Union, the tour goes south on 237, then east on for 15 miles. It then loops back to Union via route 203.

Hells Canyon Scenic Byway

Length: 218.43 miles / 349.5 km
Time to Allow: Allow about 8 hours to tour this Byway.

Driving Directions
There are five ports of entry into the Byway:

La Grande from I-84, Elgin via OR Hwy. 204, Enterprise via OR Hwy. 3, Oxbow via Idaho Hwy.71, and Baker City from I-84. To encompass the entire route, this itinerary follows the Byway traveling from La Grande to Baker City, but driving the route from any starting point and in either direction is just as appealing.

Historic Columbia River Highway

 

Length: 70 miles / 112.0 km
Time to Allow: Allow 3 to 5 hours minimum. However, many travelers take a few days to experience all the sights.

Driving Directions
In order to travel the Byway itself, follow the keystone signs from Troutdale east to Dodson and from Mosier east to The Dalles.

Journey Through Time Scenic Byway

Length: 286 miles / 457.6 km
Driving Directions
From Baker City, go west on SR 7 past Austin, then west on US 26 to Mitchell. Go north on SR 207 to Kimberly, northwest on SR 19 to Fossil, then west on SR 218 to Antelope. From Antelope, go north on US 97 to I-84 and the Columbia River. The one-way trip is about 290 miles and takes all day.

McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway

Discover the highest concentration of snowcapped volcanoes (and associated glaciers) in the lower 48 states when you drive the the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway! Enjoy the breathtaking sight of Broken Top Mountain and the Three Sisters, along with their waterfalls, towering gloriously above the route.

Myrtle Creek-Canyonville Tour Route

Length: 68 miles / 108.8 km
Fees: There are fees associated with parking for more than a few hours near trailhead markers. Also, permits are required.

Description
You'll be sorely disappointed if you didn't pack a lunch and make the exploration of this route an all-day excursion. The route follows South Myrtle Creek through hills dotted with cattle, sheep, and wild turkeys. The trees are often so dense that they only occasionally let you peek at the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness to the east.

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