Oregon’s scenic byways offer roadmaps for your summer road trips

Drive east from Eugene along Oregon 126 and you’ll soon find yourself surrounded by natural beauty: tall conifers, winding rivers and volcanic peaks on the horizon.

This stretch of the highway is officially designated as the McKenzie River Scenic Byway, one of 19 “scenic byways” in Oregon that along with 10 “tour routes” offer tourists literal roadmaps for road trips around the state, leading to majestic views, historic sites and outdoor adventures.

In fact, there are so many scenic byways in Oregon that more often than not you’ll find yourself traveling across several in one trip, with byways intersecting and overlapping across the state.

The McKenzie River Scenic Byway, for example, officially ends just past the town of Blue River, where the highway becomes part of the West Cascades Scenic Byway. Continue on Oregon 126 past the junction with Oregon 242, and you’ll find yourself on the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway.

Running off into every corner of the state, the byways are also a great showcase of the sheer variety of experiences Oregon has to offer.

Looking for a high desert adventure? Check out the Journey Through Time Scenic Byway, which takes you to the John Day Fossil Beds, Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site and the Sumpter Valley Gold Dredge.

Maybe you’re interested in volcanoes? Try the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, which runs past Mount Thielsen and rings Crater Lake before ending at the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge.

In need of a new route to the coast? There are lots of options for you. Try the Trees to Sea, Umpqua River or Marys Peak to Pacific scenic byways – or drive the entire coastline on the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway.

Oregon’s 19 scenic byways are divided into three categories: Oregon State Scenic Byways, National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads – a result of the two different programs that designated the drives.

The Oregon Scenic Byways Program started in 1961, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation, created by the state Legislature to designate certain portions of the state highway system as scenic or historic corridors. The National Scenic Byways Program came decades later, created by congress in 1991, and designated 150 National Scenic Byways and 39 All American Roads across 46 states before the program was eliminated in 2021.

Oregon Tour Routes are yet another separate designation. According to ODOT, tour routes are often shorter, might contain unpaved roads and have points of interest that draw people out of their vehicles. Scenic byways, on the other hand, must comprise paved roads and must meet certain road and safety standards.

Don’t get caught up on the designations: All 19 scenic byways are worth exploring, regardless of the name. Each offers exciting new views and adventures across the state. The only real question is, where do you want to go next?

Hells Canyon Scenic Byway: A trip to the far northeast corner of Oregon lands you at Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America. This 208-mile scenic byway runs from La Grande to Baker City, through the town of Joseph and over the Wallowa Mountains.

Historic Columbia River Highway Scenic Byway: Known for its waterfalls and spectacular views, the Historic Columbia River Highway runs along the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. The 70-mile scenic byway by the same name follows the highway from Troutdale to The Dalles.

NOTE: Part of this scenic byway will require timed-entry permits between May 24 and Sept. 5, 2022.

Pacific Coast Scenic Byway: There’s nothing like a drive down U.S. 101 on the Oregon coast, a drive that’s officially designated as the 363-mile Pacific Coast Scenic Byway.

Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway: Drive the rim of Crater Lake and keep going along the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, a 140-mile drive that runs south through Klamath Falls to the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge on the other side of the California state line.

Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway: Only open in the summer and early fall, the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway is a 66-mile drive southwest of Bend, passing several alpine lakes, backpacking trails and beautiful Cascade Mountain views.

McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway: Another scenic byway in the central Cascades, this 82-mile scenic byway combines the seasonal McKenzie Pass and year-round Santiam Pass highways, making a loop anchored in the town of Sisters.

Mt. Hood Scenic Byway: Skirting along the southeast face of Mount Hood, the 105-mile scenic byway has several incredible views and includes a side trip up to Timberline Lodge.

Oregon Outback Scenic Byway: Exploring just one slice of Oregon’s high desert landscape, the Oregon Outback Scenic Byway runs 171 miles past a series of alkali lakes and hot springs to the California border near the small town of Lakeview.

Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway: A 172-mile detour off Interstate 5, the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway runs through the Cascade Mountains following the Umpqua River and the Rogue River with a midpoint near Crater Lake.

West Cascades Scenic Byway: This 215-mile drive through the western Cascades stretches nearly the length of the Willamette Valley, passing by lakes, hot springs, covered bridges and plenty of mountain views.

Blue Mountain Scenic Byway: Crossing the high desert mountain range south of Pendleton, the 145-mile Blue Mountain Scenic Byway takes visitors to some of the farthest-flung recreation areas and most rugged adventures in the state.

Elkhorn Drive Scenic Byway: Making a 106-mile loop anchored in Baker City, the remote Elkhorn Drive Scenic Byway passes by the fascinating Sumpter Valley Gold Dredge and Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort.

High Desert Discovery Scenic Byway: Explore one of the most remote corners of Oregon on the High Desert Discovery Scenic Byway, a 127-mile drive into southeast Oregon that passes by the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on the way to Steens Mountain and the Alvord Desert.

Journey Through Time Scenic Byway: This 286-mile journey from the Columbia River to Baker City takes you back through the fossil record at the John Day Fossil Beds, and to historic sites like the Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site.

Marys Peak to Pacific Scenic Byway: One of Oregon’s newest scenic byways, this 72-mile drive runs from the highest point in the Coast Range to the mouth of the Alsea River on the coast.

McKenzie River Scenic Byway: Running for a short 34 miles east of Eugene, the McKenzie River Scenic Byway follows the McKenzie River into the Cascade Mountains with access to sites like Blue Pool and the Waterfalls Loop Hike.

Over the Rivers & Through the Woods Scenic Byway: True to its name, the 66-mile Over the River & Through the Woods Scenic Byway leaves the Willamette Valley at Brownsville, following the Santiam River into the Cascade Mountains along U.S. 20.

Trees to Sea Scenic Byway: A familiar drive for Portlanders headed to the coast, the 68-mile Trees to Sea Scenic Byway crosses the Coast Range at the Tillamook State Forest, ending up at scenic Cape Meares.

Umpqua River Scenic Byway: Another gateway to the coast, this 66-mile drive follows the Umpqua River, leaving the Willamette Valley at Sutherlin and winding up at Reedsport on the south-central Oregon coast.

–Jamie Hale; jhale@oregonian.com; 503-294-4077; @HaleJamesB