Deschutes National Forest China Hat Road

China Hat Road cuts a lonely line through the pumice flats and lava flows southeast of Bend, leading to the distinctive China Hat cinder cone that gives this route its name. The 20-mile dirt track starts near Paulina Lake and winds through classic high desert terrain dotted with juniper and sagebrush. Key waypoints include the Paulina Creek crossing and the final approach to China Hat itself, where the road climbs to 5,100 feet for commanding views of the Three Sisters, Mount Bachelor, and the volcanic badlands stretching toward Nevada.

This is an easy to moderate route suitable for any high-clearance vehicle, though the loose pumice and occasional rocky sections reward careful tire placement. Summer through early fall offers the best conditions, as winter snows make the route impassable. No permits required, and dispersed camping is allowed throughout the national forest. Bring plenty of water—this is dry country. The payoff is solitude in one of Oregon’s most underrated volcanic landscapes, perfect for stargazing without light pollution.