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.
Diamond Loop travels through a patchwork of high desert terrains, from mountain vistas and sagebrush-covered hills to red rimrock canyons and grassy marshes and valleys. Numerous species of wildlife can be seen including wild horses, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, hawks, and eagles. For viewing wild horses, the best place is the Kiger Mustang Viewing Area, located approximately 14 miles east of Diamond. The road to this area requires a high-clearance vehicle and is passable only in dry weather.
Round Barn on the northern end of the loop was designed and built by Peter French, manager of the historic Frenchglen Livestock Company. The barn was built in the late 1870s or early 1880s and was used to break horses during the long and bitter cold Oregon winters.
Another point of interest found along the byway is Diamond Craters, an outstanding natural area. This 17,000-acre area displays some of the most diverse volcanic features in America. A self-guided tour identifies the craters, cinder cones, and lave tubes found in the area. Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, was dedicated in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt. The area is popular with birdwatchers as there are over 200 species in the area.
There are no developed camping areas along the byway, however, dispersed camping is permitted on public lands. Check with the local office for more information and maps before setting up camp. Campgrounds can be found along the Steens Mountain scenic byway, which is to the south of this byway.