Barlow Pass Historic Wagon Road

The Barlow Pass route follows the actual wagon ruts carved by Oregon Trail pioneers in 1845, when Samuel Barlow blazed this brutal alternative to rafting the Columbia River rapids. The road climbs from the Sandy River valley through dense old-growth forest to Barlow Pass at 4,157 feet, then drops down the infamous Laurel Hill grade where emigrants lowered their wagons with ropes wrapped around trees. You can still see the deep groove worn into the hillside by countless wagon wheels and the stumps of trees used as anchor points. The route continues past the Pioneer Woman’s Grave and through Government Camp before connecting with modern Highway 26.

This is an easy to moderate route depending on conditions, suitable for most high-clearance vehicles in dry weather but potentially treacherous when wet or icy. Best traveled May through October, though snow can linger at higher elevations into late spring. No permits required, and several established campgrounds exist along the route including Tollgate and Still Creek. The historic significance alone makes this worth the drive – you’re literally following in the wheel ruts of westward expansion. Interpretive signs mark key points, and the original Barlow Road tollgate site still stands near Government Camp.