Christmas Valley Back Country Byway

Interested in exploring Oregon's Outback, a place often overlooked by highway motorists on their way to well-known attractions? For those with the time and desire to turn off the beaten track onto a country road, the 93-mile-long Christmas Valley Back Country Byway provides access to breathtaking high desert landscapes and unique geological features. From off-highway vehicle use on dunes composed largely of ash and pumice that blew into the area 7,000 years ago when Mt. Mazama erupted to hiking in the remains of an eroded volcano, this area provides something for everyone.

  • Check weather and road conditions ahead of time.
  • Bring area-specific maps and route descriptions.
  • Carry plenty of water and adequate fuel.
  • Carry a spare tire, jack, tools, shovel, blanket, etc.

Point of Interest:

The Black Hills Interpretive Site is a popular starting point for day hiking and photography. Accessible by foot or 4WD vehicle, it includes a parking area, fencing, and an interpretive sign.

Photos

Sunset atop Sand Rock in Lost Forest
Sunset atop Sand Rock in Lost Forest
Bureau of Land Management

Adventure is at Your Fingertips

Phone

Activities

Iconograph of a telescope and stars.
STARGAZING
Iconograph of a tent.
CAMPING
Iconograph of a picnic table
DAY USE AREA
Iconograph of two people wearing backpacks and using walking sticks
HIKING
Iconograph of a spoked wheel and an arrowhead.
HISTORIC & CULTURAL SITE
Iconograph of a person looking through a scope on a rifle
HUNTING
Iconograph of a bicyclist going up a rocky hill.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
The letters OHV
OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLE
Iconograph of a camera
PHOTOGRAPHY
Iconograph of a picnic table
PICNICKING
Iconograph of three evergreen trees
WILDERNESS
Iconograph of binoculars
WILDLIFE VIEWING

Geographic Coordinates

43.115835, -120.861551

Directions

From La Pine, Oregon: Take Hwy 97 South for two miles; turn left onto Hwy 31 South; follow Hwy 31 South for 30 miles. The Byway start at the intersection of Hwy 31 and County Road 5-10.

Fees

No fees.

Stay Limit

14 Days