Scenic drives in Central Oregon

1. CASCADE LAKES HWY (CLOSED IN WINTER)

Starting in Bend, this summer-only drive offers stunning views of South

Sister, Broken Top and Mount Bachelor. Alpine lakes, lodges and trailheads

line the way offering a number of scenic viewpoints where travelers

can pull over, stretch their legs, take some pictures and breathe the crisp,

mountain air. Popular stops along the way include Mt. Bachelor, Todd

Lake, Elk Lake and the Crane Prairie Reservoir. From Bend, take Century

Drive past Mount Bachelor Ski Resort. This route typically opens in late

May or early June, depending on weather conditions.

2. COVE PALISADES/ LAKE BILLY CHINOOK

An easy drive leads visitors through farmland, grasslands and across the

High Desert before travelers descend into Cove Palisades State Park toward

Lake Billy Chinook. A paved road will take drivers along the banks of Lake

Billy Chinook, providing stunning views of the lake as well as geological

rock formations. Before descending into Cove Palisades, a turn-off toward

the right leads to several viewpoints along the eastern cliffs surrounding

the lake, providing incredible views of the Cascades, Lake Billy Chinook

and Cove Palisades. From Madras, turn west on D Street. This road turns

into the Culver Highway; follow signs at Belmont Lane intersection.

3. LOWER CROOKED RIVER SCENIC BYWAY

This is the only highway in the country that is still a dirt road. The trip

leads across the stunning High Desert and into the breathtaking Crooked

River Canyon. From Bend, take Highway 20 east toward Millican. Ten

miles east of Millican, look for a junction on the north (left) side of the

road. This is your junction for Highway 27.

4. MCKENZIE PASS (CLOSED IN WINTER)

This narrow, twisting, summer-only route offers amazing scenery including lava flows and vast forests. At the top of the pass, the Dee Wright

Observatorylocated in the center of a massive lava flowprovides

stunning views of several mountains along the Cascade range. The paved

road is narrow and includes tight switch-backs, so large trucks and RVs

are not allowed on the pass. Take Highway 242 west from Sisters. This

pass typically opens around July, depending on weather conditions.

5. OCHOCO NATIONAL FOREST

These forest routes lead through towering Ponderosa pines, peaceful valleys

and to stunning geologic formations. Take Highway 26 east from Prineville.

6. PAULINA LAKE

Enjoy a peaceful drive through the forest on your way to the caldera lakes of Newberry Crater. Pull over and enjoy waterfalls, a giant obsidian flow

through which exists an interpretive trail, and spectacular views of the

lakes and Paulina Peak. Stop off and ask the locals about the hot springs.

Drive about 22 miles south of Bend on Highway 97 and make a left onto

Forest Road 21.

7.SANTIAM PASS

This road connecting Central and Western Oregon offers breathtaking

views of the forests, mountains and rivers. From Sisters, take the Santiam

Pass junction of highways 20/22. Along the way, enjoy views of Mt. Jefferson,

Black Butte, Three Finger Jack and Suttle Lake.