Outback Scenic Byway
Oregon`s Outback Must See Tour
| Departure: | Lakeview, Oregon |
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| Destination: | Hole-in-the-Ground, Oregon |
| Time to allow: | 1 day |
Full of unique oddities of nature and beautiful scenery, a trip along the Outback Scenic Byway will be a memorable experience.
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Start: Lakeview
The hang gliding capital of the West. Lakeview and surrounding areas have an abundance of outdoor recreational and work opportunities in the nearby desert country and the surrounding mountains. hunt, fish, ski, swim, boat, golf, rock hound, hang glide, or just tour the many sights.
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Stop 2: 'Old Perpetual'
Directions from previous place: Drive south on S E St, turn right onto S 1st St and then another right onto US-395. Stay straight to go OR-140 and follow the road for 2.0 miles to end at Old Perpetual.
Distance from Previous Site: 2.47 miles / 4.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 4 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes Oregon's only geyser, is located at a resort a mile north of Lakeview. Watch the geothermal wonder of 'Old Perpetual,' stop here for 15 minutes or more to enjoy the picnic tables. Bring your camera to take a picture of the geyser that erupts every 90 seconds.
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Stop 3: Abert Rim and Abert Lake
Directions from previous place: Drive north on OR-140 for 20.4 miles, then make a slight right onto Lakeview-Burns Hwy. After 7.9 miles, end at Abert Rim.
Distance from Previous Site: 28.32 miles / 45.3 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 29 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes Abert Rim is the largest geological fault in North America and towers 2,500 feet above the valley floor in the Great Basin country of Eastern Oregon's high desert. Abert Lake, one of the world's few remaining inland seas, is at the northernmost base of the rim. Brine shrimp are plentiful in Abert Lake and, as a result, it is a very good place to observe a wide variety of water birds. It is not uncommon to see mule deer traversing the mountain and country side in this area.
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Stop 4: Paisely
Directions from previous place: Drive southwest on US-395 for 7.7 miles, turn right and then take another right onto OR-31. After 22.0 miles, turn right onto Mill St. to end at Paisley.
Distance from Previous Site: 28.98 miles / 46.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 39 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour This small community is famous for it's annual Mosquito Festival which occurs every July. Stop here to take a breather and shop a little.
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Stop 5: Summer Lake Lodge and Wilderness Area
Directions from previous place: Drive west on Mill St. and turn right on Freemont Ave. Drive for 51.2 miles before turning left onto East Bay Road. After 5.1 miles, road turns into NF-28; drive for 4.4 miles and take a right. Turn left after 1.1 miles, take another right and then another left after 1.9 miles. Take a left onto NF-3024, drive for 1.3 miles and then continue on NF-3021 for another 3.6 miles. Turn left onto NF-3038 and drive for another 3.6 miles before making a right onto NF-3142. Take a left, then another left and after 1.4 miles, turn right to end at Summer Lake.
Distance from Previous Site: 75.04 miles / 120.1 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 2 hours 16 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 3 hours The Summer Lake Wildlife Area offers an abundance of lakes, hiking trails, scenic viewpoints and archaeological finds. Spend a day in the woods, as the area is excellent for fishing and hiking
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Stop 6: Fort Rock
Directions from previous place: Drive east, turn right and then left and drive for 1.8 miles. Take another left, then right and drive for another 2.6 miles before turning right onto NF-3142. Continue for 1.1 miles before making a left onto E Bay Rd. After 4.2 miles, keep right at the fork to continue on the road and drive for another 8.2 miles; road turns into County Road 4-12. After 5.1 miles, turn left onto OR-31 and follow the highway for 17.8 miles. Turn right onto County Road 5-10, drive for 2.8 miles before turning left, then right onto County Road 5-11A. Drive for another 2.4 miles before turning left, then left again to end at Fort Rock.
Distance from Previous Site: 48.33 miles / 77.3 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 hour 51 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 45 minutes See the remnants of an ancients volcano at Fort Rock State Park, just seven miles off the main byway. Nearby Fort Rock is the Homestead Village Museum.
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End: Hole-in-the-Ground
Directions from previous place: Drive southwest on the road, then turn right and right again onto County Road 5-11A; drive for 3.9 miles. Turn right onto BLM 6149-00, then left onto BLM 6149-A. After 1.2 miles, the road turns into NF-300. Turn right onto Road 017, drive for 2.1 miles, then right onto Road 400. Turn right onto Road 220 to end at Hole-in-the-Ground.
Distance from Previous Site: 9.2 miles / 14.7 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 24 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes Hole-in-the-Ground is a volcanic explosion crater located on the west edge of the Fort Rock basin. Take a look at the huge crater, formed by lava flows and eruptions from centuries past.
