Old McKenzie Pass Highway (Oregon)

This abandoned section of Highway 242 cuts through some of Oregon’s most dramatic volcanic terrain, winding over McKenzie Pass at 5,324 feet through the Cascade Range. Built in 1872 as a wagon road, the route crosses extensive lava flows from Belknap Crater, offering unobstructed views of the Three Sisters, Mount Washington, and Mount Jefferson. The road surface alternates between broken asphalt and volcanic rock, with the Dee Wright Observatory marking the high point where you can walk among recent lava flows.

Moderate difficulty requires high-clearance vehicles due to deteriorated pavement and loose volcanic rock sections. Winter closure runs October through June due to heavy snow, making July through September the prime season. No permits required, but fuel up in Sisters or McKenzie Bridge as services are 30+ miles away. Dispersed camping available in designated areas. The payoff is driving through an active volcanic landscape that feels more like Mars than Oregon, with hiking access to wilderness areas and some of the Cascades’ best volcano viewing.