Unearth The Voyage
Oregon’s McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway offers one of the most dramatic road trips in the Pacific Northwest, stretching 82 miles through volcanic landscapes, alpine forests, and cascading rivers. This spectacular route combines natural wonders like thundering waterfalls and ancient lava fields with breathtaking mountain views and vibrant autumn colors. Whether you’re a nature lover, photographer, or adventure seeker, this byway promises unforgettable sights around every curve.
1. Sisters – Your Gateway Town
Begin your journey in Sisters, a charming town that perfectly captures the spirit of the Old West. Wooden boardwalks, antique shops, and art galleries line the streets, giving visitors a taste of frontier life with modern comforts.
From here, you’ll head west along US-20 and OR-126 to start the byway loop. Stock up on snacks, fill your gas tank, and grab a map before hitting the road.
Sisters makes an ideal base camp for exploring the byway. The town’s friendly atmosphere and cozy lodges provide the perfect bookends to your scenic adventure through Oregon’s volcanic heartland.
2. Suttle Lake
As the road climbs toward Santiam Pass, you’ll encounter Suttle Lake nestled among towering pines. This glacially carved gem attracts boaters, anglers, and anyone seeking a moment of tranquility beside crystal-clear water.
Autumn transforms the shoreline into a painter’s palette. Maples and vine maples burst into brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows, creating mirror-like reflections across the lake’s glassy surface.
Pull over at one of the scenic viewpoints for photos or stretch your legs on the lakeside trails. The peaceful atmosphere here offers a gentle introduction to the dramatic landscapes waiting ahead on your byway adventure.
3. Santiam Pass & Lost Lake
At 4,817 feet elevation, Santiam Pass marks a significant milestone on your journey. The air grows cooler and crisper as you reach this high-elevation crossing point between valleys.
Nearby sits Lost Lake, one of Oregon’s most peculiar natural features. This seasonal lake fills with snowmelt each spring, then mysteriously drains through a lava tube come fall, sometimes disappearing entirely.
Hikers will appreciate knowing the Pacific Crest Trail crosses right here. This famous 2,650-mile footpath connects Mexico to Canada, and your drive intersects with one of its most scenic stretches through volcanic wilderness and ancient forests.
4. Sahalie & Koosah Falls (McKenzie River Highway, OR-126)
Descending from Santiam Pass onto OR-126, the McKenzie River becomes your constant companion. A 2.6-mile loop trail connects two spectacular waterfalls that thunder over ancient lava formations.
Sahalie Falls plunges 100 feet in a roaring curtain of white water visible right from the parking area. Downstream, Koosah Falls spreads wider across layered basalt, creating a different but equally mesmerizing display.
Don’t miss the Tamolitch Pool, nicknamed the Blue Pool, where the river magically reappears from underground lava tubes. The water glows an otherworldly turquoise blue, making it one of the byway’s most photographed spots.
5. Clear Lake & the McKenzie Headwaters
Further along OR-126 lies Clear Lake, the pristine spring-fed birthplace of the McKenzie River. Its name understates the reality—this lake boasts some of the clearest water on the planet.
Peer into the depths and you’ll spot something extraordinary: an ancient submerged forest preserved for thousands of years. These ghostly tree trunks stand upright hundreds of feet below, visible through the transparent water.
Rent a kayak or canoe to glide silently across the surface for the best views. The combination of cold spring water and minimal sediment keeps visibility remarkably high year-round, creating an unforgettable natural aquarium.
6. OR-242 / McKenzie Highway — Lava Fields & Proxy Falls
At the junction, turn east onto OR-242 to begin your climb over McKenzie Pass. Shortly after, you’ll reach the trailhead for Proxy Falls, where water tumbles gracefully over emerald moss-draped rocks in two distinct tiers.
The 1.3-mile trail loops through old-growth forest to viewing platforms for both falls. Upper Proxy Falls spreads wide across columnar basalt, while Lower Proxy Falls drops into a mysterious disappearing pool.
Beyond the falls, prepare for Deadhorse Grade—a challenging stretch where the road gains 1,200 feet in just four miles. The steep climb rewards drivers with increasingly dramatic views of surrounding peaks and volcanic formations.
7. Lava Fields & Dee Wright Observatory (McKenzie Pass Summit)
Near the summit, the landscape transforms completely as 65 square miles of jagged lava rock stretch in every direction. These frozen black waves erupted roughly 2,000 years ago, creating an otherworldly moonscape.
Rising from this volcanic sea stands the Dee Wright Observatory, a stunning 1935 CCC structure built entirely from local lava. Step inside and peer through specially positioned windows that frame views of Mount Jefferson, Three Sisters, and Mount Washington.
Walk the paved Lava River Interpretive Trail to explore this alien terrain up close. Informative signs explain the volcanic forces that shaped this remarkable landscape into one of Oregon’s most unique destinations.
8. Descending Back to Sisters via Winds & Forest
After crossing McKenzie Pass, the road winds downward through dense forest zones. Stop at Windy Point for one last panoramic vista before the trees close in around you.
Old-growth Douglas firs and ponderosa pines tower overhead as you descend. During autumn, these forested stretches showcase brilliant yellows and golds among the evergreens, creating a perfect finale to your volcanic adventure.
As you roll back into Sisters, you’ll have traveled through multiple ecosystems and millions of years of geological history. This 82-mile loop delivers more natural diversity per mile than almost any other drive in America.
