Leslie Gulch – Succor Creek Back Country Byway

This scenic byway is 100 miles southeast of Baker City in eastern Oregon, near the Idaho state line. The 52-mile byway follows Succor Creek Road and Leslie Gulch Road, which are a combination of dirt and gravel roads. A high-clearance, two-wheel drive vehicle is recommended to travel the entire byway. Large RVs and vehicles pulling trailers are strongly discouraged from traveling Leslie Gulch Road because of its sustained 11 percent grade. The byway is also steep and narrow within Succor Creek Canyon, the segment through the state recreation area. Leslie Gulch – Succor Creek is generally open mid-April through October. Severe summer rainstorms can cause the byway to become impassable.

Leslie Gulch – Succor Creek Back Country Byway travels through the beautifully rugged landscape of eastern Oregon. It first crosses sagebrush-covered hills and then descends into the rugged canyon carved by Succor Creek. The byway then climbs back out of Succor Creek Canyon to rolling stretches of open landscape. The side trip on Leslie Gulch Road is a neat drive through a narrow and winding canyon of steep cliffs and towering rock spires. This road ends on the bank of 53-mile long Lake Owyhee.

Those interested in staying awhile will find camping areas courtesy of the BLM and the State of Oregon. Located along the byway is Succor Creek State Recreation Area where you will find 19 primitive campsites with picnic tables. Lake Owyhee State Park offers 40 campsites; ten with electric hookups. The park also provides a dump station, shower facilities, and access to Lake Owyhee. The BLM campground at the bottom of Leslie Gulch has 12 sites and a boat ramp.

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