| Tour the “Oregon Outback” on this 200-mile scenic byway from
Burns to Lakeview. Traverse vast rangelands, national forests and mountain ranges. Explore
wildlife refuges, fossil beds, rock and mineral fields, geologic formations and scenic
wonders all along the way. The entire route is usually open from July 1 through October
31. However, portions of the road are unpaved, steep and narrow, and not recommended for
motor homes, trailers and cars with low clearance.
|
The
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge: South of Burns and Hines, Hwy. 205 leads to
Wright's Point and Sunset Valley, passing several rock and agate-hunting fields. About 25
minutes from the towns, the highway cuts between massive Malheur and Harney Lakes. Malheur
Lake is a major resting and feeding stop on the Pacific Flyway and is the focal point of
the 183,000-acre Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Turn east at Narrow and follow the road
along the lake's south shore to the refuge headquarters.
Diamond Valley: About 15 miles south of the lakes, turn east off Hwy. 205 onto a
20-mile side road through Diamond Valley. Just before the town of Diamond, another road
leads to Diamond Craters and the historic Peter French Round Barn.
The
Bureau Of Land Management Steens Mountain National Back Country Byway: Back along
Hwy. 205, continue south toward Frenchglen. From here, those with high-clearance vehicles
can enjoy this breathtaking 66-mile rout (generally not completely opened until mid-to
late-July and closed by late-October).
The Byway crosses four miles of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge arriving at the base of Steens Mountain, a 30-mile-long fault block. Follow the Loop Road and view four huge U-shaped gorges, along with a dramatic east face that rises abruptly one mile above the Alvord Desert. Golden Eagles may be seen soaring above the rim and wild mustangs roam the land. As the Byway loops back toward Hwy. 205, it winds along the “hogback” between the Big Indian and Little Blitzen Gorges, eventually plunging down the face of another fault scarp below the “rooster comb” area at the far west end.
The
Bureau Of Land Management Lakeview To Steens National Back Country Byway: Seven
miles south of Frenchglen on Hwy. 205, the Lakeview To Steens Back Country Byway begins
its westward trek on Harney Country road 412. After crossing Catlow Valley, the route
enters the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge. The refuge headquarters is located
beside Rock Creek, about 15 miles from the west boundary.
Hart Mountain is home to antelope, deer and a productive herd of California bighorn sheep. the road next forges a steep route down the west escarpment of Hart Mountain, offering spectacular views of the Warner Lakes and beyond to the Warner Mountains.
The Warner Wetlands Area of Critical Environmental Concern at the foot of Hart Mountain contains a series of wetlands, lakes and connecting channels which are unique in North America. In wet years, the area is home to hundreds of thousands of migrating waterfowl and other birds. The route is now paved as it passed through Plush, then into the Warner Mountains along Deep Creek on State Hwy. 140, passing the warner Canyon Ski Area four miles east of Hwy. 395.
Lakeview and Lake County: Six miles south on Hwy. 395, Lakeview is the home
Hunter's Hot springs geyser. It is also known as “The Hang Gliding Capital of the
West.” Abundant Lake county recreation opportunities include rock hounding for
sunstones and thunder eggs, as well as fishing and camping at nearby Lake Abert, Summer
Lake and Goose Lake.
For more information contact chambers of commerce and visitor centers along the route, and inquire at the BLM office in Burns or Lakeview. Also, request the Southeast Oregon Auto Tour Guide from the Lake County Chamber Commerce, 513 Center Street-Courthouse, Lakeview, Oregon 97630. 541/947-6040.
Return to Oregon: Discovering Our Routes!
