West Cascades Scenic Byway


State: Oregon
Length: 220 miles / 354.1 km
Time to Allow: Allow at least 7 to 8 hours to tour this Byway.

Take the West Cascades Scenic Byway for 215 miles of beautiful nature. The journey will take about seven to nine hours, although you may want to take a week to experience the full scope of what the area offers. Starting just southeast of Portland, the trail heads south with curves and bends along the way through Willamette National forest and ends before Umpqua National Forest.

You can get to the ocean in just about two hours from any area of the byway but first, see what sights are available. Then, slope down lush landscapes of the Cascade Mountains for a lush paradise ready to leave you in awe. From mountains, hot springs, lakes, and more, you can fill your time outdoors with ease.

The trail starts in the city of Estacada with the Bagby Hot Springs deep in Mount Hood National Forest. While in the vintage whiskey barrel tubs, soak up gorgeous views. You can camp there too, but only when open as fires can cause the access roads to close. Check before you go to make sure the roads are available. If they are closed, you can visit the Hots Springs nearby again if the roads allow.

After you leave the town, follow the byway to Mt. Hood National Forest if you want to stay in a campground or explore trailheads along the rive Clackamas River. Keep going to the Riverside National Recreation Park and visit the Ollie Lake National Scenic Area for more trails and a place to spend the night. With dozens of lakes in the area, you can enjoy breathtaking views and more trails ripe for hikers.

Moving along to Detroit, the byway follows the North Santiam river toward Detroit Lake. A local campground offers access to the water and makes for a great place to fish or boat. The town offers many amenities, including boat rentals, fishing supplies, hotels, and food for camping or dining.

Keep heading south, taking time to stop for various trails with hundreds of options for those who like winter or summer activities. Once you get to the McKenzie River, stop for a day or two for the Sahalie Falls with a 100-foot fall over basalt cliffs before connecting to the recreation trail. This transitions into Clear Lake, formed thousands of years ago from lava. It’s so clear you can easily see an underwater forest, making this one of the most beautiful places in Oregon.

End your trip in Westfir, where the Aufderfheide National Forest Scenic Byway begins. Find Oregon’s longest covered bridge here with a view of a railroad nearby. Although the town is tiny with just a couple of hundred people, it’s closeby to the town of Oakridge, with more amenities and recreation. Mountain bikers will find a new home in this small town with unexpected charm. Find a ton of hotels and other lodging options nearby with views of the river along with activities for the entire family to finish off your byway vacation.

More Oregon Byways

You can check out additional Byways in Oregon by clicking on the list of byways below, or by going to the Oregon Byways home section. To find even more of scenic byways in the United States, visit our scenic byways map.