Scenic Drives USA

The Blue Mountain byway is in northeast Oregon. It begins east of Arlington at Exit #147 on I-84 and travels southeast to the junction with FSR 73. Blue Mountain is 130 miles long and follows OR 74, FSR 52, and FSR 53. The roads are two-lane paved roads suitable for all types of vehicles. Oregon Highway 74 is generally open year-round; the Forest Service Roads are open May through mid-November.

Cascade Lakes Highway is in central Oregon. It begins in Bend at the intersection of Galveston Avenue and 14th Street. From there, it travels west and south to the intersection with OR 58. Cascade Lakes Highway is 79 miles long and follows CR 46, which is a two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles. The portion from Bend to Mount Bachelor Ski and Summer Resort is usually open year-round; the rest is closed in winter.

Christmas Valley is in south-central Oregon about 60 miles south of Bend. The byway follows a series of county roads and BLM Road 6109C for a total of 102 miles. The roads are a combination of paved and gravel roads suitable for most passenger cars. BLM Road 6109C requires a high-clearance or four-wheel drive vehicle. Some sections of the byway are closed in winter. Sections may also become impassable after periods of heavy rain from March through May.

Cow Creek scenic byway is in southwest Oregon about 25 miles north of Grants Pass. The byway forms an open loop drive west of I-5 between Glendale and Riddle. Southern access from I-5 is Exit #80; northern access is Exit #103. The byway follows Cow Creek Road, which is a two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles. Cow Creek is 45 miles long and remains open year-round.

Diamond Loop Back Country Byway is located in southeast Oregon 40 miles southeast of Burns. The byway's northern terminus is off OR 78 in New Princeton. It travels south to Frenchglen with a side trip through Diamond. The 64-mile route follows a series of county and state secondary roads, which are a combination of paved and gravel roads. Diamond Loop can be driven in a normal passenger car. Large RVs and vehicles pulling trailers should check with the BLM about current road conditions. The byway usually remains open year-round, though the graveled portions can be difficult during and after inclement weather.