One great summer activity is taking a drive on one of Oregon’s many stunning byways. Oregon has more scenic byways than any other state in the country, giving us plenty of opportunities to experience the beauty and charm of the Beaver State. Cruise along majestic coastlines, through ancient forests, past gorgeous canyons, and more, on one of these 11 beautiful scenic roads in Oregon.
- Elkhorn Scenic Byway
flickr/ Baker County Tourism The Elkhorn Scenic Byway is absolutely enchanting. Along this 106-mile loop in eastern Oregon you’ll find rivers, canyons, rolling hills, lakes, historic towns, and incredible natural beauty.
- Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway
flickr/ pluckytree The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway winds through 140 miles of beautiful southern Oregon terrain. One of it’s most spectacular points is Rim Drive, which circles the rim of the magnificent Crater Lake, photographed above.
- Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
flickr/ Timothy Bishop,CMSM The Hells Canyon Scenic highway weaves through over 200 miles of the rugged eastern Oregon landscape. Along this route you’ll find charming small towns, mountain peaks, lovely valleys, and the endlessly impressive Hells Canyon.
- Pacific Coast Scenic Byway
flickr/ Mark Goebel This amazing 363-mile byway stretches all the way down the stunning Oregon coast, passing beautiful beaches, seaside towns, state parks, campsites, and more.
- Historic Columbia River Highway
flickr/ A. F. Litt This 70-mile highway on the northern edge of Oregon weaves through the jaw-dropping Columbia River Gorge.
- McKenzie Pass/ Santiam Pass Scenic Byway
flickr/ Kirt Edblom Take an unforgettable drive through one of Oregon’s most unique landscapes, past amazing lava fields, snow-tipped volcanic peaks, forests, and rolling, grassy hills.
- Journey Through Time Scenic Byway
flickr/ Timothy Bishop,CMSM This incredible byway is more than just beautiful, it’s full of fascinating history as well. Drive through a gorgeous landscape dotted with ghost towns, museums, rivers, and the incredible John Day Fossil Beds (home of the stunning Painted Hills).
- Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway
flickr/ Mark Goebel Beginning in Bend, this 66-mile byway winds through central Oregon, passing gorgeous alpine lakes, enchanting forests, dramatic peaks, and more.
- Steens Mountain Backcountry Byway
flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington There are a few different scenic roads at the amazing Steens Mountain, and one of the most lovely is the Steens Mountain Backcountry Byway. This 52-mile road has tons of amazing viewpoints (as well as wildlife-sighting opportunities) and passes numerous campgrounds for those travelers looking to extend their visit.
- Umpqua River Scenic Byway
flickr/ Pete This amazing 66-mile route passes through historic small towns, lovely countrysides, lakes, forests, and wonderful hiking trails that lead to spectacular waterfalls like Toketee Falls. Here’s a photo of Clearwater Falls along the way.
- Mt Hood Scenic Byway
flickr/ David Herrera One of the best ways to experience the incredible peak of Mt Hood is on the Mt Hood Scenic Byway. This lovely road passes through the bucolic orchards of the Hood River Valley and continues on towards the snowy slopes of Mt Hood and back down towards Sandy and Troutdale.
What are some other beautiful roads to drive in Oregon?
flickr/ Baker County Tourism
The Elkhorn Scenic Byway is absolutely enchanting. Along this 106-mile loop in eastern Oregon you’ll find rivers, canyons, rolling hills, lakes, historic towns, and incredible natural beauty.
flickr/ pluckytree
The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway winds through 140 miles of beautiful southern Oregon terrain. One of it’s most spectacular points is Rim Drive, which circles the rim of the magnificent Crater Lake, photographed above.
flickr/ Timothy Bishop,CMSM
The Hells Canyon Scenic highway weaves through over 200 miles of the rugged eastern Oregon landscape. Along this route you’ll find charming small towns, mountain peaks, lovely valleys, and the endlessly impressive Hells Canyon.
flickr/ Mark Goebel
This amazing 363-mile byway stretches all the way down the stunning Oregon coast, passing beautiful beaches, seaside towns, state parks, campsites, and more.
flickr/ A. F. Litt
This 70-mile highway on the northern edge of Oregon weaves through the jaw-dropping Columbia River Gorge.
flickr/ Kirt Edblom
Take an unforgettable drive through one of Oregon’s most unique landscapes, past amazing lava fields, snow-tipped volcanic peaks, forests, and rolling, grassy hills.
This incredible byway is more than just beautiful, it’s full of fascinating history as well. Drive through a gorgeous landscape dotted with ghost towns, museums, rivers, and the incredible John Day Fossil Beds (home of the stunning Painted Hills).
Beginning in Bend, this 66-mile byway winds through central Oregon, passing gorgeous alpine lakes, enchanting forests, dramatic peaks, and more.
flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington
There are a few different scenic roads at the amazing Steens Mountain, and one of the most lovely is the Steens Mountain Backcountry Byway. This 52-mile road has tons of amazing viewpoints (as well as wildlife-sighting opportunities) and passes numerous campgrounds for those travelers looking to extend their visit.
flickr/ Pete
This amazing 66-mile route passes through historic small towns, lovely countrysides, lakes, forests, and wonderful hiking trails that lead to spectacular waterfalls like Toketee Falls. Here’s a photo of Clearwater Falls along the way.
flickr/ David Herrera
One of the best ways to experience the incredible peak of Mt Hood is on the Mt Hood Scenic Byway. This lovely road passes through the bucolic orchards of the Hood River Valley and continues on towards the snowy slopes of Mt Hood and back down towards Sandy and Troutdale.
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