McKenzie Pass–Santiam Pass Scenic Byway

McKenzie Pass–Santiam Pass Scenic Byway
McKenzie Pass–Santiam Pass Scenic Byway highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by ODOT
Length	82.0 mi (132.0 km)
Existed	February 8, 1989–present
Component highways	OR 242 from Sisters to Belknap Springs OR 126 from Belknap Springs to Sisters US 20 from near Santiam Junction to Sisters
Major junctions
Tourist loop around Mount Washington
CCW end	US 20 / OR 126 in Sisters
Major intersections	OR 126 in Belknap Springs US 20 near Santiam Junction
CW end	US 20 / OR 126 in Sisters
Location
Country	United States
State	Oregon
Counties	Deschutes, Lane, Linn, Jefferson
Highway system
Scenic Byways National National Forest BLM NPS Oregon Highways Interstate US State Named Scenic

The McKenzie Pass–Santiam Pass Scenic Byway is an 82-mile-long (132 km) National Scenic Byway in the U.S. state of Oregon. The route is a loop designed to provide a tour of the high Cascade Range northwest of Bend, passing over both McKenzie Pass and Santiam Pass.

Route description

The route begins on its eastern end at the town of Sisters in northern Deschutes County. It follows Oregon Route 126 westward over Santiam Pass south of Three Fingered Jack, then south along the valley of the McKenzie River. It then follows Oregon Route 242 eastward over McKenzie Pass, north of the Three Sisters then back to the town of Sisters. The route is considered a summer tour route, since the road over McKenzie Pass is closed in winter due to snowfall.

History

The McKenzie Pass–Santiam Pass Scenic Byway was designated a National Forest Scenic Byway on February 8, 1989. It was later made an Oregon State Scenic Byway on February 19, 1997 before becoming a National Scenic Byway on June 9, 1998.

Major intersections

See also: Oregon Route 126 § Major intersections, and Oregon Route 242 § Major intersections

County	Location	mi	km	Destinations	Notes
Deschutes	Sisters	84.83 0.00	136.52 0.00	US 20 east / OR 126 east – Sisters, Redmond, Bend OR 224 begins	Clockwise end of US 20 and OR 126 overlaps; counter-clockwise end of OR 224 overlap
Lane	Belknap Springs	36.59	58.89	OR 126 east – Blue River, Eugene OR 224 ends	Clockwise end of OR 224 overlap; counter-clockwise end of OR 126 overlap
Linn	​	56.40	90.77	US 20 west – Sweet Home, Lebanon, Albany	Counter-clockwise end of US 20 overlap
	Santiam Junction	59.61	95.93	OR 22 west – Detroit, Salem
Deschutes	Sisters	84.83 0.00	136.52 0.00	US 20 east / OR 126 east – Sisters, Redmond, Bend OR 224 begins	Clockwise end of US 20 and OR 126 overlaps; counter-clockwise end of OR 224 overlap
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi       Concurrency terminus

External links

• Media related to McKenzie Pass–Santiam Pass Scenic Byway at Wikimedia Commons