The 5 Most Stunningly Scenic Drives in Oregon

Oregon is a really wild and gorgeous state with some of the best views in the U.S. in every direction. It is a place where taking a scenic Sunday drive means going on a special adventure that you will likely need to pack an overnight bag to experience fully. No matter how many times you drive these byways, you’ll always see something different and could never get bored. Let’s jump into discussing the most stunningly scenic drives in Oregon .

5. The Hell’s Canyon Scenic Byway

The journey begins on I-84 in either direction at Baker City or La Grande. It’s 208 miles along the byway, which could take 8 hours if you didn’t stop, but you will definitely be stopping frequently! This amazing canyon is the deepest in America. It is also the home of the Nez Perce tribe. In the distance are the Wallowa Mountains, which are a breathtaking 9,000 feet high! It is also home to the Eagle Cap Wilderness. The Snake River is also located in the canyon and has some fantastic white water for experienced kayakers. The byway also runs through La Grande, which is a lively city now but was also on the Oregon Trail during the pioneering days of the 1800s.

Along the route, you will pass through Elgin, which is the departure point for the Eagle Cap Train Excursion, which has amazing views of the canyon and surrounding area. In Minam, the byway is beautiful as it rides along the Minam and Wallowa rivers as they rush through the canyons. Once you’re past Wallowa Lake and its pristine water, you will come to Hells Canyon. By turning left on FR-3965 near the Ollokot campground, you can experience the first look at the amazing 8,000-foot-deep canyon.

4. The Blue Mountain Scenic Byway

Taking the gorgeous Blue Mountain Scenic Byway is an excellent idea for some of the most scenic views in Oregon. The Blues in the distance rise steeply to 9,000 near the Columbia and Snake Rivers. The byway meanders past sprawling ranchlands, rocky peaks, and wild rivers. The west side of the byway begins at the Columbia River , where south OR-74 meets I-84 at Heppner Junction. In that area, you will also find the Willow Creek Wildlife Area. In Cecil, you will find the home of the Oregon Trail, complete with deeply furrowed tracks still there from the 1850s.

3. The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway

This travel area along the 140 miles of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway is jaw-dropping. Follow US-97 at Diamond Lake Junction to the entrance of Crater Lake National Park past the pumice area, which shows what Mount Mazama eruption was capable of. It also created the 1,943-foot-deep lake when the crater collapsed. From there, the journey begins near Crater Lake , which is one of those places that doesn’t seem real because it’s so mesmerizing. The byway wraps all the way around America’s deepest lake. You will see the Cleetwood Cove trailhead, which will take you to the water’s edge and where ranger-led boat tours begin, and may take you to Wizard Island, which rises up 700 feet.

Soon, the byway leads to Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and Upper Klamath Lake. This is the state’s largest source of freshwater. It also happens to be a popular recreational area. Renting a kayak is the way to go since there are many areas to explore like the Upper Klamath Canoe Trail. Millions of migrating birds make a stop at the lake, so bring your binoculars and be on the lookout for white pelicans. At the south end of the lake are the Klamath Falls Link River and Lake Ewauna trails. Once on US-97, check out  Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. The Applegate Trail, which is an alternative to the Oregon Trail, begins along the Oregon-California border. The byway also cruises past Tulelake, Lava Beds National Monument, Mt. Shasta, and Lassen Volcanic National Park. So much to see!

2. Pacific Coast Scenic Byway

If you are familiar with the Pacific Coast Byway, you’ll know it seems to go on forever. In Oregon, it stretches a long 363 miles that will take you an estimated 12 hours, not including stops. It would be an excellent adventure to drive it and take your time getting out to check out the trails and scenery along the coast, so be on the lookout for amazing places to camp or lodge for the night.

The byway begins in Astoria, a fur trading post from 1811, and where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. In nearby Fort Stephens National Park, you can witness the often intense event where the river and ocean meet at the Columbia Bar. Also, Fort Clatsop is a Lewis and Clark recreated camp.

Down a bit farther is Ecola State Park with the amazing cape of Tillamook Head . Miles down the road is Depoe Bay, which, if you’re lucky, you might just see whales. Near Newport, be sure to check out the last wooden lighthouse in Oregon, the 1871 Yaquina Bay Lighthouse. This is also an excellent place to view the loudly barking sea lions. There’s also a nice aquarium located nearby.

Near Yachats, check out the super bright beacon of the Heceta Head Lighthouse. There’s a B&B where the lighthouse keeper once lived; book a room well in advance. At Sea Lion Caves, take the elevator 208 feet down into a huge cavern where sea lions and other wildlife like to hang out. In Coos Bay, rent a dune buggy and check out the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Near Port Orford, check out the Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway, which is breathtakingly beautiful. The byway concludes in Brookings, which has the largest redwood forest in Oregon.

1. Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway

The Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway may only be 66 miles long, but it is a drive filled with volcanic peaks, glaciers, and amazing scenery. It begins on the west side of Bend on OR-372, going towards Mt. Bachelor. Just within Deschutes National Forest, you’ll pass Deschutes Lake with two nice waterfalls: Benham and Dillon.

A little further down, you’ll be amazed to see a large course of lava that forever altered the river’s course! Then, you will come to Broken Top Mountain, which is a tall volcanic mountain with an excellent canyon. Once you’re past Sparks Lake, you’ll come to Devils Lake, which is phenomenally green. Across from it, boulders made of dried lava tumble down Devils Hill. There are numerous pictographs on the hill from Native Americans dating back several thousands of years.

Three Sisters Wilderness is straight ahead and offers amazing, secluded lakes within the park. There’s also an Elk Lake Recreation area, which has camping, cabins, and rentals if you choose to stay for “a while.”

It is important to travel at the best times: June – October. The byway is closed beyond Mt. Bachelor during the winter.

Up Next:

• Exploring Oregon: A Deep Dive into Oregon's Size, History, and Unique Charm
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• The 16 Most Stunningly Scenic Drives in California

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