McKenzie Pass Panoramic Road

The McKenzie Pass Panoramic Road is an amazing 138 km round-trip drive that begins in the city of Sisters, Oregon and takes you through McKenzie Pass and Santiam Pass. It is a great way to explore the stunning beauty of the Cascade Mountains. The best time of year to drive the McKenzie Pass Panoramic Road is during the summer months, when the snow has melted and the views are unobstructed. Along the route, you will be able to take in spectacular views of the Three Sisters, Mt. Washington and Mt. Jefferson. You may even want to stop to take a break and explore the lava beds and lava tube caves. Although this road trip can easily be completed in one day, you may want to take your time and enjoy the journey. The road is generally in good condition, but some sections can be rough. The trip is suitable for all drivers and can be done on a moderate budget. So pack your bags, get in the car, and hit the road for an unforgettable adventure along the McKenzie Pass Panoramic Road!

Sisters, Oregon is a small town located in the heart of the Cascade Mountains, and the perfect starting point for the McKenzie Pass Panoramic Road. This winding road takes you through some of the most beautiful and picturesque parts of Oregon, with an array of stunning vistas, including the Three Sisters Mountains and the snow-capped peaks of the Cascades. The town of Sisters itself is also worth a visit, with plenty of interesting sights to explore. The city boasts a unique mix of Western and Victorian architecture, as well as a variety of shops, restaurants, and galleries. Be sure to check out the Sisters Movie House, the town’s historic theater, as well as the Deschutes Historical Museum. Travelers arriving by air should fly into the Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM), the closest international airport to Sisters. Car rentals are available at the airport, ideal for those looking to begin their journey on the McKenzie Pass Panoramic Road. No matter how you choose to explore Sisters, Oregon, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience. From the scenic roads to the charming town, Sisters is sure to be a highlight of your road trip.

Are you ready for a road trip adventure? Get your car ready and head out from Sisters, United States to McKenzie Pass! This 15-mile trip will take you less than an hour, and you'll be rewarded with some of the most beautiful sights in the area. Start your journey in Sisters, where you can visit the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, the largest outdoor quilt show in the world, or the FivePine Lodge & Spa, a luxury resort. Continue your drive to McKenzie Pass, and experience the stunning views of the Cascade Mountains. You can also visit the Dee Wright Observatory, a unique stone structure built in the 1930s, or the McKenzie Pass National Scenic Byway, a 55-mile road that passes through the Cascades. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the "Itinerary" of this stage. Have a great road trip!

Embark on a memorable road trip from McKenzie Pass to Santiam Pass! This 50mi journey is sure to be one of the highlights of your larger tour, taking you fewer than 2 hours to complete. Start your trip in McKenzie Pass and explore the area's volcanic landscape and its views of the Cascade Mountains. Here you will find the Dee Wright Observatory, an impressive stone structure built in the 1930s. From the observatory, you can view the three Sisters, Mount Washington, and the Belknap Crater. Continue your journey to the nearby Clear Lake, a beautiful lake surrounded by old-growth forests. Here you can enjoy a peaceful stroll along the lakeshore or a picnic in the nearby meadows. As you approach Santiam Pass, take a break at the Olallie Lake Scenic Area. Here you can enjoy a variety of activities, including camping, hiking, fishing, and kayaking. At the end of your journey, you will reach Santiam Pass, where you can visit the historic Santiam Wagon Road. This road was used by settlers in the 1800s to transport goods between Oregon and California. To learn more about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along this route, please check the Itinerary of this stage.

Welcome to the Santiam Pass - Sisters road trip stage! This beautiful journey will take you 20 miles through the scenic Oregon Cascades, with a driving time of fewer than 1 hour. Start your trip in Santiam Pass, where you can take a memorable hike in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness Area. Here you can take in the stunning views of the Three Sisters Mountains, or take a leisurely stroll along the Santiam River. Next, head to Three Creek Lake, where you can enjoy the tranquility of the lake, or take a hike along the trails. You can also take a short drive to nearby Willamette Pass Ski Area, where you can ski, snowboard and enjoy the beauty of the Oregon Cascades. Finally, end your journey in Sisters, a charming small town with a unique western atmosphere. Here you can explore the local shops and galleries, or take a relaxing walk along the Deschutes River. This is just one of the many stages of the Oregon Cascades road trip. For more information on attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your journey!

