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Oregon Road and Recreation Atlas
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West Cascades Scenic Byway, Oregon
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Contact Us About this Site
Description: The byway starts south of Portland, following the Wild and Scenic Clackamas River up the forested slopes of the Mount Hood National
Forest. Campground and day use areas line this popular river
corridor; stop and walk down the river a while to appreciate the peace of the ancient forest and the surge of the Clackamas. High in the Cascade Mountains, the road turns away from the river, passing some developed hot springs en route to Detroit Lake. More campgrounds
are scattered around the forested shores of this popular fishing area
in the Willamette National Forest.
The route continues south past Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington, and
the Three Sisters, dramatic snow-capped volcanoes. The road parallels
the Wild and Scenic McKenzie River as it flows from the glacial
snowmelt through fields of frozen lava. Near Blue Lake, the road
turns south, along the South Fork McKenzie, then along the Wild and
Scenic North Fork Scenic ForkWillamette. The road comes out at the
south end of the Willamette Valley, south of Eugene.
Developed campgrounds, scenic overlooks, and picnic areas line this
corridor; primitive or dispersed camping is available throughout both
the Mount Hood and Willamette National Forests. The recreational
reservoirs have boat ramps and allow motorboating & fishing.
Fly-fishing for trout, salmon, and steelhead in the rivers. McKenzie
is particularly renowned as a steelhead hatchery, and the section
below the designated stretch has an easy rafting run. The Clackamas
protects wild coho and chinook salmon, so fishing is restricted, but
the rafting is wild, with advanced to expert whitewater.
Off the byway, primitive recreation is available throughout the forest. Many visitors drive the byway in sections, visiting various areas in the lush forests of the Cascades.
Location: From the North Fork Reservoir southeast of Portland: follow OR 224 and Forest Road 46 (Clackamas River Road) to Detroit Lake. Go southeast on OR 22, west on OR 126 (part of the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway), then south on FR 19 to Oakridge. The trip is 220 miles, one way, and will take all day.
Address: McKenzie Ranger District
Willamette National Forest
57600 McKenzie Highway
McKenzie Bridge, OR 97413 |
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Phone: (541) 822-7210 |
Season: May - November; snow closures on FR 19 and FR 46 |
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Fee: Northwest Forest pass required at some areas |
Reservations: no
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Activities
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Biking
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Fishing |
Picnicking
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| Boating (Motorized) |
Hiking/Backpacking
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Scenic Driving
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| Boating (Non-motorized) |
Horseback Riding |
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| Boating (WW) |
Hunting |
Water Sports |
| Camping |
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Wildlife Viewing |
| Caving |
Off Highway Vehicles
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Winter Sports
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| Climbing
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Services and Facilities
indicates availability indicates unavailability  indicates the service or facility is accessible to people with disabilities |
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Visitor Center
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Group Campgnd
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RV Sites
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Exhibits |
Campgnd, Primitive
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Electric Hookup
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Interpretive Programs
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Drinking Water
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Dump Station
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Cultural-Historic Sites
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Restrooms
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Boat Ramp
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Campgnd, Developed
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Showers
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Marina |
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| Rental Cabins |
Notes:
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