Driving and Motorcycle Routes

Oakridge/McKenzie/Bend/Cascade Scenic Drive

Scenic Drives & Motorcycle Routes

Enjoy a pleasant drive around the Oakridge / Westfir area through old growth forests, alongside rivers and reservoirs and past scenic lookouts. The Willamette National Forest has hundreds of forest roads perfect for exploring. Pick up a forest service road map at the Middle Fork Ranger District. Before setting out, check TripCheck.com for traffic, road and weather conditions.

Oakridge / Westfir Area Loop

For an easy, scenic loop, follow Forest Service Rd #21 toward Hills Creek Reservoir Dr past the Warner Mountain Fire Lookout, along the Diamond Peak Wilderness boundary and then back toward Oakridge. Pack a picnic lunch or return to town for lunch or dinner at one of the local restaurants.

The Aufderheide Scenic Byway & Cascades Loop

This is a favorite paved route for scenic drivers because it includes rivers, waterfalls, lakes and much more. Plus much of the ride is on very low traffic roads. This beautiful drive is even more magical when fall leaves are turning or wildflowers are blooming.

The ride starts in Oakridge, from there head to Westfir (3 miles away) and get on the Aufderheide Scenic Byway (Forest Service Rd #19) ride on the Aufderheide for 56 miles until you reach HWY 126 at McKenzie Bridge, follow HWY 126 until you reach HWY 242, The Old McKenzie Highway Pass, ride HWY 242 into Sisters…ride from Sisters to Bend, once in Bend get on Century Dr which becomes the Cascade Lake Hwy, follow it until it intersects with the Davis Lake Cut Off Rd, once there head towards HWY 58 and then follow HWY 58 back to Oakridge.

The Aufderheide is not maintained in the winter and HWY 242 is typically closed from late fall to early summer, so check road and weather conditions before heading out.

Oakridge to Cottage Grove Drive

Another low traffic route is the newly paved route between Oakridge and Cottage Grove.

Take HWY 58 east and turn off on the Hill Creek Reservoir exit, drive one mile and turn onto Forest Service Rd #21. Drive a couple miles and then turn onto Larison Rock Rd (Forest Service Rd #2102) and follow the pavement. DO NOT follow the signs to Cottage Grove, as they have not been changed for the new paved route… just watch for pavement at junctions, there is only one paved route. Arrive in Cottage Grove by Dorena Lake. Cottage Grove is known for its many historic covered bridges and movie-backdrop downtown.

Hills Creek Reservoir Loop

This loop drive will take you to Hills Creek Reservoir along Forest Service Rd #21, past Warner Mountain Fire Lookout, along the Diamond Peak Wilderness boundary and then back toward Oakridge.

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