The McKenzie Pass Panoramic Road is an amazing journey through the Cascade Mountains and the high desert of Central Oregon. Along this scenic drive, travelers will enjoy stunning views of the Cascade Range, the Three Sisters Mountains, and the McKenzie River. One of the highlights of the trip is a visit to Sisters, Oregon. Named for the Three Sisters Mountains, Sisters is a charming western town with a variety of attractions. Visitors can explore the many shops, galleries, and restaurants that line the historic main street. Or, take a stroll through the quaint downtown area, with its beautiful old buildings and antique stores. For those looking to explore nature, Sisters has plenty to offer. There are several hiking trails in the area, including the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail. Or, take a drive along the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway. This scenic route takes travelers through the Willamette National Forest and offers stunning views of the Cascade Range. After a day of adventure, visitors can relax at the Sisters Inn and Spa, a luxurious retreat offering spa treatments, a pool, and a restaurant. For those traveling by air, the closest international airport is the Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM). At the end of the McKenzie Pass Panoramic Road lies the picturesque town of Sisters, Oregon. With its stunning views and endless outdoor activities, Sisters is the perfect place to end your journey.

We hope that our itinerary idea gave you multiple inspirations for your future travels.
It is a ready-made option that can be conveniently developed into a complete journey – options are countless.
If you are planning on travelling by car in Oregon, there are a number of important road rules to follow and a list of things to bear in mind to turn your trip into pleasure. These tips will also become useful for travellers who are interested in renting a car or renting a camper in Oregon.
Moving around Oregon requires you to be mindful of the local road rules. Alcohol is best to be avoided at any cost when Oregon is your travel destination. Holidayers ought to remember that the permitted consumption limit is low and equals only 0.5‰. In order to avoid speeding offence, it is best to never exceed 40km/h, which is the maximum allowed speed around the city. Around rural areas, holidaymakers can travel at the maximum speed of 72km/h. Avoid exceeding the allowed speed of 129km/h when travelling on motorways. In order to stay safe, it is best to drive with your headlights on at daytime and equip your vehicle with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
The majority of travellers are also interested in the travel expenses of the whole road trip. Depending on the budget option that you’re interested in, the money that you have to spend on your tour expenses will differ. A wide range of budget options is described below.
We estimate that the budget option when it comes to fuel to cover the planned 4 stages while travelling around Oregon may cost roughly 13 EUR. Economy accommodation options can cost tourists approximately 77 EUR. The travel expenses related to food and restaurants within this option may cost up to more or less 72 EUR. Travellers will have to pay around 45 EUR if they aim for the cheapest rental car offer as well. Thus, the estimated travel expenses amount to about 162 EUR without vehicle rental and 207 EUR with car rental.
Holidayers who are interested in greater comfort and the standard option will pay approximately 25 EUR for the gasoline needed to cover the road trip. Cost amounting to 121 EUR can be expected by all drivers who are looking for standard accommodation. The slightly increased standard in comparison to the budget option entails costs amounting to around 108 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the trip in a standard rental car should expect a cost of around 54 EUR. Summing up the standard offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total more or less 308 EUR for drivers who would like to try car rental and 254 EUR for those who are not interested in renting.
The available premium offer has been prepared for the most demanding tourists. When it comes to this offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total more or less 470 EUR for holidayers who are considering car hire and 254 EUR for those who do not need a hire car. Travellers who want to cover the road trip in a premium hire car should expect a cost of approximately 90 EUR. In the top standard option of the tour, you should expect the average cost of approximately 38 EUR when it comes to fuel. Holidaymakers who are considering top services in all aspects of their tour should expect to pay about 144 EUR for food and restaurants and around 198 EUR for accommodation.
Our road trip will also be excellent for all camper fans, as it can be easily adjusted to their expectations. When it comes to this means of transport, you will pay up to roughly 225 EUR. If you are wondering about the gasoline expenses for the whole tour, they will amount to more or less 38 EUR. Holidaymakers should expect to pay approximately 72 EUR for expenses connected with food and about 55 EUR for accommodation if they want to travel in a camper.
You can check all of the details in the section Road Trip Costs.
If McKenzie Pass Panoramic Road has sparked your creativity, there are plenty of picturesque scenic drives and road trips on our website. Even the most demanding of travellers will definitely be surprised by the wide spectrum of road trips available on our website.